The Minutes were accepted as a true record of the March meeting and were duly signed by the Chairman.
Planning applications are now being sent to Cllr Johnson. The Chairman has not yet contacted coach companies for the Senior Citizens Outing, but will do so soon. The Clerk has informed Sarah Ede that the Parish Council does not wish to host a stall at the St. Martin's Guild Fete. She has also sent a sympathy card to the family of David Sadler.
The Chairman will speak to Karen Anderson concerning the vacancies on the Council. A letter has been set to HM Revenue and Customs in response to their queries with regard to the VAT claim.
The application to build another property at Bances Yard has been refused. The Parish Council has put a proposal for a better arrangement for the development at Clere House and Little Oxlease to the developer. He is taking this forward with Basingstoke and Deane, and will come back to the Council when he has had a response from the planners. Cllr. Kyle-Lawrence has noticed Little Oxlease is currently let for 6 months.
The Council is concerned about extra traffic as a result of the building work at Moongrove, near St. Martin's church, particularly in light of problems associated with the construction of Hayes and Peter's Cottage at North End. Through the owners a meeting has been sought with the agent and local representation, including Rev. Christine Dale, to discuss what can be done to minimise damage and disturbance.
Retention of mobile home at Evergreen Farm in North End. There was agreement that the Council should continue to oppose this on the grounds previously expressed.
Building of 3 5-bedroomed dwellings at Blindmans Gate, in the back garden of The Willows. A meeting has taken place with the residents, who strongly object to this on the grounds of over-development, poor layout, access and parking. They also object to the further erosion of the character of the cul de sac, coming as it does on top of the current building of 3 properties by Rivar. The effect of these two developments would increase the number of dwellings from 9 to 15. Both the residents and the Council are very concerned that the scale of such development in Woolton Hill is unsustainable. This issue will be included in their objections.
Outline application to demolish Newbury Lodge and replace with 2 large detached dwellings. This demolition is being vigorously opposed through a campaign by local people beyond the immediate residents. The loss of this historic building would not, in the Council's view, be justified by the gain of one dwelling and the over-development of this important prominent site. The Council is also objecting on safety grounds to the creation of a second access close to the entrance to the lane into Tile Barn.
As the owners of Newbury Lodge were present at the meeting, the Chairman asked if they wished to speak, which they did.
Replacement of 4 of the 5 permitted business units at Harwood Paddock with larger ones A site meeting has taken place with the residents who overlook the paddock. The proposal would increase the total floor area and parking space by 11%. The Council is objecting to any change to the development other than its reduction in scale, because of the traffic and safety implications and the increased dominance of the re-designed units. The Council has recommended that the development should include a footpath inside the retained hedgeline between the site entrance and Greenways.
The application to install CCTV has been approved. St. Thomas' would also like to go ahead with cameras, and are happy that the equipment required for the CCTV be housed in the school.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO PLACE ORDER. CLLR KERNAHAN TO ASK ST. THOMAS' TO CONFIRM IN WRITING THAT THEY ARE HAPPY TO HOUSE EQUIPMENT.The fence at Woolton Hill tennis court has been repaired again, and the slide is being repaired today. The goalposts are being cut into pieces as people keep putting them up only for them to fall over again.
The drain at the car park in Woolton Hill has been cleared. The bylaw notices are being reinstated next week. The Dunlop safety report has been received and its recommendations are being looked at.
Mrs. Shapcott, owner of the property on the corner of the Ball Hill and Heath End roads, is concerned that the edge of her property is being taken away by the road surfacing.*
*ACTION: CLLR KERNAHAN TO INVESTIGATE.The dip in the road at Gore End Road has been filled and the drain moved. However, this area is still prone to flooding, particularly around Knights Cottage. Speeding along the Ball Hill Road continues to be a problem. Work is to be carried out soon at the Penwood Crossroads.
The roads around Peters Cottage and Hayes are in a bad way due to the building work which has taken place there. The Chairman and the Borough Councillor are going to have a look.
Traffic heading to Malverleys to supply building materials are going along Fullers Lane, and need to be re-routed. Flooding has caused a problem outside the Junior School. The recent very heavy rain resulted in the deposit of lots of muck on the road. Building work is taking place at a property in Falcon Coppice, where they have removed some fence panels in the back garden and are using this gap as access to and from the lower Broad Layings road. Someone from Hampshire Highways should be taking a look at this soon.
A list of Income and Expenditure was presented and cheques duly signed.
Cllr Kernahan noted that the new CCTV will need to be insured.*
A resident of Knights Lane has asked if anything is known about the field with a barn in it opposite Knights Lane on the Ball Hill Road. It is believed a planning application for this barn was submitted and approved some time ago.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO CHECK UP AND REPORT TO CLLR KERNAHAN.Cllr Kernahan has dog mess notices, should anyone require one.
East Woodhay Silver Band's Annual concert will take place soon, with the proceeds going to the Rainbow Room at Newbury Hospital.
No progress has yet been made on reconfiguring the lease for the field. It has been noticed that the field is looking untidy, and it was suggested that a local farmer may like to cut it in return for the hay.*
*ACTION: CHAIRMAN TO FOLLOW THIS UP.