Brigg Town Council is the first link in the planning process - it's members don't have the power to give the green light to applications in our community. But - by law - they must be consulted. And they are able to make their views known to North Lincolnshire planners before any decision is reached. Not that the unitary authority is legally bound to take such local opinion onboard.
Most applications go through Brigg Town Council without any objections being raised, or comments made.
So this week's meeting, in the Angel Suite, was very unusual, as three of the four applications listed prompted observations.
Let's get the 'no problem' one out of the way first: Planning permission to erect an extension to 10 Woodbine Avenue presented no difficulties at all.
However, there were some concerns about Thomas Bell and Son's retrospective application to retain four storage containers at its Bigby Road premises, near the level crossing.
Coun Penny Smith suggested the containers were "quite visible now there are no leaves on the trees." Describing Thomas Bell as "a very good and popular retailer" she said the containers would be better placed side by side. Deputy Town Mayor Coun Ben Nobbs felt them to be "out of keeping with the rest of the area".
Town councillors were also unhappy about North Lincolnshire Homes' application to change the use of one of the Ancholme Gardens dwellings in Cadney Road/Elwes Street to office use. The meeting heard suggestions that the organisation now operating the area's former council house stock intends to use this facility as a base in the event of some sort of "disaster" situation arising locally.
Coun Smith pointed to a long waiting list for housing and did not feel that would be helped by turning a dwelling over to office use.
Coun Jane Kitching then questioned North Lincolnshire Homes' wisdom in suggesting a base so near to the Old River Ancholme, which might flood.
Coun Julian Kidd agreed with her about the location, suggesting: "Surely they could find somewhere else!" Again, North Lincolnshire planners will be informed of town councillors' reservations.
Finally, our representatives decided they needed more time to consider an application to retain a timber extension at 12 Birch Avenue - after Coun Bell pointed out a reference on the plan to a 'child balcony' about which they had no other information.
During the meeting, Coun Bell made several strong attacks on the Government's planning system allowing retrospective applications to be made for buildings already in place. At times, she suggested, the process was becoming 'a joke'. She felt all plans should be submitted, and approved, before anything was allowed to be built.
However, Coun Tom Glossop pointed out that although some might see retrospective applications as 'morally wrong' they were still permitted under current procedures laid out by the Government.
I bet none of the Disaster Contingency Plans' places of safety are outside Brigg!
ReplyDeleteBrigg is not a very big place..what happens if the disaster encompasses the places of safety?
For a town like Brigg, I would have thought that refuge stations and etc would have been dispersed to include such places as Scawby and Wrawby Villages halls and schools....and vice-versa ie displaced Scawbs going to places in Brigg.
For example, what happens if the disaster cuts of the water and/or power supply and blocks the sewers to the whole town?
Going to a dispersed refuge would at least improve the chances of keeping warm, having light a mug of tea and a...read the paper in peace!
Anyone remember Civil Defence - now defunct for many yearrs? I did my Gold 'Service' at a CD depot many moons ago. We were taught never to cluster rescue equipment or refuge posts, but to spread them about in various approriate places - one runs the risk of losing everything at a stroke, or having to move a mass of people, with the complication of first-aid, adminstration etc, en-masse. Keep in managable groups.
Alternatively, one could be like a squirrel and bury emergency disaster rations in holes in a various field! And give everyone a map.
The solution to these problems is so simple.
ReplyDeleteNorth Lincs Homes should relocate a short hop across the river to the Ancholme Rowing Club building , thus in the event of flooding there would be more than ample boats,kayaks etc.available for emergency use.
Thomas Bell could plant evergreens rather than deciduous trees thus eradicating the Autumn Fall.
The Birch balcony could be classed as a goverment observation post in case of flooding thus giving them the right to a retrospective planning application.
Simples !!