Mere Parish Council

Clerks Report – October 2008

Agenda Item

7 b)  Communication from Mr. Charles Barrett regarding proposals for a viewpoint/layby on B3095 as it descends into Mere.  Mr. Barrett has written  the following letter to the Duchy of Cornwall & WCC, Highways: ‘On the B3081 road above Zigzag Hill there is a parking place which also serves as a wonderful viewpoint overlooking Cranborne Chase.  I have often wondered if such a facility could be provided on the B3095 road, on the descent into Mere, which I understand is Duchy land.  This would command a wonderful view over the Blackmore Vale towards Gillingham and Shaftesbury, also giving the public a better visual scene of the historic strip lynchets below Mere Down…..’

His response from the Duchy of Cornwall is: ‘….I agree this would provide a stunning view and I can understand the reasoning behind your suggestion.  Unfortunately, matters such as this are never easy to achieve.  The land is owned by the Duchy of Cornwall but rented in a secure agricultural tenancy so that it would require the co-operation of the farm tenant for it to be surrendered out of his agreement.  The proposal would then need planning consent which may not be straightforward bearing in mind that the land is within the Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the potential difficulty in getting good sight lines to satisfy the Highway Authority to provide safe access into and out of the site.  After this there is the question of who carries out (and pays for) the work necessary to care out and fence the parking area and make the appropriate access splay onto the road.  In principle, I don’t object to the suggestion and indeed if an appropriate site could be found I would be happy to raise the question with our farm tenant.  However, I think the other matters need to be explored first and I think it would be no bad thing to start with the Highways Authority, which would be WCC, to see what their views would be concerning site selection.  Do let me know how you get on and although it may be a long haul, you might get there eventually!’

WCC’s response is: ‘…. I note your comments and those of the Duchy of Cornwall and while I can confirm that the Highway Authority has not objection in principle to what you’re proposing, such a proposal on this classification of road would have to be submitted as a full planning application to SDC with further scrutiny from our own Development Control Team (with regard to sight lines etc), as well as from the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty team.  I am regrettably unable to predict the likely outcome of that process in the interim.  In conclusion, I would also have to advise that I am not aware that any funding is currently available within the County Council for the creation of such an amenity, although I would add that I also admire the view in question when travelling that road.’

 

Information Items

Planning Application Decisions

SDC has granted (with conditions) permission for the following:

S/2008/1285 – FULL APPLICATION – CHANGE OF USE FROM REDUNDANT DENTAL SURGERY TO DWELLING

THE OLD DENTAL SURGERY, NORTH ROAD, MERE.

S/2008/1175 – FULL APPLICATION – SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION

17 CASTLE HILL CRESCENT, MERE.

S/2008/1211 – FULL APPLICATION – ERECT NEW DWELLING & DETACHED GARAGE

LAND ADJOINING SHREENWATER, WELLHEAD, MERE

Mrs. Lindsey Wood, Parish Clerk

 

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