Present:- Marshall Ferguson - chair, Barrie Woolley, Tim Fox, Lucy Fox, Terri Meechan, Paul Seaton, Mark Thompson, Ailsa Dempster, Stan Heggs (CC), Phil Bromhall (BC), Andy Royle, John Hindle - clerk, Les. Tobin & Brian Ward ( Park Lodge Farms), Simon Smith ( Smith, Stuart, Reynolds), Annabel Haigh (Corus), Mike Deene-Hall (Headmaster), Kerry Greenan (Public).

Apologies:- Vic Clark

The Meeting was addressed by Les. Tobin and Simon Smith who outlined their plans for land to the east of Southfield Roan including an area cur.rent1y owned by Corus. The total plot is around six acres. Planning permission for mineral extraction is ongoing until the year 2042. Their proposals are:

(i) to build 100 houses including affordable and sheltered units,

(ii) to provide land for relocation of the School,

(iii) to provide land and £300,000 towards relocation of the Village Hall,

(iv) to provide a wildlife area and open spaces

(v) to discuss with County Highways a scheme for road improvements and enhancement including traffic calming on existing roans,

(vi) to relinquish all mineral rights to the area.

The above proposals are considered by the developers to be of great benefit to the village. In the event of not gaining the support if the Parish Council they would proceed to an immediate Planning Application and let the Inspector decide as they are aware that the land is outside the village envelope. If all fails they will proceed to quarry the land. Timescale for the development is after 2010.

The presentation concluded and councillors were invited to comment and raise questions. These included:

(i) in view of the Planning permission already granted to the Avenue Farm development ( 60 houses) this proposal would increase the village size by a third,

(ii) the village is already experiencing a heavy traffic problem. The proposals were not sufficiently in place to ease this; in fact the development would add considerably to traffic density with no prospect of alleviation,

(iii) the School would need to expand before 2010 in view of the Avenue Farm development

(iv) the Village Hall could have been rebuilt by 2010 and may not survive beyond this date if funding already applied for does not materia1ise,

(v) the Village Plan reflected villagers' views of no growth on present limits,

(vi) Corby BC have stated that applications to build outside the boundary would only be considered in special circumstances,

(vii) The threat of quarrying had to be taken seriously. However, the worst effects may be alleviated if hydraulic removal of stone was employed and lorries were not directed through the village.

The representatives of Park Lodge Farms and Corus left the meeting. It was decided to write setting out the village concerns but emphasising councillors' lack of ability to assess the full environmental impact of the project

Chairman reminded Councillors to declare an interest where appropriate.

Report from Borough Councillor:

Phil Bromhall raised the possibility of Formula 3 racing at Rockingham Speedway. No information was currently available.

Report from County Councillor:

Stan Heggs reported that the Travellers' site on Gretton Brook Road had been sold to Corby BC for £1.

County Council have agreed that the A43 from Kettering to Northampton will be Dual Carriageway.

The Government White Paper on local democracy will be discussed by county councillors and borough councillors on 9th January.

Stan is in favour of more powers being delegated to parish councils on such services as grasscutting and highway maintenance.

Minutes of the Meeting on 11th December 2006 were accepted as a true record and duly signed.

Correspondence: Letters from:- Phil Hope detailing health problems. Clerk to write with good wishes from the PC.

Corby BC on smoke- free legislation. Ted Greaves to hold an Open Session for all interested parties on Tuesday 17th April in the Village Hall at 7.3Opm.

Corby BC re Parish elections on 3rd May.

Letters to:meeting:- Corby BC Planning Dept. on five small schemes from last

Edwin Kerfoot accepting his quotation for the installation of fans in the Sports Club Changing rooms.

Circulation:

Parish Crime Report for November 2006

CorbyBC Development Control Cmttee Agenda - 19th December 2006

Parish Council Minutes for Cottingham and Weldon Also Available:

RockinghamForest Trust offering small grants

East Midlands Regional Plans

Community Planning Network News

Glasdon Local Authority Catalogue <>Waymarker Footpath Guide

Clerks & Councils Direct Magazine

Police Authority Spending Document

Minutes of the Meeting with P. Neale, Corby Environmental Officer bad been circulated to Councillors and displayed on the Parish Notice Board.

Subsequent to this meeting and in response to pressure from G.R.EA T. the refurbishment of the Travellers' site on Gretton Brook Road would go ahead as originally planned i.e. the travellers to move to land behind their site while refurbishment took place and then to return. This site to remain under current conditions ie no businesses to be operated thereon and no extra tree removal. The new site on Phoenix Parkway/Gretton Brook Road is awaiting funding. This, site will allow travellers in transit to stay for limited periods.

Kerry Greenan reported that the 'Speedwatch' campaign had failed to gain enough signatures required to train volunteers on the use of speed guns. Vehicles routinely speed on the Corby Road approaches to the village and action is required. The next Newsletter will carry a piece to inform residents and ask for support. The hedge at the junction of Kirby Road and Caistor Road was identified as a traffic hazard. Council to discuss with owner.

Village Plan:

Aspects of the earlier proposals were again discussed with additional traffic being a major concern. Councillors felt that the Village Plan is in place for just such planning issues.

Suzanne Preston, Rural Pride Officer at Corby BC and ACRE have requested attendance at a future meeting to discuss Parish Plans.

New Sewer Connection:

In view of the problems with the sewer from the Sports Club, PC consider it advantageous to explore the possibility of linking in to the new sewer laid at the development off Kirby Road. Clerk to write to Gordon Chapman to discuss possibilities.

Planning:- 06/00272/3/DPA/CAC - Demolition of Barn and Wall and erection of new house - 96, High Street.

PC reiterates its long held views relating to traffic congestion near a busy junction i.e. Kirby Road/Corby Road. This scheme would involve the removal of a stone wall and the re-siting of a telegraph pole and School sign within the conservation area of the village.

06/00407/8/DPA/LBC - Revised Parking Bay, 12/16, Station Road

No observations

Northants cc - Corby Northern Orbital Road linking Steel Road (junc. with A43) to new junction with Mitchell Road/Phoenix Parkway.

No observations

Any Other Business:

Drain Blockage at the top of Lyddington Road to be reported to the Street Doctor.

Production of the Newsletter seems to be down to two per year. Clerk to discuss with Neville Rumbelow.

The Fun Run on 1st April is being organised by the Village Hall Committee. Participants can choose from a range of village activities for sponsorship.

The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Monday 12th March in the Village Hall.