Minutes
of meeting of October 9th 2002
Venue: Cockburnspath
Primary School, 7pm
Present: : John
Hay (JH- Chairman), Mr Clifford Bertram (CB - Vice
Chairman), Mr Paul Wheelhouse (PW - Secretary),Mrs Jane Hood (JHd) , Mrs Marnie
Magregor (MM), Mrs Jean Virtue (JV), Mr Matt Deeming (MD) and Councillor John
Elliot (JE - Duns and District North, SBC).
1
Apologies
§
Lorna Shand
(Treasurer)
2
Adoption of Minutes for September 11th
2.1.1
Minutes adopted, with
one correction – title of External Examiner , rather than External Auditor, is
to be used for the role provided by Mr Mitchell who has been asked to help with
the annual accounts.
3
Matters Arising from Minutes of 11th
September
3.1.1
PW stated that he had
been unclear as to the precise nature of the issue surrounding the signage on
the A1 at Blackburn. MM clarified that
the key area where there was a problem was at the South End of the Dual
Carriageway at Penmanshiel. PW thanked
MM and agreed to write (e-mail) to Amey Highways regarding this and the tatty
state of the wind-fencing on the A1/Railway flyover embankments.
4
Secretary’s Report on
Correspondence Received
4.1
Planning Matters
4.1.1
A revised planning
application for the proposed development of 3 houses at the Station
Yard Site (Sports Tune Ltd) had been received. The only significant changes had been to lower the profile of the
structures by excavating the embankments adjacent to the Old A1, planting of
hedges on the North/East of the site and a concrete crash barrier to prevent
vehicles from crashing onto the East Coast Mainline. The Community Council was
disappointed in the lack of modifications to the plan and unanimous in
rejecting the revised version. Given
the short deadline for submissions, it was agreed to ask for a one week
extension to submit comments. In discussion,
the following observations were made:
4.1.1.1 The proposed hedge on the roadside would worsen the problem
of visibility and create a blind corner threatening safety of drivers and
pedestrians (to and from Cove) from vehicles driving at high speeds, and in
particular the hidden access to the Station Cottage and Railway cottage. The
site is cramped and there is little room for lorries to turn which might result
in large vehicle parking on the Old A1, exacerbating the blind corner problem.
4.1.1.2 The design incorporates a flat roof for each house – there
are no other examples of this style (other than The Birn) in the village and
those present condemned, once again, the use of a highly unattractive overall design using unsympathetic materials,
such as steel, in the exterior finishes.
4.1.1.3 The site is a prime location at the entrance to the village,
highly visible from the A1 and the East Coast Mainline, and as such would present a very poor image
for the village and the chosen design would date very quickly.
4.1.1.4 The Community fundamentally questions the wisdom of
developing a site of strategic importance (Railyard) which would reduce any
slim possibility in the Longer-term of a station ever re-opening in the Area if
Scotrail were ever to introduce an infill service from Edinburgh to Berwick
following the Waverley Station upgrade. The development of this site is outwith
the current Local Plan and in direct contravention of our wishes as expressed
in our submission to the consultation process for the new local plan.
4.1.1.5 The site itself is, inherently, too near the railway line
and as such the proximity to overhead cables and the engineers access to the
North East of the site pose a serious risk to the safety of children, in
particular.
4.1.1.6 We raised our concerns regarding potential damage during
construction to the main waste water infrastructure running through the site.
4.1.2
A planning
application had been received regarding a proposed dog kennel at Pease Lye (Mr
& Mrs Sommerville), near the Pease Bridge.
JE cited that he had received a number of objections to the proposal
from neighbours. A discussion followed
during which it was agreed by the CC, that notwithstanding those objections,
the CC wished to express support for the
proposed development, as the kennels would be at an isolated site, with the
kennels themselves being relatively unobtrusive, being to the rear of the
property/site. It was felt therefore,
in the absence of any approach to the community council by objectors, that
there were no reasonable grounds to object to the proposals and support was
expressed for the Sommerville’s new venture.
4.1.3
Free Business Skills Seminars – notification from Eyemouth East Berwickshire Partnership
regarding free training for those with a general interest or interest specific
to their work. These are time-limited
and we need to demonstrate their value by using them or they will be discontinued. IT courses available at houndwood, while other subjects are
available at Selkirk, Jedburgh & Hawick. See posters in noticeboards.
4.1.4
The Scottish Executive has modified the
Scottish Borders Structure Plan, which is now approved. One significant change, due to JH’s letter
to the Executive, was to reduce the likely scale of impact of housing growth
upon Cockburnspath (due to removal of the proposed site adjacent to Hoprig
Park/Crofts Acre). This is with a view
to constraining supply and effecting a speedier completion of the Tollview
development rather than ad hoc
developments. Housing allocation for
Berwickshire has been reduced also, with more fcous for development on the
Eastern Hub around Eyemouth.
4.1.5
Leaflets were
distributed regarding the second stage of the Local Plan Review by SBC.
4.1.6
SBC had invited
comments on any past evidence of flooding as they attempt to build up a
database for predicting future flooding.
4.1.7
SBC notified the CC
of proposals for consultation (from December 2002) on budget proposals for
2003/04.
5
Any Other Business
5.1
JH asked for PW to
arrange for the Treasurer to supply a cheque for the poppy wreath for the war
memorial. Regarding the laying of the
wreath and it was agreed MD would ask Mr Fred Hunt, of The Square, to perform
the official role and if this was not possible, MD would perform the role
himself. It was also agreed that it
would raise the profile of the service to have a piper play a lament. Mr Ian Russell of Dow Law farm was to be
approached, following his great contribution to the Jubilee Celebrations.
5.2
Berwickshire
Community Council Forum – JH and PW had attended this session at Duns, and
while there were many interesting topics discussed, including proposed
windfarms in Berwickshire. One disappointing aspect had been the lack of time
for representatives to discuss other matters arising. JH raised the issue of
the lack of action by SBC in replacing bins along the A1 and removal of
benches, which had been notified to SBC approximately 1 year ago and despite
this raising similar concerns among other delegates, the chair of the BCCF had
tried to cut short debate. It was noted
by PW that EBC potentially is a group which better serves the needs of our area
as inevitably, the time allowed within BCCF for debate is limited.
5.3
Mrs Hood (JHd) stated
that due to personal reasons, she would find it difficult to attend future
meetings of the Viridor Liaison Committee and asked that someone else attend in
her place. No firm volunteers were
noted, but it was felt that it should be possible to get cover arranged and the
Chairman thanked Mrs Hood for her sterling work.
5.4
Christmas decorations
– the Chairman (JH )asked the Secretary (PW) to contact Mr Dale, Whiteburn
Farm, Abbey St Bathans, regarding whether Co’path could have a tree for the
Christmas decorations this year. It was
agreed that the community should show its gratitude by presenting Mr Dale with
a bottle of whisky from community funds.
5.5
The Chairman asked PW
to contact the Alisdair Maclean, Planning Officer for the Duns Planning Team
regarding the unsightly satellite dish erected on No. 1 Hay Terrace, in the
conservation area, which did not receive planning approval to our knowledge.
5.6
MM raised concerns
regarding the lack of consultation on the positioning of street lights. JH argued that the actual sites chosen
result from the need for lights to be closer together to comply with new
standards imposed (possibly by the EU) on safety grounds. However, it was noted that possibly an
additional light would be required for the corner of The Mount, as this is one
of the darkest areas of the village.
However JH thought this might be improved as the coverage of lights
would intersect at the corner and this should be well lit. PW agreed top raise this with L.Chiles at
SBC.
5.7
MM expressed that
caution should be applied to the proposed development at Hoprig, regarding the
impact on the sewerage system. JE
remarked that SEPA (Scottish Environment protection Agency) would be consulted
in the planning application process.
5.8
JV raised concern
regarding the lack of visibility of the Cockburnspath sign opposite the garage,
due to overgrown bushes. JH was sure
this would be trimmed back by SBC in November
to coincide with the Remembrance Day service and wreath laying.
5.9
JV also stated that
she had followed up PW’s contact with Amey Highways on bulb planting at the
Co’path junction / roundabout and Amey appeared to be willing to co-operate,
but JV was awaiting a formal reply regarding timing.
5.10
CB pointed to the
sewer at Chapelhall Brae which appeared to have burst during the Summer and was
giving off a smell. JE stated that
this would be the responsibility of Scottish Water.
5.11
JH mentioned that the
presentation for Cockburnspath Community’s 2nd Place in the Keep
Berwickshire Tidy “best kept village” competition was to be presented on
November 8th and the hosts/winners (Burnmouth) had invited
representatives of Co’path to attend.
CB & PW volunteered to attend.
6
Date for next meeting: Confirmed as Wednesday 13th
November 2002 at 7:00PM