Minutes
Thursday 15th March 2012
Village Hall 7.15pm
Present
Chairperson Joan Angus.
Clerk Helen
Brewis.
Parish Council Members
Joyce Shaw, John Gallon, Margaret Brooks,
Bryn Owen, & Elizabeth Pearson.
In Attendance CC
John Taylor.
Members of the public Mr
R Cornall, Mr I & Mrs Gaston, Mrs
M Taylor & Mr Gaston.
1437. Apologies
for absence.
Michael Robson, Michael Craster, Alan Punton & Pauline Baird.
1438. Confirmation
of minutes of last meeting.
The February Minutes were accepted as a true record with the following
two
amendments:-
1433. Neighbourhood Plan - Michael Robson will not be on the
Neighbourhood
Plan Committee.
1434. The Haven - Bryn Owen wrote the letter to David Clarke, not
Michael
Craster.
1439. NWL
Sewerage Update.
The disturbed stones at the playpark are still working their way to the
surface.
Action point: Clerk to notify
Charles Harman @ NWL about the muddy path near Craster Heugh.
1440. Craster
Community Trust Matters.
Action Points: Joyce Shaw will
speak to Dougie Hogg about making a Diamond Jubilee Beacon. Clerk to pass the email on to CC John Taylor
from the Trust requesting inclusion in the planned village signage.
1441. Parking Sub Committee Update. Ongoing.
1442. Neighbourhood Plan
Sub
Committee.
The Sub Committee have held their first meeting & would like to
propose
that the Parish Council hold a Public Meeting concerning the creation
of a
Parish Plan.
All were in favour.
The Public Meeting has been pencilled in for March 29th to ensure the
involvement of the whole community.
1443. Matters
arising from minutes of last meeting.
Housing – Residential
& Tourist.
This item will be merged with the
Neighbourhood Plan Sub Committee.
Dunstan Water Leak.
The road is currently dry, NCC will carry out road repairs later this
year.
Mr M Robson removed fencing from the inner car park.
CC John Taylor has had no response from Terry Garnick @ NCC. All were in favour of sending the letter to
the Gazette.
Action Point: Clerk to forward the letter to the
Gazette.
New Rubbish Bin at Dunstan Bus
Shelter. Done.
Potholes. Done.
Elizabeth Pearson – Damaged bus stop
bin & storm drain/road surface at the bus shelter in Craster. The
bin
lid has been replaced with a second hand one.
Bushes from Craster Arch to the
crossroads.
Michael Craster has started pruning the bushes.
Signage for Tower Bank to highlight
the dangers. Ongoing.
Mick Oxley – Official Business
Signage.
On hold, CC John Taylor needs a decision made about the type of
fingerboards
to be used.
Sign for Dunstanburgh Road ‘Castle –
Walking Only’. Ongoing.
Bus Timetables for Dunstan &
Craster West End bus stop.
All the bus timetables are currently being replaced.
Standing Orders.
The adoption of the Standing Orders for Smaller Parish Councils was
discussed, proposed by John Gallon & seconded by Joyce Shaw. All were in favour.
Footpath from South Acres Pumping
Station to the style gate. Ongoing.
Village Hall Refurbushment. This
will start in approximately one months time & a suitable location
will need
to be agreed on for our Meetings.
NCC – Dunstan Steads request to move
from Craster to Embleton Parish.
Mr R Cornall spoke about the proposed boundary change to move Dunstan
Steads
from Craster Parish to Embleton Parish, he feels there are no social or
economical links with Craster. They are
closer to Embleton & the children go to Embleton school, he feels
the
boundary move should include all the houses & farm land rather than
splitting it between the two parishes.
Although this has nothing to do with the current
farm planning dispute.
Mr Gaston who owns Dunstan Steads Farm wishes to remain with Craster
Parish,
he is upset the he has not been notified of the proposed changes &
feels
that there is a split between the residents about which Parish to be
under.
He is not a factory farmer & has no intention of breaking any
planning
laws with his planning application, but feels this proposed change is
for the
objectors to gain powers over the farm & Craster is only 5 miles
away for
voting purposes.
The proposed boundary change will make a large difference financially
to the
parish especially when we are creating a parish plan & trying to
prove our
sustainability after the possible loss of a third of the land.
Boundaries have always been created by burns & rivers & the
Parish
Council are not happy to have a third of the parish moved because of a
small
number of Dunstan Steads residents, who will now be polled.
Action Point: Clerk to email NCC
to suggest that if a part of Dunstan Steads is to be moved to Embleton
Parish
it should be the residential houses & access road, the map will be
marked
& emailed also.
1444. Planning
Matters. CC John Taylor declared an interest.
A/2008/0289 – Former Nursery Gardens
– amendments. Ongoing.
11/01223/FUL – 3 Church Street first
floor holiday accomodation amendments.
Planning refusal received.
11/02793/FUL – Dunstan Steads Farm
plans & amendments.
Mr R Cornall thanked Mr Gaston for his efforts in moving the planned
caravan’s site & by painting the barn.
The objectors however are still objecting to the
plans & their main
concern is with the original buildings being sold off & turned into
residential housing there is no need for new farm buildings to be
built. Mr
Cornall does not believe that raising calves at Dunstan Steads for the
Duns farm
will be profitable because of the low value in farming & fattening
up of
calves. The capital infrastructure for
the shed, cattle & additional staff is not economic to create this
business
& feels that part of the broader strategy will be to build
additional buildings
& a house. Mr Cornall believes that
the plans do not fill the planning terms & it is not an economic
case,
which will damage both the environment & tourism.
There is not a true economic justification to build a house when there
are
houses for sale & rent within the area for the farmer & staff.
Mr Gaston confirmed that raising cattle is profitable & he is
making
money, the calves are bought for £50, £400 is required for their
rearing &
then sold for £1000.
Mr Gaston will start small & will expand to make more money, the
farm is
405 acres & there is justification for a cattle shed & home,
the farm
can support a family & turn over a profit.
He is also taking extra precautions in protecting
the burn.
Mrs Cornalls email was read out
& the Northern Ireland draft document which was attached has
already been
circulated amongst the Councillors. The
email was discussed & proposed by Bryn Owen that we have already
accepted
all recommendations made by the ecologist at AONB to protect the
environment
& we should not be looking to adopt any more. Joyce
Shaw seconded the proposal & all were in favour.
The proposal to support the planning amendments at Dunstan Steads Farm
was
discussed & all were in favour.
11/03210/FUL – The Haven.
Approved by NCC.
11/03278/FUL – Jolly Fisherman.
The bed & breakfast side has been removed from the plans, the
Parish
Council now has no objection.
11/03411/FUL – Dunstan Hill Camping
& Caravan Club. Pending
decision.
12/00413/FUL – Craster Memorial Hall
plans. Approved by NCC.
1445. Financial
Matters.
Bank Balance
£
4,637.22
LTSB Higher interest
£15,000.00
1446. Correspondence received.
Archaeology in Northumberland. In
circulation.
NCC – Maintenance & Provision of
Bus Shelters 2012/13.
Action Point: Clerk to complete
the form & check our insurance will cover the additional items.
NCC wildflowers & tree planting.
Noted.
Dog fouling on pathway by
Church & Hall.
Action Point: Clerk to contact
NCC & request ‘Dog Fouling Fine’ signs to be put up.
NCC Drain Cleaning machine.
NCC drain cleaning machine is currently being used in the villages with
flooding problems then will start on other locations.
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