AMPORT PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday November 17th 2003 ^at 7.45pm at Amport School

1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Mr Neville Geake, Mrs C Mallam, Mrs S.Hammer, Mr T. Southern, Mr Ian Long, Mr George Bacon, Mrs Diana Preston
Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk) and Mrs Unwin, the village correspondent
TVBC Councillors Arnell and Lashbrook
Chairman of Thruxton and Monxton Parish Councils
Ted Hart – Highways Agency and David Hooker – Mott Mc Donald
7 members of the public.

Apologies Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mr Maurice Hardy

2. Minutes of the Previous Meetings
These were agreed and signed.

1. A303 Gap
   Ian Morrison began by thanking Ted Hart and David Hooker for attending the meeting.
   Ian Morrison stated that he felt the approach by the Highways Agency had not changed since Feb 1986. He then invited Ted Hart to give an update on the latest proposals.
   Mr Hart said the road would be temporarily closed in April 2004, due to 2 recent fatalities at the junction. It could not be closed sooner due to financial constraints. Ted Hart stated that only closure would truly show how traffic patterns would change.
   Questions were then asked by Parish and Borough Councillors.
   Several questions concerned the speed of traffic on the A303, Speed Cameras and Signage.
   Mr Hart stated that the Police would not consider speed restrictions or cameras in the area of the Junction, their advice being that the stretch of road did not warrant any restrictions as neither of the fatal accidents had been speed related.
   Several questions were related to safety, concerning the short slip roads at the Mullen Pond Junction.
   At present there have been no serious accidents at this junction, hence no changes were proposed.
   Cllr Arnell was concerned that no criteria existed for evaluating changes in traffic patterns during the temporary closure.
   Ashley Smith ( Hawk Conservancy ) was concerned that the 45,000 visitors to the Conservancy will find local routes through the villages and this will make relations with his business strained.
   Several questions were related to strategies adopted when other ‘gaps’ were closed in essence the junctions were closed and not reopened.
   In conclusion the Gap will be temporarily closed for 18 months and then an application is likely to be made for permanent closure. A bridge would cost £2m, a large portion of the annual budget for trunk roads. A tunnel would be a more expensive option.
   The Chairman of Thruxton PC asked if a further meeting after the temporary closure could be arranged.
2. The Green
   Carolyn Mallam reported that the safety matting was now in place under the senior swings.
   The Storks Nest- play equipment will be erected on Dec 8^th.
   Ian Long stated that the grant decision from Hampshire Playing fields is due on Nov 20^th.
   The Memorial Tree for Dick Aubertin was discussed. A tree already on the green, which is dying, will be replaced with a Fastigiate Oak. This work will be undertaken by Tony Darbyshire who will supply the tree and plant it. Protection from strimmers will also be provided for it and the other young trees on the green. All councillors present approved a cost of £200.
3. Village Design Statement
   The first meeting for those interested in producing a Village Design Statement is on Thurs 20^th November at the School at 8pm.
4. Amport Talkback
   It is proposed to try and increase communication throughout the Parish using e-mail and the website.
   David Preston will come to the next meeting to describe how this can happen.

1. TVN.02002/13 Erection of Summerhouse/agricultural equipment store Broad Meadow, 1 Sarsons Barns Amport     No Objection
2. TVN.02002/14 Extend residential curtilage at Sarson Farm Amport     Objection
3. TRE.CA.00587/84 Felling of 3 Pine trees Brooklands, Wiremead Lane     No objection subject to the aboriculturist.
4. TVN.03020/4 Retention of satellite dish Marigold Cottage Amport     Objection
5. TVN.02962/3 Erection of triple garage/store, with playroom over 9 Laundry Cottages Cholderton Road, Cholderton.  No Objection

1. TRE.CA.00587/81 fell 3 Yew trees and 2 Cypress trees St Mary’s Church Amport Withdrawn
2. TVN.00943/9 Erection of 2.75 metre high tennis court perimeter fence Trillick Furzedown Lane Amport Permission
3. TVN.08741/1 Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement 5 bedroom dwelling/use as residential land Downfield East Cholderton Permission
4. TVN.06792/2 Pipers Hill Farm Siting of mobile home for agricultural worker Planning Appeal

The following cheques were presented, approved and signed by Ian Morrison and Diana Preston

S A Hoare monthly salary                      £203.50
Tony Darbyshire clearance of footpath     £50.00
Audit Commission annual audit               £120.00
D E Pasque grass cutting on the green   £663.30
A budget update will be presented at the December meeting

Twinning, this will be monitored in case PC input is required.
Payphones, it is likely that the telephone in Sarson lane will be removed; a 42-day consultation period has commenced.
Monxton Parish Council are proposing to rename the village hall Amport and Monxton Village Hall, they would like to broaden the fundraising base. This to become an agenda item.

1. George Bacon reported that speeding concerns outside the school have been overcome.
2. Tim Southern displayed photographs of Stroud’s Field he has taken over the last 20 months
3. Neville Geake asked that Monxton PC be informed of any planning applications made by Mr Beattie.
4. Diana Preston passed on info gained at a recent meting regarding fire alarms, which have a battery life of 10 years; this kind of information would be ideal for the talkback project.
5. Ian Long passed on comments about the bright lights at the Amport Inn, these stay on until 2am. This to be an Agenda item next time.
   Helicopter noise was also sited as a problem in the Village, George Bacon offered to investigate this issue.
   Ian Long reported that some villagers now felt the amplified music guideline was too strict, this will become an agenda item again.

Meeting Closed at 9.57pm

Date of next meeting Monday 8^th December at 7.45pm at the School.