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Cluttons, as managing agents, called a meeting on 12 October in the Village Hall with the following village representatives, the Vicar Rev Ewan Macpherson, the Headteacher Miss Clare Rice, the Parish Council Chairman Mr Barry Haslam and Vice Chairman Miss Rosalinde Wyke and Mr Barry Lane the Parish Clerk. Mr Christopher Jowett, the Rural Asset Manager, & Mr Steve Melligan, the Planning Adviser attended on behalf of Cluttons. |
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NOTES ON THE MEETING The Parish Council Chairman opened the meeting by saying that various rumours were circulating in the village concerning Court Farm and land associated with it, all belonging to Church Commissioners. He stated that the village had concerns about future development and its effect upon the appearance of the village, future facilities and character of the village. Cluttons
representatives replied that at the moment they had not formulated
any plans and they had called this preliminary meeting to listen to
these concerns and gain an understanding of the various issues and
proposals for improvements in the village. Items
discussed were as follows 1)
The constraints affecting the school and its possible relocation to
provide better accommodation and facilities for pupils and staff.
The land adjoining the playing fields had been suggested as being
most suitable. 2)
The possible opportunity to relocate the village hall and have a new
better facility shared with the school. 4)
Problems associated with traffic through the village 3) The suggestion from some that an alternative new road access to the Industrial estate should be built 4)
The proposed diversion of the Court Farm footpath and wider issue of
desire to improve the village’s public footpath network.
Associated with this is the development of the multi user path which
would form part of an off road
route from Cheddar to Wells. 5)
Opportunities presented by the ceasing of agricultural activities at
Court Farm and the retention of the use of the lawn for village
events such as Church fete, school sports etc. It was also pointed
out that the part of the lawn nearest the church is used for car
parking when a large funeral or wedding is taking place. 6)
On behalf of the PCC a request was made for some land for future
extension of the burial ground to ensure the churchyard remains open
in the future. 7) The perceived need for affordable housing within the village, and for open market smaller houses for downsizing.
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In addition the
following issues were mentioned
a) The current size of the village b) The responses to the recent parish plan questionnaire c)
Church Commissioners hope to develop the site in the future for
additional housing d)
The impact of more housing on the village e)
The advantage of having more parishioners on the provision of
clergy f)
The current village development boundary limits g)
The Conservation Area h)
The changes to local
planning framework & procedures i)
Possible time scale for Cluttons deliberations and their
proposals j)
The need to progress the footpath issues separately to the
long term development issues k)
The possibility to consider the whole site, or consider the
farmhouse and associated buildings separately to any proposal for
new housing l)
Clutton’s proposals
to sell their land to
the south of the railway line m)
Other land holdings of the Church commissioners in the Parish n)
Previous application to develop the land to the east of Bell
Close o)
The need to widen the consultation to the whole community p)
The need to consider and develop an understanding of any
proposal and the difference it would bring to the community and its
facilities The meeting agreed that a note of the meeting should be issued to inform the community of the meeting and issues discussed. Secondly that the meeting was very much the first stage in exploring the issues and the need to widen the debate to the whole community was considered essential by all parties. |
NOTES
ON A MEETING WITH THE CHURCH COMMISSIONERS' AGENTS FROM CLUTTONS
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