Church Lench

Questions from Parishioners: Dog Fouling. This was discussed again and the Clerk informed the meeting that it was not possible to install a dog fouling bin at Malthouse Lane until the next financial year. Horse Fouling. Councillor Ridgley stated that horse manure was being deposited on the pathways within the village. Discussion took place and it was hoped that horse owners would take notice of this complaint. Motorcross. Discussion again took place concerning this ongoing problem. Councillor Lee stated that the requested monitoring of noise levels and road nuisance would be undertaken, when the meetings were renewed next year, by Wychavon District Council. Heavy Goods Vehicles through Atch Lench. Two local residents had asked if anything could be done about heavy goods vehicles travelling too fast and often aggressively through the village. It was also asked if sign posts could be put on the Harvington Road diverting Church Lench traffic via Handgate Farm. Considerable discussion took place and the general consensus was that the problem would ease when building work had ceased at Taylors Hay Cottage and that the most direct route to Church Lench was through Atch Lench. It was pointed out that Handgate Farm turning was very dangerous. The Clerk was requested to ask the Highways Department whether the small wall built near the Manor Barn was in fact legal, as this reduced the road at a difficult place and contributed to the problem. The Clerk would report these findings to the complainant.

Village Hall Report: Councillor Husband thanked the parish council for their donation of £1,000 to cover the cost of repairs to the fencing, damaged by vandalism. The balance to be utilised towards the cost of improved facilities to be undertaken as soon as funds were available.

Footpaths Report: Wychavon Way Improvements. Councillor Davey stated that the work was now complete. The Clerk was requested to deal with the financial matters outstanding.

Footpaths Grant. The Clerk confirmed that an application for the maximum grant had been made.

Update on activities at Badgers Hill, Sheriffs Lench: The chairman confirmed that he and a local resident had written to the Wychavon Planning Department concerning alternative activity at the site and also restitution of the land. These matters were being investigated by the various bodies concerned and the chairman confirmed that restitution was the subject of an already issued injunction. He also stated that he was being given copies of the cross working party meetings.

Golden Jubilee Celebrations, June 2002: Considerable discussion took place concerning assistance towards the weekend celebrations and also the possibility of a permanent memorial in the form of a children's play area. It was agreed in principle that both these matters would be discussed again in January 2002 when decisions would be made. In the meantime the Chairman would investigate the costings. Councillor Badger suggested that the Sports Field be named the Jubilee Field.

Village Website: The Chairman reported that he had been successful in placing the Parish Council Minutes for September, 2001 on the website at ukvillages.co.uk It was agreed unanimously that minutes would be posted before signature otherwise they would be out of date.

Planning:

New applications:

W/01/01777/CU Mr & Mrs P Pugh Lynwood, Evesham Road, Church Lench. Conversion of existing building to form holiday cottage on Evesham Road. It was decided to reject this application on the following grounds: Not agricultural diversification, outside H8 building policy area, does not conform to AG11 - Appeal Ref: APH/H/1840/A/01/1063954

W/93/0821 Ryefield, Main Street, Church Lench. No formal notification was given as this a minor amendment to W.93.0821. The Clerk was asked to seek clarification to this planning consent as it would appear to have overrun the five year qualification period.

W/01/01515/CU DS Gill & Sons, Brookfield Farm, Ab Lench. Foundrel Barn, Abbots Lench. Amendments approved subject to full planning committee consideration and restriction of future use as a permanent dwelling.

W/01/01757/PP Mr & Mrs W Houlton, Shrives House, Sheriffs Lench. Convert garage into games room, form extension for new garage and utility, construct new conservatory and form new access. No objections.

W/01/01480/PP Dr JB Mills, Westridge House, Sheriffs Lench. Single storey extension to form additional reception room. No objections.

Decisions Reached:

W/01/01669/PP & Dr & Mrs J Mills, Westridge House, Sheriffs Lench. Approved single storey extension to form additional reception room

W/01/01399/PP Mr A Brown, Rosedene, Main S., Church Lench. Approved demolition of rear port with extension containing dining room and utility.

W/01/01086/PP Ms J Tyrrell, Court House, Atch Lench. Approved erection of porch over back door.

Highways:

Village Drains. The Clerk had written to the Highways Department concerning blocked drains without response. She would copy her original letter and send it to Andy Broome, following the long term sickness of the gentleman in charge. Speeding through Church Lench. The Clerk was requested to write to the Highways Department with a request for more white line road markings to reduce the appearance of the size of Low Road in an effort to reduce speeding there. Road drainage, top of Garfield Hill, Evesham Road. The chairman reported that with the permission of the landowner, he had dug out the ditch which had alleviated hanging water on the road.

Electoral Review: Two proposals had been put forward which were now the subject of political debate. No decisions had, as yet, been made.

Correspondence: Twenty items of correspondence had been received which were being distributed to councillors. The clerk would minute any action taken concerning them.

The next meeting to be held at 7pm in Church Lench Village Hall on January 28.