Minutes of the Extra Ordinary Meeting held on Thursday 19th October at 7.00pm in Hope under Dinmore Village Hall
MINUTES
Present:
Parish Councillors: Cllr Leslie Legge (Chair) Cllr. N Ramsay; Cllr. Mrs K Clarkson; Cllr John Stone; Cllr J Pritchard; Cllr A Morgan; Cllr K Rocke; Cllr N Giles.
Also in attendance: Parish Clerk: Mrs L Hay; Ward Cllr Pauline Crockett
Member of the public present: 21
The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting.
1. To Receive Apologies for Absence – Cllr Paul Stephens
2. Declarations of Interest and Applications for Dispensations – none declared.
3. Open Session – To Consider Planning Matter:
APPLICATION NO & SITE ADDRESS: No 172781 Land adjacent to Cherry Brook, Hope under Dinmore
DESCRIPTION: Proposed residential development of site – to consist of 6 semi-detached dwellings.
The Chairman opened the meeting by introducing Ward Cllr Crockett. The Chairman then invited Cllr. Neil Ramsay as Chairman of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group to outline the current situation with regard to the Neighbourhood Plan.
Cllr Ramsay explained that the Neighbourhood Plan had been commissioned for parishioners to look at potential housing sites within their parish and to assess suitability for development.
The Hope under Dinmore Plan is now ready for submission for assessment by Herefordshire Council and an independent examiner.
It was noted that during the consultation period and when drawing up the final conclusions for submission – all areas that maybe considered for development fall within the highest flood risk zones.
It was also noted, with interest, that in the OHA Flood Risk Assessment document dated 25th July 2017 associated with the land adjacent to Cherrybrook – item 2.04 Floor levels – the floor level of the dwellings will be set 600mm above the 1% river flood level.
Members of the public were invited to comment through the Chair and after a lengthy discussion which highlighted the potential/additional flooding risk to neighbouring properties and to the village road. Concerns were also expressed with regard to the additional vehicular access on to the village and A49 junction; the potential of additional off road parking and the sewage/grey waste that would be produced as a by-product if this development was granted planning permission.
As there were no more comments from the public, the Chairman closed the Open Session.
The Parish Councillors discussed the issues raised during the Open Session and It was unanimously agreed by a show of hands to object to the proposed outline planning application principally on the grounds that this area is already considered to lie within EA Flood Zones 3 and level 3.
The flowing document was agreed and the Clerk asked to respond accordingly on the Herefordshire Planning website.
The Parish Council is very concerned about this application because the proposed site lies in part within EA Flood Zones 3 and Level 3.
The Parish Council maintain this will significantly increase the risk of flooding for surrounding properties, the main road through the village and the development itself.
These concerns are reflected in the draft Neighbourhood Plan which reiterates that flood risk and access are the principal constraints on allocating this site for housing development.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 7.30p.m.