RIVER YEALM & DISTRICT ASSOCIATION.
NOTES OF A COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE RYDA.
1. APOLOGIES. The full committee was present.
2. THE MINUTES OF A COMMITTEE MEETING of the 4th March 2009 were approved.
3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES.
1.
* The Harbour Clean Up for 2009. The Harbour Clean Up had been completed successfully. There was a noticeable drop in the amount of rubbish recovered. The Secretary was asked to write the usual letters to the NNPC and the RYHA asking for a contribution of £55 towards the insurance costs for this exercise.
· The Meeting with Gary Streeter MP on Planning at Bridgend. This would take place at 2pm on Friday 26th June. The RYDA would be represented by the Chairman and the Secretary.
· The Blue Book. A further 12 copies had been sold since April bringing in £60 to RYDA funds. There was clearly a continuing demand for the Blue Book, which with the addition of a full amendments list, enabled people to have a contemporary version on purchase. It was decided that it would be helpful if a copy of the Blue Book cover could be displayed on the RYDA Notice Boards. The Secretary would try and achieve this.
· The proliferation of large properties. There was a discussion of both Riverhaven and St Louis, both examples of the erection of large houses on the sites of small cottages. The RYDA had taken up this issue in the past, as had several members individually, but the way in which the planning system worked in practice through retrospective application had rendered protest usually ineffective. This whole issue would be raised with Gary Streeter in June as part of the discussions on a Village Design Statement.
4. CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT.
* The Primary School. The Chairman briefed the meeting on the outcome of a series of meetings concerning the erection of an ancillary building at the school. This subject had generated considerable argument but had now been resolved. Devon County Council unanimously granted planning permission and funds for a slightly modified building.
* Sewage. The previous Chairman had written to South West Water in June 2006 trying to ascertain the constraints on further development due to limitations in the sewage system. There had been further sewage work on the beach this last week and it was felt that, with the SHLAA pointing towards yet further development, it was time to find out what, if any, constraints remained. The Secretary was asked to draft a suitable letter.
5. SECRETARY’S ROUND-UP
· The Boundary Committee and The Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West. The Secretary brought the committee up to date with the current timescales for these important reports. Their outcome would affect all of us.
· The South Hams District Council Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). This had now been published and there were 11 possible Sites in the two villages where development might take place. The Secretary briefed the committee on the numerous issues involved and the NNPC’s proposals for sampling community opinion. The SHDC would organise “local workshops” in June (on which the Secretary would be represented) to discuss any proposals. These would be followed by a six week consultation period on proposed site allocations in the Autumn. The final proposals would be open to Government inspection and, hopefully, approval in 2010.
In discussing how best the RYDA could contribute to the debate it was decided to urge all members to attend the meeting on the 9th June and make their opinions known to the NNPC. There would be a notice in the Parish Magazine and “Flyers” around the two villages.
6. TREASURER & MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT.
* AL reported that RYDA funds now stood at £1,800, an increase brought about largely by the sale of the Blue Book, referred to previously, but also from over 70 letters sent out recently reminding members of overdue subscriptions. The overall membership of the Association remained at around 375.
7. PLANNING REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT
* RC, in introducing this item, mentioned the present status of Crispins (application refused, but likely to go to appeal) and the Bridgend Limekiln (Application withdrawn).There was now a new application – St Louis in Riverside Rd West (37/0571/09/F). This was yet another very large replacement for a small bungalow and was being opposed by the NNPC. It was decided to add this application to the Gary Streeter discussions on the 26th June.
8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
* Flags at Pope’s Quay. The RYDA has always provided the Union Flags flown at Pope’s Quay. Two new flags had been bought but the pole itself needed the anti-seagull spike to be replaced before any new flags were flown. CB undertook to organise a small working party to carry out this work, after which the new flags would be flown.
* The Post of Hon Secretary. Robin Hogg has now been in the post for three
years and will need a successor to take over in the autumn.. This is not an onerous job and full of interest but, since no one seemed keen to volunteer, it was decided to canvas for someone who would take on the secretarial work on a paid basis . Anyone who might like to be considered 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 Tuesday 30th June 2009. William Taylor has very kindly offered to host this meeting,
The Chairman, in closing the meeting, thanked Kate Wood for her hospitality. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40pm.
Robin Hogg, Hon Secretary RYDA.
William Taylor, Chairman