Draft Minutes of Extraordinary Town Council Meeting 24 August...

Membership:

Also in attendance: Cllr Isi de Rocha, Ian Tinton, Sue Jenkins, Martin Lawrence, Christine Lawrence, Teresa Cooper, Ashley Cooper, Moira Fooks, Graham Fooks, Peter Hickling, Sandra Newman, Stuart Eade, Gayle Eade, Martin Hunnable, Marion Edwards, R.J.Hewitt, Pat Rayner, Amanda Halloran, Chris Bridgeman, Pete Caulfield, Kevin Edwards, Nicola Willis, Anne Bannister, Stephen Rollingson, Linda Rollingson, Mark Hobbs, Karen Hobbs, Jill Clanford, Pete Clanford, Nigel Bolland, Kimberley Hammond, Annette Smith, Sarah Greatorex (Town Clerk)

085/26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Cllrs Smith and McAndrews sent apologies due to work commitments. Cllr Warren sent apologies for personal reasons. Cllr Munday sent apologies as he could not attend as a member of the BDC planning committee and Local Plan subcommittee.
Cllr Fincken proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that the apologies be noted. This was agreed unanimously.

086/26 Declarations of interests
Cllr Fincken declared an NPI as a member of the Planning Committee and Local Plan subcommittee at BDC. Cllr Nunn declared an NPI as one of the objectors was known to him. Cllr Pell declared an NPI as several objectors were known to her.

Cllr Fincken left the meeting

087/26 Public Question time
Ian Tinton had circulated a statement objecting to the site at Slough Farm Road, which BDC had proposed adding to the Local Plan. He asked whether it was permissible for the site to be included, and if not, whether the developer could simply put in a planning application.
Cllr Isi da Rocha pointed out that the site is in a Flood risk Zone 1, and there is also a drainage risk. There is a grade II listed house in the area. Although the area has been declared to have low biodiversity, it is definitely habitat for much wildlife which would be affected by building. There is no evidence of a shortfall in the housing supply.
Kimberley Hammond spoke of the inadequate infrastructure in Halstead to cope with another increase in population.
Sue Jenkins spoke about the current houses being in a dip and at risk of flooding, if the new development was built above. This would also ruin the skyline.
Marion Edwards said that the new development would ruin one of the nicest parts of the town, and that there were not enough facilities to cope with any more developments.
RJ Hewitt stated that the houses already on the flood plain below are difficult to sell.
Ian Tinton stated that the same developer had not asked for BDC pre-planning advice last time he submitted an application for this site, and had done the same this time. Could a local resident ask for pre-planning advice.
Pete Caulfield said that the new housing was of concern, as the housing on that site would dominate the skyline.

088/26 To consider the site HASA2602 Slough Farm Road in the Local Plan
Cllr Pell pointed out that this was not a planning application, but a request for the site to be included in the Local Plan.
Another nearby site had been refused, and the same conditions apply.
• There is a risk of flooding
• Surface water drainage is an issue
• Access is through a minor road
• The site is currently open agricultural land
Cllr Pell proposed, seconded by Cllr Nunn, that this site should not be included on the Local Plan for all the reasons given by the public and by councillors. This was agreed unanimously.

Cllr Pell encouraged residents to submit their own views to BDC, at planningpolicy@braintree.gov.uk, and to attend the BDC meeting on 17 September at 18.30 when the Slough Farm Road site will be discussed.

089/26 To review the bank mandate
Cllr Nunn proposed, seconded by Cllr Pell, that Cllrs Bond and McCoyd be added to the signatories for the Lloyds current account. This was agreed unanimously.

There was nothing to discuss in private session.

090/26 Exclusion of public and press
To give consideration to adopting the following resolution|: – “That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted and pursuant to the provisions of section 1 (2) of the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, as amended, the public and press be temporarily excluded from the meeting.”

There was no further business.
The meeting closed at 19.03