MINUTES MONTHLY MEETING 22 APRIL 2009

The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 22nd April 2009 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr B Rae (Chairman), Mr M Cringle, Mrs K Edds, Mr A Cowin and Mr M Berry. The Clerk, Mr W I Lowey, was in attendance.

The Minutes of the March Meeting were confirmed as a true record and signed.

The following on-going matters were discussed:-

Risk Matters

There were no risk matters to report.

Highways Matters

It was agreed to invite Mr Nigel Foster, DOLGE Operations Manager, to a future meeting to discuss highway matters in the Parish.

Police Matters

It was noted that, because a red car with flat tyres, parked long term on Glen Road near the Main Road junction, had a current road licence and was not causing an obstruction, no action was available to the police to have it removed.

Allotments

Mr Cringle declared a personal interest in this matter and took no part in the discussion.

It was reported that that the planning application for a track and car parking area had been approved by the Planning Committee but that, although the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and Dr Phil Smith, the Chairman of the newly formed Arbory Allotments Association (AAA), had had two meetings with an objector, he had sought an appeal, thereby delaying the project, probably until late summer. It was agreed that in the meantime a new planning application would be lodged, covering the track, re-sited car parking area, plot layout with a shed and greenhouse on every plot, a communal shed, and tree screening between the allotments and Ballacubbon Farmhouse. It was agreed that the sheds/greenhouses would be a maximum size of 6 X 8 feet and all the sheds would be brown coloured to minimise visual impact. The Clerk was instructed to have plans drawn up professionally and to proceed with the application.
It was noted that the AAA Committee had drawn up a set of rules and regulations but that, at the request of the Committee, the Commissioners agreed to retain the power to expel any allotment holder without notice in cases of serious or persistent misbehaviour.

Hall Roof

It was reported that the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Clerk had met Mr P Hornsby and Mr Chris Millar to discuss the tenders received, the tenders having been opened and witnessed at the offices of Penketh Millar. Mr Hornsby had confirmed that all the tenderers were competent to undertake the work and that he was content with all the tenders.
After further discussion, Mr Berry proposed, Mrs Edds seconded and it was agreed that the lowest tender, that of J Clawson Ltd, be accepted, subject to a satisfactory pre-contract meeting and financial arrangements having been put in place.

Earystane Chapel

A letter was received from the Planning Enforcement Officer, advising that although decorative cement render to eaves and barge were contrary to the planning approval, no enforcement action would be taken. It was noted that a further planning application has been submitted regarding an extension of time for the use of a portakabin for temporary residential purposes.

Annual Newsletter

It was confirmed that the Newsletter had been distributed to the majority of households.

Replacement Streetlight at Ballacriy

The MEA had requested that, because of inaccessibility, the light standard should be replaced at a cost of £3,200, rather than having the light fitting replaced at an approximate cost of £420. Several members having visited the site, it was felt that the request was unreasonable and it was agreed to ask for further explanation.

Planning Matters

The following new application was considered:-

- 09/00525 – Friary Farmhouse – alterations & extensions – no comments. Mr Cringle declared a personal interest in this application and took no part in the discussion.

- 09/00529 - Cronk Cullyn Phase 2 – 81 dwellings and associated facilities. Mr Rae declared a personal interest in this application and took no part in the discussion or decision. Mr Berry took the Chair during this part of the Meeting. Four residents of Cronk Cullyn attended part of the Meeting and were invited to give their reasons for opposing the application. Copies of letters from Mr P J Oliver, Mr A Leece and Mr & Mrs B A Rae to the planning Committee, opposing the application, were received.

The main matters of concern expressed were:-
1. The density of the proposed development considerably exceeds that stipulated in the Arbory & East Rushen Plan.
2. Traffic – concern that the bend at the top of Cronk y Thatcher/Cronk Cullyn and the junction with the Main Road could not be made sufficiently safe for the additional traffic generated by the development.
3. The three storey part of the apartments block was more extensive and therefore more visually intrusive than had been understood from previously seen draft plans.
4. The large number of mature tress to be felled (19 out of the 26 on the site).
5. The apartments appeared to be more in the nature of a residential home for the elderly, with the provision of on-site nursing and other allied ancillary facilities, rather than accommodation for relatively active over 55’s, as had previously been understood.
It was agreed to make a submission to the Planning Committee, pointing out the positive and negative aspects of the proposed development and expressing the view that, on balance, it would be beneficial to the community as a whole, provided that the above concerns were satisfactorily addressed.

Mr Rae re-took the Chair.

- 09/00532 - Croit Veg, Main Road, Colby – access alteration – it was felt that the plan contained insufficient detail regarding fencing and finish.
- 09/00340 - Fields, Colby – Football pitches & assoc facilities – resubmission due to error – no further comments
- 09/00621 – Earystane Chapel –retention of portakabin as living accommodation until end 2009. The members were unhappy that another extension was being sought and agreed to suggest that this be the last such extension. It was also agreed to point out to the Planning Committee the number of other sheds on the site.

The following decision was received from DOLGE and noted:-

- 09/00147 – Allotment Field – access and parking area – Approved – Appeal requested
- 09/0004 – Field 425091, Ronague – removal of mound and re-profiling land – Approved
- 09/00233 – 122 Ballacriy – alterations to porch – Approved
- 09/00158 – Ballastroke, Ronague Road – replacements windows – Approved.
- 09/00107 – Field 42498, Ballagawne Road – service reservoir – Approved.
- 09/00280 – Sea View, Glen Road – demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling – Approved.

- A copy letter from Mr & Mrs J Kennaugh in connection with the Colby AFC application was received.

Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters

The following correspondence was received:-

- Invitation to Tynwald Garden Party Sun 5th July – Mr Berry agreed to attend.
- MEA public lighting contract 2009/10 – agreed to accept.
- Notification by DTI of intention to grant a mining lease at Cringle Quarry – noted.
- Notes on Petitions for Redress of Grievance – noted.
- Letter from Transition IOM (South) re allotment provision – noted.
- Health Services Strategy document – no comments at this stage.
- DOLGE Consultation document on Building Control – no comments.
- E-mail from Mr Harrison, 64 Friary Park, pointing out the danger being caused by young people racing on bicycles on the estate and suggesting that blocking gates be put in place on one of the link pathways near his property. It was agreed to ask the DOT to consider erecting such gates. Mr Harrison also referred to the number of cars parked in the road rather than in the drives but it was felt that there was little that could be done about this except perhaps mention it in the next newsletter.

Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection April £2,398.00
Manx Telecom - Office phone £47.22
Quine & Cubbon - Letter heads £86.05
Quine & Cubbon - Newsletter £218.00
S Civic Amenity Site Board - April – June 09 contribution £5,602.38
D Cregeen - Grass cutting & weed spraying £1,104.39
Ballabeg Chapel Hire hall - AAA Meetings £30.00
Colby Chapel - Hire hall plans viewing £15.00
Malew Commissioners - Purchase 10 wheeliebins £276.00
DOLGE - Refuse disposal March £1,018.50
MEA - Streetlights power March £1,684.23
MEA - Streetlights maintenance March £1,465.93

Sundry Matters Raised by Members

It was reported that a fence had been erected at 6 Ballacriy that appeared to be contrary to permitted development orders and it was agreed to refer this to the Planning Enforcement Officer.

Mrs Edds advised that the Municipal Association AGM was to be held on 28th May at Onchan. Several members indicated that they would attend.

Mr Cowin advised that the Golden Jubilee Trust Team Competition would be held during May and that he would be participating.
Mr Cowin advised that the Friends of Arbory School were seeking charitable status and would apply to the Lottery Trust for funds to refurbish the play area at the school. On the assumption that this facility would remain available to the public out of school hours, the Commissioners agreed in principle to make a modest financial contribution.

Mr Berry advised that he had been approached by the owner of 22 Ballacriy, regarding the adjacent culvert blocking and flooding her garden. It was agreed to bring this to the attention of the DOT again.

Mr Berry advised that someone had been riding a mini-motorbike in the Friary Park Play Area. He agreed to monitor the matter.

It was agreed to hold the next Meeting on Wednesday 13th May.