RIVER YEALM & DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE RYDA.
1. APOLOGIES.
All members of the Committee were in attendance.
2. THE MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE MEETING of the 11th November 2008 were approved.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
* Liaison with Local Associations in Brixton and Wembury. The Secretary told the meeting that the exchange of Calling Notices and Minutes of meetings, suggested at the last meeting, had begun. The “Footpath Post Card”, suggested by Mr Hepburn, had been passed on to Tom Taylor (The NNPC Footpath Officer) who would raise it at the next NNPC Meeting.
* The Harbour Clean Up for 2009. CB, in briefing the meeting, said he was in discussion with one or two people who had showed an interest in taking over the role of the Co-ordinator for this event in future. He hoped to be able to confirm future arrangements at our next meeting.
* A possible Village Design Statement (VDS). Discussion of this item widened rapidly to cover the RYDA relationship with the NNPC, Affordable Housing, the state of the local Sewage System and its relationship to future development, the issue of Conservation Areas and the AONB and the proliferation of large properties around the two villages; all separate items on the original agenda for the meeting.
In leading the discussion, the Chairman noted that the RYDA’s contribution to the NNPC draft “Affordable Housing Policy” had been reflected in the next draft to go forward to the NNPC. Though there remained general support for this document, we would need to watch for a tendency to “spread the pain” of future Affordable Housing around the community for no better reason than a misguided sense of general “fairness”. It would be important to ensure that the NNPC stuck to its core principles of not extending the village boundaries, of sustainability in terms of building where there was easy access to community facilities and in selecting sites that were economically sensible to develop.
It was clear that the local Sewage system was operating at close to its maximum capacity and would inhibit much further development without further investment by South West Water and Developers. The Secretary was asked to explore the “Compliance Figures” for our sewage system with a view to drafting a letter to the NNPC and others drawing attention to this serious limitation on future development.
In discussing the current rash of applications at Bridgend: The Green House, Crispins, the Lime Kiln and the linked association with the AONB and any future Conservation area, the Chairman noted that he and the Secretary would be attending a meeting with the local MP, Mr Gary Streeter, on 21st February. This meeting was designed to air a whole raft of Planning issues. They would report back to the committee on completion.
The discussion then moved to two individual Sites:
* Tidal Waters. The NNPC had asked for guidance on this matter. The Committee remained determined to support the Leonards in their fight for modifications to this property. The Secretary had already committed himself to support them in any appearance before the Ombudsman.
* The Lime Kiln. Whilst sympathetic to the immediate neighbours, it was felt generally that this development would be an improvement on the current dilapidated condition of the site. It would, however, be important to bring pressure to bear to ensure that any new building did not invade the privacy of its neighbours.
* Noss Village Hall Revelstoke Pictures. These pictures, which used to hang in the Noss Village Hall before its renovation, had been transferred to Mr Rodney Carter of the NNPC for hanging in the Newton Ferrers Reading Room, currently being renovated. The Chairman instructed that this transfer should be formally recorded.
The Chairman made the point that most of the key subjects for the meeting had been covered in earlier discussion. He only wished to record that:
Discussions had taken place with the owners of the trees and bushes obstructing views of the Pool from Yealm Road, West of the Lees path. These would be cleared gradually over the next few months for the benefit of the whole community and he wished to record the committee’s gratitude to them.
The Trees acquired by the RYDA from the SHDC had now been planted at Noss Green. It was to be hoped that they would provide some useful shade for users of the Green in the years to come.
The Boundary Committee. The result of the Judicial Review to the challenge by the East Devon District Council was now available. It could be that the decision by the Secretary of State could be delayed until after February.
The Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West. This had attracted over 35,000 responses. We are unlikely to see the final document until April at the earliest. The entire basis on which the Housing figures and Economic Growth Forecasts had been constructed was now clearly affected by the current economic crisis.
The Plymouth Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). It is clear that, if Plymouth is to replace “Housing Estates” with “Sustainable Neighbourhoods”, it will need to expand over its current boundaries. It would appear that Woolwell, Bickleigh and Sparkwell will be vulnerable to Plymouth over-spill.
6. TREASURER & MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT.
AL placed a set of un-audited accounts before the committee. These showed that the Association’s finances remained in a healthy condition. The Chairman agreed that these accounts should form part of the AGM Calling Notice.
AL also mentioned that he had sent out over 70 letters reminding members of overdue subscriptions. This would produce a trickle of funds over the next month or so. The overall membership of the Association remained at around 375.
7. PLANNING REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT
Much of the discussion on planning matters had already taken place earlier in the meeting. However RC made the point that, in spite of easier access to Planning Applications on the SHDC Website, details were often too imprecise to enable a sensible judgement to be made.
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
* The Annual General Meeting. It was agreed that we should hold the AGM at 7.30pm on Thursday 2nd April in the WIC Hall. The Chairman asked for suggestions as to who might be a suitable speaker for the event. The Secretary was asked to make some enquiries.
A “Draft” AGM Newsletter had been circulated to the committee. This was approved, with some minor amendments. 400 copies would be required for distribution.
* Flags at Pope’s Quay. The RYDA has always provided the Union Flags flown at Pope’s Quay. In the past, these had been looked after by the Landlord of the Swan. The committee authorised the purchase of two new flags, which would in future be looked after by the Secretary.
* The Post of Hon Secretary. Robin Hogg has now be in the post for three
years and has a hefty workload as Local Chairman of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE). He will need a successor to take over in 2009. This is not an onerous job and full of interest. Anyone who might like to consider this should get in touch with him.
9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING.
It was decided that the next meeting would be at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 4th March . CB has very kindly offered to host this meeting, which will be used for preparing the AGM material for circulation to members. Future meetings would be hosted by the Chairman and then by Kate Wood.
The Chairman, in closing the meeting, thanked Robin & Angela Hogg for their hospitality.
Robin Hogg, Hon Secretary RYDA.
William Taylor, Chairman