Present:
Cllr C. Neville - Chairman
Cllr M. Herbert - Vice Chairperson
Cllr S. Carryer
Cllr L. Dennison

None.

(a) Registration of all Parish Council owned land with Land Registry
(b) b) Consultation with HCC Rights Of Way Department on Footpath 6
Both these items to be carried forward to the next meeting as no progress would be made until the new Cler started work.

Mrs Palmer outlined the issues of particular concern to CPRE arising from the Inspector's Report on the South Downs National Park public inquiry. The Inspector has recommended that the land north of the B3004 should be deleted from the National Park area. CPRE and EHDC are very concerned by this alteration to the originally proposed boundaries. They argue that the whole of the Hampshire Hangers should be protected by National Park status; to delete this land would leave it vulnerable to future over-development and cut off from funding opportunities.

Mrs Palmer argued that the selection of the B3004 as a boundary was arbitrary and made no sense as it ignored the coherent landscape character of the hangers on either side of the road. She felt that the Inspector's recommendation was flawed in that his arguments for removing the land from the National Park area were not supported by the legislation. DEFRA is consulting until 24th September on four specific questions arising from the Inspector's Report. Mrs Palmer asked the Council to support CPRE and EHDC by making representations on the boundary issue which must be linked to the first consultation question. She also asked the Council to write to the local MP and ask him to try to influence the Minister and the Secretary of State directly.

CPRE is currently working on a draft to help Parish Councils prepare their responses but it was not yet known when this would be available. Alternatively Mrs Palmer would be willing to review draft responses prepared by the Parish Council if asked to do so.

Cllr Neville thanked Mrs Palmer for her presentation.

A casual vacancy had arisen as a result of Cllr Blaber's resignation. Notice of the vacancy had been posted on the Parish notice board as required and no by-election had been requested. The Parish Council was therefore required to co-opt a new member as soon as possible and Chris Rigden had put his name forward to the Council. Cllr Herbert nominated Chris Rigden as a new member and this was seconded by Cllr Carryer. A show of hands was then taken with all in favour and Chris Rigden was duly co-opted as a new member to take office at the next meeting.

A meeting had been held on 3rd August 2007 with Mott Gifford, engineering consultants to HCC for the Village 30 project, at which all Councillors had been present. The minutes of this meeting had been circulated to Councillors. Cllr Neville explained to members of the public present that it had emerged during this meeting that, yet again, a speed survey would need to be undertaken as part of this project.

Mott Gifford had been unable to explain the implications of this in respect of the Traffic Regulation Order that would have to be sought before the speed limit could be changed. This had always been the stumbling point in the past because of the police's refusal to support the TRO without speed survey data showing mean speeds through the village of near enough 30mph. County Councillor Mark Kemp-Gee was trying to clarify what HCC's position was and there was nothing further to be done until this was known.

These had previously been circulated to Councillors and showed the Council's finances to be closely on track with budget. The Clerk briefly explained the treatment of the insurance claim for St Nicholas and the developer's contributions for the re-turfing of the football area on Upper Green. She advised Councillors that a substantial re-claim for VAT had been received in July which would boost 2007/08 funds because much of it related to the previous year. A further boost might also come if the Council decided to accept BT Openreach's payment for cabling work on Lower Green. Councillors had no questions from the review.

Cllr Carryer requested that the replacement of the main doors be carried forward to next meeting. Cllr Carryer had obtained three quotations for the provision of a lightning conductor which she presented to the meeting. The quotations were discussed and it was proposed that Quotation A from Earthing Equipment Supplies for £750 plus VAT be accepted subject to confirmation that no other costs were involved such as scaffolding.
Proposed: Cllr Neville
Seconded: Cllr Carryer
All were in favour and Cllr Carryer was asked to contact the firm about extra costs before a formal letter of acceptance was sent by the Clerk.

A site meeting had been held on 26th July to review the BT proposals with a representative from the company. There being no further issues raised, it was proposed to grant BT Openreach wayleave permission to lay cable on Lower Green and Footpath 6 as detailed in the draft agreement and map in consideration of £1,141 to be received by the Parish Council.
Proposed: Cllr Carryer
Seconded: Cllr Dennison
All were in favour and the Chairman signed two copies of the agreement. The Clerk was asked to seek confirmation from BT Openreach of when the work would take place so that local residents could be advised.

Councillors had previously been circulated with a copy of the inspector's report from May 2007 and a summary of its findings prepared by the Clerk. It was agreed that the recommendations in respect of the litter bin and goal posts should be actioned and that Playsafe should be asked to repair a rung on the aerial cable way which had come off since the summary was prepared. No action could be taken with regard to fencing as Upper Green was common land. Cllr Neville confirmed that he would meet shortly with Sabine Roach to discuss planting options using the agreed £200 developers' contributions. Playsafe should be asked for their opinion on reversing the climbing net. Cllr Neville would remove the corkscrew from the flat swings stanchion as soon as possible.

It was agreed that no action would be taken in respect of a swing barrier as this had been thoroughly considered last year and was felt to present its own safety hazards. Cllr Dennison was asked to check the proximity of the branches to the aerial cableway, which had been pruned last month, and to report back if she felt more work was needed and also to look at the rain holes for the tyre on the cableway, where Playsafe's advice might also be needed. It was agreed that no action was needed at present on the recommendations to level up the ground as there were no obvious trip hazards or to undertake any works to the general surface. The recommendations on the kickabout goal had been made last year and rejected then as inconsistent with the inspector's previous advice. The Clerk suggested that RoSpa might be asked to undertake the inspection next year in order to gain a fresh perspective.
Proposed: Cllr Carryer
Seconded: Cllr Dennison

F39127/FUL/KO Conversion of dwelling into 3 self contained dwellings (as amended by plans received 22/6/04 and 9/07/04)
An amendment had been received for a proposed porch and alterations to fenestration to include new roof lights.
The Clerk noted that Cllr Carryer had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this application.
Kingsley Parish Council has no objection to this planning application .

F30633/013/FUL/SR and F30633/014/LBC/SR Alterations/extension to cellar, conservatory to side and external staircase (revised scheme to 30633/008/LBC) at Grooms Farm, Frith End Rd, Frith End
Kingsley Parish Council has no objection to this planning application.

FF20864/007/FUL/KO Two detached bungalows with integral garages and associated access after demolition of outbuildings at Southview, Main Rd, Kingsley
1. OVERVIEW
Kingsley Parish Council OBJECTS to the above application despite the fact that this latest application is a far more modest proposal. Despite the applicant's statement we do not feel it resolves the main issues of any proposal on this site which are:- a. The character of this area of Kingsley. b. The setting of an adjacent Grade II listed building. c. The Amenities of the occupiers of the houses in the immediate vicinity.
2. THE CHARACTER OF THIS AREA OF KINGSLEY
To quote the Appeal Decision dated 16 January 2006:- "While the dwellings are variously set back in their plots it seems to me that they do observe a broad consistency of alignment in their relationship with Main Road and on occasions permit glimpses through gaps towards the countryside surrounds. While I accept that there are some deeply set buildings at Sandyfields Farm, their backland situation as a farm complex can reasonably be perceived to compromise a different context from the dwellings that extend along the road. In that regard there are no dwellings to the rearward of the frontage properties. While I note that there are some low key buildings at the back of the dwellings including a timber building in a corner of the site, these structures are of little visual significance in terms of the character of the locality. In that regard, I consider that the deep gardens to the properties notably the open qualities of those at South View, Westerkirk House and the Old Rectory contribute significantly to the rural setting of the village where it adjoins the bordering countryside hereabouts. Being located rearwards of the existing dwelling running along Main Road the new building would be markedly at odds with the established pattern of dwellings which characterise this locality". In our view, in achieving the two dwellings proposed the resulting building would be visually intrusive in extending across virtually the width of the site thus materially impacting in the rural setting which would be significantly diminished by its large presence at the village margin. Therefore the proposal would not be compatible with the character and visual qualities of the area and would accordingly conflict with the aims of policies GS5 and HE2 respectively in the adopted and emerging Local Plans.
3. THE SETTING OF AN ADJACENT GRADE II LISTED BUILDING (WESTERKIRK HOUSE)
One of the proposed buildings will be very close to the boundary with Westerkirk House and would therefore be materially damaging to the setting of this listed building and so be in conflict with the relevant policies (ENV19 & HE12).
4. THE AMENITIES OF THE OCCUPIERS OF THE HOUSES IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY (WESTERKIRK HOUSE, THE SPINDLE, DEAN COTTAGES & SANDYFIELDS FARM)
There will be some loss of amenity to all the above properties with an increase in noise, dust and pollution. There will be some overlooking and loss of privacy in gardens.
5. OTHER ISSUES
a. Flooding . We have been presented with photographic evidence of flooding in the gardens of Dean Cottages & Sandyfield Farm on 20 July 2007. The relevance of this is difficult to gauge but in view of recent weather and despite in the past the Environment Agency stating there is no problem we feel it might be prudent to re-check the causes.
b. Sustainability. How sustainable is the village of Kingsley is a debatable question. Certainly it has limited amenities and the need for a car is almost essential.

F39854/002/FUL/CM Driveway and vehicular access at 1 Main Rd, Kingsley
Kingsley Parish Council trusts that this second application, with several alterations, now meets with the Highways Officer's approval as the humanitarian needs of this family are of great importance with a severely disabled son. Kingsley Parish Council supports this application and very much hopes that the planning officers can find a way to accommodate the needs of this family Cllr Neville advised Councillors that this application was due to be considered as a Section II item at the EHDC North Planning meeting on Thursday this week. The planning department's recommendation was refusal, although now only on the grounds of inadequate visibility.

Cllr Neville said that he felt this was inconsistent with the same Highways Officer's lack of concern over visibility when the battle over Dennards' expansion plans had been fought 7-8 years ago and he felt it was illogical to refuse this application which would not change the existing visibility one way or the other. He had spoken to the planning officer and e-mailed Cllr Patrick Burridge and asked Cllr Comber to support the application at the planning meeting.

Cllr Neville had nothing to report.

Cllr Herbert reported that John Kindler of Defence Estates had confirmed the MOD's responsibility for controlling the bracken on Kingsley Common and that some spraying work was expected to be undertaken in the Autumn. EHDC had been quick to respond to two recent incidences of fly-tipping along Forge Rd. Cllr Herbert would request litter-picking to be undertaken along the B3004 and ask John Kindler again about the removal of litter around the Coldharbour entrance to the Common.

Cllr Herbert had attended an HAPTC training course for new Councillors in July and had arranged to assist as a volunteer helper with the Rural Areas Play Project when it visits Kingsley. Finally she had attended the Jalsa Salana by invitation on the Saturday and she reported that the AMA had made great efforts through their TV and radio communications to divert would-be attendees to their other sites at Tilford and London which drastically reduced the numbers attending on Saturday and Sunday. She felt they had responded very quickly to what was a very difficult situation arising from the poor weather conditions.

Cllr Carryer reported that the overhanging vegetation obscuring the lights at Sleaford had been quickly removed.

Cllr Dennison had nothing to report but apologised for being unable to attend the Council meeting called for 25th July and the EHDC meeting on the South Downs National Park.