MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF BISHOP'S CASTLE TOWN COUNCIL HELD IN THE TOWN HALL ON MONDAY 16TH APRIL 2007 AT 8.OO PM.

PRESENT Councillor J.M. Carroll, Mayor, in the Chair.
Councillors: M. Davidson - Stanley, J.E. Gaffney, M. E. Holton, J. E. Howell, W. J. Morris, Dr. G.N.St.J. Penney, and R.D. Wright.
In attendance: Mrs. J. Ince

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Apologies were received from Cllr. Hird, Cllr. Pinches Cllr. Farr, Cllr. Magill

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST:
a) Declaration of personal interest: none
b) Declaration of prejudicial interest: none

3. TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING
It was agreed to discuss the plans first with advice from Mr Taylor, followed by a talk by Mr Taylor.
a) 1/07/19342/TC Tree works (Conservation Area) Remove deadwood, thin and trim branches to 2 x ash trees. (delegated matter0
The Garden House, Union Street, Bishop's Castle. Mr & Mrs Hendley.
Cllr. Wright proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

b) 1/07/19329/F Planning Permission (full) Erection of 2 x dwellings; formation of vehicular and pedestrian access. (delegated matter)
Disused garages, Kerry Lane, Bishop's Castle. South Shropshire Housing Association.
Cllr. Dr. Penney proposed that the application be supported if it were changed to 11/2 storey houses. Seconded by Cllr. Holton. Cllr. Wright proposed an amendment that the application be supported as it is. Seconded by Cllr. Howell. The amendment was approved and put to the Council as the substantive motion and approved.

c) 1/07/19317/F Planning permission (full) Change of use agricultural land to domestic curtilage; erection of extension to dwelling and erection of a summerhouse (delegated matter).
Upper Beech Cottage, Banks Head, Bishop's Castle. Mr C Garrard.
Cllr. Gaffney proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Holton and approved.

d) 1/07/19344/F Planning permission (full) Erection of a building to serve adjoining nursery and alterations to existing vehicular access (delegated matter)
O.S. Field No 8467, Bishop's Castle. N & A Coull
Cllr. Wright proposed that there be an objection on the grounds that the piece of land does not justify a building of that size and that the vehicular access needs to be improved. Seconded by Cllr. Dr. Penney and approved.

e) 1/07/19379/TC Tree works (conservation area) Remove epicormic growth from yew; light crown thin, removal of lower branches and ivy from a sycamore (delegated matter)
Bishop's Castle Rectory, Bishop's Castle.
Cllr. Morris proposed no objection. Seconded by Cllr. Howell and approved.

Stuart Taylor, Area Development Control Officer for South Shropshire District Council then gave the following information and advice.
The District is now divided into two areas instead of three. Dyanne Humphries covers the south of the area and Mr Taylor the north of the area including Bishop's Castle. Tristan Williams is a new development officer who is at present being trained.
In the future the role of the Parish / Town Councils will become more important as the District will be inviting more dialogue. Local knowledge is very important, especially drainage and flooding. This dialogue is most efficiently operated via the Clerk. There can be dialogue before or after the Council meeting at which the plans are discussed. E-mail comments can be received up to the day before a committee meeting. The application is only delegated if the Town / Parish do not object. There was then considerable discussion as to how Councillors could be more informed about plans prior to the Council meeting. It was agreed the Clerk will put notice of plans received on the notice board as soon as they are received. Councillors can then either come to the office when it is open to look at the plans or contact the Clerk who will arrange for them to be viewed. Councillors were also reminded that notification can be seen in the press. Mr Taylor then went on then to explain about Tree Wardens. The District Council no longer engages the services of a specialist tree person so the local tree wardens have a more important role. A meeting with the AONB is to take place shortly to look into funding for the training of tree wardens. Mr Taylor went on to say that tree wardens should be encouraged to be pro-active in replacing old trees. When trees begin to age new ones should be planted so that the old ones can be removed at a later date. Applicants for approval for tree work must seek their own advice. If they consult a qualified tree surgeon this will be taken into account by the planning department. If Unitary comes into being the specialist resources of the County Council will be available.
Councillors then asked why it is that sometimes amendments to plans are so great that Councillors would like to object to them but they are not given the opportunity. Mr Taylor replied that amendments should be very small with hardly any visual change but there had been problems in the past. He went on to explain that dormer windows on the rear slopes of buildings do not need planning permission. He then explained the 45 degree loss of light rule.
Enforcement was then discussed. Louise Ralph is the new Enforcement Officer with Carmen Parker as assistant They will be far more pro-active in future with enforcement.
Mr Taylor then handed out two new sheets. A tree form and one seeking advice on planning permission.
Mr Taylor was then asked how useful Design Statements are. He replied that they are particularly useful in highlighting the features of buildings etc. They can be used as a Development Control document. Mr Taylor went on to explain that what is permitted in the conservation area is less clear than on listed buildings. One of the biggest anomalies is that windows can still be changed to modern windows. Satellite dishes were discussed and Mr Taylor said advice could be given on the best position or type used.
The Mayor then thanked Mr Taylor.
The meeting closed at 9.35 pm.