Letter to residents, who commented formally to the Planning Application for land adj. 44 Worsley Road.

Dear

TCP30990/A-P/01505/12 land at & rear of 44 Worsley Road, Gurnard, Isle Of Wight. Demolition of dwelling and stables; residential development comprising 21 dwellings with associated parking and landscaping (revised scheme) (revised plans received showing amended layout) (further readvertised application).

Thank you for commenting on the above Planning Application.

I am writing to advise you that the Planning Committee hearing for this application is due to take place from 4pm, Tuesday 24^th September at County Hall.  This meeting is open for local residents to attend.

Planning Officers are recommending that this application is approved (with conditions) by the Committee.  The full report will be available from the IW Council’s website iwight.com from Tuesday 17^th September, whilst Planning Committee members are due to attend a site visit scheduled for 9:45am, Friday 20^th September. (The Planning Department advises that Councillors not to enter dialogue with residents during site visits!)

As you may be aware this application was due to be considered in July but was delayed following analysis of this year’s Housing Needs Survey.

A number of residents have asked me for me to relay an updated list of names of those Councillors who serve on the Planning Committee.  These members are as follows:

Cllr Julia Baker-Smith, Cllr Reg Barry, Cllr Raymond Bloomfield, Cllr Charles Chapman (Chairman), Cllr David Eccles, Cllr John Hobart, Cllr Richard Hollis, Cllr John Howe, Cllr John Nicholson and Cllr Roger Whitby-Smith.

Although I am also a member of the Planning Committee, I’m unable to vote due to being local councillor. However, I am permitted to speak and represent the views of local residents for 5 minutes, which I intend doing next Tuesday.  Objectors are also given an opportunity to speak for 3 minutes, as are supporters, whilst the local Parish Council (or their advocate) are also given an opportunity to reflect their views to the Planning Committee.

If you wish to speak to me between now and next Tuesday, I will be at home from 5:30pm Thursday evening and will be in attendance at the Village Harvest Festival Celebration from 2pm until 5pm on Saturday 21^st September in Spencer’s Field, Tuttons Hill, and as always will welcome your views!

Should you wish to formally add comments to your original representation, these can still be emailed to the Planning Department until next Tuesday, however should you wish to consider this, I advise this is undertaken at the earliest opportunity so these can be relayed to the Planning Committee as ‘late representations’.

If you are unable to attend next Tuesday’s meeting, I will post the Planning Committee’s decision on my Blog: paulfullercc.blogspot.com, following the meeting.

I hope this information is helpful, and pre-empts questions you may have.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Fuller JP,CC

Independent IW Councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard. 

16th September 2013. 

IW Councillors Report: September/ October

Surgeries:

12:45-1:15pm Wednesday 18^th September, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 26^th September, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

4-4:30pm, Tuesday 1^st October,  Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5-6pm, Tuesday 1^st October, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 10^th October, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

1-1:30pm Wednesday 16^th October, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 23^rd October, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 31^st October, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard

Land Adjacent to 44 Worsley Road, Gurnard.

I requested this application was deferred following analysis of Gurnard’s recent Housing Needs Survey.  It is now likely the hearing will be held on Tuesday 24^th September. Once this date has been confirmed, I will notify interested residents.

Highways Issues Surgery.

I am due to hold a themed Open Surgery, with the PFI Contract Manager, Marc Griffin and a representative from Island Roads in attendance.  Marc has been very helpful resolving many of the issues that have been relayed to me so far since the PFI Award began in April.

This Surgery is a joint initiative with John Nicholson, Councillor for Cowes South and Northwood.  This surgery will take place from 5-6pm, Tuesday 1^st October in the Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes, and will enable local residents from Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood  to raise any Highways related issues that are of concern. 

Appointments to Outside Bodies.

At Full Council I was reappointed to the Local Access Forum, (a Statutory Body which oversees use and provision of Rights Of Way on the Island), The AONB Management Committee (which oversees activities and the function of the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and after an 11 year break I’ve been reappointed to the Solent Forum (overseeing the balance between the conservation, recreational and economic challenges of the Solent).

Asphalt Plant Update.

During the Summer, Eurovia has formed a joint venture with Blackwater Quarry owner Bardon Vectis, which will now provide Asphalt for upgrading local roads.

Therefore, the proposal to construct the Plant on the bank of the River Medina seems no longer likely to go ahead. 

Beach Huts.

I’ve spoken to a number of Beach Hut owners, who have raised some concern over the timescales involved in redecorating and repairing huts.  I’ve requested the IW Council offers owners a longer timescale earlier in the year, with a view to being introduced from next year.

'Superfast' Broadband 

There has been considerable debate between Councillors regarding the initiative to roll-out superfast broadband across the Island.  Although much of the funding is through a Government Grant (financed via the TV Licence) and commercially by the Broadband Provider, there is a financial commitment required by the IW Council (£3m) 

I’m fully in support of this proposal which will provide a broadband service to 21,000 properties in Rural areas.  BT state they will offer commercially, Superfast Broadband to 50,000 properties in the urban and semi rural areas within the Island.

The vast majority of connections will be via Fibre To The Cabinet, whilst some properties can apply for Fibre Direct to Premises.  Councillors were advised this will offer Broadband Speeds of 24mbs for 97% of  households at peak times (The contract specifies 20mbs for 90% of the population).

Opponents raised concerns over the level of the IW Council’s financial commitment, and whether this offers value for local residents.  I personally believe that it does, and recognise this will become more necessary in coming years.  In addition, I consider it important for the Island Businesses to compete on a level playing field with other areas.  

Cowes Enterprise Update.

Students are due to move into the new college building on 9th September.

Councillors Richard Priest (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education) and Ian Stephens (Leader of the Council) are arranging a Public Meeting (I anticipate in the coming weeks) which will offer an opportunity for Parents and the Wider Community to raise many of the outstanding issues with both the College and the IW Council.

In the meantime, I am working with the College to arrange an ‘open evening’ to enable residents to see for themselves the facilities that are available in the new building.

Parking, Crossfield Avenue: Let me know your thoughts!

With the new college building now open, I am monitoring perceived concerns that parents and residents have shared regarding parking for both Cowes Enterprise College and Cowes Primary School.  In the meantime, please let me know your thoughts!

Economy and Environment Scrutiny Panel.

As Chairman of the E&E Scrutiny Panel, are there two items of work that I am currently undertaking.

The first is drilling down on the existing Parking Strategy, which is being reviewed.  A Working Party met in July and issues that we have requested further information are as follows:

1. Civil enforcement officers
1. Copy of guidelines for enforcement to demonstrate that there is no target set for the number of PCN’s issued.
2. Implications on level of enforcement through sickness absence.
3. Ability to perform any other duties such as contract monitoring (cleaning of toilets and litter bin emptying)
4. Could they be re-named town wardens and kept in one particular area.

2. Payment on exit – could this be trialled in one town centre car park. Use reserves and balances as a “spend to save” project.

3. Free parking –
1. Currently a free half day at one car park in each town.
2. Could this be changed to a free half hour each day or charging not being operational until 10am each day and or stopping at 4.00pm.

4. Permits –
1. Separate permits for specific site and one for all island.
2. Island residents permit for long stay with one for short stay (up to 4 hours)
3. Better marketing required for visitor permit and review of costs if made Islandwide rather than a specific car park.

5. Coach parking – review where these are located and if layout needs amending due to increased size of these.

6. Charging for parking on esplanades – look at inconsistency

7. General charging policy – review whether this should be consistent across the island or take into account local circumstances.

8. General parking enforcement – members still not fully aware of reporting process if there is a known problem caused by parked vehicles.

I am discussing whether there may be some merit in arranging a formal briefing for IW Councillors and Stakeholders.

The second item of work, which I’m working with officers and Scrutiny Members on is investigating to what extent budgetary savings from 2013/4 have so far been met.  A meeting with the Director will take place in the coming weeks

My Panel meets again on Wednesday 11^th September, where Southern Vectis will be in attendance to provide an overview of their service. This will be scrutinised by the Panel, who will be joined by members of the Youth Council and the IW Bus Users Group. One issue local residents have asked me to raise is the concern of overloaded buses, the availability of seating on the service between Cowes and Newport, and whether additional services/ larger buses can be timetabled.

Leylandii and the Law.

A number of residents contact me about what the law states concerning Leylandii and other evergreen trees.

The current legislation on high hedges comes under Section 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act (2003). This allows councils to take action where the hedge has grown to a height where “the hedge is adversely affecting the complainant’s reasonable enjoyment of their property”.

Key points:

In most cases, you do not need permission to plant a hedge on your property but you are responsible for looking after the hedge.

There are no laws on how high the hedge can be grown but a council can take action if it is affecting someone’s reasonable enjoyment of their property, so maintaining your Leylandii hedge well from the start is recommended.

If part of the Leylandii hedge grows over the boundary (foliage or roots), owners of the neighbouring property have the right to cut it back to the boundary. However, anything you cut remains their property so you should check what the owner wants you to do with the trimmings. It is best not to throw them back over into the your neighbour’s garden but to stack it neatly.

If you have a hedge and part of it breaks or falls, or if it damages your neighbour’s property, you could be liable for any costs for compensation or repairs. This includes pushing over fences.

If a hedge is dangerous or obstructs a public path or pavement, your local council can take action to force you to trim it back.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Act (2003) only applies to:

·         hedges of two or more evergreen or mostly evergreen trees, not to individual trees.

·         hedges over two metres tall.

·         hedges affecting domestic property.

In the last month:

·         A meeting between residents of Rew Street, the IW Council and Island Roads was called to agree an action plan to resolves speeding and dangerous driving.  The outcomes are now being finalised with IW Police.

·         The issue of litter on Gurnard Green was tentatively resolved following relocating one of the two wheelie bins.  My grateful thanks to Gurnard Parish Council who funded an extra collection during Dinghy Week.

·         New replacement lighting has now occurred in Woodvale Road and Ward Avenue.

·         I have been in discussion with residents regarding the noise from the Cattle Grid in Westview Road, Gurnard.  I have requested that works are undertaken to further secure this, in the hope that noise can be reduced.

·         I have organised two meetings with Rights of Way to progress the proposed Diversion Order for CS16.  One meeting was held with 3 of the 5 objectors, whilst the second meeting was held with Gurnard Parish Council.

·         I have requested hedges in Cockleton Lane are cut back on cessation of the Nesting Season.

·         I have reported residents concerns over Public Loos, their cleanliness and functionality.

·         The Police and Environmental Officers have visited a resident who regularly has dog muck thrown in their garden. I am ever hopeful the perpetrators will be caught!!

·         I have signed off under delegated powers Planning Applications for Shore Road and Westwood Close.  Following no objections from either the Parish Council or neighbours, Ive discussed potentially supporting an application for extending 28 Solent View Road, Gurnard.

·         I’ve requested the new development south of the Moorings in Egypt Hill is called Admiralty View, Upper Holmwood (the former name for The Moorings), Maws Close (after the chemist/ hydrofoil inventor and former owner of the Holmwood Hotel and The Moorings), Moorings Close or Moorings View- in preference to the developer’s choice of Admiralty Way.

·         I am liaising with Island Roads about a potential parking restriction that may be necessary for Marsh Road, following a request from a local farmer to transport maize between local farms. 

·         I am arranging a meeting with officers to look into Health and Safety Concerns at Blackberry Lane.

·         I am liaising with the Isle of Wight Community Club and its neighbours over various issues.

·         Action has been taken by Environmental Health against a resident from lighting regular bonfires which has impacted upon Queens Road residents.

Surgery: Woodvale, 6pm, Thursday 12th September CANCELLED!

Due to a number of commitments that have arisen at the same time on Thursday 12th September (Cowes Enterprise College Governors, The Local Access Forum and Overview and Scrutiny Committee all clash!) , it is regrettably necessary for this surgery to be cancelled.

The following week, I am holding two surgeries at 12:45pm, Wednesday 18th September at the Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard and my first ever surgery (Fingers crossed!) 3pm at the new building of Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes!