18th December 2020 Extraordinary Meeting
Haconby & Stainfield Parish Council Extraordinary Meeting
on Friday 18th December 2020
A remote meeting on Zoom Video Conferencing commencing at 7.00pm
Present: Councillors Richard Dixon-Warren (Chairman), Brian Blackbourn (Vice Chairman)
Derek Bailey, Philippa Dixon-Warren, Janine Rayfield, Paul Smart, David Winn
14 members of the public joined the meeting (including residents and potential residents, and representatives of Planning Potential and Cambian Group)
1. Chairman’s Introduction and Announcements. Chairman welcomed all, introduced the Parish Council and asked all to mute microphones except when speaking. Outlined the aim of the meeting, requirements for determining planning applications, commented on parish communications, described meeting format and sequence, and highlighted points specific to Zoom videoconferences:
Meeting to discuss Council’s representation on the planning application (S20/1851) for change of use of 44 Chapel St from dwelling house to care home. Representation to reach SKDC by / on 20 Dec.
Planning applications must be determined with regard to material planning considerations, starting with development plan (SKDC Local Plan), and noting that planning system operates to ensure "control of land use in the public interest." Representation cannot take into account non-material planning considerations (for example, that many people have objected) but Council may represent views of community separately to provide context.
Acknowledge views expressed on social media on publicising this issue. Council has had to learn on the job, has limited resources that were largely committed to neighbours, and does not routinely advertise planning applications. Take point – could have informed wider parish earlier. Deadline Sunday – anyone may still go online to read application and send comment to SKDC.
Complex application. Council is unanimous in compassion for children in care homes and accepts Cambian Group view on this, too. Has to consider concerns of neighbours and residents, commercial aspirations of Cambian Group and Planning Potential, information available online on management and mismanagement of care homes, and (of course), current owner of 44 Chapel St, caught in a storm not of their making.
Meeting format:
• Council meeting as per agenda – apologies for absence, disclosures of interest, resolve minutes of last extraordinary meeting on 10 December an accurate record, discuss matters arising, discuss the draft representation circulated to Councillors on Thursday 17 December. No public involvement in these discussions.
• Public forum – members of public raise questions, comments or representations
Points to note:
• Council uses Zoom Basic – meeting will run in 40 minutes sessions.
• Zoom works best if only one person at a time is speaking – wave for attention.
• Council does not record meetings. Confirmed that no-one else was recording.
2. Apologies for Absence: Parish Clerk – Mrs Wendy Gray
3. Disclosures of Interest. Three Councillors declared an interest as neighbours and stated that they would abstain from any vote on the representation.
4. Minutes of Previous Meeting. Cllr Blackbourn proposed and Cllr Rayfield seconded that the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting on 10 December 2020 be signed as a correct record – carried unanimously.
5. Matters Arising. None.
6. Business Item – Planning Permission 44 Chapel Street.
Chairman outlined form and scope of draft covering letter and representation circulated around Council for comment. Draft representation highlights errors and inconsistencies in planning application / planning statement, to be finalised pending approval and amendment to reflect any final comments. To be publicly accessible through SKDC in due course.
Cllr Bailey resolved and Cllr Smart seconded that the draft be approved – carried by four in favour with three abstentions.
7. Public Questions, Comments or Representations.
Q: Views on the proposed change of use? Would Haconby would be the right place given it ‘being a place where doors could be left unlocked and children could play on their own’?
A: Planning Potential (PP) noted that responses to the application have been considered and answered. Cambian Group (CG) acknowledged significant interest. Stressed that adult support would be sufficient, children who misbehaved would be moved, children are stable and contribute to the community. Acknowledged that children could be challenging and while most are well behaved most of the time, can have bad days. Noted that SKDC Environmental Protection had no comments to make.
Q: Concerns about the change of use – teenagers get bored when there is nothing for them to do, potential negative effect on house prices, type of children in the home not known. Whilst understanding the need, concerns about antisocial traffic, turn-over of children, inconsistencies in the planning application.
A: CG stressed the placement length of 12-18 months and PP confirmed that the home would house three children 8-18, and that it was a small care home.
Q: Why was Haconby, a small village with no facilities and one way in / out, selected?
A: CG responded that a quality property of the right size was required to replace a home no longer fit for purpose. 24 houses had been considered, Haconby suitable because isolated, want to provide a family home. Noted CG’s reputation challenged by media (Daily Mirror) but believes it good. Will learn from listening to community – want to be good neighbours.
Q: Why select given time / distance to school?
A: CG highlighted saturation of care homes around Wisbech where CG school is requires move – working with local authority, noted that children travel similar distances elsewhere.
Q: ‘Saturation’ around Wisbech and what it means for the children?
A: CG highlighted number of care homes in Wisbech area and tendency of ‘looked-after’ children to gather together. Follow-up discussion on possible use of Lincolnshire services (schools and public transport).
Q: When would application be considered by SKDC?
A: PP – SKDC Planning Officer must read all information – hope to know around 23 December.
Chairman thanked all for attending and closed the meeting at around 7.45 pm.