Committee Minutes April 2018

Minutes of a Meeting of the Committee held at St Peter’s Church

at 2.pm on Monday 23^rd April 2018

 

1. Present: Ken Mantock (Chairman), Elaine Cooper, Sally McGrath (Membership

   Secretary), Beryl Parker (Social Secretary), John Soane (Built Environment Officer,

    and Paul Newsome (Minutes Secretary)

 

2.    Apologies:   John Barker (President), Jean Bird (Vice Chairman), Hilda Brownlow,     Peter Lucas, and James Weir (Heritage and Conservation Officer)

 

3. Minutes.  The minutes for the meeting held on 26^th March were agreed.

 

4.   Matters Arising from the Minutes.  There were no matters arising
5.   The Planning Policy Steering Group.  The Group’s next meeting is 18^th May

  5.1    Housing Density.  It was agreed that Ken, James and John S would collaborate to write a report on the impact of the recent Government Directive to double the number of new homes required taking into account the Green Belt, the character of the area and the non-desirability of a large number of high-rise buildings

 

6.      Built Environment. 
   • A338/Bournemouth Hospital.  Waiting for planning application to be considered.
   • Town Hall (post reorganisation).  Ken had been asked to take part in local tv interview re potential sale and re-use of Town Hall is it were no longer needed in the new Bmth, Poole and Christchurch Council arrangements. It was felt that the centre location in the middle of the new Council area made it ideal to continue in Civic Centre use but improvements were needed to the access and sound system in the Council Chamber so members of the public could better see and hear debates.

 

• Purple Flag.  Ken had just met Jon Shipp and the Civic Society would be included I the consultee list for the upcoming Town Centre Night Time Economy review. Topics of Place and Well Being particularly matched out interest in the appearance, character and attractions/offer of the Town Centre and its built/natural form.

 

 

7.  Heritage and Conservation.

• Westover Road Cinemas. James had submitted the appeal submissions for both cinemas so we now awaited to hear on progress from the planning inspectorate.
• Grand Cinema (Bingo Hall) Westbourne.  Wetherspoon’s plan or alternative community plans are awaited.
• Cliff End Hotel.  Planning Board decision awaited on the latest plans.
• Boscombe and Pokesdown.  The local Neighbourhood Plan continued to progress and there had ben a public meeting on 18^th Concern on the recent decision re   Gainsborough Court and lack of maintenance of a traditional shop front at 860 Christchurch Road showed the plan was sorely needed.
• Conservation Areas. Elaine attended the West Cliff & Poole Hill , James the East Cliff and John S the Old Christchurch Road Town Centre Conservation Area review meetings recently arranged by Donald Insall.  They agreed that the reviews had been constructive  with good consideration of appropriate (character, culture and heritage) additions and  deletions to the boundaries

 

8. Planning.  See John Soane’s report:

• Durley Chine Car Park.  The proposed block of flats were well positioned on the

site.  Acceptable

• 4 Upper Terrace Road.  Plans to use the refurbished building for homeless

youngsters and visitors were good

• 96 Lowther Road.  The proposed flats were too big for the site and could set an

unwelcome precedent in this road.  Should be deferred for a better scheme.

• 64 Portchester Road.  The suggested extension was ugly and too large.  Reject
• 70 Christchurch Road.  The proposal for an extension and 7 new flats was

unacceptable

• 27 Southbourne Overcliff Drive.  The ‘modernist’ extension was inappropriate.

Reject

 

• Planning Sub-Committee.  No meeting necessary.

 

• Planning Board Observations.  Elaine attended the April meeting
  • ‘Echo’ Building.  Plans for the building were welcomed.
  • 19-21 Branksome Dene Road.  New plans were an improvement.
  • Valette Road.  Proposals were considered by local residents and us as an over-development but had been allowed.

 

11. Communications Timetable. Items for next newsletter to be submitted by

           31^st July

 

12. Civic Voice. Membership and insurance had, with the agreement of the

Committee, been renewed

 

13. Bournemouth 2026  Membership had been renewed and web entry updated.

 

14. Bournemouth-in-Bloom. Beryl reported that wew gardens were being   created in Westbourne,  outside Marks and Spencer to commemorate the end of World War 1 and in Pine Ave/Southbourne Grove, Southbourne to commemorate votes for women. Judging for Britain in Bloom took place soon.

 

15. Activities Officer
    • Soup and Sandwich Talk.  30 booked for April (Martin Stewart talking about the history of Stewart Garden Lands)

 

16. Membership Officer’s Report. Plus One

 

17. Webmaster’s Report. Up to date and current . Three more enquiries through the website since the last meeting.

 

18. Treasurer’s Report: See Treasurer’s note on balance.

 

19. Annual General Meeting. 37 attended and the meeting was much appreciated

by members, especially the talk by Caroline Peach. It was agreed to book at the same venue at same time on 1^st April 2019.

 

20. Any Other Business.

20.1    Butterfly House.  The news of a proposed Butterfly House on the IMAX site was received with interest

 

    The meeting closed at 15.15                    

 

 

Ken Mantock

28^th May 2018                                                                                           Chairman