Pleasant Residents’ Association

Minute of meeting held 13^th February 2013 at St Michael’s Church Hall, Mount Pleasant

Present: Di Dray, Dave Heal, Keith Scott, Mr & Mrs A Beadle, Neal Overton, Paul Overton, Richard Scott, Cllr Sarah Dodds, Cllr John Hough, Eileen Howard, Sylvia Scott, Brian Shaw, James Pocklington.

Apologies: Patrick Purves, Gray Dray, Brenda Nutt, Eric Howard, Rosie Leak.

·        The meeting commenced with a general discussion on the proposed housing development on the Pleasant Gardens site at the end of Mount Pleasant.

·        Cllr Dodds explained that after the environmental impact assessment had been approved by ELDC there had been no submission for planning permission.

·        Local residents expressed their concerns over the initial proposals for the site, these were: 

#  Over intensification of housing which would result in high traffic volumes through Spire View and on to Wood Lane.

# Increased surface water flood risk to neighbouring properties

# Additional strain on infrastructure, i.e. sewers

# Increased traffic on Mount Pleasant , gaining access to North end of site.

# Impact on local residents responsible for unadopted road at the end of Mount Pleasant.

·        It was reported that 99% of Spire View residents were opposed to the scale of the development.

·        After discussion it was decided to wait for the applicant to submit final plans and then reconvene a meeting to decide on a community response.

Minute of last meeting (09/01/13) read and approved.

Matters arising,

·        Cllr Dodds apologised that the refuse collection representative had not been available for the February meeting but hoped they might be ok for March meeting.

·        The meeting heard that a new campaign against dog fouling had been launched. Cllr Dodds explained that it was important that residents notify the dog warden if they had information on dog owners that failed to “scoop the poop”.

·        Cllr Hough reported from the Bus round table meeting that the re-routing of buses up Church St was being reviewed and asked residents to make their feelings known at the next meeting on the 28^th March, 10.30 am at the Town Hall. As Dave Skepper the area supervisor for Lincolnshire Road Car would be in attendance.

·        The lack of provision for motorcycle parking in town car parks was briefly discussed.

·        James reported that the local grit bins had been refilled recently, following repeated requests by Cllr Hough and local residents.

·        Cllr Hough explained that he had correspondence with Ian Mickleburgh of Lincolnshire Highways who confirmed that 20 mph speed limits were being discussed within the authority, and that he would be in touch if there were further developments.

·        Inconsiderate parking was discussed. James explained that following the neighbourhood police panel he had recently attended, it was clear that the total obstruction of a pavement was a matter for the police and urged residents to contact the PCSO’s with evidence of this. Cllr Hough mentioned that Mick Pheonix is the parking services manager at LCC and any concerns on bad parking hot spots should be addressed to him so that scheduled enforcement visits might be taken.

·        James reminded the meeting that anyone who would like to host a hanging basket or floral display on their property as part of the Louth in Bloom to please get in touch. It was agreed that the committee would get together to discuss this matter further to improve the attractiveness of the neighbourhood.

Meeting closed at 8.40pm

Church st growing space

This is what you get for not giving Chris Fairburn what he wants...

The growing space at the bottom of Church St has been demolished.

Did he let me know he was about to do it...no

Did he admit that it was because we didn't give his plans for Mount Pleasant the thumbs up...yes

Did I call him a "Cheeky B*****d!"...yes

Next Meeting 13th March

Just to confirm that we shall have two representatives from ELDC to receive feedback on the standards of refuse collection in our area. Lisa Bogg and Mrs Sam Pickard who are monitoring officers for ELDC will be happy to hear your views so please come along and contribute your experiences..good or bad!

Also on the agenda for the next meeting is the condition of Watts Lane road surface. It would be great to
get some progress on this for the benefit of all residents in the area but particularly those who live on Watts Lane.
Please come along and discuss the issue with a view to agreeing a practical solution to improving the road surface.

Thanks
James

Minute of  a meeting of the Pleasant Residents’ Association

9^th January 2013 – 7.30 pm

Present:-

Chairman James Pocklington                                                             Eileen and Eric Howard

Sylvia Scott                                                                                            Di Dray

Brenda Nutt                                                                                         Mick Kingswood

Carol Leslie                                                                                           Richard Hardesty

Rachel Jacques                                                                                      Dave Heal

Patrick Purves                                                                                      Di Dray

Apologies- Cllr Sarah Dodds, Brian Shaw, John Prior and Gary Dray      

•        Minutes –produced by James, read and approved

•        Arising –

John reported on matters outstanding with the Highway authority (Dave Mickleborough) including signing at the end of Mount Pleasant, the lack of a parking restriction at the end of Little Butcher Lane and parking restrictions on Little Mount Pleasant - these were all on the waiting list

James had spoken to the PCSOs about skateboarders

Bins were still seen as a problem.  The manager of refuse collection would be invited to the February meeting

•        Chris Fairburn bungalow proposal.

John reported that the previous application had been lost, and again on appeal.  CF now wanted Cllr Sarah Dodds to get a recommendation from residents for his new, revised application. and "call it in" for consideration by Councillors.  This would bypass the planning officers, who were not in favour of the plan.  Sarah would only do this if we were in favour.  The application had not been submitted yet, and clearly the hope was to get a favourable indication before spending on elevations and detailed plans.

It was clear that differing views went through the spectrum of opposition via indifference to mild enthusiasm

After discussion, all agreed Patrick's suggestion that the Association abstain from conmment either in favour or against.

•        James reported on the Watts Lane restriction.  Use otherwise than for access is an offence which ultimately could lead to points on licences and even a ban.  A request had been put in for appropriate signage

•        Brian Shaw had proposed that Association funds be applied to beautifying our area, e.g. hanging baskets, some effort into planting.  This was approved

•        Dave Heal suggested it was time to get the Dog Warden along again in view of big problems with fouling.

•        Mick mentioned the routing of buses along Church Street.  It was agreed this was now due to be reviewed in light of the improved parking situation in town.  It would remain on the Agenda.  Motorcycle parking was mentioned, there are (it turns out) a couple of spaces opposite the Cinema and a couple more at the lamp-post in the Market Place

•        There being no other business the meeting closed at 8:20 p.m.

82 Mount Pleasant, planning application

Earlier this month plans were submitted to ELDC for the construction of 41 dwellings on the "Pleasant Gardens" site
If you log into ELDC planning system you can find the application under this reference.
N/105/00087/13

Please take a look, we'll put it on the agenda for February's meeting.

Minutes November 2012

Minute of  a meeting of the Pleasant Residents’ Association

14^th November 2012– 7.30 pm

Present:-

Chairman James Pocklington                                  Eileen and Eric Howard                    Sylvia Scott                                    

Betty Pinfold                                                              Brenda Nutt                                        Richard Scott

Patrick Purves                                                             Di Dray                                                  Gary Dray                                         Sarah Dodds                                                                 Brian Shaw                                           John Hough

Dave Heal                                                                      John Prior             

1.      Apologies -  none

2.      Minutes –read and approved

3.      Arising –

·        Mick Kingswood andothers expressed concern about skateboarders and mini-motorbikes in the middle of the road.  James Pocklington would speak to the PCSOs as this was a police matter.

·        Bins were still a problem – not the green ones but the blacks and greys were being left all over the place, no doubt due to haste.  Eileen Howard had had to replace some barriers put on the roadway and moved away by the binmen.  Sarah Dodds explained it is necessary to protest to ELDC with times and dates.  The agreed better option was to ask the manager to come to a meeting in January.

·        Car Parking – Dave Heal brought this up and Sarah Dodds confirmed that Louth Market Place belongs to Lincs County Council, all the others belong to ELDC.  Enforcement is likely to be stricter there once it is decriminalised.   More of this below.

·        Dave Heal mentioned people being encouraged to park in the opening of Little Butcher Lane at Mercer Row end. There were no prohibition markings on the roadside. John Hough would look into it.

·        Watts Lane – Patrick would try to progress with getting a quote for speed humps

4.      James Pocklington reported on the appeal by Sainsburys against refusal on the old Browns site.  There was an extensive discussion and advice from Sarah Dodds to notify ELDC of the continued concerns of residents about traffic intensity, Watts Lane and other issues relevant to the original refusal.

5.      Chris Fairburn’s plans to develop (?four) dwellings on Mount Pleasant and consultation with neighbouring properties.

6.      James Pocklington mentioned the flyer –all agreed that the Association’s work and specific achievements should be mentioned in the next edition.

7.      Quiz –The September quiz £44.50 had been the subject of a nice thank-you letter from Beth and Phoebe, who were now going to Thailand to do voluntary work

8.      The meeting returned to the issue of parking in the town.   Gary Dray pointed out there was not adequate provision for motorcycle parking in any part of the town.  The ELDC objective of “parity with Skegness, Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea” was inappropriate and the restrictions and charges would harm local shops and other businesses.

9.      Sylvia asked if the sign previously requested for the end of Mount Pleasant to signify the start of the private was on the way. Cllr Hough confirmed he would chase it up with Highways.

10.Richard explained his concerns over the traffic situation at the corner of Mount Pleasant and Little

     Lane. The meeting agreed that the parking of cars on the south side of Mount Pleasant near to the corner was a problem with cars approaching Little Lane having nowhere to go if a car appears

     around the corner. James agreed to write to Ian Mickleburgh to request his views on the situation.

Some best wishes and an apology!

After a very enjoyable Christmas quiz ( Well done Steve and Brian!) I thought I'd just wish everyone a very Happy Christmas followed by an apology if you ventured out to our monthly meeting on the 12th December only to find it had been cancelled at short notice due to unforseen circumstances. I can't remember the last time we had to cancel but it has set us thinking the best way to let people know if it happens again. So if you have any bright ideas then please come along to the meeting on January 9th and share them with us.
We will also be discussing the planning proposal from Chris Fairburn for the land off Mount Pleasant, so please join us.

We have had a successful year and I'd like to thank all of the committee members for their contribution over the last 12 months..I'm sure there's a lot more we can do in 2013!

I'd also like to say a special thank you to Di Dray for all of her efforts in keeping the committee and I in some kind of order!