Summary report of the Ordinary Parish Council meeting held on 18th February 2021 by Skype Video Conference
Cutting Grass on Verges; Councillors noted that the pavement along the A1141 at the end of Windsor Green Lane had now had the verge encroachment removed and tidied to give the full width.
Turfing at Great Green; Turf to be laid at the Adventure Playground to improve the ground finish was being deferred until the weather improves.
Request to name the road on the Garage site development, Great Green, Cockfield.
Following agreement of Cllr Morley’s proposal to name the street ‘Scotts Way’ to preserve the historic link to the site, the Clerk has notified BMSDC of the Parish Council’s decision.
New SID and support posts; Following Cllrs approval of the supplier’s quotation, the Clerk has now placed an order with Westcotec
Parking Bays at Great Green; Following approval Cllr Morley is liaising with the contractor to commence with the resurfacing and edging of the two separate parking bays at the Great Green.
County Councillor Robert Lindsey noted in his written report that the county council agreed on Thursday 11 February to raise the precept on the council tax for 21/22 for the general budget by 1.99% and by 2% for social care (below the 3% maximum allowed). The council is assuming about £41m extra spending over the previous year and so is taking £16.7m from “risk reserves” to balance the budget.
BMSDC Cllr Margaret Maybury reminded the meeting of the forthcoming Census and notifications that were being sent out.
Planning: Councillors considered applications received;
DC/21/00279: Submission of details for reserved matters following approval of DC/18/00474 and subsequent DC/20/04440 for the appearance, layout, scale and landscaping of Plot 1. (phased development for the erection of 3No dwellings): Land at Bury Road, Cross Green, Cockfield, IP30 0LG. (Consultation Response Deadline 08/02/21, Extended to 19/02/21).
The Parish Council were not able to support this application – Full details can be found on the BMSDC planning portal
DC/21/00304: Planning Application. Erection of 1no dwelling house (amendment to Plot 5 approved under DC/19/05387). Plot 5, Land Adj Hope House, Cross Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0LG. (Consultation Response Deadline 10/02/21, Extended to 27/02/21)a
The Parish Council had not supported the original application which was subsequently approved by BMSDC so establishing the principle. The Parish Council were therefore not able to offer further comment of objection.
DC/21/00124: Planning Application – Erection of 2No detached five-bedroom dwellings, rearranging the car parking relating to the public house. Creation of vehicular access drive to serve the two dwellings. Demolition of the existing double garage together with additional landscaping. Three Horseshoes, Stows Hill, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0JB. (Consultation Response Deadline 11/02/21, Extended to 27/02/21)
The Parish Council were not able to support this application – Full details can be found on the BMSDC planning portal
DC/21/00437: Householder Planning Application – Erection of front porch, 1no. two storey rear extension and 2no. single storey rear extensions. Installation of 4no. courses of brick plinths and cement render to existing external walls. Works to existing side extension including roof covering and weatherboarding. Works to garage including amendments to doors, 4no. courses of brick plinths, weatherboarding and roof covering (following demolition of existing single storey rear extension and porch). Laburnum Cottage, Windsor Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0LY. (Consultation Response Deadline 15/02/21, Extended to 27/02/21)
The Parish Council supported this application – Full details can be found on the BMSDC planning portal
Babergh District Council planning permissions/refusals received:
DC/20/05222: Application under S73a for removal or variation of conditions relating to approved DC/19/03063 dated 12/11/2019 Town and Country Plan Act 1990. (Demolition of existing building. Erection of 9no dwellings and creation of a new vehicular access) (Conditions 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18.) – Changes to the design and layout of the scheme and construction management. The Garage, Great Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0HJ. Decision: Planning Permission has been Granted.
DC/20/05381: Planning Application – Conversion and extension of existing agricultural building to provide 1no.single storey dwelling (with associated demolition). Colchester Green Farm, Colchester Green, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0HG. Decision: Planning Permission has been Granted.
DC/21/00480: Discharge of Conditions Application for DC/19/04576 – Condition 7 (Archaeology Site Investigation). Land to The North West Of, Mackenzie Place, Cockfield, Suffolk. Decision: Conditions Approved.
DC/20/05787: Notification under Schedule 2 Part 3 Class Q of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015. An application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed: Change of Use of Agricultural Buildings to Dwelling houses (Class C3), and for building operations reasonably necessary for the conversion. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 (as amended) Schedule 2, Part 3, Class Q – Conversion of barn to form 1No dwelling. Earls Hall Farm, Earls Hall Road, Cockfield, Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP30 0JD. Decision: Prior Approval has been Given, subject to Conditions.
DC/20/05848: Outline Planning Application (some matters reserved, access to be considered) – Erection of 2no. detached dwellings and associated garages (with access) (re-submission of DC/20/01352) Land North Of, Howe Lane, Cockfield, Suffolk. Decision: Outline Planning Permission has been Refused.
DC/20/05849: Outline Planning Application (some matters reserved, access to be considered) – Erection of 2 no. detached dwellings and associated garages (with access). Land North Of, Howe Lane, Cockfield, Suffolk. Decision: Outline Planning Permission has been Refused.
MacKenzie Place (Jeffreys Green) Housing Development: Dawn Edwards (Orwell Housing) attended to give councillors an update on the contractor’s progress and their difficulties during the pandemic, together with the housing opportunities soon occurring and marketing initiatives for the self-build plots. Separate detailed reports will continue to be placed in Greenlinks / Village website.
Quiet Lanes Suffolk Initiative: Cllr Southgate had been involved with QLS initiative and updated that two lanes had now been confirmed as meeting the criteria. However, whilst acknowledging benefits councillors saw that subsequent official designation could lead to other legal restrictions, in particular the council’s ability to manage the vegetation along the roadside which is a significant safety issue. Councillors agreed therefore not to pursue the designation any further. The council would look at other means of reminding drivers of the potential for pedestrians etc.
Neighbourhood CIL – Feasibility of new Bus Shelter at MacKenzie Place; Cllr Morley advised he was awaiting feedback from a SCC approved highways contractor on working limitations on the A1141 and compliance requirements any new shelter would require.
CCTV at the school / village hall; Following recent anti-social behaviour a proposal for the Parish Council to make a Neighbourhood CIL contribution of £500 towards the cost of installing CCTV cameras at the Village Hall and School was deferred. This was to await additional technical information and legal position of the scheme, so allowing an informed decision to be made.
Future of the Minibus: Cllr Williams confirmed the Community Council Trustees’ decision for no future involvement with the village Minibus. With the vehicle now being handed to the Parish Council, Councillors agreed that options should be explored and reported back to the next meeting. Contact had already been made with someone experienced in such matters for advice.
Emergency Plan; Cllr Webster agreed to update the documentation. However, the next action is to secure volunteers around the village to assist when the plan requires implementation.
Cemetery Fees: Cllr Turner has continued to research the scale of comparable charges around the area and at this time suggests we retain the existing level of charges.
Litter Picking: Councillors noted the continued and increasing problem of litter around the village. The prospect of engaging a commercial organisation was not seen as the best initial response. In the first instance a circular would be posted to canvass support from around the village to see if regular volunteers could be found to litter pick.
Glebe Land – with the pandemic situation potentially easing councillors agreed to now look to roll out the allotments and tidy up the site after the winter season.
Playground – the new playground is now completed. However, the ongoing maintenance was not something the contractor offers, so a maintenance package needs to be set up. The clerk would approach SCC contractor Vertas and the companies that typically provide the annual safety inspection.
Pavilion Update: Councillors noted only the ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour and continued break-ins to the shed. Contact was being made with the police for assistance to deal with this.
Highways and Emergencies – Cllr Cutting-Keyton noted whilst potholes etc were still being report on the portal, weather conditions were preventing remedial works in many cases.
Police/Fire – Cllr Cutting-Keyton urged people to inform the police of any incidents so these were correctly recorded and there would hopefully be some follow up. The ongoing antisocial behaviour, whist initially difficult to secure any input from the authority, was now being taken up by the local SNT officer.
