Minutes of the Remote General Meeting of the Penally Community Council held on June 15 via Zoom: In consideration of the Covid 2020 Act and the holding of Community Council meetings remotely - Clr. P Bradbury proposed that the Community Council should hold General Meetings and Committee Meetings by the use of video-conferencing, or tele-conferencing until restrictions are relaxed sufficiently to allow normal face-to-face meetings.

The protocol for such meetings, as circulated, to be adopted for the duration of the restrictions and should override Standing Orders where relevant; Cllr Rilstone seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement.

To receive Ms Snow’s Declaration of Office

Ms Snow read the Declaration of Office and took a seat as Councillor to Penally Community Council. Clr. Snow was welcomed by the chair, Clr. P Bradbury, and all councillors to Penally Community Council.

Chairman’s Report

Clr. P Bradbury thanked Clr. Neal and his wife Judy Williams for all their sterling efforts and actions keeping everyone on their Penally Community emailing list connected and ensuring they receive any help that may be required. Cllr P Bradbury also thanked the Clerk for ensuring that the Council remains fully compliant in any actions that have been taken during the Government imposed restrictions.

Planning Applications

a) 20/0109/CA – Clifton Cottage, Penally: Construct new dwelling. Demolish part of West boundary stone wall and rebuild to form splayed access from main road.

b) 20/0042/PA - Plot adjoining Clifton Cottage: Construct new dwelling.

It was agreed by the Council that planning applications a) and b) be considered as one but the response be forwarded to both Planning Officers.

Following discussion and consideration of the letter received from a concerned member of the public, Clr. Robinson proposed that Penally Community Council request the Planning Authority consider refusing this planning application taking into account the considerations as listed below; Clr. Williams- James seconded the proposal with all Councillors eligible to vote, voting in favour of the proposal.

Planning considerations for this application were listed as follows:

• Boundary Wall to the West - This is an ancient stone wall and will require removal and partial replacement to allow access to the proposed new site.

• Access - The proposed new entrance to the site is to be onto the narrow road running through the village near a blind bend, on a bus route with non-restricted vehicle parking.

• Neighbouring Property - Consideration to the fact of overdevelopment of site and surrounding area.

• Conservation Area - The proposed development is shown within the Conservation Area Boundary and although the new development is “of its time” the Council consider that the modern construction materials of Zinc roofs and composite side panels do not fit into a traditional village landscape.

• Documentation inconsistencies - The location plan and concept does not show any of the recent developments built in the area around the proposal.

Two statements made on the planning application, regarding the shielding of the proposed new property from neighbours and the village itself, blatantly contradict each other.

c) 20/0108/PA - Woodlands, Penally: Replacement dwelling and new garage

d) 20/0109/CA - Woodlands: Replacement dwelling and new garage.

It was agreed by the Council that planning applications c) and d) be considered as one but the response be forwarded to both Planning Officers.

Following discussion and consideration of the planning applications, Clr. Rilstone proposed that Penally Community Council advise the Planning Authority that Penally Community Council support the redevelopment of this sight but request that the design of the proposed new building be refused planning permission taking into account the considerations below; Clr. Robinson seconded the proposal with all Council in full agreement.

Planning considerations for this application were listed as follows:

• Conservation Area - The proposed new, replacement dwelling is shown within the Conservation Area Boundary and the Council consider that the modern construction materials are unacceptable within a traditional village landscape.

• Setting Precedence - The Council consider that this modern design is not acceptable in the quaint, historic Village of Penally, with the proposed building materials being of a none traditional nature again not in keeping with the surrounding buildings nor village as a whole.

County Councillor Jon Preston’s report

All council meetings are now being held virtually so the process of democratic decision making has been restored after a short delay due to the pandemic. The community hub is working well with almost all cases for support being made via the hub. Local requests for assistance from volunteers have reduced as more people become aware of the services being provided by PCC.

The Council Leader continues to provide regular updates on the Covid-19 situation in Pembrokeshire.

Key points are the RNLI reviewing lifeguard provision on Pembrokeshire beaches, public toilets are being opened via a phased approach and beach users are to remember social distancing advice and to take their litter home with them. Pembrokeshire schools re-opening information can be found on the councils website: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-guidance/children-and-schools- transition-to-the-new-normal

Railway station car park - The railway station car park has now been re-opened. However, except for the Penally section, the coast path closures remain in place to conform with the restrictions on travel movements imposed by Welsh government.

One of the key reasons for closing the coast path was to deter visitors from travelling from other regions of Wales and the UK during the national lockdown and the difficulties people would have maintaining social distancing along narrow sections of the coast path.

There is also a need to reduce the risk of injury during a time when the emergency services are under additional pressure. While travel is only permitted within a 5-mile zone, PCNPA do not consider it appropriate to reopen the coast path now.

PCNPA appreciate that this may be disappointing for some local communities but the remainder of the public rights of way network is open, as are the beaches.

The Welsh Government was due to review the restrictions on June 19 and the accordingly the national park authority will be monitoring the situation to determine the implications for the temporary closure of the Coast Path.

Non-essential travel - Visitors continue to travel to private holiday accommodation in the locality despite the lockdown restrictions in Wales.

I receive an average of four reports a week from worried residents in the ward and the surrounding area.

All we can do is report the arrivals and the Police can follow reports up and, in some instances, call at the property.

Some Police units have been successful in asking people to return to their main residence, but they cannot enforce them to do so.

This has caused significant distress to some vulnerable people in the wider community where visitors are travelling to holiday accommodation every weekend since lockdown.

Anti-social behaviour - There remains a serious problem with anti-social behaviour by some members of the community. As a landlord PCC have limited powers due to the Welsh government Covid-19 rules for landlords.

However, PCC receives a daily update from Dyfed Powys Police, including what action (if any) was taken. I have had assurance from the local authority that they take anti-social behaviour very seriously and there are multiple organisations involved in dealing with such matters.

Those affected should contact the police on 101 and record evidence preferably with the PCC noise application.

Holloway Court Bus Stop - Household rubbish is being put in the Holloway Court bus stop bin which has caused it to overflow on at least one occasion. A local resident has witnessed one person putting household waste into the bin which I have noted. I will monitor the situation at this stage but if the bin continues to be misused then the remedial action PCC will take will be to remove the bin.

Lilly Pond Farm - I presented a case to the PCNPA regarding the planning application at Lilly Pond Farm, Whitewell Lane at their recent planning committee virtual online meeting. I made it clear that I would have preferred to have been able to give my full support to this application, but unfortunately, I could not.

The applicant had previously invited me to a site visit, but I did not consider this appropriate after the development had started without planning permission.

Planning legislation is in place to, amongst other things protect the environment. I accept that we are dealing with a climate emergency and sustainable living is key to us achieving significant reductions in global pollution.

However, despite some merits of the application It caused what can only be described as outrage amongst the local community due to the removal of 14 metres of ancient hedge bank along Whitewell lane.

According to the agents report the assessment was carried out by the applicant who deemed the hedge bank to be low in plant species diversity and in poor health despite it having stood for a significant number of years. I am not aware of any qualification the applicant had to make such an assessment.

I also brought the committee’s attention to the Sandford Principle which was updated in the 1995 Environment Act which states ‘where there is conflict between conservation and public enjoyment, then conservation interest should take priority’.

Despite this the committee voted in support of the development. The Sandford principle was also referred to during the Brynhir housing development planning application which the committee supported.

I am now minded to write to the planning inspectorate at Welsh Government and question the effectiveness of the PCNPA having an Act which refers to a principle which has largely been ignored.

Reports from Council Committees

Clr. C Bradbury (on behalf of the Grounds Sub Committee) reported that: She had planted various plants and flowers on the Village Green; The picnic area had been swept and cleaned of all rubbish; A rubbish pick has been scheduled along the Village Bypass The hedges on the village Green have been trimmed by councillors C and P Bradbury and the cuttings will be removed when Smart Gardens are next in the area.

Agenda Items

Update regarding the Penally Community Council purchasing information boards for erection in Penally Village - no information at this point in time, the Clerk to make contact with the Penally History Group.

Date of next meeting

Penally Community Council will endeavour to return to their normal meeting day ie second Wednesday of each month and hold remote meetings, using Zoom, until the Welsh Government imposed restrictions are lifted and face to face meetings can resume.

The next remote meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 8 at 6 pm.