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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday 8 April 2021

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor J Miller (Chairman of the Council)
Councillor N Roberts (Vice Chairman of the Council)
Councillor R Allen
Councillor C Cathcart
Councillor P Dent
Councillor R Eley
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor R Lansdell
Councillor J Price
Councillor R Wombwell
Councillor G Woodcock

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
District Councillor John Hinton
Four members of the public

Open Public Session

James Geary wished to gauge the feeling of the Council to planning application DC/21/01729 (Moores
Lane) which he described in detail. The development would overlook his Mother’s house and other
houses in Quintons Road the ownership of which he specified.

Tony Brigden considered that the application should be seen in the context of Moores Lane even
though it was really adjacent to Quintons Road which was included in the Conservation Area and
included Box Iron Green, all important parts of the village heritage. The proposed development was not
merely fronting the major new development proposed for Moores Lane. The historical context was a
very important consideration.

Paul Hart said he lived in Linnetts, Quintons Road where the proposed development would leave no
trees between his property and a three-storey building. He described the location and his view of the
inappropriateness of the proposed development. He regarded the proposed tree belt as highly dubious.
He considered a three-storey building as an outlook for listed buildings in a conservation area
destroyed any concept of maintenance of the historical context.

Tony Brigden added that he understood that the owner/applicant had felled an Oak tree last June
without which the site would not be viable and had informed Mr Brigden that no permission was
necessary to fell the tree.

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The Chairman stressed that the Parish Council was not the decision-maker upon this application and
encouraged members of the public to make representations to Babergh DC to enable an informed
decision to be made in the light of all considerations.

The Chairman stated that the meeting was being recorded and the recording would be posted on the
Council’s website.

1. Apologies for Absence

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Rothwell who was away on business. An
apology was also received from County Councillor Gordon Jones who was attending a Parish
Meeting elsewhere in his Division. The apologies were NOTED.

2. Declaration of Interests/Dispensations

Item 7.1.1 Councillor Roberts declared a non-pecuniary interest as a near neighbour.
Item 7.1.6 Councillor Hurley declared a non-pecuniary interest as a nearby resident.

3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 11 March 2021

It was proposed by Councillor Lansdell, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED
(eleven voted for, none voted against) that the minutes of the meeting on 11 March 2021 be
approved as a correct record.

4. Minutes of the Extraordinary Parish Council meeting of 29 March 2021

It was proposed by Councillor Lansdell, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the minutes of the extraordinary meeting on 29 March 2021 be approved as
a correct record

5. Matters Arising/Updates

Minute 8 Item 8 (11/03/21) – Councillor Roberts referred to the general letter of appreciation
and support which was to be drafted for the Council’s consideration. The Chairman stated that
the draft would be available at the next meeting.

6. Coronavirus

Councillor Hurley had no update from the Covid-19 Group which was quietly continuing its
activities satisfactorily. An article would appear shortly in the East Anglian Daily Times about the
group and its activities.

There were no burial grounds or Council contingency issues to report.

7. District and County Councillor reports

The written report from County Councillor Jones was NOTED.

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District Councillor Hinton referred to his written report to the preceding Annual Parish Meeting to
which he had nothing to add. District Councillor Hinton was thanked for his report which was
NOTED.

8. Correspondence

The Chairman advanced the Correspondence in the agenda to enable consideration of items
regarding planning applications to be considered before consideration was given to those
applications.

The correspondence set out in the Correspondence List and circulated with the agenda and
subsequently was considered and NOTED, comprising:

Date

Sender Subject
1. Undated East Bergholt Heartwatch Letter of thanks for grant aid.
2. 16/03/21 Dedham Vale Society Dark Skies Campaign.
3. 19/03/21 Tony Brigden and Alicia
Herbert
Heath Road application (DC/20/04663)
4. 23/03/21 Suffolk County Council Fen Bridge
5. 24/03/21 Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean 2021
6. 30/03/21 Suffolk Resilience Forum Changes to Suffolk Test Centres
7. 30/03/21 Suffolk Resilience Forum New Rules from 29 March 2021
8. 01/04/21 AONB Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Forum
9. 02/04/21 Paul and Anne-Marie Hart Moores Lane application (DC/21/01729)
10. 04/04/21 Rodney and Maureen Moss Moores Lane application (DC/21/01729)

Item 2 – The Chairman referred to the Dark Skies Campaign which was of interest to the
Council as longstanding advocates of dark skies over East Bergholt. Councillor Roberts noted
that the Dedham Vale Society was seeking initial backing and it was proposed by Councillor
Roberts, seconded by Councillor Lansdell and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Council
supports the Dedham Vale Society’s campaign in principle and through the Neighbourhood
Plan.

Items 3, 9 and 10 – Regard was taken to the representations upon planning applications.

Item 8 – Councillors Wombwell and Dent volunteered to attend the Dedham Vale and Stour
Valley Forum via Zoom on 17 June 2021.

9. Planning

9.1 Planning Applications received

The Council considered the planning applications received from the Local Planning Authority
since the last meeting.

Councillor Woodcock explained to the members of the public present that the Planning Working
Group considered the applications before the meeting, visited the sites and met by Zoom to
formulate recommendations for the Council.

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DC/21/01433 Red House, Hadleigh Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6QT – Erection of
side extension, installation of cladding to front elevation,
construction of pitched roof over front projection and external
alterations.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Dent
and RESOLVED (unanimously) that subject to conditions which
(a) in the absence of a garage provided for a suitable number of off-
road parking spaces, and
(b) the proposed flue being in black and extended to the appropriate
height above the roof line, approval be recommended.

DC/21/01452 Riber House, Rectory Hill, East Bergholt, CO7 6TH – Householder
application – Erection of 4 bay garage/store, construction of tennis
court including fencing; Erection of pavilion and storage shed;
Erection of gates including pedestrian access gate to highway.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Dent
and RESOLVED (eleven voted for, none voted against) that subject to
(a) the replacement elsewhere on the land of some of the trees that are
lost to this development with appropriate tree types for the location and
(b) to ensure important views across the site from Rectory Hill are
retained, the entrance gate(s) proposed should be no higher than the
existing perimeter fence to which they will adjoin, approval be
recommended.

DC/21/01471 4 Orvis Lane, East Bergholt, CO7 6TT – Householder Planning
Application – Erection of front extension and conversion of garage
to additional living accommodation.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Eley
and RESOLVED (unanimously) that approval be recommended.

DC/20/04663 Land East of the Constable Country Medical Centre, Heath Road,
East Bergholt – Application for approval of reserved matters
following outline approval B/16/01092. Town and Country Planning
(Development Management Procedure) (England) ) Order 2015 –
Access, Layout, Scale, Design, and Landscaping for Mixed-use
development including up to 75 dwellings, a pre-school and
neighbourhood hub, comprising a swimming pool, office space
and a local shop, public open space and associated infrastructure
and landscaping as amended by drawings received on 11
November 2016 (omission of school land).

Following an extensive debate it was proposed by Councillor
Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the Council was pleased to see the redistribution of
the affordable units across the estate but remains opposed to:
(a) The affordable one bed flats still being located over the
commercial hub, which is not a satisfactory living solution for

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those seeking accommodation;
(b) Access plans for the site, with the unnecessary retention of two
access roads from the site onto the B1070, close to the High
School and the Medical Centre. Inevitably this raises safety
issues for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
(c) The proposed pedestrian crossing leading to a traffic island at
the entrance to the school is also a major safety concern in itself
and whilst Suffolk County Councillor Reid (Cabinet Member for
Highways) promotes his £500k fund to provide safety for pupils
and parents at school gates in Suffolk, the East Bergholt High
School appears to be an exception with County Highways
having failed to comment on this proposal.

The Council requests that a condition be attached to ensure that all
boundaries of the application site are able to benefit in perpetuity from
tree screening
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The Council also requests that its previous extensive submissions on
this application still stand and should be taken into account in the
determination of the application.

The Chairman stressed that there is no ability to amend the outline
permission in respect of the content of the commercial hub.

DC/21/01640 Constables View, Flatford Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6UJ –
Householder Planning Application – Erection of a two-storey front
extension and installation of dormer windows to front and back.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Dent
and RESOLVED (unanimously) that no comment be submitted.

DC/21/01729 Land at Moores Lane, East Bergholt. – Sub-division of the plot into
two to offer 2no detached 4 bedroom dwellings.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock and seconded by Councillor
Allen that refusal be recommended on the grounds that two buildings
are an overdevelopment of the site; that manoeuvrability of cars would
be complex and difficult and that Moores Lane is too narrow to
accommodate vehicles to and from two additional houses.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Wombwell and seconded
by Councillor Lansdell that additional grounds be added that the
development would impinge on the 1995 Conservation Area of the
Quintons triangle, a very historic area for the village; that there would be
a harmful impact on nearby listed buildings and that there is insufficient
on site car parking provision for two four bed homes.

The proposer and seconder of the motion accepted the amendment and
the motion as amended became the substantive motion.

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In the ensuing debate further grounds for refusal were proposed and
accepted by the proposer and seconder of the substantive motion and
were added to the substantive motion. These were that the tall buildings
would have a harmful impact as a result of invasion of privacy and
overlooking upon six listed buildings within 300 yards and four listed
buildings within 200 feet; that lighting an oak tree was contrary to the
Neighbourhood Plan dark skies policy and that the proposal sits outside
the built-up area boundary.

It was RESOLVED (unanimously) that refusal be recommended on the
grounds that:
• that two buildings are an overdevelopment of the site;
• that manoeuvrability of cars would be difficult because of the
inadequate turning space.
• that Moores Lane is too narrow to accommodate vehicles to and
from two additional houses and lacks any public turning circle for
vehicles.
• that the development would impinge on the 1995 Conservation
Area of the Quintons triangle, a very historic area for the village;
• that there would be a harmful impact on nearby listed buildings
• that there is insufficient capacity for two four bed homes.
• that there is inadequate parking for visitors on site and on
Moores Lane.
• that the height of the proposed houses which are in close
proximity with views over six listed buildings situated within 300
feet can be expected to lead to a loss of privacy for those living
in the listed buildings and harm to the setting of the listed
buildings.
• that lighting an oak tree was contrary to the Neighbourhood Plan
dark skies policy
• that the proposal sits outside the built-up area boundary.

DC/21/ 01813 Wren Cottage, Gaston Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6SE –
Householder application – Erection of single storey rear and side
extensions; Erection of single storey extension to outbuilding and
creation of swimming pool. Installation of Air source heat pump
(amended scheme to approved DC/20/05370).

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Allen
and RESOLVED (eleven voted for, none voted against) that approval
be recommended.

DC/21/01814 Wren Cottage, Gaston Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6SE – Application
for Listed Building Consent – Erection of single storey rear and
side extensions and alterations; Erection of single storey
extension to outbuilding and creation of swimming pool (amended
scheme to DC/20/05371).

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Allen
and RESOLVED (eleven voted for, none voted against) that approval

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be recommended.

DC/21/01904 28 Chaplin Road, East Bergholt, CO76SR – Application for works to
trees subject to a TPO (BT102/T1) – T1 Oak – Prune back to
original pruning points from the previous point and thin out areas
of the tree not beyond 30% and remove any dead wood (Maintain
trees strength, integrity and health).

It was proposed by Councillor Eley, seconded by Councillor Roberts
and RESOLVED (unanimously) that no objection be recommended.

DC/21/01958 Tanqueray, Fiddlers Lane, East Bergholt, CO7 6SJ – Householder
Application – Erection of first floor extension over existing garage.

There was some concern that this first floor extension proposed in close
proximity to the boundary wall and a neighbouring property might affect
the neighbour’s amenity and it was proposed by Councillor Woodcock,
seconded by Councillor Eley and RESOLVED (nine vote for, none
voted against) that subject to no objection from neighbouring properties,
approval be recommended.

9.2 Planning correspondence

The correspondence received from the Local Planning Authority concerning determined
planning applications was NOTED.

10. Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee

10.1 Schedule of Payments – It was proposed by Councillor Elmer, seconded by Councillor
Roberts and RESOLVED (unanimously) that payments due for March 2021 amounting to
£8998.37 be approved.

10.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for March 2021 was
NOTED.

10.3 Informal meeting 31 March 2021 – Councillor Elmer reported on the recent informal
meeting of the Committee.

With regard to CCTV for the Sports Pavilion, Councillor Woodcock was seeking a revised
quotation to include coverage of the tennis courts and bowling green and for the system to
enable monitoring via the internet. He will report back when the revised quotation is received.

The Committee would be considering a CIL policy and Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan but
in the meantime a CIL Statement had been prepared which set out the Committee’s remit and
criteria for the allocation of CIL funds. It was proposed by Councillor Elmer, seconded by
Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the CIL statement (attached) be
approved.

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Resolution to suspend Standing Orders

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Lansdell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that pursuant to Standing Order 4.1.16, Standing Order 1.25 be suspended to
enable the meeting to continue beyond the two hour limit.

11. Other Committee Matters

11.1 Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee – No report

11.2 Burial Grounds Committee – No report.

11.3 Playing Fields Committee – Councillor Woodcock reported that an informal meeting of
the Committee had taken place on 18 March 2021 and had considered the works being
undertaken to meet the ROSPA requirements; cladding for the Sports Pavilion; Sports Field
signage; and CCTV and vandalism.

11.4 Neighbourhood Plan Committee – Councillor Cathcart reported that an informal meeting
had taken place which had covered a range of subject, including the Conservation Area;
amendment to the Neighbourhood Plan questionnaire, the need to establish when the
Neighbourhood Plan will be completed and published upon which Tony Brigden and Valerie
Ayton were developing a timeline detailing all the actions that need to take place to establish
when the Neighbourhood Plan will be finished. Communications were also under consideration
and the Committee hoped to produce a proposal for the next meeting. Councillor Roberts
pointed out that he and the Clerk had been charged with drafting the Communications policy
which had not yet been completed but he had no problems with Councillor Cathcart and Mr
Brigden developing the strategy which would sit with such policy.

12. Date of Annual General Meeting

The Clerk reported that the Regulations which had been enacted a year ago to allow remote
meetings expired on 7 May 2021. The Government was not proposing to extend the Regulations
and whilst professional bodies were seeking a declaration in the High Court that existing law
was sufficient to enable remote meetings to take place lawfully, the outcome of that would not
be known until the end of April. There was a distinct possibility that remote meetings would not
be lawful from 7 May 2021.

The Council’s Annual Meeting was scheduled for 13 May but due to coronavirus restrictions a
physical meeting could not be held until 18 May at the earliest. In the circumstances it might be
beneficial to bring the Annual Meeting forward to 6 May 2021 so that it could be held remotely.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the Annual Meeting of the Council be advanced from 13 May 2021 to 6 May
2021 and that it be held remotely.

13. Assets of Community Value

The Chairman referred to the decision letter from Babergh DC upon the Council’s Community
Nomination to list the Red Lion Car Park and Toilets in which the nomination had been rejected.
The Chairman’s letter to Babergh had been circulated and a reply was awaited.

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14. Power lines consultation; End of consultation 6 May 2021

The Chairman referred to the National Grid consultation which was taking place notwithstanding
the paucity of information contained in the plan. A lot of electricity is being generation in the
region from different sources; solar, wind and nuclear and then it is being moved from East
Anglia to the rest of the country.

The consultation centres on the route whereby the electricity is moved around. The proposal
seven years ago was to use big pylons which was fought enthusiastically and the objectors
prevailed. It was agreed the lines would go underground. The options now being proposed
include big pylons and some of the routes proposed would traverse the AONB and some may
go down the A12 which crosses the AONB. Another option would be to follow a route down the
sea.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the Council responds to the consultation by registering concern against any
option putting power lines across or impacting upon the AONB on the grounds of damage to the
landscape and from an aesthetic perspective.

15. Urgent Communications

There were no urgent communications.

16. Resolution to exclude the public (including the press)

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and the
Local Government Act 1972 Sections 100 and 102, the public (including the press) be excluded
from the meeting as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the
confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

17. Confidential Minutes of the Extraordinary Parish Council meeting of 29 March 2021

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Allen and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the confidential minutes of the extraordinary meeting of 29 March 2021 be
approved as a correct record.

18. Matters arising/updates

The Clerk advised the Council of the latest position regarding the Section 146 Notice in respect
of the Red Lion Car Park and Toilets and advice from the Council’s solicitor was considered.
Decisions were taken upon the next courses of action.

The meeting closed at 10.15 pm.

Date of the next remote Parish Council Meeting – Thursday 6 May 2021 at 7.30 pm

Chairman…………………………………………………………………………………….Date……………………………………..