Category Archives: News

Monxton Parish Council Meeting 14/07/2020

by heatherbourner

MONXTON PARISH COUNCIL

There will be a virtual meeting of Monxton Parish Council (via zoom) at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 14th July 2020.All Councillors are requested to participate. Members of the public can join the meeting by invitation and will need to contact the Clerk with a minimum of 24hours notice prior to the meeting should they wish to do this. Alternatively, members of the public can e-mail matters for discussion to the Clerk.

Heather Bourner
Clerk to Monxton Parish Council
Heather.bourner@googlemail.com
01264 773976

1) Apologies for Absence

2) Public Participation

3) Declarations of Interest

4) Minutes & matters arising

5) Reports to include

Village Hall update
Finance
Environment & Footpaths
Traffic
Sunnyside

Planning
To note the following TVBC decision: 20/00694/LBWN-replacement windows
& internal works-Little Cottage-consent

To receive the Planning Advisory Committee’s recommendations on the
following applications
20/01016/TELN- Installation of telecommunications mast- objection
20/00284/LWBN –enclosure of existing link, new doors and windows- Monxton manor- no objections
20/01093/FULLN-erection of pergola, car port, pool house, provision of swimming pool paving and landscaping (amended scheme)- no objection
20/00694/COND4 – method statement regarding replacement ceilings, Little Cottage
20/01494/FULLN- demolition and replacement of existing garage- Little Cottage

6) County and Borough Councillors’ Report

9) Correspondence

10) Any other Business

Date of Next Meeting- 7.30 pm on Tuesday 13th October 2020

Message from Hampshire Constabulary Ahead of July 4 and Further Easing of Gov Restrictions

by heatherbourner
Good morning everyone,

we know that many people are looking forward to pubs, restaurants and other establishments opening this weekend and we’re confident the majority of people want to enjoy themselves safely.

In the run-up and over the course of the weekend we, alongside Local Authorities, will be working closely with the licensing industry across all areas of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This is to ensure all businesses are aware of the new licensing objectives and COVID guidelines to prevent a second spike of the virus.

We have been preparing in anticipation of this busier period, and have patrol plans in place throughout the two counties this weekend to ensure the easing of restrictions is approached safely. Social distancing and good hygiene remains paramount and it’s everyone’s responsibility to follow this guidance.

If you are visiting bars and pubs this weekend, please drink sensibly, and pre-plan your travel and how you are going to get home. Reassess your plans if you arrive at your location and realise social distancing isn’t achievable. Be aware of how excess drinking and violent behaviour may impact the emergency services and the NHS. Covid-19 still presents a significant and deadly threat to public health.

It’s important to remember that it is our collective effort to comply with the guidance, such as keeping our distance and washing our hands, that has led to the re-opening of our local businesses.

Ultimately, we are still all in this together so it’s important that we all continue to limit the spread of the virus, whilst enjoying the summer.

We continue to work hard to keep us all safe in what remain challenging circumstances so we would ask everyone to work with us and remember that if you need our help we are here for you.

If you want to know more about what you can and can’t do from July 4, please visit the government website on Coronavirus. Please do not call our control room to ask questions about restrictions, we need to keep our lines open for emergencies.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do-after-4-july

Thank you for your ongoing support.
Message Sent By
Marisa Charles (Police, Corporate Communications Officer, Hampshire)

St Mary’s Church, Monxton

by Monxton Matters

St Mary’s Church will be open this and subsequent Sundays for private prayer with necessary precautions put in place. The PCC has decided not to hold public worship at present, but this will be regularly reviewed as things develop.

Just to update you on the roof appeal:
So far, we have had over £9,000 in donations and we have the promise of a grant of £4,000 from the Historic Churches Trust when the work is completed. The final cost will be in excess of £20,000.
We were hoping this work would have been completed in April but for obvious reasons the contractor was unable to start. We are hoping to get work underway in September this year.
Many thanks for your support.
Monxton PCC

Hampshire Waste Recycling Centres

by heatherbourner

Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “We continue to follow Government guidance on social distancing to keep residents and staff safe which must be our primary consideration.
“With covid safe measures in place at HWRCs, capacity has inevitably been reduced, and so we have had to change the way people visit the sites to manage demand. The new booking system is achieving what it set out to do, eliminating the lengthy traffic queues which were causing problems for others. I do appreciate this is an extra step people need to take to visit an HWRC and would like to thank Hampshire residents for their patience.
“I am pleased to able to say that, now we’ve had a couple of weeks to see how the system is working, we are in a position to increase the number of slots each day to 5,000 in total across Hampshire’s network of 24 sites. This will be done by allowing more people to book in during each half hour slot. I’ve also taken on board feedback that being able book a week ahead would be helpful, so we are increasing advance booking slot availability to allow people to book up to seven days in advance.
“I would continue to urge people to think about how to waste less if they can such as by composting food and garden waste, or upcycling or donating unwanted items.”
Bookings for HWRCs can be made online at: http://www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/book-appointment
A telephone booking line, primarily for those without access to the online system, can be made by calling 023 8017 9949
Anyone wishing to book a slot will need to provide their name, car registration and, for online bookings, an email address. Bookings are limited to one slot per household per week.
There is no need to bring confirmation of the booking to the site, the site will have information on confirmed bookings;
Site staff will check registration plates upon arrival – people will need to arrive in the vehicle specified in the booking;
Anyone turning up without a confirmed booking will not be allowed entry to the site;
As per government guidelines, residents in the specified vulnerable category (those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, people over 70 and pregnant women) are strongly advised not to visit a site;
New parking arrangements are in place with site staff guiding vehicles, from a safe distance, into spaces
As far as possible, only one person per household should visit the HWRC.
Due to social distancing measures, site staff will be unable to provide any assistance with unloading material or carrying material. Residents are asked to bring only the amount of waste they can comfortably carry and empty into containers
Trailers are not permitted.
Everyone must keep at least a two-metre distance from others at all times.
Most waste materials will be accepted, except for chargeable waste – soil, rubble, asbestos and plasterboard.
Reuse sales areas will remain closed. Where possible, please continue to store items of furniture which could be reused, donate to local furniture charities, or use online platforms (e.g. Freegle / Facebay / Gumtree). Please see the Smart Living web pages for more information on furniture reuse.

The Blue Cross recommends the following for dogs in heat waves.

by heatherbourner

Heatstroke in Dogs
Dogs can suffer fatal heatstroke within minutes. Unlike humans, dogs can’t sweat through their skin and so they rely on panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose to regulate their body temperature and keep cool. Imagine wearing a thick winter coat on a hot summer’s day and you’ll understand why dogs succumb to heatstroke so easily. Signs of heatstroke in dogs include collapse, excessive panting, and dribbling. If you suspect your pet is suffering from the condition, move them to a cool place, preferably with a draught, wet their coat with cool – not freezing – water, and contact your vet immediately. Once a dog shows signs of heatstroke the damage is often already done, which is why it’s so important to prevent it
Dogs in hot cars
Never leave a dog in a car, even for a moment. “Not long” is too long. A car can become an oven very quickly even when it doesn’t feel that warm. When it is 22°c outside – within an hour – the temperature in a car can reach an unbearable 47°c.
Can I smash a window to free a dog from a hot car? If you see a dog in distress inside a car, official advice is to dial 999 immediately and ask for the police. A dog in distress in a hot car is an emergency and the police will advise you what to do based on the situation. Depending on the severity of the situation, the police may attend and break into the car to gain access to the dog, or they may advise you to do this. Call the police and tell them what you intend to do and why. Take photos and/or videos of the dog in distress and the names and phone numbers of witnesses.
How to keep a dog cool and prevent heatstroke
· Make sure your dog has access to clean water at all times, ideally a large bowl filled to the brim. Carry water and a bowl with you on walks.
· On hot days, walk your dog during the cooler parts of the day, in the early morning and late evening
· Watch your pet for signs of over-heating, including heavy panting and loss of energy. If you recognise these signs when on a walk, stop, find a shady spot and give your dog water.
· Never leave your dog (or any pet) alone in a car, even with the windows open
· Be particularly careful with short-nosed dogs such as bull breeds, boxers, pugs, older dogs, and those that are overweight. These dogs can get heatstroke simply by running around.
· Hold your hand for 5-10 seconds on a paving stone or road etc. If you cannot keep your hand there then it’s too hot for your dog’s paws too. So walk in the cooler parts of the day.

Nearly £2million secured by County Council and partners to protect Hampshire’s chalk streams

by heatherbourner

Hampshire County Council and the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, together with 13 partners, have secured £1,937,800 of National Lottery funding to enhance and protect the unique chalk headwater streams of the Test and Itchen rivers.  The award will fund the Watercress and Winterbournes Landscape Partnership Scheme, a collaboration of local communities and organisations focussing on natural flood management, local heritage preservation, enhancing habitat and preserving endangered species.

Councillor Rob Humby, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment at Hampshire County Council, said: “This significant funding award will be used over the next five years on a range of planned activities  to protect this unique chalk landscape and the wildlife it supports. “This has been a truly collaborative effort and I would like to thank everyone who gave their time, and expertise to help make this funding application a success, and to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for their continued advice and support. The local community has been at the heart of the plans through the development of this project and will be empowered to safeguard their streams for many years to come.”

There are approximately only 200 existing chalk streams worldwide, most of those in England. In Hampshire, the alkaline waters provide a unique habitat for species such as water vole, brown trout, southern damselfly, water crowfoot, and endangered white-clawed crayfish.

Debbie Tann, Chief Executive of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: “We are delighted to be delivering this fantastic scheme, which will have real benefits for both people and wildlife. We look forward to working closely with our partners, and with the communities in the area, to ensure we achieve real and lasting change for these precious chalk stream environments.”

Stuart McLeod, Director London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Nature is our oldest form of heritage and helping the natural world to recover and thrive is a key priority for National Lottery funding. We are delighted to support this scheme which will involve communities and partners in securing a bright future for our rare chalk streams, the wildlife they support and their surrounding landscapes.”

The Watercress and Winterbournes project includes enhancing habitats, protecting rare species, repairing historic structures, and tackling the pressures of flooding through the use of natural flood management techniques. It brings together local communities and 14 organisations to restore and celebrate seven special chalk streams: the Bourne Rivulet, Candover Brook, Cheriton Stream, the Pillhill Brook, River Arle, Upper Anton, and Upper Test.

 

 

 

Hampshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)

by heatherbourner

A new booking system for Hampshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will take effect from Monday 15 June when all HWRCs will revert to their normal summer opening hours of 9am until 6pm, seven days a week.
Bookings can be made online at: http://www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/book-appointment. Telephone bookings, for those without access to the online system, can be made by calling 023 8017 9949. Anyone wishing to book a slot will need to provide their name, car registration and, for online bookings, an email address.

Objection to planning application for telecommunications mast

by heatherbourner

Please see below objection from Monxton Parish Council. Villagers are encouraged to submit their own comments- please note the deadline for doing so is 9th June 2020

PRIOR APPROVAL & PLANNING APPLICATION No: 20/01016/TELN FOR THE PROPOSED INSTALLATION OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS BASE STATION AND MAST on Land North Of Abbotts Ann Road Monxton Andover Hampshire SP11 8AR

Monxton Parish Council wishes to strongly OBJECT to both this Prior Approval and this Planning Application, due to the adverse impact on Monxton by the proposed siting of a 20-metre-high Telecoms mast at the top of the hill, between Monxton and Abbotts Ann.

The applicant states that they wish to use this site for the proposed base and mast because,” there is currently little or no coverage along this section of railway”. As there have been no Neighbour or Community Consultations about this proposal, we would like Monxton Parish Council’s comments to be taken in to account prior to any decision by Test Valley Borough Council.

Design

The Monxton Village Design Statement states in its Design Guidelines that, “To maintain the distinctive appeal of Monxton; In the cases of new developments, effort should be made to ensure that they do not dominate the locality and should be blended sympathetically with nearby dwellings in respect of scale”. 

This design will not blend in to our rural surroundings and will dominate its locality. This intrusive 60-foot-high mast contravenes the Monxton Village Design Statement and will be a blot on our wonderful local landscape.  This site therefore should be discounted on these grounds.

Siting of the Mast

The Applicant’s Design & Access Statement states that the reason this site has been chosen for the proposed base and mast, is that rail passengers experience a weak mobile phone signal along this section of the railway. Residents of Monxton, Abbotts Ann and Amport will receive little, if any, additional benefit due to the topology of the area. As an EE customer, I use their WIFI service which means we have no need for an improved signal, and therefore, a mast of this size in such a sensitive position is not appropriate, quite the contrary, because its proposed location is at the highest vantage point above Monxton. The siting of this mast will also have a detrimental impact on the residential amenity of Manor Farm and nearby properties in Monxton.  This site should therefore be discounted on these grounds.

Appearance

The appearance does not compliment the character of the surrounding agricultural land and the impact on the visual amenity of the area is unacceptable.  The development proposed is so substantial, that to grant permission would undermine the plan-making process by predetermining decisions about the scale, location or phasing of new development that are central to an emerging plan. The appearance will have a detrimental impact on the residential amenity of Manor Farm and nearby properties in Monxton.  This site therefore should be discounted on these grounds

Test Valley Borough Council Revised Local Plan

Policy COM2 Settlement Hierarchy

This states that developments will only be permitted in the countryside if it can be demonstrated that the works to be located in a rural area are essential.

These works are NOT essential for the residents of Monxton or nearby villages, so consequently, they should not be allowed.

Policy E1 High Quality Development

The proposed development is wholly inappropriate for this area and will have a detrimental effect on it’s character and should be discounted on visual amenity grounds

Policy E2 Protect, Conserve & Enhance the Landscape Character

The proposed design is not in keeping with its surroundings in both terms of its scale and appearance. It will not preserve, conserve or enhance the character of the area, quite the contrary, and it should be discounted on visual amenity grounds.

Policy LHW4 Amenity

The application should not be permitted as it will be detrimental to the visual amenity of the nearby residential properties at Manor Farm and Monxton.

National Planning Policy

Section 2 – Achieving Sustainable Development

The proposed development will not enhance our social communities or benefit our village economically, as the applicant claims.

Section 4 – Decision Making

Local resident’s social and environmental conditions will not be improved by the proposed development, quite the opposite.

Section 10 – Supporting high quality communications

The proposed development in our rural area is not essential for our economic growth or social wellbeing.

Paragraph 113 – states that the Local Planning Authority should ensure that they have evidence to demonstrate that electronic communications infrastructure is not expected to cause interference with air traffic services.  The applicant has failed to provide this information as they have not consulted any Civil Aviation Authority/Secretary of State for Defence or Aerodrome Operator.

Paragraph 114 – states that “The number of radio and electronic communications masts, and the sites for such installation, should be kept to a minimum consistent with the needs of consumers”. The proposed development is not consistent with our local needs and, as such, there is no necessity for the proposed new mast at this location

Paragraph 115 – states that “Applications for electronic communications development (including applications for prior approval under the General Permitted Development Order) should be supported by the necessary evidence to justify the proposed development”.  The information provided by the applicant is inaccurate and misleading and should be discounted

Section 12 – Achieving well-designed places

The proposed design is unattractive and will be an eyesore. The visual impact will be detrimental to the surrounding rural area and should be discounted on visual amenity grounds.

Section 15 – Conserving & enhancing the natural environment

The proposed site is located between the Conservation Areas of Monxton and Abbotts Ann and is bordered by ancient woodland.  An Environmental Impact Assessment has not been provided.  This proposed project will have significant adverse effects on the environment and Test Valley Borough Council should take this into account in the decision-making process.

The proposed site is not located in an urban or suburban area but in a rural idyll.  By even considering, this unsuitable location for their proposed development, the applicant has shown how little local knowledge they have. They have failed to provide, what is, incredibly important and relevant information in their application, which Test Valley Borough Council needs to take in to consideration when making their decision.

The applicant states on the Site Specific Supplementary Information that:

There are “No schools in proximity”. 

There are two primary schools within a mile of the site, in Amport and Abbotts Ann.

“No Civil Aviation Authority/Secretary of State for Defence or Aerodrome Operator has been consulted and the structure will not be within 3km of an aerodrome or airfield”.

There is a helicopter pad at the Army Headquarters, Monxton, which is located within 3km of a statutory safeguarding zone, and from where helicopters fly senior Army staff to and from Salisbury Plain. There are two aerodromes in the vicinity, one at Thruxton, where the Hampshire Air Ambulance is based, which deploys regularly, and where many private planes are based; all of which fly over the site area.  The Army Air Corps base is down the road at Middle Wallop; the proposed site is directly under the regular flight path used by the Army’s low flying Apache Helicopters to and from Middle Wallop and Salisbury Plain.

Southern Water has not been consulted.

There is no mention in the application that Southern Water’s rising main goes right through the proposed site.  This line carries raw sewage from the Monxton Pumping Station to the Pumping Station at Abbotts Ann and any disturbance or ground movements could be catastrophic, not only for Monxton, but for all the villages that are further down the line.  Abbotts Ann recently suffered extensive flooding from this line near the proposed site, with numerous tankers having to pump out at that location for some days.

Manor Farm, Abbotts Ann

The residents of nearby Manor Farm have not been informed or consulted by the applicant about this proposed development, which will be sited very close to the existing Alpine/Penchard workshops and Manor Farm buildings.  There is no mention about Manor Farm’s Planning Application for a residential development, and the proposed development should be discounted as a result.

Highways

There are only two ways to access the site either through Abbotts Ann or Monxton. The Highways report does not cover the route the construction traffic will take and as the road through Abbotts Ann is impassable by HGVs and Monxton’s roads are clearly signposted, ”Unsuitable for HGVS”.  We are very concerned about the adverse impact this will have on our village.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The applicant has not provided an Environmental Impact Assessment.  Vitally important biodiversity has adapted to this semi-natural habitat of wood-pasture.  This development is likely to have significant effects on the environment and an Environmental Impact Assessment should be required.

Conservation Areas

The proposed site, on agricultural land, is located between the Conservation Areas of Monxton and Abbotts Ann and a huge unsightly mast should not be allowed to be erected near these protected areas.  The proposed site is wholly inappropriate for this development and will have a detrimental effect on the character of the rural area and should be discounted on visual amenity grounds.

Habitat

The proposed site is a wonderful wildlife habitat, due to being left fallow for over 20 years.  It has a large active badger sett and they and their setts, are protected by law. This habitat should be protected as it is an offence to recklessly damage or destroy a badger sett and to disturb a badger when it is occupying a sett.  This habitat should be protected.

Landscape 

The Landscape report does not state that the site is bordered on one side by ancient woodland, which provides habitat for numerous animal species and BAP priority species of birds including, Song Thrushes, Woodpeckers and Barn Owls.  It is a vital that wildlife habitats are considered as part of this application to avoid habitat loss and the damaging impacts of this proposed development.

Public Rights of Way

It is stated that this 60 foot mast will not be able to be seen from the many footpaths and public rights of way in the area, but in the autumn and winter, it will be visible from Monxton and the surrounding area.  Due to the height of the proposed site, there are wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, which are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Contrary to the applicant’s claims, Abbotts Ann Road is used every day for numerous leisure activities including jogging, dog walking, horse riding and cycling.

In summary, this new mast will be of no benefit to Monxton and, for the sake of a few minutes’ WIFI downtime on the trains travelling along the stretch of line, it would be far more appropriate to make use of existing masts. Rail passengers experiencing a weak mobile phone signal for a few moments does NOT justify the impact on our villages and if this unnecessary proposed development is allowed to go ahead, it will cause harm to our important Conservation area and a beautiful rural area of the Test Valley. A better solution but no doubt more expensive would be a series of mini-masts along the railway cutting which has not been proposed as an option but would be more acceptable.

We would, therefore, ask that EE are required to provide a solution that does not have an adverse impact on our village and the surrounding area.  We seek Test Valley Borough Council’s support and request that this prior approval and/or the planning application are refused.

Regards

Mike Cleugh

Chairman

Monxton Parish Council

07836792545
01264 710276