Notes of the Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 7th June 2000

Present

Those present were Chairman, Cllr Aves, V/Chairman Cllr Lambert; Cllrs Summers, Pearson, Robinson, Harrison and Moseley; also C/Cllr Fitch.

Matters arising

Philip Sharpe from County Highways had replied to a letter requesting a foot/cyclepath be made to avoid using the old railway bridge between Reach and Swaffham Prior. He said that the bridge would have to be demolished before the path could be made as he considered any other solution unsafe.

Councillors asked that he reconsider in view of the timescale involved (the project is at the bottom of a long list) suggesting that the bridge be left and the footpath be made to leave the highway and re-enter some distance
from the bridge.

Clerk had spoken to CALC regarding the safety of the portable goalposts used on the playing field. It was decided to make the goalposts so that they could be anchored firmly into the ground. There is to be a sponsored 5-a-side football tournament on the playing field in August.

Correspondence

Burwell PC had written about the 'inconsiderate parking' on Fair Day following a complaint from a Burwell resident. Clerk to write apologising and explaining that the bad weather had made the planned car park unsuitable for parking on the day.

Reach matters

A planning application to convert a barn into residential accommodation from John Cole, Hill Farm, Fair Green was discussed. Councillors were unhappy about the access, the possible over-looking of neighbours' properties and the fact that there did not appear to be a garden. Clerk to write asking for more information and requesting a comprehensive plan showing the overall future use of the site.
A planning application from Philip Lewis of Fair Green to convert attic space into a bathroom and bedroom was not objected to.

Planning Procedure

Councillors discussed planning procedure generally following a letter of complaint from a resident who had been unhappy with the way a neighbour's planning application had been dealt with by the PC. Although the District Council put up notices outside the house of any proposed application, inform neighbours of the application, and the Clerk posts notices in the Parish notice board, it seems that residents still do not feel properly informed. It was decided that if either the applicant or objector contact the Clerk with a view to attending a Parish meeting when the plans are discussed the other party should be invited to attend. At the meeting each would be given two minutes to read a prepared statement.

Buses

The early morning Newmarket to Cambridge bus had been re-routed so that it no longer came through Reach. Cllr Fitch was trying to get it re-instated.
Cllr Robinson commented on the lack of buses to Ely, considering that the city is our administrative centre.