Agenda item

A resident of Yeovil said she had learnt the previous day that the cafe at Yeovil Junction Station was to close and become a room for staff at station.  She said that fears had been expressed on social media that the iconic cafe fixtures would be removed or destroyed.  There was a perception that the building was Grade 2 listed but it appeared not.  She asked if the District Council were aware of any plans and whether they felt the café was worth retaining?

The Chairman thanked the resident for notice of her question and confirmed that enquiries had been made and a written response would be provided when more information was available.

Subsequent to the meeting, we contacted the Regional Development Manager of South Western Railway.  His response was that he had not heard anything about the cafe but would check with colleagues and come back to us.  So far, we have not heard again from him.

A resident of Martock noted that at the last meeting of Council in December 2019, the Leader of Council had read out a statement regarding the number of planning appeals and the possibility that planning decisions could be taken out of the Council’s control.  He asked why she felt the need to make the statement and, by allowing the planning decision on the Coat Road, Martock site, the Council had left themselves open to developers to ruin villages.

The Chairman confirmed that a written response would be provided.

Subsequent to the meeting, the following response has been sent to the resident:

Dear Mr Williams,

I raised the issue regarding the planning appeal issues as I felt, following on from concerns raised regarding the Regulation Committee decision, that all members of Council needed to be informed of the position that there was a danger that the Council could have its ability to determine planning applications taken away by central government if committees refused too many planning applications that were subsequently allowed on appeal.

Whilst you are entitled to your views on the Martock Development you need to be aware that the Council can only lawfully refuse planning applications on valid planning grounds. No such grounds could be substantiated in that case.

Yours sincerely,

Val Keitch

Leader of Council

The Chairman and a Councillor of Buckhorn Weston and Kington Magna Parish Council and the Dorset Councillor for the Gillingham Ward spoke regarding light pollution from Henstridge industrial estate.  Their comments included:-

·         The widespread concern of light pollution from the Henstridge industrial estate which appeared to have increased substantially over the previous two years and was causing severe nuisance in the parish.

·         Appreciate that the businesses needed to be lit but the lighting appeared to be directed upwards into the night sky

·         SSDC officers had declined to meet with the Parish Council to discuss a resolution and they asked that they be directed to do so.

·         The light pollution from the industrial estate contradicted the South Somerset Local Plan policy EQ7 on light pollution control.

·         A recent planning application had not included any condition on light pollution.

·         The cumulative effect of planning applications at the site and subsequent light pollution needed to be addressed as we are in a climate emergency.

·         Angling the lights downwards would make a significant difference.

The Portfolio Holder for Environment said she was aware of the light pollution and how it affected residents and she would work with the Henstridge Ward Members on a written response and a possible solution.  She noted that the Cranborne Chase AONB had recently attained dark skies status.

Councillor Sue Osborne asked that copies of the responses provided be appended to the minutes of the meeting. 

Subsequent to the meeting an Environmental Health Specialist visited the Henstridge industrial estate at night, to assess the lighting and he has agreed to attend a Buckhorn Weston PC meeting and explain the council’s position as to Environmental Health and planning in regards to the site.  He has confirmed that it would be useful to look at any further applications in this area with greater scrutiny and require lighting schemes.