Meeting on 8 September 2008

MINUTES OF MEETING OF

LANGSTONE COMMUNITY COUNCIL

HELD AT LANGSTONE VILLAGE HUT MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER 2008

Present:

Cllr Alan Henderson (in the Chair)
Cllr W Woods
Cllr K Lowndes
Cllr J Kennett
Cllr Mrs C Bryant
Cllr A Haycock
Cllr Mrs Y Edwards
Cllr Lisa McMail
Cllr Mrs Chris Pike
Cllr Mrs Mary Sanders

In Attendance:

Cllr S Lane; Cllr D Atwell; Tim Andrews

1.Apologies:

Cllr Mrs S Mogford; Cllr Chris Manship; PC Lee Gray;

2. Police Report

There was no police report but the Clerk advised the meeting that he had been the victim of an attempted burglary around 4am the previous Saturday. A neighbour had seen the attempt and called the police who responded very quickly but did not apprehend anyone. Police advised that there had been several burglaries recently, in Catsash Road and another in Tregarn Rd.

3. Previous minutes

The Chairman signed the minutes of the July meeting as a true record after some minor amendments. Proposed by Cllr Haycock and seconded by Cllr Lowndes.

4. Planning Applications

PG/SAD/E07/0877 Enforcement Notice Appeal 6 Priory Gardens Langstone The Use of Land as Residential Curtilage An appeal has been made against the Council’s decision to issue an Enforcement Notice. Land has been used as residential cartilage including forming a hard standing area. Agreed to support the enforcement notice and to write to the Planning Inspectorate.

PG/SAD/08/0765 Planning Appeal Land adjacent to Fairfield Upper Rd Llandevaud. An appeal has been made to the National Assembly against the Council’s decision to refuse planning permission. Agreed to support refusal and to write to the Planning Inspectorate.

GNR/SAD/E07/0478 Oakfield Pencoed Lane Llanmartin Alterations to access and entrance gates/walls. This is a second appeal against the enforcement notice to remove gates and reduce wall to one metre or less and will be heard by the Planning Inspectorate. Agreed not to support the enforcement.

CLLR/08/1051 Red Robin House Mill Lane Langstone. Retention of conservatory and decking. The applicant had enclosed letters of support from immediate neighbours. It was agreed to write to Newport CC supporting the application.

Conex/08/1052 Hazel Glen Chepstow Rd. Two storey side and rear extension. No objection.

MJF/SAD/08/004(1) Brooke House Old Roman Rd Langstone. Proposed diversion of public footpath 394/5 No objection to diversion but write to Newport CC requesting that a side entrance gate to the footpath is provided and that the existing ‘footpath’ finger sign on Old Roman Rd, currently positioned in the hedge opposite the driveway should be relocated to the point where the footpath starts in Old Roman Rd.

CLLR/08/1027 Brook House Old Roman Rd Retention of gates affecting public right of way 394/5. (Following refusal 07/1538). Agreed to object to the gates. The height is considered excessive and the design of the gate gives the impression viewed from the end of the drive that there is no public footpath access.

Conex08/1046. 60 Blossom Close Erection of conservatory. No objection.

Conex/08/1050. Coles Cottage Old Roman Rd Langstone. Loft conversion and insertion of roof windows. No objection.

Conex/08/0993 Liddon House Tregarn Rd Erection of new 2-metre high boundary fence abutting pavement. Object on basis of visual impact, should be kept open plan.

Conex/08/1073 12 Tregarn Court Langstone. Rear extension. Mr Tim Andrews is a neighbour at 11 Tregarn Court. Did not object to this small extension but is concerned about possible applications for a rear garden dwelling. Meeting agreed not to object to application.

Conex/08/1094 12 Priory Crescent Langstone. Conversion of garage to habitable accommodation. Clerk requested to write for general clarification on the planning aspects of this type of application. It would appear other residents have been advised by planning officers that no planning permission is required.

Conex/08/1068 Old Barn Inn Magor Rd Langstone. Erection of two-storey bedroom block – variations from approval 06/0123. No objection

Conex/08/1114. The Old Rectory Magor Rd. Change of use to bed and breakfast/guest house. No objection.

Planning Sub-Committee As previously agreed the sub-committee members will change periodically by rotation. Currently composed of Cllrs Henderson, Woods and Mrs Bryant. Changes will be discussed at the October meeting.

6. Matters arising previous meeting

Newport CC Letter advising of the need to advertise the adoption by LCC. Newport able to place advertisements in Newport Matters for £70 + vat per Community Council. Meeting felt this was expensive and suggested alternatives be investigated. Clerk is still seeking an alternative method of advertising.

Trees Rosecroft Nature Reserve. Cllr Lane gave an update on the position. One old tree had been blown down. Newport CC had removed this but a lot of debris had been left, the stream had been blocked. NCC will be asked to clear up the area. The trees do have TPO’s

Grey House Caerlicken Lane. Cllr Lane has chased the enforcement officers and still waiting a response on this barn development.

A48 culverts. Vandals are deliberately blocking culverts with planks etc causing flooding near the Rock and Fountain Inn.

7. Correspondence

Cheques signed for MIND, Clerk’s office material expenses and Clerk’s salary for August.

Newport CC- 2 letters received requesting confirmation relating to the £900 and £750 donation from the Langstone Neighbourhood Fund. Clerk to write to confirm monies not spent but allocated to any expenditure on proposed Country Park.

Contact the Elderly Wales – leaflets received and letter indicating need for volunteer drivers in the Llanmartin and Redwick area.

Penhow Community Events Group. Letter of thanks for the £600 donation from Langstone CC

GAVO notice of AGM 24 October at Cwmbran.

GAVO invitation to Best Kept Village award 26 September at 7pm at County Hall.

8. Ger-Y-Parc

Cllr Atwell had been asked to hold a brief refresher session to inform new and existing Councillors of the draft plans for the Country Park. The plans were passed around together with recent photos of the area. The proposed name is Langstone Country Park. The developer left the land under a 106 agreement but without any finance attached. It is an area designated for recreation and Langstone Community Council think it would be an enhancement. It includes pedestrian access from Catsash Rd and vehicular access via Priory Drive. Estimates provided by Newport CC are in the order of £100k including site clearance. The plans have the support of Langstone Primary School. Features that could be designed in include a woodland trial, wheeled access, exercise areas, badger setts, wetland ponds, children’s climbing frames and play areas, seats and artwork. 2500 trees are to be planted by ONS. Usk Agricultural College will offer administration effort. Gwent Wildlife Trust is also supportive. The plans would require planning consent.

A public consultation meeting will be held at village hall 29 September at 7pm

The City Council will also consult with residents. LCC have ring fenced £10k towards the project and there is £8k from some 106 agreements. Newport CC is happy to prepare plans and to clear the site. Three of the Community Councillors have been involved in meetings with officers from Newport CC.

There were then some extensive discussions. Cllr Mrs Mary Sanders said there was a lot of discontent by neighbours in the area and Catsash Rd. Cllr Lane felt there had been a lack of adequate consultation with residents local to the scheme and was concerned about traffic access via Priory Drive. He felt that funds should be directed towards existing facilities such as the village hall and Park End play area. He also indicated that council officers would not support the scheme if they felt that the majority of residents were not in favour.

Cllr Haycock said the 2 City Councillors were dominating the session. The Chairman said there was need to move forward on this; public consultation meetings have been set up. After the 29 September meeting a decision by Langstone CC could be taken whether to support and progress the project or not.

9. Park End Play Area

The Clerk briefly advised the meeting: a) the draft agreement relating to ownership and lease arrangements was still not available from NCC b) the personal accident claim was in the hands of our insurers but there was nothing new to report c) Newport CC had been requested to provide a twice monthly litter and general clean and safety check.

10. Village Questionnaire update

The exhibition showing the responses to the village questionnaire will be held at the village hall starting at 6.30pm. Clerk asked for volunteers to help with setting up the exhibition from around 5.00pm and requested the support of Councillors at the exhibition. The Clerk also advised the meeting that an additional notice had been sent to the editor of Community First about the additional exhibition fixed for October 17th.

11. AOB

· Cllr Mrs Carol Bryant commented on the blocked drains in Chapel Lane and that City engineers are looking into the cause. Also that Britannia Garage is continuing to park cars on the grass verges. Cllr Lane stated that the City enforcement officers were involved

· Cllr Lowndes – bus stop opposite Park End. Both Cllrs Lane and Atwell confirmed that it is due for replacement in the New Year.

· Cllr Mrs Ynes Edwards complained that gas mains work in the Park Farm area were very slow.

Meeting closed 9.40pm