VOWCHURCH & DISTRICT GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Michaelchurch Escley, Newton, St Margarets, Turnastone, Vowchurch.
Minutes of the Vowchurch & District Group Parish Council meeting held on
Thursday 19th February 2026 at 7.30pm in Escley Sports pavilion, Michaelchurch Escley.
PRESENT – Councillors E May (Chair), I Chadwick, A Picton, T Smith, K Price and D Cross.
IN ATTENDANCE – Ward Councillor Engel and Mrs L Cowles (Clerk).
- ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Councillors, E Williams, J Kernahan, S Craddock, A Mason and the Police.
- RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & CONSIDER ANY WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION – There were no declarations of interests or written requests for dispensation.
- ADOPT MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – 15th January 2026 – The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.
- OPEN DISCUSSION – No members of the public attended the meeting therefore no specific points were raised.
- REPORTS
5.1 Local Police – The local police were unable to attend the meeting but reported via the Clerk that there had been no reports of thefts, burglaries, etc in the Parish since the last meeting on 15th January.
5.2 Ward Councillor – Ward Councillor Engel reported on the major problems with potholes not only in this group of parishes but in the county in general. £7million pounds of funding has been lost in rural communities to give funding in urban areas.
There has been extreme weather, and everyone is trying their hardest to rectify the problems, please report any urgent problems to Councillor Engel directly. The new contractor should be better, and Herefordshire Council will have more control. Many people do not want a new by-pass and would prefer to see the roads we already have better maintained. Councillors commented that there seems to be a lack of repair and when they were repaired the workmanship had been appalling.
Ward Councillor Engel left the meeting
5.3 Lengthsman report – The lengthsman was unable to attend the meeting. It was noted that the roads locally are generally in a poor state of repair. - CLERKS UPDATE – The Clerk reminded Councillors about the Parish Summit on 3rd March at Plough Lane or there is an option to attend virtually.
Dore Community Transport and thanked the Parish Council for the recent donation.
Confirmation received that footpaths SM14 and SM15 have officially been diverted.
There has been a complaint about hedge cutting in Vowchurch.
The Traffic Regulation Order on the C1206 has unfortunately been put back until at least May 2026. Herefordshire Council has recently advised that Balfour Beatty will be unable to complete the works before the end of their current contract period. Since then, alternative routes for commissioning the works have been explored. Unfortunately, it now appears that the scheme is unlikely to progress through the framework until at least May 2026. The Parish Council has been assured that every effort will be made to deliver the scheme at the earliest opportunity.
Following contact with Jesse Norman MP, the Parish Council has received a response from the Managing Director of Water Services at Welsh Water. In the response, Welsh Water confirmed that they are aware of the issues being experienced locally and offered a sincere apology for the repeated disruption to the local water supply. The matter is currently under investigation, and an update is expected by 26 March 2026.
The Clerk has received a complaint from a local resident regarding the recent drainage works completed by the lengthsman in St Margarets. The lengthsman has attended and issued a report and is due to attend another meeting with Welsh Water and the residents on Monday. - CONSIDER PLANNING
7.1 PLANNING CONSULTATION – TO NOTE RESPONSE SENT PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
Site: Gigfran farm, Michealchurch Escley, Herefordshire. HR2 0JT
Description: Change of use of building and associated land to a residential planning unit.
Application No: 253625 Grid Ref: 332194:234971
GENERAL COMMENT – The Parish Council will be pleased to see this building completed and brought into residential use. It is noted that a Certificate of Lawfulness has been granted, which regularises the development, although initial planning permission was not obtained for the rebuilding of the original structure on the same footprint. There is limited detail provided regarding insulation and other construction matters, although the application states that the building has been rebuilt to current standards.
While the Highways Authority has raised no objections in relation to the junction, it is known locally that an unauthorised convex traffic mirror had previously been installed opposite the access (and has since been removed), which may indicate concerns regarding the adequacy of sight lines.
Consideration should also be given to Policy 10 of the adopted Neighbourhood Development Plan in relation to external lighting.
7.2 PLANNING CONSULTATION/LISTED BUILDING CONSENT – TO NOTE RESPONSE SENT PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
Site: Great Cefn Farm, Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire. HR2 0PT
Description: Internal alterations to the dwelling and the construction of a new garage/store and a garden/plant room.
Application No: 253683/253684 Grid Ref: 328787:237363
SUPPORT – The Parish Council has no objections to these proposals. The changes are considered to be tasteful and in keeping with the surrounding area, and the Parish Council is supportive of the intention to restore the listed barn in order to preserve the structure in the future.
It is noted that the garden/plant room includes a large, glazed frontage facing the courtyard. Careful consideration should therefore be given to Policy 10 of the adopted Neighbourhood Development Plan in relation to external lighting, particularly given the site’s proximity to a designated ‘Dark Skies’ area.
7.3 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: The Fold, Land west of Whitehouse Farm, Vowchurch, Herefordshire. HR2 0RE.
Description: The redesign and movement of a 4th cabin at The Fold which differs from that in the granted planning permission 210198 (Retrospective)
Application No: 252239 Grid Ref: 334688:235536
GENERAL COMMENT – The Parish Council would always prefer a planning application to be submitted and approved prior to any construction taking place, rather than dealing with a retrospective application.
There is currently some confusion regarding the number of cabins on the site, as it appears there may also have been a canvas pod. The Parish Council would appreciate clarification on exactly how many structures are present.
7.4 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Land at Old Farm Cottage, Newton St Margarets. HR2 0QW
Description: Agricultural Storage Building
Application No: 260204 Grid Ref: 334756:234007
SUPPORT – The Parish Council queried why this planning application had been submitted, given that it relates to an agricultural building. However, they wish support the proposal, recognising that the existing storage arrangements are inadequate. The Council considers that the provision of this building will improve the organisation of the site and appearance of the countryside. - FINANCE
8.1 Confirmation of bank balance – £15,984.15 dated 31st January 2026.
To include £6.00 bank charges.
Receipts – £2935.80 Lengthsman grant funding.
8.2 Consider payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for February 2026 Clerk’s hours – Payment agreed.
8.3 Consider payment to Mr T Griffiths invoice no. TGC3658 roads account January 2026 (1) of £587.16 gross (VAT £97.86), invoice no. TGC 3665 roads account January 2026 (2) of £587.16 gross (VAT £97.86), Invoice no. TGC3710 roads account February (1) of £587.16 gross (VAT £97.86), invoice no. TGC3711 Drainage grant funding February (2) of £2684.40 gross (VAT £447.40) and invoice no. TGC3712 match funding February (3) of £4838.40 gross (VAT £806.40) – Payment agreed.**
8.4 Consider payment to The Village Carpenter of £240.00 for repair and refurbishment of Vowchurch noticeboard – Payment agreed.
** Whilst payment of invoice numbers TGC3711 & TGC3712 were agreed as per the lengthsman quote, some concerns were raised regarding the prices for works completed. Moving forward it was agreed to keep an eye on the lengthsman quotes and costs along with monitoring works.
8.5 Donations – Requests for donations have been received from Golden Valley Pilgrim Way along with their costs as requested at the January meeting and a request from Michaelchurch Escley Primary School for help to purchase iPads for use in the classrooms. After consideration it was agreed to donate £100 to the primary school and offer help with marking the pilgrim way rather than a monetary donation. - LENGTHSMAN CONTRACT 2026/27 – Tenders have been received from six applicants for the lengthsman contract 2026/27. It was agreed that the working group would meet prior to the March meeting to report back to the Parish Council
- ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – Tom Oliver the Chair of the Trustees of CPRE Herefordshire has kindly agreed to speak at the annual parish meeting but is not available on the suggested dates of 23rd or 30th April. It was therefore agreed to hold the meeting on 28th May 2026 if he is available.
- TELEPHONE BOX REFURBISHMENT – Councillor Kernahan was unable to attend the meeting. It was reported via the Clerk that Councillor Kernahan has started to clear the area around the telephone box and the site is now ready for cleaning the phone box itself. He would like to see an improvement in the lay-by area and has uncovered what looks like an old milk churn stand. He will continue with works next week if anybody would like to volunteer to join him.
- NEWSLETTER – Welsh Water update, TRO on C1206 update, defect reporting and national flood management grant.
- NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – The correspondence sheet was noted.
- RAISE MATTERS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 19th March 2026 at 7.30pm in Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall – Lengthsman contract 2026/27.
The Chair declared the meeting closed at 9pm.
Signed……………………………………………
Dated………………………………………………