Minutes of a Town Council meeting held on Monday, 4th August 2025

Minutes of a meeting of Mere Town Council held on Monday, 4^th August 2025 at 7.00 pm at Duchy Manor, Springfield Road, Mere, Wiltshire.  BA12 6EW. 

Present:  Present:  Councillors Sandra Catley (Chair), Rachael Hansford (Vice-Chair), Debbie Beale, Aubrey Colman, Sam Dean, Clive Hazzard, George Jeans & John Jordan

Public Participation Session

Robert Hopkins spoke in favour of his planning application PL/2025/05709

David Hytch pointed out that there was potential for various developments to take place at the same time along Pettridge Lane along with the development at Woodlands Road and said that if this were to happen then it could create a significant problem.

David Hytch also spoke about accessibility for people from Woodlands Road to get into the centre of town and said that it was difficult for people in wheelchairs and with other disabilities and felt that with the additional houses coming to Woodlands Road the Town Council might want to have a discussion with the Highways Authority about this.

Nick Gosse spoke about his concerns for traffic along Shaftesbury Road/Pettridge Lane and said that he would like to see a 20mph speed limit.

Reports from local police representatives

• None present

58. Apologies for absence received from Cllrs. Nick Beale, Philip Coward, Rodney Coward, Ray Hill, Glen Ings, Alan Mead and Steven Pester.

59. To receive any declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and other interests from Councillors on matters to be considered at the meeting.

• Jeans declared a pecuniary interest in Minute Ref: 62 a) Payments (recipient)

60. Planning
61. a) Applications for consultation response:

Cllr. Hazzard said that although this bungalow might be a better build than the Class Q barn conversion that has approval, it should be remembered that permission was only granted under Class Q because it was for a barn that was built prior to 2015.  If you put an application in to build a house in the open countryside then it would not be permitted.  It was pointed out that this application is proposing to site the bungalow adjacent to the farmyard rather than being out in the open countryside as per the previous application.  It was also pointed out that the approval of the barn conversion was subject to an agricultural tie.

Cllr. Debbie Beale proposed that the application should be refused on the grounds that this is a proposed new build bungalow that will be in the countryside and not within the housing policy boundary of Mere and the planning application makes no mention of an agricultural occupancy.  This proposal was seconded by Cllr. Colman but received no further votes.

Cllr. Rachael Hansford proposed that the application is recommended for approval subject to the following conditions:

1. The occupation of the dwelling shall be limited to a person solely or mainly working or last working at the agricultural enterprise known as The Acorns, Barrow Street, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6AB or a widow or widower of such a person, and to any resident dependants.
2. This alternative scheme should only be approved if it is a replacement for the Class Q Barn Conversion and should therefore be subject to a condition that the barn is demolished.

Proposal seconded by Cllr. Sam Dean and carried with a vote of 3 for, 2 objections and 2 abstentions.

Cllr. Rachael Hansford’s proposal was then put forward as a substantive motion, seconded by Cllr. Sam Dean and carried with a vote of 3 for, 2 objections and 2 abstentions.  [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

Cllr. Jordan said that he had looked at the site and confirmed that the extension was on the north side and therefore unlikely to cause a loss of light to neighbours.  Cllr. Colman expressed concern that this would create a 4-bedroom house with only 1 parking space.  Cllr. Jordan proposed that the application be recommended for approval.  Proposal seconded by Cllr. Rachael Hansford and carried with a vote of 4 for, 1 against and 2 abstentions.  [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

Cllr. Jordan pointed out that accepting infill housing might prevent us from having to accept large developments on greenfield sites but I feel it might be overdevelopment to squeeze two dwellings in plus a new vehicular access off Pettridge Lane.  Cllr. Jeans pointed out that the footprint for the three houses on this site would be larger than the footprint of the three bungalows opposite.  Cllr. Hazzard said that the site is very large and there is enough space to accommodate the extra two houses without them appearing cramped. However, he felt that the new vehicular access was a major issue.  Cllr. Rachael Hansford felt that access would be created at a point where the lane is narrowed by a wall on the opposite side.  Cllr. Debbie Beale pointed out that there had been a lot of conversations about extra traffic coming along Pettridge Lane.

Cllr. Hazzard proposed that the application be recommended for approval subject to the Highways Authority being happy with the access.  Seconded by Chair but not carried with a vote of 2 for, 4 against and 2 abstentions.

Cllr. Colman proposed that the Town Council should object on the grounds that it is overdevelopment and the vehicular access is inappropriate.  Seconded by Cllr. Dean and carried with a vote of 3 for, 2 against and 3 abstentions. [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

Cllr. Debbie Beale said that she was disappointed to note that Redcliffe Homes had not included solar panels within the development despite the Town Council expressing its wish for this.  She also pointed out that houses have a lifespan of around 70 years because of their timber construction and she said that despite the fact that they had mentioned swift bricks, she was disappointed to find no mention of this in the documents submitted.  She felt that the design of the houses was not in keeping.  Cllr. Colman felt that the development was what Mere needed for its future with its mix of housing types, EV chargers, garages, bike sheds and heat pumps.  The Clerk pointed out that this was a Reserved Matters Application and therefore the Town Council could not impose any conditions or requirements upon the application relating to infrastructure as that would have been done during the Outline Planning stage.  Cllr. Hansford said that she was pleased that there was a mix of housing with 41 mixed dwellings to go on the open market and 17 mixed dwellings as affordable homes and felt that this was what Mere needed.  Cllr. Hazzard proposed that the application should be recommended for approval with the recommendation that a Routing & Traffic Management Plan for the construction is produced and that the Town Council is given the opportunity for liaison in this Routing & Traffic Management Plan.  Proposal seconded by Cllr. Colman and carried with a vote of 5 for, 1 against and 1 abstentions.  [In order not to compromise his position as Wiltshire Councillor, Cllr. Jeans abstained from voting on this matter.]

RESOLVED to recommend the above application for approval.

61. Buildings, Open Spaces, Play Areas, Sports Grounds, Car Parks, Allotments & Cemeteries
62. a) Charitable & Community Lettings – Letters and terms of abatement from the Duchy of Cornwall reducing our rent for Castle Hill and Allotment Lands in Mere to one peppercorn [i.e. £nil] – The Clerk read out a letter written by the Duchy of Cornwall saying that they were reviewing their arrangements in relation to community and charity lettings. Members were very pleased to hear this and authorised the Chair and Vice-Chair to sign the formal agreements.
63. b) To authorise signature of Lease of office suite at Duchy Manor + Landlord’s warning notice and declaration. – RESOLVED to authorise the Chair and Vice-Chair to sign the formal documents.

62. Finance, Policy & Resources

*a)  Payments – RESOLVED to authorise payments as detailed in the schedule of payments (attached)

63. Future meetings and events
64. a) VJ Day – 15^th August – the Clerk confirmed that a small wreath laying event would be taking place at the War Memorial at 12 noon.
65. b) Health & Wellbeing Event Mere – from 12 pm on 25^th September in the Lecture Hall, Mere – The Clerk asked councillors to either confirm with her or with Karen Linaker direct whether or not they would be attending this event.

Meeting closed at 8.00 pm

Approved at Mere Town Council meeting held on 1^st September

2025

Signed:                                                                                                                                                                 Chair of meeting.

Signed by the Chair of the meeting