Author: Parish Clerk

Emergency Road Closure – Urgent Closure of Chestnut Road (part)

Posted on by Parish Clerk

Wiltshire Council
Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Urgent Closure of Chestnut Road (part)

Wed 18 January 2017, 09:30 to 14:30

THE WILTSHIRE COUNCIL HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that on Wednesday 18th January 2017, the following length of road shall be closed to all traffic in the interests of public safety to enable Wiltshire Council to carry out carriageway resurfacing, hand patching and associated works.

UC Chestnut Road (part) Sutton Benger; from its junction with Sutton Lane to approximately outside Village Hall.

Alternative route:

Via – Chestnut Road (unaffected length) B4069 High Street – Sutton Lane – and Vice Versa

The closure will be clearly indicated by traffic signs throughout the works period.

This closure notice comes into effect on 18th January 2017, for a maximum of 21 days; however it is anticipated the work will take 1 day to complete. This will be between the hours of 09:30 – 14:30. It is anticipated that the works will take the stated duration to complete depending upon weather conditions. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses, although delays are likely due to the nature of the works.

For further information regarding these works please contact (Atkins) on 01225 730360 daytime or urgent out of hours 0748 401644 (Tarmac).

Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN.

Emergency Road Closure – B4069 Main Road (Part), Christian Malford and Sutton Benger

Posted on by Parish Clerk

Wiltshire Council
Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Closure of B4069 Main Road (Part), Christian Malford and Sutton Benger

13-14 February 2017, 07:00 to 18:00

Notice is hereby given that the Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic:

B4069 Main Road (Part), Christian Malford and Sutton Benger; from a point approximately 170m west of its junction with Avonweir Lane to a point approximately 300m east of its junction with Station Road.

road closure plan

To enable: Wiltshire Council to carry out carriageway reconstruction, surface dressing and road markings.

Alternative route: via B4069 (unaffected length) – A420 – A4 – A3102 – B4069 (unaffected length) and vice versa.

The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.

This Order will come into operation on 13 February 2017 and it is anticipated that the closure will be required daily between the hours of 07.00 and 18.00 for two days. It is anticipated that the works will take the stated duration to complete depending upon weather conditions. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses, although delays are likely due to the nature of the works. The Order will have a maximum duration of 18 months.

For further information please contact Steve Hawkins (Eurovia) on 01249 468582 (office hours) or 07900 715776 (out of office hours).

Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

Clerks Report: December 2016

Posted on by Parish Clerk

Update From Sutton Benger Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting on 7 December 2016

Planning – the following decisions were agreed:

  • 16/10661/FUL, 42 High Street, SN15 4RF – Demolish existing garage and erection of a dwelling and carport (resubmission of 15/10590/FUL) – Object
  • 16/10996/TCA, 5 Manor Farm Drive, SN15 4RW – Fell 1 sycamore and 30%reduction to Ash trees – No Objections
  • 16/10934/FUL, Land Adjacent Old Telephone Exchange, Seagry Hill, SN15 4SA – Change of use of land to 1 gypsy and traveller pitch, the erection of a day room, siting of a static home together with space for the parking of 2 cars, a mobile home, space for a garden and the siting of a cess pit. – Object – Agreed to ask Cllr Greenman to call it in
  • 16/08789/FUL, Gate Cottage High Street SN15 4RE – Demolish existing dilapidated outbuilding and replace to create garden room. – No Objections
  • 16/11216/LBC, Gate Cottage High Street SN15 4RE – Demolish existing dilapidated outbuilding and replace to create garden room. – No Objections

Next Parish Council Meeting –The date of the next Parish Council Meeting is Wednesday 11th January 2017 in the Village Hall, starting at 7.45 pm.

The Councillors and Clerk would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Clerks Report: November 2016

Posted on by Parish Clerk

Update From Sutton Benger Parish Council Meeting on 9 November 2016

Planning – Consideration was given to 4 planning applications:

  • 16/09784/FUL – College Green, Sutton Lane, SN15 4RT – Enlarge existing adopted informal parking area to accommodate 7 formal parking bays, including associated white line marking. – Support subject to conditions
  • 16/10077/FUL – Oakleigh Acres Pitstop, Jct 17 M4, SN15 5LH – Proposed lounge/bar area and two temporary mobile type offices – No Objections
  • 16/10466/TCA – 4 Chestnut Road, SN15 4RP – 25% Crown Reduction to Horse Chestnut Tree – No Objections
  • 16/10550/TCA – East Starlings 25 High Street SN15 4RQ – Fell 1 Lawson Cypress Tree – No Objections

The PC had not submitted any comments on the original application in relation to the Planning Appeal for 16/02442/FUL – Kintyre, Sutton Lane – covered yard for livestock, as it had not received the original plans and would state this in a letter to the planning inspectorate.

It was agreed to make no comments on the proposed base station installation in the field adjacent to The Shrubbery, North of the High Street.

Matters relating to the unauthorised planning infringements at the traveller site on Seagry Hill were noted and the Clerk advised of the planning enforcement officer’s site visits, comments and the imminent planning application.

Dropped kerbs – Pavement on High Street at Starlings – Following a proposal by Cllr N Davis – Cllr P Jones agreed to take photos and submit an initial enquiry to the Chippenham Area Board regarding funding/action on dropping the kerbs to make it easier for disability scooters and prams using the pavement.

Rights of Way – Cllr Leigh Varnham has been working with the volunteer group to assign the pathways for inspection.  There are lots of paths to inspect – if you are interested in joining the group, please contact the Clerk.

Neighbourhood Development – A public meeting has been arranged for 23-Nov-2016 to give an update on the survey results.

Village Hall – Cllr N Hayward advised that a proposal had been received by the VHMC to potentially lease part of the Rec to install a mobile phone mast.  She also advised that they are very keen on extending the Hall – the PC have previously expressed their support for this project.  The Clerk passed on the thanks received from the VHMC for the donation from the PC of 12 new chairs.

Next Parish Council Meetings – There will be an Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting on Wednesday 7th December 2016 in the Village Hall, starting at 7.45 pm to discuss planning applications. The date of the next ordinary Parish Council Meeting is Wednesday 11th January 2017 in the Village Hall, starting at 7.45 pm.

Councillor Vacancies – there is currently 1 vacancy for Parish Councillor.  Please contact Linda Bragg, Parish Clerk on 07757 351584 / email: parishclerk@suttonbengerparishcouncil.gov.uk for further details and an Application Form if you would like to join our team.

Clerks Report: October 2016

Posted on by Parish Clerk

Update From Sutton Benger Parish Council Meeting on 12 October 2016

Planning

Consideration was given to 3 planning applications:

  • 16/08652/FUL – 10 Heath Avenue, SN15 4TH – Single storey extension – No Objections
  • 16/09616/TCA – 7 Manor Farm Drive, SN15 4RW – Re-pollard 2 Goat Willows, 0% Crown Reduction to Maple Tree, Fell 3 Apple Trees and 1 Cherry Tree – No Objections
  • 16/09047/LBC – 22 High Street, SN15 4RF – Replacement timber doors and windows to match existing for single dwelling house – Support

Arms Farm

Following a discussion on the recent Arms Farm planning applications it was agreed to put out a statement on the planning process – available here.

Cllr E Pope clarified her position with regards to the Arms Farm planning agenda items and the Parish Council is satisfied that she has acted in accordance with the PC’s procedures and the advice from the Monitoring Officer.

A brief presentation was received from Stonewater Developers on their proposals for development on land adjacent to Sharplands, Sutton Lane.

Highways Matters

B4069 – The PC were disappointed that the re-surfacing of the High Street was no longer on the schedule for this year. It is on the schedule for next year, if Wiltshire Council have enough money in the budget.

The “Parish Steward” Scheme

What is The Parish Steward Scheme? In its simplest form it is a person (our guy is called Adrian) who will visit once a month to help keep our village looking great (and it is funded by Wiltshire Council). This means we, as a Parish, can request specific tasks to be carried out and this is where we need your help.

The steward is set some tasks by the Parish Council, below is a list of some typical tasks. However, we need you to let us know if you have seen something that needs attending to. If you do all, you need to do is report it back to the Parish Clerk (parishclerk@suttonbengerparishcouncil.gov.uk), it will get added to the list and hopefully done on the next visit. This is a great scheme, and if we don’t use it we will lose it, so please send those requests in.

Possible tasks

  • Repairing, straightening and cleaning road signs
  • Weed treatment
  • Repair minor road defects (for larger ones please us the Wiltshire App)
  • Hand cutting hedges where there is a visibility problem.
  • Unblocking Grips, pipes, gullies etc

Finally, Adrian is a friend to the village so please say hello or give him a wave. You can’t miss him as he drives a big yellow truck!

High Street Crossing

Cllr M Bines is to liaise with the Primary School to arrange another pedestrian count to see if a crossing on the High Street is viable.

Footpath on Sutton Lane

The Clerk has contacted Wiltshire Council Highways to discuss the possibility of a new footpath and/or clearing overgrown hedging along Sutton Lane at Sharplands to improve pedestrian safety.

Rights of Way

Cllr Leigh Varnham will be organising a meeting of the volunteer group to make a start on inspecting the pathways. If you are interested in joining the group, please contact the Clerk.

Neighbourhood Development Plan

A public meeting is scheduled for the last week in November. It was agreed that the Clerk would liaise with the NDP Group to prepare a housing design statement.
Village Hall – Cllr N Hayward was appointed as the lead Cllr to liaise with the Village Hall Committee.

Next Parish Council Meeting

The date of the next Parish Council Meeting is Wednesday 9th November 2016 in the Village Hall, starting at 7.45 pm.

Councillor Vacancies

There is currently 1 vacancy for Parish Councillor. Please contact Linda Bragg, Parish Clerk on 07757 351584 / email: parishclerk@suttonbengerparishcouncil.gov.uk for further details and an Application Form if you would like to join our team.

SBPC Response to Arms Farm Planning Decision

Posted on by Parish Clerk

The Parish Council understands the upset caused by North Wiltshire Planning Authority’s decision on the Arms Farm application 16/04981/OUT.

We think it would be useful to clarify the role of a Parish Council in the planning process. We also wish to state the facts of this particular application.

In all matters of planning and development control the Parish Council is a consultee in the process. This means that we can only follow procedures as outlined in the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Parish Council cannot object to a planning application without due cause. We can only base our decision on issues within the planning application known as “material planning considerations.”

We considered this application at the Parish Council meeting in July 2016. The PC objected to the application and raised what we felt were relevant issues. We also requested that the application be “called in.”

Note about “calling in”:

We can ask our local county councillor, Howard Greenman, to “call in” an application that we consider to be contentious or in need of wider discussion. This means the Northern Area Planning Board Committee will discuss the application further. Representatives from the PC and the parish have a chance to share their views during the meeting.

As a councillor Howard has the authority to decide whether to call in the application. He has access to legal and planning personnel and will discuss the application with them. He can decide to withdraw an application without further consultation with the Parish Council.

The Planning Authority consider the Parish Council’s views when making their decision. Our views are not always relevant in the determination of the planning application. In this case they decided that the reports submitted by experts, such as Highways and Conservation officers, had more relevance than our objections.

The final decision is always made by the Planning Authority, not the Parish Council.

We are also compromised because:

  • The non-adoption of the Wiltshire Plan
  • There is no housing strategy for North Wiltshire
  • The housing allocation for “large villages” such as Sutton Benger is open to question
  • Housing developers continue to ignore the emerging core strategy

We can expect to receive more interest from developers until ratification of the core strategy in December 2016.

We urge you not to lose faith in the planning process. Please continue to engage with the planning authorities and make your own views heard.

This application is for outline planning and it has a long way to go before any building begins. There is currently no developer for the project. Once found, the developer will need to apply for full planning. This will present an opportunity to input into the planning process. We will need ensure that the site, access and houses are appropriate & meet the needs of the village.

Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP)

One of Councillor Greenman’s biggest concerns is the lack of an NDP for Sutton Benger. This makes it easier for developers to continue to encroach on our green field sites.

Please continue to support the NDP team in their work. Even before adoption, the emerging NDP will help us to share what we value as a Parish and influence developers and the planning authorities.

Emergency Road Closure – Seagry Lane, Sutton Benger

Posted on by Parish Clerk

Wiltshire Council
Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 Urgent Closure of: C66 Seagry Road, Sutton Benger

Seagry Road Closure RouteTHE WILTSHIRE COUNCIL HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that on Monday 19th September 2016 the following length of road shall be closed to all traffic in the interests of public safety to enable Wiltshire Council to carry out urgent repairs.

C66 Seagry Road, Sutton Benger; from its junction with B4069 High Street for approx 1472m in a northerly direction to its junction with C82 T junction at Coach House Upper Seagry North West to Junction with Henn Lane.

To enable: Drainage works at Seagry Brook due to void.

Alternative route: Via – C82 – C166 – A429 – B4122 – B4069 and vice versa The closure and diversion will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.

This Order will come into operation on 19th September 2016 and it is anticipated that the closure will be required for 24 hours until 23rd September 2016. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses, although delays are likely due to the nature of the works. The Order will have a maximum duration of 21 days.

For further information please contact Danny Everett on behalf of Wiltshire Council on 01225 730360, emergency contact Gary Bodenham (Ringway) 07712490199.

Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN

Proposed Planning Developments

Posted on by Parish Clerk

The Parish Council have been notified about two potential new housing developments for Sutton Benger. It is early days, but it was felt that the details should be shared with the wider community.

The proposed developments are:

  1. The Stonewater development is to the East of Sharplands and is for 14 houses
  2. The Persimmon Homes development is to the South of the Recreation Ground and is for approx. 60 houses

We have received outline details of both developments – see below.

In both cases you are able to download a zipped file containing the PDF files that the Parish Council has been provided with.

We will update this post, so check back for more news as we receive it.

Stonewater Development Plans

PDF icon Download all plans in PDF format as a single zip file (4.8Mb)

Persimmon Development Plans

PDF icon Download all plans in PDF format as a single zip file (1Mb)

Persimmon Homes Plan

Clerks Report: September 2016

Posted on by Parish Clerk

Update From Sutton Benger Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 14th September 2016.

New Parish Councillor – a warm welcome was given to our newly co-opted Councillor, Nicola Hayward. Nicola has lived in Sutton Benger for 15 years and applied to become a Parish Councillor so that she could have the opportunity to give something back to the village.

Planning – Consideration was given to 4 planning applications:

16/06773/FUL & 16/07265/LBC – Wellesley Arms, SN15 4RD – Conversion of outbuilding to provide ancillary B&B accommodation – Object

16/07661/FUL & 16/08100/LBC – Arms Farm, SN15 4RE – Conversion of agricultural barn to dwelling; erection of a detached garage; formation of field access – Object and Cllr H Greenman was asked to call into committee

16/08467/TCA – Manete, 5 Chestnut Road, SN15 4RP – 25% reduction to copper beech and reduce overhang to road and crown-raise by 3m – No objection

16/08510/TCA – Elmete, High Street, SN15 4RE – Fell 2 Birch Trees – No objection

The Clerk had received a late request from Stonewater Developers to attend the meeting to give a brief presentation on their proposals for development on land at the rear of the Recreation Ground. If anyone would like to see details of their proposals please contact the Parish Clerk. They will be organising a public consultation meeting in the near future.

Approval was given for Cllrs N Davis and M Bines to attend a Planning Course on 2 November 2016.

Highways and Transport – The Clerk urged everyone to use the MyWiltshire App/Website to report highways issues, including potholes.MyWiltshire App logo

Rights of Way – Cllr Leigh Varnham agreed to take lead responsibility for the Rights of Way volunteer group. We have had several applications for the Parish Path Liaison Officer scheme and he will be organising a meeting for them with Stephen Leonard, Senior Rights of Way Officer at Wiltshire Council.

Neighbourhood Development – the deadline for completing the questionnaire online has been extended to 30 September 2016 – http://bigplan.suttonbengerparishcouncil.gov.uk/. Members were asked to encourage friends and neighbours to complete it.

Next Parish Council Meeting – The date of the next Parish Council Meeting is Wednesday 12th October 2016 in the Village Hall, starting at 7.45 pm.

Councillor Vacancies – there 1 vacancy for Parish Councillor.  Please contact the Parish Clerk for further details and an Application Form if you would like to join our team.

Proposed Employment Development at Chippenham Gateway – Public Consultation

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St. Modwen logo

Following the Councillor briefing in respect of the proposals for the Chippenham Gateway site, letters will be distributed this week notifying residents of the consultation event scheduled to be held on Thursday 8th September 2016 at the Union Chapel in Kington Langley.

This covers the 2km distribution area, which totals 1,693 addresses)savills-logo

Read more…

PDF iconLetter to Parish Council

PDF iconPublic Consultation Notice

PDF iconMap of residents that will receive a notice