Post by Deubug on Apr 29, 2013 3:15:11 GMT 1
5th March 2009
Allum Lane - The Clerk outlined the recent steps taken to combat the rabbit infestation at
the Allum Lane allotment site.
A response from Sutton Homes concerning the border of their houses on Watling Street
with Allum Lane allotments, was discussed; it was agreed that the Clerk should reply that
the Council is unfortunately unable to give access to its land in this instance.
Stapleton Road - The Clerk outline the latest legal advice received from NALC concerning
the disused allotment site. Also, a letter objecting to the use of the site for purposes other
than allotments, received from the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd
(NSALG), was brought to the attention of members and the Clerk’s subsequent discussions
with NSALG summarised.
It was agreed that the Clerk should speak to Richard Grove, Head of Planning at
Hertsmere BC, to seek his understanding and advice concerning the current status of this
land, as it is unclear if the change of use granted by central government over twenty years
ago was ever implemented.
It was agreed that a site visit to Stapleton Rd be arranged.
It was agreed that the Clerk confirm if it is possible for Mr Chris Herald to make a change of
use application, should this be necessary.
6th April 2009
Stapleton Road
The Clerk showed members the written advice received from Hersmere BC Planning Dept.
This implies that if use of the Stapleton site had been changed to leisure use, then the
Council can use the land as it wishes, for community purposes.
On the basis of what was agreed at full Council on 26 March, the Committee agreed to
permit the requested use, unless any legal objections are made, at which point the position
will be reviewed and if necessary, use will cease.
It was agreed to ask the Hertsmere Borough Council’s estates valuer for advice re
valuation of the land per square footage of agricultural use. Also, a lease would need to be
drafted with a view to obtaining a commercial rent, perhaps discounted for the first year in
recognition of the considerable work required to clear the land, which is currently extremely
overgrown. It was suggested that a few plots at Allum Lane allotment site could also be
cleared for the Council.
Application for bee keeping
Members had no objection in principle to the application for bee keeping at Melrose
allotment site, provided no objections are received from neighbours or other allotment
holders. It was agreed that the Clerk ask the allotment representatives if they have any
objections to the keeping of bees.
It was also agreed that the Clerk check if the Council’s insurers have a view and to clarify if
the Council would be liable were anyone to be stung. If the Council could be held liable
then permission will not be given to keep bees. If there is no such liability and if no
objections are received, the applicant may proceed but will be required to take out his own
liability insurance.
14th May 2009
Use of two Melrose allotment plots by Watford Youth Offending Team -
It was agreed that the Clerk would speak to Watford Youth Offending Team to ascertain
their intentions, given the poor state of their plots, the lack of activity to date this year and
that there is now a long waiting list for allotments.
Also, Cllr. P Hedges expressed the opinion that some plots should be cleared at Allum site
at reasonable cost. The Clerk stated that quotes had already been obtained and the lowest
cost was for £145 per plot, excluding VAT.
Application for bee keeping, Melrose allotment site -
The Clerk had consulted with a representative of the allotment holders at Melrose Ave.,
who had in turn canvassed opinion amongst a cross section of allotment holders over a
period of time. This had sparked quite a lot of debate with many issues and questions
raised; these were wide ranging but can be summarised as concerns over public safety,
including the risk of curious children interfering with the beehive; the close proximity of
residential property and the risk to those with bee-sting allergies.
It was agreed to refuse permission to keep a beehive at the Melrose site on the grounds of
public safety.
However, it was agreed that the Clerk would make similar enquiries amongst the allotment
holders at the Allum Lane site, which could be considered more suitable due to its rural
location.
Stapleton Road former allotment site
The Clerk showed members the plans and documentation held by the Town Council and
updated members on his contact with Hertsmere Borough Council with a view to obtaining
a suitable valuation for leasing purposes. It was noted that the bridle path needs to be kept
clear and that this could be fenced off as it runs parallel to the road down one side of the
site.
Persimmon Homes
The Clerk drew the attention of members to letters received from Persimmon Homes re the
former Furzehill School site, adjacent to Melrose Rd. allotments, concerning drainage
problems; he then read members the letter sent in reply, which had been drafted by Cllr. H
David.
11th June 2009
Stapleton Road former allotment site
The Clerk updated members on progress towards obtaining a suitable valuation for leasing
purposes.
Persimmon Homes
Cllr. H David and the Clerk drew the attention of members to further letters received from
Persimmon Homes re the former Furzehill School site, adjacent to Melrose Rd. allotments,
concerning drainage problems. The Town Council accepts no responsibility for the drainage
problems and Persimmon has yet to provide evidence to substantiate its position.
Hertsmere surveyors had agreed to visit the site on behalf of the Town Council and it was
agreed that the Clerk would e-mail Hertsmere Borough Council engineering Dept. to
ascertain the current situation.
14 October 2009
The valuation report received from Sworders was discussed together with correspondence received from Mr C Herald. It was agreed to write to Mr C Herald outlining the conditions under which the Council would consider offering to lease the land for market garden purposes and inviting his comments. These conditions are a ten year lease at £3,000 rent a year, with a two year concessionary period - because of the very overgrown state of the land - £1,000 per annum for the first year, £2,000 the following year and a rent review after five years.
9 November 2009
. The Clerk reported that Mr C Herald had accepted the terms under which the Council would consider offering to lease the land at Stapleton Ave., subject to contract. The Clerk showed the committee information received from an allotment holder at Allum Lane concerning breeding birds and the matter was discussed and a response agreed.
Allum Lane - The Clerk outlined the recent steps taken to combat the rabbit infestation at
the Allum Lane allotment site.
A response from Sutton Homes concerning the border of their houses on Watling Street
with Allum Lane allotments, was discussed; it was agreed that the Clerk should reply that
the Council is unfortunately unable to give access to its land in this instance.
Stapleton Road - The Clerk outline the latest legal advice received from NALC concerning
the disused allotment site. Also, a letter objecting to the use of the site for purposes other
than allotments, received from the National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners Ltd
(NSALG), was brought to the attention of members and the Clerk’s subsequent discussions
with NSALG summarised.
It was agreed that the Clerk should speak to Richard Grove, Head of Planning at
Hertsmere BC, to seek his understanding and advice concerning the current status of this
land, as it is unclear if the change of use granted by central government over twenty years
ago was ever implemented.
It was agreed that a site visit to Stapleton Rd be arranged.
It was agreed that the Clerk confirm if it is possible for Mr Chris Herald to make a change of
use application, should this be necessary.
6th April 2009
Stapleton Road
The Clerk showed members the written advice received from Hersmere BC Planning Dept.
This implies that if use of the Stapleton site had been changed to leisure use, then the
Council can use the land as it wishes, for community purposes.
On the basis of what was agreed at full Council on 26 March, the Committee agreed to
permit the requested use, unless any legal objections are made, at which point the position
will be reviewed and if necessary, use will cease.
It was agreed to ask the Hertsmere Borough Council’s estates valuer for advice re
valuation of the land per square footage of agricultural use. Also, a lease would need to be
drafted with a view to obtaining a commercial rent, perhaps discounted for the first year in
recognition of the considerable work required to clear the land, which is currently extremely
overgrown. It was suggested that a few plots at Allum Lane allotment site could also be
cleared for the Council.
Application for bee keeping
Members had no objection in principle to the application for bee keeping at Melrose
allotment site, provided no objections are received from neighbours or other allotment
holders. It was agreed that the Clerk ask the allotment representatives if they have any
objections to the keeping of bees.
It was also agreed that the Clerk check if the Council’s insurers have a view and to clarify if
the Council would be liable were anyone to be stung. If the Council could be held liable
then permission will not be given to keep bees. If there is no such liability and if no
objections are received, the applicant may proceed but will be required to take out his own
liability insurance.
14th May 2009
Use of two Melrose allotment plots by Watford Youth Offending Team -
It was agreed that the Clerk would speak to Watford Youth Offending Team to ascertain
their intentions, given the poor state of their plots, the lack of activity to date this year and
that there is now a long waiting list for allotments.
Also, Cllr. P Hedges expressed the opinion that some plots should be cleared at Allum site
at reasonable cost. The Clerk stated that quotes had already been obtained and the lowest
cost was for £145 per plot, excluding VAT.
Application for bee keeping, Melrose allotment site -
The Clerk had consulted with a representative of the allotment holders at Melrose Ave.,
who had in turn canvassed opinion amongst a cross section of allotment holders over a
period of time. This had sparked quite a lot of debate with many issues and questions
raised; these were wide ranging but can be summarised as concerns over public safety,
including the risk of curious children interfering with the beehive; the close proximity of
residential property and the risk to those with bee-sting allergies.
It was agreed to refuse permission to keep a beehive at the Melrose site on the grounds of
public safety.
However, it was agreed that the Clerk would make similar enquiries amongst the allotment
holders at the Allum Lane site, which could be considered more suitable due to its rural
location.
Stapleton Road former allotment site
The Clerk showed members the plans and documentation held by the Town Council and
updated members on his contact with Hertsmere Borough Council with a view to obtaining
a suitable valuation for leasing purposes. It was noted that the bridle path needs to be kept
clear and that this could be fenced off as it runs parallel to the road down one side of the
site.
Persimmon Homes
The Clerk drew the attention of members to letters received from Persimmon Homes re the
former Furzehill School site, adjacent to Melrose Rd. allotments, concerning drainage
problems; he then read members the letter sent in reply, which had been drafted by Cllr. H
David.
11th June 2009
Stapleton Road former allotment site
The Clerk updated members on progress towards obtaining a suitable valuation for leasing
purposes.
Persimmon Homes
Cllr. H David and the Clerk drew the attention of members to further letters received from
Persimmon Homes re the former Furzehill School site, adjacent to Melrose Rd. allotments,
concerning drainage problems. The Town Council accepts no responsibility for the drainage
problems and Persimmon has yet to provide evidence to substantiate its position.
Hertsmere surveyors had agreed to visit the site on behalf of the Town Council and it was
agreed that the Clerk would e-mail Hertsmere Borough Council engineering Dept. to
ascertain the current situation.
14 October 2009
The valuation report received from Sworders was discussed together with correspondence received from Mr C Herald. It was agreed to write to Mr C Herald outlining the conditions under which the Council would consider offering to lease the land for market garden purposes and inviting his comments. These conditions are a ten year lease at £3,000 rent a year, with a two year concessionary period - because of the very overgrown state of the land - £1,000 per annum for the first year, £2,000 the following year and a rent review after five years.
9 November 2009
. The Clerk reported that Mr C Herald had accepted the terms under which the Council would consider offering to lease the land at Stapleton Ave., subject to contract. The Clerk showed the committee information received from an allotment holder at Allum Lane concerning breeding birds and the matter was discussed and a response agreed.