MEETING WITH THE CROWN REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, MAY 1ST 2012.
PRESENT: Crown Representatives: Alex Nell, Al Hannigan, Neil Hall (AMEC)
P Paget, P Thomas, A Blackman, J Butler, R Amor, B Amor, P Collins, J Collins.
APOLOGIES: J Partt, P Mortimer, Nick Harper.
Alex Nell Head of Town Planning who attended the very 1st meeting with the PC in April 2009 welcomed everyone in attendance.
Since that first meeting various options have been discussed, queries and questions including concerns about sewerage, utilities and traffic and the number of dwellings proposed, which resulted in a WC Housing Survey being carried out in November 2011 highlighting a need for 19 dwellings.
Following two previous schemes not being felt by the PC as in the full interest of the Parish; at the last meeting in January JB proposed an alternative scheme with access from the Pound with footpath and bus stop, feeling this would address traffic issues for Rectory corner and Breach Close.
The new scheme presented as a result of previous discussions was for 50 home with 40% affordable homes included which would address the housing issue highlighted in the WC survey. The new scheme of approx. 5 acres provided improved access from the Pound with a visibility splay of approx. 43 mtrs. with the consideration of a bus stop incorporated. The provision of a footpath along the Pound was also to be considered, making an alternative route to the village centre without as now the need to go across the allotment footpath
The provision of the road, improved sewerage scheme etc. and extra costs involved would be offset by the larger scheme of 50 dwellings of varying sizes, this scheme also protects the rear of Breach Close by the means of adding a green space and retaining the car park.
A discussion followed with included –WC planning, full backing of the PC, the proposed site being an Exception site, the Core Strategy allocation for villages, could the scheme be built in stages, although when this was discussed it was felt that this would not be an option for the builders, financial implications and double disruption to the Parish. (The scheme would probably be completed over a period of 18 months) Also the outstanding debt on the car park was discussed.
The PC also felt that a clause/covenant should be incorporated if the development was to be sold to a developer, to restrict the number of dwellings, no additional dwellings to be incorporated when full planning is applied for, also a restriction to future dwellings being approved in gardens etc.
Minehead, Somerset have a similar scheme by the Crown underway, it was suggested that a copy of their design statement could be provide for the Bromham PC.
The next step forward is for the Crown to do some ‘financial costing’ and discuss with WC. If favourable the Crown would arrange a drop in session possibly on a Friday evening and Saturday morning at the Social Centre for a Crown Estate Consultation on their proposals for feedback from Bromham parishioners.
THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL NOT MAKE ANY DECISIONS UNTIL PARISHIONERS HAVE BEEN CONSULTED BY PUBLIC MEETINGS FOLLOWING THE CROWN’S CONSULTATIONS WITH PARISHIONERS