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| WEST MERSEA TOWN COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER 2007 PRESENT: Councillors: Alan Mogridge Peter Clements Mary Hargreaves Douglas Stoker Noelle Urquhart Sylvia Wargent Stephen Vince IN ATTENDANCE: Town Clerk: David Tucker Borough Councillor: John Bouckley 4894 APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kimberley and Rutter, and Borough Councillor Kimberley. 4895 TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF 13 SEPTEMBER 2007 It was PROPOSED by Councillor Wargent, SECONDED by Councillor Clements that the MINUTES of the Meeting held on 13 September 2007, be CONFIRMED. ALL IN FAVOUR Matters arising: Councillor Stoker reiterated his complaint regarding the condition of the toilets and asked if anything had been done to rectify the situation. 4896 TO CONFIRM MINUTES OF THE PLANNING MEETING OF 4 OCTOBER 2007 It was PROPOSED by Councillor Clements, SECONDED by Councillor Urquhart that the MINUTES of the Meeting held on 4 October 2007, be CONFIRMED. ALL IN FAVOUR Matters arising: There were no matters arising not covered elsewhere on the agenda. 4897 TO RECEIVE THE MINUTES OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING OF 25 SEPTEMBER 2007 The Minutes of the Finance Committee held on 25 September 2007 were received and noted. The recommendation to pay £950 to the Parochial Church Council was approved. Councillor Hargreaves voted against the proposal. 4898 TO CONSIDER PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED (a) 07 2492 Rear extension and alterations, 15 East Road, West Mersea – Mr G Kirby Following discussion it was agreed to recommend CONSENT be granted in respect of this Application. (b) 07 2523 Renewal of existing approval C/COL/01/0526. Take down the existing building, refurbish and renovate timber frame walls and roof, re-erect walls and extend shed for use as a private oyster tasting and luncheon/dining suite, The Old Oyster Sheds, Coast Road, West Mersea – Lay & Wheeler Group Ltd (c) 07 2522 Renewal of existing approval C/COL/01/0526. Take down the existing building, refurbish and renovate timber frame walls and roof, re-erect walls and extend shed for use as a private oyster tasting and luncheon/dining suite, The Oyster Tasting Room, The Old Oyster Sheds, Coast, West Mersea – Lay & Wheeler Group Ltd Following discussion it was agreed to recommend REFUSAL be granted in respect of these Applications for the following reasons: 1. The use of the building as a luncheon/dining suite is likely to result in additional noise and cooking smells in this conservation area, and will seriously affect the amenity of residents in the area. 2. The number of times it is proposed the building will be used is unclear, and open to abuse by the owners. 3. The building is on a flood plain and we would request the Planning Authority confirm with the Environment Agency the data given in the application viz. the floor level of the Oyster Sheds being 4.53m above OS Newlyn. 4. Coast Road is a very narrow road at this point and already suffers from vehicles causing obstruction when parked legitimately in the area. The road is known and acknowledged to be unsuitable for coaches and long vehicles as evidenced by the signage on the approach to the Oyster Sheds. Vehicles delivering to the premises will be unable to use the slipway to the side of the Oyster Sheds without causing considerable obstruction when manoeuvring to and from the premises, and this is likely to risk a collision with oncoming traffic given the nature of the road in that area. There is no other parking facility for deliveries close enough to the property. The applicant has already stated the intention that clients will be walking to and from the Sheds, having been “bussed” to suitable parking places. It is inevitable that there will always be people not willing to use the buses particularly in bad weather, and are likely to use their cars, thus causing further parking difficulties. The people walking from the premises, having indulged in wine drinking will then be expected to walk to the vehicles provided. It is quite likely that one or more people will be the ‘worst for wear’ from the effects of this drinking, and will run the risk of being hit by traffic even though there is a short length of footpath near the premises. It is out belief that no matter what conditions are put upon the applicants to ensure people are carried to and from the premises to alleviate these traffic problems, it will be impossible to ‘police’ and enforce these conditions and we strongly recommend this application is refused. (d) 07 2534 Erection of two storey side extension, 33 The Lane, West Mersea – Mr J McLellan & Ms S Atkins Following discussion it was agreed to recommend CONSENT be granted in respect of this Application. (e) 07 2535 Two storey side extension to cottage providing dayroom and increased kitchen area at ground floor level and additional bedroom and bathroom at first floor level, 33 The Lane, West Mersea – Mr J McLellan & Ms S Atkins Following discussion it was agreed to recommend CONSENT be granted in respect of this Application. (f) 07 2552 Proposed 5 bedroom detached house with double garage, Land adjacent 61 Empress Avenue, West Mersea – Vaughan & Blyth (Construction) Ltd Following discussion it was agreed to recommend REFUSAL be granted in respect of this Application for the following reasons: (i) Out of keeping with the street scene (ii) Overbearing impact on adjacent properties however, this Council would mind to recommend approval if the roof height was reduced to match those of adjacent properties 4899 TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PLANNING DECISIONS |
| Applications Passed (a) 07 2161 Removal of old conservatory and replacement with new conservatory. Small change to dimensions adding 2.42m2 or floor area. Replacement necessary due to impending collapse of existing wooden structure. Position marked on plans and existing deed plan - 38 Churchfields, West Mersea – Mr N Potter (b) 07 1419 Construction of swimming pool for family use, 20 Yorick Road, West Mersea – Ms S Sanders-Smith (c) 07 1844 Construction of single storey extension to existing museum building, Mersea Island Museum, High Street, West Mersea – The Mersea Island Museum Trust (d) 07 2191 Proposed single storey extensions and alterations, 9 Firs Chase, West Mersea – Mr K Rolison (e) 07 2198 Install Heritage style velux window into roof, 47 The Lane, West Mersea – L D & C G Forster Application Refused (a) 07 2118 * 1no. internally illuminated double sided free standing display unit, 1 Queens Corner, West Mersea – Mrs K Patel, Primesight Ltd * WMTC Recommended Opposite 4900 TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Village Appraisal Committee Councillor Clements reported that the Village Appraisal was progressing well and was in keeping with the recommended guidelines. 4901 LETTERS RECEIVED FOR DISCUSSION (i) Copy of letter from Bernard Jenkin MP to Councillor Norman Hume of E.C.C. – Noted. (ii) Request for grant from Inner Wheel of West Mersea – Following discussion it was agreed to donate £50 towards the purchase of a Christmas tree. (iii) Email from Henry Spyvee re public toilets – Noted. It was noted that WMTC supported the building of new toilets on the beach side of Victoria Esplanade but asked that the existing toilets be kept and refurbished. (iv) Email from Ian Clarke re housing styles in Harbour area – Noted. (v) Email from George Ward re pedestrian crossing survey, Barfield Road – Following discussion the Clerk was asked to write to E.C.C. Highways for confirmation and evidence of the policy guidelines/criteria to which the letter referred. (vi) CBC re Replacement Pontoon – Noted. (vii) CBC re seats on new East Road Recreation Ground – Following discussion the siting of the seats was approved. 4902 MEETING ADJOURNED TO RECEIVE REPORTS FROM OUR COUNTY AND BOROUGH COUNCILLORS Borough Councillor John Bouckley reported that he had written to the PCT complaining about the total lack of correspondence or information regarding the status of the proposed new Medical Centre. Borough Councillor Bouckley suggested that the ‘SOS Bus’ demonstrated by Southend Borough Council could be a good idea for West Mersea, and CBC was considering setting one up in the Borough. There had been a considerable number of complaints regarding the Victoria Esplanade toilets, and Borough Councillor Bouckley felt that the Borough intended to demolish the old ones and sell the land for development. 4903 MAYOR’S NOTES 1. Councillor Mogridge read out the letter from Mr. D. Cooper congratulating him on a very successful Civic Service. 2. A letter from Lucy Hoy was discussed and it was agreed that copies should be given to Marfleet, Mersea Homes and the Police for their attention. 4904 ANY OTHER BUSINESS Councillor Mogridge advised that as the Christmas lights could not be attached to lamp columns for Health & Safety reasons etc. the lights donated by Eric Straughan would hopefully be put on the frontages of the shops in the High Street. It was noted that the Mersea Outdoor Project, now managed by Paul Button, would be out of funding in 2 years time. It was hoped however to restart the project in early November, but with a smaller number of children involved. 4905 PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960 RESOLVED that pursuant to Section 1 of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 that the meeting be no longer open to the press and public for the transaction of the following business. 4906 STAFF 1. Following discussion it was agreed to purchase ‘doggie’ bags direct from the supplier and sell them for 60p for 50 bags. 2. It was agreed that a concrete ramp be constructed at the North East corner of the Glebe to allow access to the new East Road Recreation Ground. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.50 pm. |