2005-07-24

25th July 2005

PRESENT: Mr Ian Reynolds (Chaiman); Mr Steve Smowton (Vice-Chairman); Mr Mike Russell; Mr Bill Reader; Mrs Gina Mannix; Mrs Carole Wainwright; Mr Peter Skilbeck

APOLOGIES: Mr Brian Forster; Ms Judy Wanless; Mr John Reader

MINUTES OF LAST MEETING READ

The following items were amended:

2nd line of Escrick Playing Field Association the words had not amended to have and under (Planning) 8/10/222B/PA the word propose amended to pose.

The minutes were approved.

MATTERS ARISING

YELLOW LINES ALONG MAIN STREET

NYC Councillor Mrs Liz Casling had arranged a meeting on site last Wednesday and we await her report.

ESCRICK PLAYING FIELD ASSOCIATION

Mrs Mannix reported that the footpath is now completed. EPFA are to retain £5,000 until the tarmacadam and sports wall were completed to their satisfaction. The goalposts have been relocated and the Association have paid for this work. It was agreed to pay Lapsett £20,000 on account and claim immediately the £6,176.84 VAT to keep funds in credit.

The moles were still a problem. Jesse Smith visits Escrick Estate in October and March and it would be cost effective to have him visit the playing field at the same time in October. Mr Mike Harrison (Selby District Council) has inspected the tree in the paddock and advised that the tree is safe to stay but needs some minor attention. Apparently there is an Ancient Tree Society and Mrs Mannix to enquire about this to see if there is any grant aid available. Mrs Mannix will contact Mr John Reader about the weekly safety checks of the playground equipment. Mr Smowton had produced a revised schedule of equipment for the insurance and a refund of premium is anticipated. Mrs Wainwright enquired if the EPFA were going to continue raising money and Mrs Mannix assured the Parish Council they were aiming to raise £2,000 annually. On 2 occasions a man had been spotted in the playing field on the equipment. The Community Police officer was informed and had spoken to the person concerned who has been told not to go on the equipment as it is only for children's use. Mr Skilbeck enquired if there was to be an official opening ceremony but as it is being well used by village children it was felt to publicise the facility would encourage children from outside the area.

A competition was being organised at the school to design "thank you" cards to be sent to everyone who has been involved with the scheme. Mr Reynolds reported that a commuted sum from the eventual sale of the old school would be allocated to the Parish Council for use in public areas.

COPSES ALONG CARR LANE

At the last meeting Mr Forbes Adam asked if the Parish Council were interested in taking over the two copses, both at the corner of Main Street and Carr Lane. After a discussion it was agreed by a majority to accept this offer and take over the maintenance. Mr Reader abstained.

PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL STREET LIGHTING

It was agreed to request additional lighting on Skipwith Road in the vicinity of Escrick Court.

FOOTPATH ALONG SKIPWITH ROAD

A letter will be sent to the Highways Authority about extending the footpath along Skipwith Road to the entrance to the Wood. It was thought that this could be combined with a new street light.

DUCKS ON VILLAGE GREEN

No reply had yet been received.

The meeting was declared an open meeting at this stage and the members of the public were asked if they wished to speak. As the response was negative the open meeting was closed.

ACCOUNTS

A/c 81335235 £1,714.45
A/c 81335243 £7,004.20
A/c 01385518 £22,820.42 (this includes recent payment from SDC of a commuted sum payment of £5148.00)

It was agreed to pay:

Room hire Escrick & Deighton Club £10.00
NYCC - licence for right of way to playing field £25.00
Npower - electricity charges £84.30
Allianz & Cornhill - extra premium £553.13
Mrs V Cumberland - toner for printer £65.45

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

8/10/3T/PA - Outline application for the erection of B1, B2 and B8 Units including means of access on land at Brickworks Riccall Road Escrick - The Parish Council is not opposed to redevelopment of the site for employment use although we believe that the sustainability argument advanced by the applicants is weak. It is further considered that the proposal should be considered in the light of other employment allocated sites within the District in particular Selby Business Park, the former Middlebrook Mushroom Farm at Gateforth/Thorpe Willoughby and the potential of the redevelopment of the BOCM factory at Barlby. All of these sites are readily accessible now to the A19 and south of York by virtue of the completion of the Selby Bypass. It is believed that there will be a superfluity of employment land/buildings. It is further considered that the redevelopment proposal should be limited to the footprint of the actual buildings on the site and should not include land that was purely used for the open air storage of the products of the brickworks ie tiles and bricks. If the total site development was permitted it is considered that a major road improvement would be necessary ie a roundabout rather than a simple right turn lane. The frontage land of the site should be used for enhanced landscaping/wild life habit.

8/09/117/PA - Application for the retention and re-use of suitable buildings, car parking and landscaping and infrastructure at former Stillingfleet Mine Cawood Road Stillingfleet - Escrick Parish Council totally oppose the release of the above mentioned site for employment use. When planning permission was originally granted there was a specific requirement that the land should revert to agriculture/forestry on the cessation of mining activities. The local population was originally persuaded to accept coal mining in the National Interest on the basis that there would be no transportation of coal by road, no unsightly spoil heaps and thirdly that the land would revert as detailed above. The first two conditions have already been ignored and the District Council is strongly urged to insist upon the reversion of this site to agriculture/forestry. There is no proven demand for employment use of the site buildings and this ought to be viewed in the light of existing allocations and proposals for employment use in the District and in particular in the immediate area. The evidence given regarding the use of White Moor Mine buildings for employment use does not support the release of this site. There is still a great deal of space available at White Moor and other sites in the locality remain unlet or undeveloped.

8/15/354/PA - Application for the retention and re-use of buildings, landscaping and infrastructure at former Riccall Mine, Selby Road Riccall - Escrick Parish Council totally oppose the release of the above mentioned site for employment use. When planning permission was originally granted there was a specific requirement that the land should revert to agriculture/forestry on the cessation of mining activities. The local population was originally persuaded to accept coal mining in the National Interest on the basis that there would be no transportation of coal by road, no unsightly spoil heaps and thirdly that the land would revert as detailed above. The first two conditions have already been ignored and the District Council is strongly urged to insist upon the reversion of this site to agriculture/forestry. There is no proven demand for employment use of the site buildings and this ought to be viewed in the light of existing allocations and proposals for employment use in the District and in particular in the immediate area. The evidence given regarding the use of White Moor Mine buildings for employment use does not support the release of this site. There is still a great deal of space available at White Moor and other sites in the locality remain unlet or undeveloped.

8/10/221/PA - Erection of a summer room to the rear of Hawthorn Cottage Hollicarrs Escrick - no objections -permission granted by SDC

8/10/24CC/PA - Redesign & extension to tennis courts Queen Margaret's School, Escrick - No objections We have made the point that the applicant removed a walnut tree on the site before the application was submitted. We have photos available to show the existence of this tree if required.

8/10/222/PA - Erection of 2 detached dwellings with garages to include siting and means of access on land to the rear of Escrick C of E Primary School, Escrick - No objection to proposal in principle but would ask that the Applicant consider repositioning the garage on Plot 5 to save removing the trees on the corner of the site. These provide suitable cover and screening for the properties in Escrick Park Gardens with regard to the proposed development. Also to repeat our comment with regard to the new proposed access on Escrick Park Gardens and to use the existing entrance

8/10/222A/PA - Conservation area consent to convert Escrick C of E School into 3 No dwellings with garages and associated parking at Escrick C of E Primary School, Escrick- We are advised by SDC that this is not now required.

8/10/222B/PA - Convert Escrick C of E Primary School into 3 no dwellings with 2 no garages and associated parking at Escrick C of E primary School, Escrick - No objection in principal to the proposed redevelopment of the Primary School but due to car parking problems in Main Street and Escrick Park Gardens we find it hard to justify 3 access roads into the site to service 5 properties. Bearing these comments in mind we would ask the applicants to re-think the positioning of the garage on plot 2. Drop the new access on to Escrick Park Gardens and use the existing entrance to service the two proposed properties at the rear of the school.

8/10/223/PA - Erection of 1st floor side extension and a ground floor extension to the rear of 2 Woodlands Escrick - no objections

8/10/224/PA - Erection of porch to front of 4 Southlands Close Escrick - no objections- Selby DC granted permission

8/10/106B/PA - Erection of a conservatory to rear of Beckview 1 Carr Lane Escrick -to investigate further. Unlikely to be any objection on planning grounds.

CORRESPONDENCE

Selby District Council - Advised re: Inaugural quarterly parish forum to be held on 29 September - Mr Smowton to attend.

Groundwork Selby - Woodland Proposals - Mrs Mannix to reply.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Mr Russell reported that the Village Green Committee's Musical Evening on Saturday 13th August was being well supported.

Mr Skilbeck reported that the article in the Parish Magazine recently about the A19 flooding had been a misunderstanding on the part of Stillingfleet Parish Council.

Mrs Wainwright had received complaints about the overhanging beech tree at the Alms Houses on Main Street. Mr Russell (Trustee) will investigate and arrange for any necessary action.

Mrs Mannix commented on the unsightly recycle bin outside the Black Bull. As this is on private land it is not considered an EPC matter. It was thought the bin would be there for a short time only.

Mr Smowton proposed that the Chair be allowed an allocation of £100 which can be used to pay for any immediate maintenance works needed around the village. This was seconded by Mr Russell and unanimously agreed.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Monday 12th September 2005 in Escrick & Deighton Social Club at 7.30pm