WOLSINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 18TH MAY   2021 6.45 PM

Following the ANNUAL MEETING

TOWN HALL, WOLSINGHAM

 

PRESENT: D. Sugden (Chair) Mrs. A. Savory, I. Rodgers, D. Jones,

 Mrs. Y. Bell, A. Vipond, Mrs. P. C. Dobson, Mrs E Johnson, J. Bell, O Gardner, AM Parkin

Attendees via Zoom: A & J Bushel, M. Barraclough, I Gardiner

Before the commencement of the meeting Mr. Bell informed those present he was going to record the meeting. This was permitted. He asked that the recorder be placed on the table of the Chairman and Clerk, but was advised that it should be on his own table

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: None
2. TO RECEIVE QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC:
   1. M. Barraclough addressed the meeting via Zoom, and appraised the meeting of the environmental damage by 4 x 4 vehicles to Pikestone Fell and Doctors Gate. This area had been blighted by these activities over a number of years, but as the rights of way were classed as BOATS there was legislation which prevents the closure of the track. Mention was made of a similar situation at Hexham Lane, on Wolsingham North Moor. The landowner in this instance had made representations to Durham C.C. to have 4 x4 vehicles banned from using the track, by means of temporary closure orders. This had proved successful and no 4 x 4 vehicles were able to use the track as a gate had been locked.
   2. The situation at Pikestone Fell/ Doctors Gate differed as the designation of the track was not the same.
   3. The clerk had written to DCC Highways but had not received a reply but would write again to find if anything could be done. The local police had instigated an operation called Reeboot and were monitoring users of the track.
   4. Durham CC were minded to a closure on environmental grounds, Cllr A Savory would make further representations to the highway department.
3. Mr I Gardiner had written to the Parish Council on the state of the green at Melbourne Place and the over use of Glyphosate in controlling weeds, which had left the area with burned off grassed areas and was not pleasing to the eye. In view of the Parish Council’s intention to plant cherry trees he also wondered if this could be an appropriate site also. Cllr. Mrs. A. Savory would arrange a meeting with the Clean & Green team at DCC to help resolve the issue.
4. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
5. MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 13th APRIL 2021, agreed as a true record and signed as such.
6. MATTERS ARISING:
   1. ​ The planning application for the addition of an accessible toilet had been submitted and the conservation officer had no objections, permission was given for the architect to progress the application through building control, and the fees pertaining to the application.
   2. An enquiry had been made by a resident in Thornley to have a track constructed across the village green. This village green had been registered under the Commons Registration Act in the name of Wolsingham Parish Council some fifty years ago and is a protected village green.
7. RECREATION GROUND:
   1. Tennis Courts; A Topographical survey and CBR tests had been partially completed for the area and a suitable position for two double sized tennis courts was possible at the bottom of the lower field between the wood and allotments. One limiting factor on the site was the presence of a main sewer and also surface water drainage manholes and associated pipework.
   2. The CBR testing had detected the presence of “black ash” or spoil from the local steel works over a number of years and the possibility of sulphates from the black ash could be a problem if not sealed. Because of the presence of spoil from the steel works a more robust surface would be recommended of 450 mm rather than 300 mm. When the survey plans are to hand a decision could be taken as to the final location of the tennis courts.
   3. Thai Boxing Sessions; an enquiry had been made regarding holding out door sessions of this sport in the Recreation ground. We agreed to allow the Thai Boxing
8. ALLOTMENTS: new site wall fallen. Report from Durham CC Tree Officer was accepted and no further action would be taken as the tree is healthy and protected.
9. THORNLEY WOOD CAR PARK: The report from Cllr Rogers from the April meeting had been partly resolved, as the gate had been repaired. Cllr. A. Savory would arrange a site visit with the Clean & Green team and have the refuse collection and bins issues resolved.
10. ISSUES Raised By Mr. J. Bell; all councillors had been sent his report and answers to the various topics raised. As the matters were of the previous council and were in the hands of the Monitoring Officer at Durham CC for adjudication, no further action would be taken by the current council on the issues raised.
11. MEMBERS INTERESTS: This topic had been mistakenly omitted from the agenda.
12. Cllr Vipond raised his concerns on the steep bank leading to the Waskerley Beck in Demesne Mill and asked that a warning sign be placed on the embankment to warn people of the hazard. Cllr. A Savory would make some investigations with the Clean & Green team on a forthcoming site visit, and report back with the findings.
13. Cllr. A. Savory asked on the ownership of Holy Well Lane as she had received a request for a seat to be placed on the grass verge. The lane is a highway and the approach should be made to Durham CC and not Wolsingham PC.
14.  Cllr J. Bell raised the subject of speeding vehicles in the West End, clocking cars at over 40 mph using a Gatso camera and asked that the local police speed awareness vehicles attend the area. Cllr. A  Savory would action this.
15. Cllr. Jones appraised the meeting of amended plans for the development at Middle Fawnlees, albeit the Parish Council had been made aware of the changes it was agreed that the original observations should stand without amendment. Cllr. A. Savory declared an interest as the local DCC councillor, so as not to prejudice her position on any future meetings on the development.
16. Cllr. Jones raised the issue of the footpath (50) from Leazes Lane around the school to Demesne, no action had been taken by DCC to remove the dilapidated fence and it was now creating real issues with walkers. Clerk to write again to CPAL at Durham CC to ascertain what action will be taken and when.
17. FINANCE:
18. REPORTS: END APRIL, statements accepted but in future to protect individuals, no personal names to be divulged under GDPR.
19. The Weardale Museum at High House Chapel request for funding; agreed not to make a donation as more deserving causes nearer to home would be more beneficial. Cllr. Parkin would assist the trustees in their funding, as part of her employment role was to assist charities in finding relevant funding. Clerk to forward contact details.

1. PLANNING : DECIDED:

DM/21/00835/TCA         72A West End, tree works, T1 Elm, T2 Apple, T3 Plum

DM/21/00727/TCA         4, Meadhope Street, Fell T1 apple tree

DM/21/00688/TCA         8 Uppertown, Crown reduction up to 3 metres, and reshape by up to 2 metres T1 cherry blossom

DM/21/00692/TCA         50, Front Street, fell T1 Cherry Tree

DM/21/00354/FPA         Hollin Hall Farm, Agricultural storage building machinery and animal feedstuffs.

                  DM/21/00549/FPA          11, Gateways, single storey rear orangery extension

DM/20/03744/FPA         Building South West of St Anne’s Centre Conversion and extension of pavilion to form food/refreshment sales kiosk and WC facilities

As the planning approval was now in place the architect had advised on the next phase of the development with a view to building drawings and submissions to Building Control and the associated fees for this. Agreed that the project be progressed, on the lines of the information supplied.

Cllr. J. Bell declared an interest in this planning approval and advised the meeting that he would instigate a Judicial Review on the matter.

1. PLANNING : NOTIFIED;

DM/21/01530/FPA         54,West End, replace timber windows and door with UPVC to front

DM/21/01448/RM           Helme Park Hall Country House Hotel, approval of reserved matters  of layout, scale,  appearance and landscaping of planning permission DM/16/03162/OUT 9 dwellings

DM/21/01396/TCA         Playground, West End felling of 2 trees (T37 and sycamore close to T31), crown lift . thin clean and removal of epicormics growth to trees as per report. Oliver’s Tree Services.

DM/21/01361/FPA         Public conveniences Angate Street, proposed partial demolition of boundary wall to create ramp and accessible WC

DM/21/01347/TPO         14, Leazes Lane, Crown reduce and reshape by 4m and prune back from the property by 4m to T1, sycamore and crown reduce /reshape by 4m the first limb growing towards the building to T2 sycamore

DM21/01333/LB             Demesne Hall, 10, Rectory Lane, proposed kitchen extension and removal of internal wall DM/21/01329/FPA

DM/21/00943/TCA         29, St. Anne’s Drive crown reduce and thin up to 3.5m, remove 7 overgrown branches, remove deadwood and trim up to 3m to T1 sycamore