TOWN FORUM – 25TH JUNE 2008
Present
Chairman – The Mayor, Councillor A Bradley
Councillors Mrs A Ames, J Armstrong, Mrs L Chambers, T Chambers, M Deegan, Ms P Dunn, C Edmunds, M Firmager, G Hughes, N Jorgensen, Mrs P Jorgensen, S Khan, K Miall, Ms C Mitchell, N Preston and P Willis.
Residents in Attendance: N Bather (Pitts Lane), I Clinton and A Davidson (Paddick Drive) together with approximately 60 residents of Paddick Drive and Chesterment Way.
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1. PLANNING APPLICATION F/2008/1129 – 34 AND LAND TO THE REAR OF 36-50 PITTS LANE
Mr Bather, in addressing the meeting, asked for the Town Council’s observations on this planning application, which was to create 10 dwellings in the rear gardens of properties in Pitts Lane.
Councillor Mrs P Jorgensen, the Planning Committee Chairman, said that Councillors were due to consider this application at the next Planning Committee, and, whilst she could not pre-judge how the Committee might decide on this particular application, she was aware that the Town Council had asked that numerous previous planning applications on this site should be refused, and was committed to trying to prevent inappropriate back land infilling.
2. PROPOSALS FOR A CYCLE TRACK – PADDICK DRIVE
Mr Davidson, speaking on behalf of the residents present, asked what level of opposition there would have to be to prevent the Town Council proceeding with a planning application for a proposed cycle track at Paddick Drive. In the absence of the Amenities & Leisure Committee Chairman, the Leader of the Council, Councillor C Edmunds, responded to the question saying that the process of consultation currently being undertaken by the Town Council was not seen as a referendum. It was the duty of the Town Council to try to provide facilities for the wider community, and the concerns of the residents of Paddick Drive and Chesterment Way would be balanced against the needs of the community as a whole.
Mr Davidson asked what formal evidence existed, and what formal process had been gone through to demonstrate the need for a cycle track. In response, Councillor Edmunds advised that a survey of young people had been carried out at the Earley Fun Day, at Maiden Erlegh School, and through representatives of the Youth & Community Service. Furthermore, the views of the Police, the local Police Community Support Officers, and the Youth Workers, both statutory and voluntary, had been taken into consideration. Councillor Edmunds continued by indicating that it was suggested that a further wider consultation should take place of all residents living in the Hawkedon and Cutbush Town Wards.
Mr Clinton, also speaking on behalf of the residents of Paddick Drive and Chesterment Way, asked whether the Town Council was prepared to make available to the public under the Freedom of Information Act, the minutes and associated documentation resulting from the Part 2 discussions which had taken place in relation to the possible provision of the cycle track. The Town Clerk advised that under its Standing Orders the Town Council had the right to exclude members of the public and press from discussions on certain items of business, and, whilst those discussions remained confidential, the minutes were available on request. With regard to the requests received for the release of other information, the Town Clerk advised that he was currently seeking legal advice on these requests, and that he could, therefore, not comment further at this stage.
Mr Davidson asked what the Council’s plans were to deal with anti-social behaviour at the track. In response, Councillor M Deegan, the Deputy Leader of the Council, responded that there had already been significant interaction with the Police, the Voluntary and Statutory Youth Service, and the Police Community Support Officers and Wardens on the existing anti-social behaviour experienced in some areas of the Town, and on any possible problems which would occur at the proposed cycle track. Councillor Deegan drew attention to other cycle tracks which had been located in residential areas, and advised that those councils which had been contacted indicated that there had, initially, been some behavioural problems when the tracks were first opened but that these had “settled down” within the first four to eight weeks. Councillor Deegan also made reference to the work undertaken by the Town Council’s Youth & Community Sub-Committee, the last meeting of which had been attended by a representative of the Manor Residents’ Association. Councillor Deegan confirmed the purpose of the Sub-Committee, and that it allowed the opportunity for local residents, through the various Residents’ Associations, to communicate directly with the Police, Youth Service and other agencies.
Mr Davidson asked for clarification on how the project would be funded. Councillor Deegan indicated that a sum of Section 106 money had been released from the developers for the future maintenance of the open space, part of which could be used for the ongoing maintenance costs of the track. With regard to the capital costs, this could be funded from a number of sources, including alternative Section 106 allocations or Lottery Grants.
Reference was made to the covenants existing on the site, and also whether the proposals under consideration would be in breach of PPG 17. Councillor Deegan advised that he had sought advice from the Head of the Borough Council’s Planning Department, and had been advised that nothing laid down within the guidelines contained within PPG17 would prevent the construction of a cycle track in this location. With regard to the covenants in place, Councillor Deegan confirmed that he had been advised that it was felt that the proposals now under consideration were in the spirit of those covenants.
In conclusion, Councillor Edmunds advised that the matter would be considered again at the Amenities & Leisure Committee meeting on 2nd July, when it would be suggested to the Committee that a wider consultation of all residents in Cutbush and Hawkedon Wards should take place. Copies of the Agenda for that meeting were made available to the residents. Councillor Edmunds thanked the residents present for their interest, and for attending the meeting.