(1) Motion 520 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 March 2015)
The following motion had been referred to the Cabinet for consideration and report:
That this Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for DCLG to ask that when setting out national planning policy the following issues are taken in to consideration.
There is evidence that developers are now buying up old properties in villages and seeking permission to redevelop those sites to obtain a maximum return. By demolishing the existing building and replacing it with more than one house, or alternatively a much larger house, they are creating major problems for existing neighbours.
The first concern is building too close to boundary walls or undermining those walls. It appears that any redress in these cases is via the Party Wall Act and has to be dealt with by a civil action. This entails the neighbour taking legal action which can be long drawn out and costly to fund just to protect their property. If they do not have the funds then they cannot take action. Many people are reluctant to take legal action or are unaware that they could take this route.
The second concern is about rights of access.
It is not uncommon in villages for access to have been taken for granted over hundreds of years, with no thought given to ensuring it was protected in law. Development of the land can interfere with historic rights and those who enjoyed access have to resort to civil action at their own expense to maintain their rights. Some of those properties have been passed down through family members without the access rights being formalised.
The Cabinet at its meeting on 4 June considered the proposal and recommended that it be rejected.
(2) Motion 521 (Councillor Mrs N Woollatt 25 May 2015)
The Council have before it a MOTION submitted for the first time.
That this council writes to the relevant minister to
urge the Government to adopt a similar policy to that recently
introduced in France and Belgium whereby it is now illegal for
supermarkets over a certain size to destroy discarded food and must
donate food fit for human consumption to charities and other food
waste to other methods of recycling such as animal feed, composting
or waste to energy. Furthermore, that any such policy also
be extended to include food
manufacturers and producers.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, the Chairman of the Council has decided to allow this Motion (if moved and seconded) to be dealt with at this meeting.
(3) Motion 522 (Councillor Mrs N Woollatt 25 May 2015)
The Council have before it a MOTION submitted for the first time.
That this council explores what options may be available to it to introduce a local policy in Mid Devon requiring supermarkets, food manufacturers and producers over a certain size to donate discarded food fit for human consumption to charities and other food waste to other methods of recycling such as animal feed, composting or waste to energy.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, this Motion (if moved and seconded) will be referred without discussion to the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group
Minutes:
(1) Motion 520 (Councillor Mrs J Roach – 11 March 2015)
The following motion had been referred to the Cabinet for consideration and report:
That this Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for DCLG to ask that when setting out national planning policy the following issues are taken in to consideration.
There is evidence that developers are now buying up old properties in villages and seeking permission to redevelop those sites to obtain a maximum return. By demolishing the existing building and replacing it with more than one house, or alternatively a much larger house, they are creating major problems for existing neighbours.
The first concern is building too close to boundary walls or undermining those walls. It appears that any redress in these cases is via the Party Wall Act and has to be dealt with by a civil action. This entails the neighbour taking legal action which can be long drawn out and costly to fund just to protect their property. If they do not have the funds then they cannot take action. Many people are reluctant to take legal action or are unaware that they could take this route.
The second concern is about rights of access.
It is not uncommon in villages for access to have been taken for granted over hundreds of years, with no thought given to ensuring it was protected in law. Development of the land can interfere with historic rights and those who enjoyed access have to resort to civil action at their own expense to maintain their rights. Some of those properties have been passed down through family members without the access rights being formalised.
The Cabinet at its meeting on 4 June considered the proposal and recommended that it be rejected.
Following discussion, and in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.6(a) Councillor Mrs J Roach requested that the Motion be amended to remove reference to planning policy and therefore the Motion would state :
That this Council resolves to write to the Secretary of State for DCLG to seek consideration of the following issues:
There is evidence that developers are now buying up old properties in villages and seeking permission to redevelop those sites to obtain a maximum return. By demolishing the existing building and replacing it with more than one house, or alternatively a much larger house, they are creating major problems for existing neighbours.
The first concern is building too close to boundary walls or undermining those walls. It appears that any redress in these cases is via the Party Wall Act and has to be dealt with by a civil action. This entails the neighbour taking legal action which can be long drawn out and costly to fund just to protect their property. If they do not have the funds then they cannot take action. Many people are reluctant to take legal action or are unaware that they could take this route.
The second concern is about rights of access.
It is not uncommon in villages for access to have been taken for granted over hundreds of years, with no thought given to ensuring it was protected in law. Development of the land can interfere with historic rights and those who enjoyed access have to resort to civil action at their own expense to maintain their rights. Some of those properties have been passed down through family members without the access rights being formalised.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
2) Motion 521 (Councillor Mrs N Woollatt 25 May 2015)
The Council have before it a MOTION submitted for the first time.
That this council writes to the relevant minister to urge the Government to adopt a similar policy to that recently introduced in France and Belgium whereby it is now illegal for supermarkets over a certain size to destroy discarded food and must donate food fit for human consumption to charities and other food waste to other methods of recycling such as animal feed, composting or waste to energy. Furthermore, that any such policy also be extended to include food manufacturers and producers.
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor Mrs N Woollatt and seconded by Councillor Mrs J Roach.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, the Chairman of the Council had ruled that this Motion to be dealt with at this meeting.
Following debate and in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.6(a) Councillor N Woollatt requested that the Motion be amended to remove reference to animal feed and therefore the Motion would state:
That this council writes to the relevant minister to urge the Government to adopt a similar policy to that recently introduced in France and Belgium whereby it is now illegal for supermarkets over a certain size to destroy discarded food and must donate food fit for human consumption to charities and other food waste to other methods of recycling such as composting or waste to energy. Furthermore, that any such policy also be extended to include food manufacturers and producers.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
3) Motion 522 (Councillor Mrs N Woollatt 25 May 2015)
The Council have before it a MOTION submitted for the first time.
That this council explores what options may be available to it to introduce a local policy in Mid Devon requiring supermarkets, food manufacturers and producers over a certain size to donate discarded food fit for human consumption to charities and other food waste to other methods of recycling such as animal feed, composting or waste to energy.
The MOTION was MOVED by Councillor Mrs N Woollatt and seconded by Councillor Mrs J Roach.
In accordance with Procedure Rule 13.4, the Chairman of the Council had ruled that this MOTION STAND REFERRED to the Managing the Environment Policy Development Group.