Monday 17th February 2025 7:30 pm in Othery Village Hall

All present

Cllrs Tizzard: Jennings: Jones: Selway: Atherton: Betty: Wright: and six residents of Othery.

These will always be declared at the agenda item when appropriate.

Agreed as a true record of the meeting.

The reports from PCSO supervisors for Taunton and Bridgwater have been circulated. Cllr Martin was not present at the meeting to give an update

Village signs: Cllr Atherton believes that by cleaning up and varnishing the word work would be a great improvement to the signs. Cllr Tizzard suggested that once the weather improves a couple of members of the Parish Council undertake that task.

Emergency Plan: This has been completed by Cllr Jones and circulated but the request from Cllr Tizzard is that all review the amended document and send any changes to the clerk ASAP so that he can get it published. Cllr Jones was thanked for her work on the project.

Cllr’s Selway & Tizzard Inspection Update: Cllr Selway passed over the certificate and cheque for £25 as the village playing field was judged to be one of the best in the small playing field category by Somerset Playing fields Association. The certificate will be put in the Parish Council noticeboard for all to see.

Cemetery wall damage: The Clerk was asked to get our MP Ashley Fox involved and also look at the insurance register to see if we could involve their insurance company.

New access to the new Cemetery: As the bird nesting season will soon be with us we will have to leave this project to the autumn.

The road resurfacing itself is good but many aspects of it are poor. It is not right up to the existing road or kerb or bonded in places so the water will get in freeze and break up the surface. There are trip hazards created by the resurfacing one being at the village hall. The camber is not as it should be and too high in places which could lead to excess surface water running onto adjourning properties. 30mph roundels reinstated when they are to be replaced by 20 mph roundels which is a waste of public money. The surface water drains are totally blocked and all need attention otherwise there could be local flooding. Cate eyes not reinstated. The “red” areas have not been reinstated. Looking at the footways they all need attention. An urgent sire meeting is required.

Even with the extra two members of the team you still have to have three on duty at each recording. With the weather and availability of members only one recording was undertaken last month. Cllr Atherton will download the data from the SIDS to be reviewed at the next meeting.

1: Planning application number: 38/25/00001/EAM: Proposal: Outline application for the erection of 1no. Self-build Dwellinghouse: Location: Land to the East of, Kingston Farm Lane, Othery, Bridgwater, TA7: Cllr Atherton stood down from the Parish Council for this item as he has a prejudicial interest and he will rejoin the Parish Council once this item is concluded. Having listened to the objectors present at the meeting the Parish Council had the following observations. There would appear to be errors in the planning application one being that the site plan includes part of a neighbour’s garden. Another states two dwellings and looking at the outline there is space for another dwelling. The biodiversity statement is incomplete. It is not an infill development. The building is a large 4 bedroom building only listed as a 1.5 storey high building which is incorrect and it is 7 mtrs high and thus higher that adjacent buildings. There are historical connection in the area which have not been taken into consideration. Whilst acknowledging that this is presented as a self build this is not for the landowner to live thus an investment build and outside the village design boundary. A previous application for building on this land were refused and this is very similar to the application which was refused. The access past 3 private drives is for agricultural use and it is a green field site. There are environmental health issues as it is close to a working farm. The housing need for Othery is for smaller more affordable house as there are several house of similar size for sale in the village. The Parish Council unanimously does not support this application for all the reasons listed above.

2: Planning application number: 38/24/00013/GNN: Proposal: Erection of 3No. dwellings on site of existing barns (to be demolished): Location: Westfield Farm, Paynes Lane, Othery, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA7 0QB: There are concerns that this application is outside the village design boundary in the open countryside and with many similar sized unsold houses in Othery where is the housing need. There is a need for an improved access and if granted must comply with the Othery Village Design statement which is still live and has been reviewed. It will improve the street scene in that area. On balance the application is supported by the Parish Council with one member abstaining from the vote

3: Planning application appeal number: 38/23/00013: Proposal: Change of use of land for the siting of 2no. shepherd huts to provide holiday accommodation: Location: Land East of, Pathe Road, Othery, Bridgwater: Having listened to an objector to the project in public question time the Councillors had the following comments and do not support this application: The lack of supervision as the applicants do not live close in fact 2.1 miles away. The impact on an SSI must be of concern and the application needs a heritage statement. The position of the huts is not suitable for the area or the visitors and there are no facilities in the village. The site is next to a listed building which has not been taken into consideration and a self build in the area was turned down at appeal. The applicant has listed other sites as an example to back up their proposal but it is felt that they are not good comparisons and there is no precedent in planning. The electrics in the area might not support more power being needed as locals have had problems with so far no solution. Any sewerage system having a soakaway on Blue Lias s not good: There is a heritage issue and the hedges do not shield the huts from the nearest house which will be over looked by this proposal. The Parish Council do not support this application as in their opinion it does not comply with policies: CO1: D17: D24: D24: D31 and D14.

February charity Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

• Salary £ 268.24
• Salary administration £ 14.40
• Salary £ 268.24
• Salary administration £ 14.40
• Evies Gift £ 25.00
• G Wagen James £ 314.10
• Village Hall £ 33.00
• Lease Playing Field £ £ 74.08

• Burial £ 140.00

Already circulated by email:

Cllr Betty reminded the meeting that two long serving members of the Parish Council had recently past away being Mervyn Winslade and Brian Mindel. They should be remembered for their long service to the Othery community.

Cllr Betty reminded the meeting of the meeting for Parish Councils on the 15th March that the Clerk had circulated needs members wishing to attend to register. He will be there supporting our MP Ashley Fox.

Cllr Wright stated that the Website was not up to date and needs attention. It was decided that a member of the community could be sourced through Facebook to keep it up to date. Cllr Jones will put it out on Facebook . The clerk will contact Ed about the work needed.

CLOSE

Date and time of the next meeting: Monday 10th March 2025 7:30 Parish Council Meeting.