WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of an Extraordinary meeting of the Parish Council held in Church House, Widecombe on Monday 3 October 2022

Members present: Councillor Elliott (Chair for this meeting), Bibby, Edwards, Fenton, Jones and Partridge

Members of the Public: None

4835 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

  • Cllr Hassell
  • Cllr Butcher
  • Cllr Zab

4836 OPEN FORUM

Members of the public are invited to address the Council

4837 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATION

Members to be reminded of their responsibility to continually update their Notice of Registerable Interests and invited to state whether they have any interest in the items to be discussed during this meeting in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.

Unforeseen requests for a Dispensation to be considered at this point only if there was no way a Councillor would have been aware of such before the meeting.

4838 PLANNING/LOCAL LIAISON

(Cllrs Elliott, Jones, Edwards & Zab)

(a) New planning applications/appeals:

(i) 0375/22 – The Old Post Office, Poundsgate

Conversion and extension of outbuilding to holiday accommodation; alteration to nearby log store to form bat roost

Members agreed by majority (1 abstention) to support this application with the following comments:

  • Parking is a major concern, as the road through Poundsgate at this point is narrow and there is limited existing parking. There is no provision for additional parking in the planning application. The applicant advised verbally that their intention is to park in their field, adjacent to the outbuilding, with its own separate access to the road. We would be satisfied with this arrangement.
  • This development would support a potential new business in the area.

(ii) 0379/22 – Hatchwell Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Erection of two agricultural buildings to adjoin an existing agricultural building

Members unanimously agreed to support this application for the following reasons:

  • Widecombe PC supported the previous application 0041/20, which was subsequently withdrawn.
  • This is a farm development for the continuing viability of the next generation.
  • The materials and design are typical for the area and the proposed new hedge bank will provide screening.
  • Good farming practice and environmental efforts are clear within the application.
  • The application is in accordance with the DNPA Core Policies and their statement that “Farming is the principal land use in the Dartmoor National Park and is vital to sustain its special qualities.”

4839 OTHER MATTERS

The Teignbridge hedge around the public loos in the main car park has still not been cut, despite other car park hedges being done. This was noted by the Widecombe Fair Committee after the fair and is despite repeated requests. The job will now need a chainsaw as it has been so long since it was last done. It was requested that TDC is contacted about this again.

Missing signposts in the area have still not been replaced. It was suggested that the clerk writes to all local councillors to collate a list of known locations where posts are missing or damaged so that this can be forwarded to George Gribble as one comprehensive list.

4840 DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS

• Parish Council Meeting - 3 November 2022 at 6.45pm in Church House, Widecombe

• Community Meeting - 3 November 2022 at 7.30pm in Church House, Widecombe

The meeting was closed at 6.35pm.

Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ………………………………………