westerleigh parish council - South Gloucestershire Council

WESTERLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL 

MINUTES OF THE FULL COUNCIL 

18 th January 2010 

MANOR HALL COALPIT HEATH 

PRESENT 

Councillors: D Lee, J Butler, J Powell, G Bidwell, A Gibbs, P Hill 

Officer: F Thornton 

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 

None 

835.Apologies for absence 

PC Ian Matthews tendered his apologies for this meeting due to the change of date. 

Cllrs F Allan, N Trott, J Higgins 

836. Chairman’s Remarks 

None 

837. Declarations of Interest under The Local Government Act 1972 

None 

838. Reports from South Gloucestershire Councillors on matters relating to the Parish 

Cllr C Young 

Planning issues 

1. Gypsy and Traveller DPD update 

The Cabinet decision to start the next round of consultation on the Gypsy and Traveller DPD has been 

put back again, this time to February. 

2. Greystones – application for a gate 

Following discussion at December’s Parish Council of how the latest application differed from the 

previous one, the case officer explained that the style of gateway proposed differed – the first being 

residential, the second more agricultural. The Parish Council’s objection was to the principle of the 

development rather than the design. 

3. Core Strategy 

The Core Strategy is the document will set out how South Gloucestershire will accommodate the new 

housing and other development proposed for the area. On Monday 21st December, I attended a meeting 

of South Gloucestershire Council’s Policy Advisory Group to discuss the next step of preparing this 

document, particularly to comment on the rural areas and the Yate/Chipping Sodbury area. The Cabinet 

will be making a decision in February to approve the submission draft for public consultation. That 

consultation will give local people a chance to have their say on the document that the Council thinks it 

should submit to the Government. 

4. Online planning and building control services 

Due to an upgrade to the IT systems, the online planning and building control services will be 

unavailable for 5 days in the week commencing 25th January. 

5. PT09/6053/F – Temporary access and haul road at Windmill Golf Academy 

There was a problem with the electronic files for this application, so the consultation was extended 

until 16 th January. 

Planning enforcement updates 

1. Car sales at Ram Hill Business Park – the Council is due to take action shortly regarding the 

unauthorised sales of cars at this site. 

2. Adverts for Christmas trees and fireworks at Kendleshire crossroads – the sale of Christmas trees, 

the provision of moveable structures related to that, and adverts for the temporary sales were all 

permitted as long as the sales were not carried out for more than 28 days in total in the calendar year 

and the adverts were only displayed up to 28 days before the start of the sale and up to 14 days after it 

is complete. So there was no breach in relation to the Christmas tree sales. 

The sale of fireworks still brought the total number of days of sales to less than 28, so again there was 

no breach. The owners were contacted about the fireworks adverts, as they were displayed on land 

away from the sales site and were causing highway and public safety issues. If there were any 

unauthorised adverts up after 14 January, that would be a breach. 

3. New Kemps nursery site next to Oakleigh Green nursery – Planning Enforcement investigators have 

advised that work should stop until all the pre-commencement conditions for the application have been 

discharged. 

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Snow - South Gloucetershire Council is keeping its www.southglos.gov.uk/snow page up-to-date with 

details of how the snow is affecting Council services. The Council is also putting messages out in the 

local media. 

Schools – Most South Gloucestershire Council schools were closed on Wednesday, all were on 

Thursday and on Friday the situation varied from school to school with some remaining closed, others 

opening for restricted hours or certain year groups and others being open as normal. On Friday, the 

Council had a list of opening information linked from their Snow page and will no doubt do the same if 

there is further disruption this week. 

Rubbish and recycling collections - All bin collections were suspended last Wednesday and collections 

before then had been disrupted. As of Friday afternoon, SITA intended to restart black bin and green 

box collections on Monday 11th, weather permitting. Green bin collections will be suspended until the 

black bin backlog is cleared, except for those green bin collections not done on 23rd and 24th 

December and green bin collections on the food waste pilot. When the backlog of black bin collections 

has been cleared, green bin collections will resume and residents will be able to put additional 

cardboard by the side of the green wheeled bin, preferably flattened down. It may be tied together with 

string but no plastic or any other non-compostable packaging can be used. Again, updates can be found 

by following a link from the Council’s Snow page. 

Gritting and salting – Street Care say they have sufficient salt to cope if the weather situation changes. 

In heavy snowfall, their priority is to clear major routes connecting centres of population, major 

commuter routes and major bus routes, plus at least one route to every village. They give priority to 

those with the largest population and those with no shops or bus services. 

New Council offices 

The consultation on the waiting restrictions has now closed, but local people still have until 20 January 

to comment on proposed improvements for cyclists and pedestrians. There are three separate proposals 

(i) the extension of the existing eastbound cycle line on the A432 toward the junction with Stover 

Road, resulting in a shortening of the left turn lane, (ii) the upgrading of the signal-controlled 

Badminton Road/Stover Road junction to “shared use”, with additional push buttons for cyclists and a 

width of 3.6m and (iii) improvements to the Station Road/North Road traffic signal controlled junction 

- the realignment and extension of the existing eastbound cycle lane westwards towards Stover Road, 

resulting in a reduction in the width of the eastbound carriageway at the stop line and the widening of 

the footway on the southern side of Station Road with a guard rail to improve safety for pedestrians 

using the station. 

Council cash payment changes 

From the 1st February 2010 customers will no longer be able to pay for council services such as 

council tax, housing benefits overpayments, business rates, at South Gloucestershire Council’s cash 

offices. Instead customers will be able to pay for these services at their local post office, local bank, 

direct debit, over the phone or online. In and near Westerleigh Parish, payments can be made at Post 

Offices in Coalpit Heath, Pucklechurch, Winterbourne, Yate shopping centre, Abbotswood, Chipping 

Sodbury and North Road and at shops including: 

Patco, 10 Lower Stone Close, Frampton Cotterell 

Village Roots, 50 Woodend Road, Frampton Cotterell 

T&S Stores, 89 Westerleigh Road, Yate 

Spar, 50 High Street, Bristol, Chipping Sodbury 

Top Shop, 111-112 Badgeworth, Yate 

Westerleigh Crossing 

The consultation on the crossing plans is ongoing (ending 22 January) and plans are currently being 

drafted for the road markings on Shorthill Road, which will be consulted on separately. This was done 

because the crossing work will take more time than white lining, so officers felt it made sense to get the 

plans for that drawn up and consulted on first. 

Besom Lane Flooding 

South Gloucestershire Council’s drainage engineer says that the contractor Barhale, working on behalf 

of Network Rail, has commenced installing the new drainage culvert under the railway. Once complete 

this will allow the tenant farmer to dig out his ditch and Besom Lane should then drain effectively. 

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Stover Road bridge incident 

Following an electrical cable fire on the bridge on Stover Road on Boxing Day, I raised residents’ 

concerns with the Council’s Highways department that the heavy traffic over the bridge contributed to 

the problem. A senior engineer assures me that the bridge is structurally able to take all Construction 

and Use vehicles so there is no reason to assume that the electrical fault was caused by any inadequacy 

of the bridge. The more likely reason for the failure is that the backfill around the cables was poorly 

compacted when the cables were installed and had settled, possibly causing a joint in the cable to fail. 

BT pole damaging drain at entrance of Box Hedge Lane 

I chased this long-standing problem up with Street Care at the request of the Parish Council. BT has 

removed the pole, Street Care has fixed the drainage pipe and BT will now replace the pole, if they 

have not done so already. 

Frog Lane footpath 

I contacted the Public Rights of Way team at South Gloucestershire Council to find out why no action 

had been taken following reports of problems with access on public footpath LWE 18 from the Parish 

Council. The case officer assures me that it is on her list to tackle but other cases have taken priority 

due to “hazard or expediency”. She is looking to start a course of action in the new year. 

Telephone 

Following ongoing problems with my Council telephone/answer machine, I now have Voicemail on 

my phone line instead. From the point of view of anyone ringing me, this should mean my outgoing 

message is clearer, your message should be recorded reliably and you shouldn’t be cut off without 

warning. The main downside is that if I don’t get to the phone in time, I can’t pick up during the 

message. Apologies to anyone who hasn’t been able to get hold of me, I hope this will improve the 

situation. 

January update 

Snow update 

If anyone has any comments on the Council’s response to the severe weather of the last couple of 

weeks, please let me know so I can feed them back to the relevant people. 

Network Rail Haul Road 

A Transportation Development Control officer inspected the site and confirmed that the access point is 

acceptable, visibility is fine and there are no highway safety issues with this access point that would 

warrant a refusal if a planning application were submitted. In the absence of demonstrating harm 

caused by the access it would not be expedient to take enforcement action and in the circumstances 

Mark Davies is closing the case. I have asked about the impact on the Green Belt but to date have had 

no reply. 

PT09/5960/F – Application for gate to paddock, Greystones 

The case officer recommended approval for the application and given the Parish Council’s objection it 

therefore went on the Circulated Schedule, which gives Councillors the opportunity to refer 

applications to committee. Before making my decision, I met the case officer to discuss the Parish 

Council’s concerns. He explained that the previous application for a residential-style gate had been 

refused because it was considered inappropriate development in the Green Belt and an inappropriate 

design. This application was for an agricultural-style field gate, which overcomes both refusal reasons 

as such a gate is appropriate development in the Green Belt and is in keeping with the area. It was 

considered to be a field access, with ancillary residential use, rather than being solely for residential 

purposes. To ensure that the development does not result in the residential cartilage of “Greystones” 

encroaching on the countryside, the officer has added a condition that states: 

“2. Notwithstanding the submitted details, the access and gates hereby granted shall only 

be used as an access to the planning unit used as a paddock. Any access to service 

the adjacent residential property shall be of an ancillary nature, and at no time shall 

the access be considered to form part of the residential curtilage of the dwelling 

known as 'Greystones'.” 

I was concerned that the description said the gates would be 2.4m high, which did not seem appropriate 

for a field gate, but the officer said this was an error and would be corrected on the decision notice. 

They would in fact be less than 1m high. 

Following the discussion, I decided not to refer the application to the committee. 

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Adverts for fireworks/Christmas trees at Kendleshire Crossroads 

More than 14 days having passed since the last sale, I checked the current state of the adverts on Friday 

15th January and have informed the case officer that there are extra lights still displayed but they are 

not illuminated. 

Kemps 

As work has restarted, I have asked the case officer for confirmation that the pre-commencement 

conditions have now been discharged. 

Gypsy and Traveller DPD 

The decision on the document for the next round of consultation has now moved to 1st March on the 

Forward Plan. 

Hegarty site 

Progress is being made and officers are aware of not allowing the situation to go out of time, however 

they need to take account of the ongoing process of developing the Gypsy and Traveller DPD. 

Re-surfacing 

The Council has a major problem with failures with surface dressing sites. Street Care are in discussion 

with their suppliers of stone and bitumen as there appears to be some defective materials in the mix. I 

have asked for Henfield Road, Ram Hill and Vicarage Road to be swept as the chippings are now all 

loose. 

South Gloucestershire Spring Into Life Festival – A Celebration of Age 

South Gloucestershire Council, Age Concern, the Senior Citizens Forum and Southern Brooks 

Community Partnership are staging the first South Gloucestershire Spring Into Life Festival – A 

Celebration of Age. This festival will open on Saturday 10th April with an event at Patchway 

Community Centre, and closes on 23rd April with an event at Cadbury Heath Community Centre. 

Community Groups and Organisations can: 

bid for up to £300 to put on their own event 

be included in the Active Directory in return for waiving fees for those new members attending during 

the festival 

run an activity or session at either the Patchway or Cadbury Heath event 

839. Reports from Representatives of Other Bodies on matters relating to the Parish 

Cllr J Powell – reported from last weeks Library meeting and advised opening event on 27 th Jan.10 

Cllr A Gibbs – reported attendance at PROW meeting at Kingswood. 

840. Confirm Minutes of Council meeting held on 7 th December 09 

Decision: Proposed by Cllr J Powell and seconded by Cllr J Butler the minutes of the meeting were 

approved and signed. 

841. Matters arising 

Cllr G Bidwell – Llyde Green crossroads, Henfield – reported a near miss between a horse rider and 

a car. Cllr G Bidwell advised the positioning of the gate on the bridle track does not allow room for 

horses to stand back from the road before crossing. She contacted South Glos. Council asking could the 

gateway be positioned further back; they suggested use of a gateway further up as a muster point before 

crossing. Cllr Bidwell advised this is unworkable and found South Glos Council response 

unacceptable. 

Decision: Clerk, District Councillor C Young and Cllr G Bidwell to hold site visit with SGC to 

discuss this matter further. 

842. Finance – approve payment of accounts, 

Decision: Proposed by Cllr J Butler and seconded by Cllr D Lee and agreed by all, the attached 

payments were approved. Council noted the bank reconciliation for Dec.09 and spend v budget reports 

to month 9. 

843. Correspondence/Communication with Council 

INVITES TO COUNCIL 

1. Jo Burt (local dog trainer) has invited representatives to attend site at Kendleshire Farm re: 

planning application 

2. re-opening of Yate Library – invite to Chair only 27 th Jan 10 11.00am 

REQUIRING RESPONSES/COMMENTS/ACTIONS 

1. Street Trading Consent Application – Ali Babas Kebabs, layby Badminton Road 

Winterbourne Operating 17.00 – 01.00 hrs mon – thurs & sun and 17.00 – 02.00hrs fri – sat 

Decision: No objection 

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FOR INFORMATION ONLY 

1. ALCA meeting 7 th Jan 10 – Little Stoke Community Hall – emailed to representatives 

Officers from spatial planning team to attend to discuss Core Strategy for South Glos 

2. Night Bus Group Minutes – 9 th Dec.09 

3. Friends of River Frome meeting – 14 th Jan 10 

4. Friends of St James Westerleigh – first meeting 18 th Jan 10 

5. Joint Parishes Traffic Management Group agenda 19 th Jan. 10 

SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNCIL 

AGENDA FOR MEETINGS 

1. Planning, Transport and Strategic Environment Select Committee – 16 th Dec.09 

2. Waste Management Forum -15 th Dec.09 

3. Corporate & Co-ordination Select Committee – 6 th Jan 10 

4. Communities Select Committee – 6 th Jan 10 

5. Audit & Accounts Committee – 26 th Jan 10 

OTHER 

CONSULTATIONS 

1. SGC online consultation Yate – A432 Badminton Road/Station Road – cycling and walking 

infrastructure 

2. SGC online consultation Westerleigh Village, Westerleigh – crossing facility 

3. Shoreline Management Plan Review (SMP2) consultation – closes 10 th Jan 10 

4. NHS SG Link consultation – 11 th Jan 10 12.30-2.30pm Greenfield Centre Winterbourne 

5. West of England Partnership – Joint Waste Core Strategy – next stage in consultation running 

until 1 st March 10 

PUBLICATIONS 

1. South Glos LinK E bulletin Dec.2009, Jan.2010 

2. Fieldwork CPRE Dec.09 

844. Planning Matters 

a) Planning applications – 

1. PT09/6053/F Windmill Golf Academy Henfield Road 

Construction of access and haul road. Temporary consent of 30 months 


2. PY09/6007/RVC Kemps Plants Westerleigh Road 

Variation of condition 6 attached to planning permission PT09/0130/F to allow change of 

colour of canopy 


3. PT09/5762/F 8 Wayleaze Coalpit Heath 

Erection of two storey side extension – change of description of proposal 


4. PT09/5927/F &PT09/5928/LB The Old Vicarage Beesmoor Road 

Conversion of existing coach house to ancillary dwelling to include single storey extension 

and landscaping. Erection of detached double garage, store room, WC shower changing 

facilities. New windows to basement of Old Vicarage 


5. PT09/5974/F 214 Henfield Road, Coalpit Heath 

Erection of two storey rear extension to provide additional living accommodation 


6. PT09/6044/F 22 Bitterwell Close, Coalpit Heath 

Erection of extension, installation of 2 no. front dormer windows and conversion of existing 

detached garage to form residential annexe ancillary to main dwelling 

Decision: No objection but Council would like a condition attached to the permission that the 

conversion remains as ancillary to the main dwelling and can not be sold as a separate plot. 

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) Enforcement update: 

Covered in report by Cllr C Young 





c) Other 

Planning complaints received by SGC 

02/12/2009 COM/09/5381/ADV 

Land Bordering Down Lane And Badminton Road Kendleshire 

Unauthorised advertising for Christmas Trees 

01/12/2009 COM/09/5380/OD 

Land Between Oakleigh Green And Henfield Crossroads, Westerleigh Road 

Hedgrows removed and field dug up 

22/12/2009 COM/09/5447/UNT 

Greystones, 213 Down Road , Winterbourne Down 

Builders rubbish being dumped into field. 

COM/09/5432/OD 200 Badminton Road, Coalpit Heath, Bristol 

An extension is being built using materials that are out of keeping with the area. 

COM/09/5426/OD 

Allsopps Green, Cliff Farm Road , Westerleigh 

Septic tank installation Cllr A Gibbs declared a personal interest in this matter. 

Appeals: 

APP/P0119/A/9/2118412/NWF Woodlands Farm 103 Badminton Road 

Conversion of 3 no. agricultural buildings to create 1 no. holiday house and 2no. holiday flats and 

associated works 

APP/P0119/X/09/2103938 Box Hedge Farm Application for Certificate of Lawfulness for existing use 

of land for corporate events and activity days incl. vehicle parking 

Applications permitted: 

PT09/5310/RVC Application to vary condition 07 attached to planning app. PT06/0326/F relating to 

time scale to import construction materials. – Windmill Leisure Ltd. 

PT09/5661/F Viaduct Nurseries Badminton Road – change of use from agricultural building to storage 

of motor vehicles 

PT09/5919/F 1 Rose Cottages Westerleigh Road – erection of garage and room over 

Withdrawn: 

PT09/5690/F Euro Taxis Jorrocks Estate Westerleigh 

Erection of vehicle maintenance and office building with parking and associated works 

Split Decision: PT09/5184/F BridgeView Mobile Home Westerleigh 

Change of use of land to gypsy caravan site to facilitate the retention of 1 no. mobile home and 

the siting of additional mobile home and erection of day room - copied to all members. 

845. Council to agree purchase of new computer for Clerk 

Decision: Proposed by Cllr J Butler and seconded by Cllr P Hill that Clerk be given a budget 

figure of £500 to purchase a new computer plus necessary software. Agreed by all. 

846. Council to consider grant application from Childrens Playlink 

Decision: Proposed by Cllr J Powell and seconded by Cllr J Butler that this application be 

refused funding on this occasion. Agreed by all. 

847. Fencing at Bitterwell Lake 

The Clerk reported that whilst the Lake has been closed due to bad weather person/s unknown have 

been entering the site at the gateway into Newman Field. Access is now easily available as the 

contractors working at Newman Field have cut the hedge back and with old wood removed have now 

left Bitterwell Lake site exposed. Mesh fencing at a height of six foot is required to close off this access 

point. 

Decision: Clerk to purchase materials and arrange for works to be carried out. 

848. Items of Report 

1. Westerleigh is taking over the Clerking duties for Joint Parishes Night Bus Committee 

849. Date of Next Meeting Full Council 2 nd February 2010 – Manor Hall 

Signed ……………………………………….. Date: 2 nd February 2010 

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westerleigh parish council - South Gloucestershire Council

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