Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on 3rd December 2024 at 19:30
PRESENT: –
Tim Shreeve Councillor & Chairman Parish Council (Chair)
Mark Davis Councillor
Ashley Byrne Councillor
Kate Flanagan Councillor
Greg Lismore Parish Clerk
2024.103 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Rhys Stone – Councillor
2024.104 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS – None.
2024.105 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – 68 members of the public were present.
The agent representing the interests of Quash Farm (Charles Macdonald of MacMK Ltd) addressed the Parish Council to introduce the concept of a potential development on lands associated with Quash Farm in the parish. He shared the current thoughts on the concept. He indicated that a public information event with more full details would be held in the village early in 2025. Questions were raised by the public present who were advised that they should await the public information session being planned.
The anticipated introduction to “Phoenix Energy Community” was cancelled at the last moment.
The applicant for a proposed new build under planning reference P24/S3593/FUL addressed the Parish Council on their plans and intentions.
2024.106 MINUTES and MATTERS ARISING.
The minutes of the meeting held on 5th November 2024 were approved by Council and signed by the Chairman.
2024.107 UPDATES FROM OCC and SODC WARD COUNCILLORS – A written report was received from our SODC ward representatives and taken as read.
2024.108 PLANNING MATTERS
FOR CONSIDERATION:-
P24/S3593/FUL – Barn Complex The Stone House New Close Farm Road Henton OX39 4AJ – Demolition and removal of former agricultural buildings and barns and the erection of a new self-build dwelling.
The Parish Council has NO OBJECTION
FOR INFORMATION:-
The Planning Appeal hearings in respect of Emmanuel Ranch, Windmill Road, Toweresy, OX9 3QQ (P24/S2018/DA and P24/S0941/FUL) due to be held on 19th and 20th November 2024 were postponed at the last minute. A revised date for the Appeal Hearings is not yet available from SODC.
Application No : P24/S3180/PIP :- Residential property for the occupation of an agricultural worker and family. Site Location : Westbrook Farm Chinnor Road near Towersey OX9 3RB
South Oxfordshire District Council hereby gives notice that permission in principle is REFUSED for the carrying out of the development referred to above for the following reason(s) :
The application site is located in the open countryside and is not previously developed land. The proposed dwelling would not represent a form of infill housing development supported by development plan policies. Furthermore, no evidence of need has been submitted to demonstrate that the dwelling is required to accommodate a farm worker. As such the proposal is contrary to Policies STRAT1, H16 and H19 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035, Policy TOW1 of the Towersey Neighbourhood Plan and the National Planning
Policy Framework.
The proposal would represent an inappropriate encroachment into the countryside, causing material harm to the rural character and appearance of the site and its surroundings. The proposal would conflict with Policies STRAT1, ENV1, DES1, DES2 and H19 of the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 and the National Planning Policy Framework.
2024.109 FINANCE
The receipts and payments schedule was reviewed. Cheque payments were approved and signed by 2 Councillors. The Bank Balance as at 3 December 2024 was read out.
The 2023-2024 budget actuals to date, outlook for the remainder of financial year, initial thoughts on anticipated 2025-2026 spending was reviewed. The Parish Councillors commenced consideration of, preparation for and approval of the 2025-2026 budget and precept request for our January 2025 meeting.
2024.110 SIGNIFICANT LETTERS not dealt with elsewhere – One relating to use of “Community Payback” labour for Parish Council activities received from HM Prison & Probation Service. It was noted.
2024.111 PARISH BUSINESS.
Temporary Road Closure and “No Waiting” restriction at – Towersey, Chinnor Road (Site 61) from 04/12/2024 to and including 06/12/2024 (each day from 07:30hrs to 16:30hrs).
2024.112 ANY OTHER BUSINESS –
It was confirmed that the Speed Indicating Devices reinstatement (Windmill Road and Thame Road adjacent the playing fields) had been carried out.
The grant application to SODC for a replacement Speed Indicating Device has been submitted for processing by SODC. We should expect to hear from them in due course.
Reminder re Christmas tree collections. Residents can leave trees up to Sunday 19 January 2025 to be collected on Monday 20 January 2025 from the Playing Fields Car Park and from the Village Green.
The dates of 2025 Parish Council meetings were agreed and will be published on the Parish Council Notice Boards.
The next meeting of the Towersey Parish Council will be Tuesday 7th January 2025 in the War Memorial Hall at 19:30.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 20:30
Print Name: ………………………………………… Signed ……………………………….