VOWCHURCH & DISTRICT GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Michaelchurch Escley, Newton, St Margarets, Turnastone, Vowchurch.
Minutes of the Vowchurch & District Group Parish Council meeting held on
Thursday 18th September at 7.30pm in Newton Church Room.
PRESENT – Councillors E May (Chair), E Williams, I Chadwick, T Smith, K Price, S Craddock, A Picton, R Lloyd and J Kernahan.
IN ATTENDANCE – Ward Councillor M Engel, Mrs L Cowles (Clerk) and two members of the public.
- ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Local Police.
- RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & CONSIDER ANY WRITTEN APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION – There were no declarations of interest or written requests for dispensation.
The Chair moved agenda item 16 forward to enable members of the public present to address the Parish Council. - Members of the public raised concerns regarding the licensed tree felling at Whitehouse Wood, located above their property. The Forestry Commission has granted a licence to fell approximately 60% of the trees, with replanting to follow. Residents are particularly worried about the removal of healthy trees, the impact on the spring running through the woodland and the pipeline supplying their property. The potential for increased flooding, including further downstream in Vowchurch. While acknowledging that some felling is necessary, residents request that the work be undertaken with a sympathetic and sensitive approach to the environment. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact the Forestry Commission for clarification on: The scope and justification for the licensed felling, measures to protect watercourses and prevent flooding impacts. Why the Parish Council was not consulted on this felling licence, given that consultation has taken place for other areas in the parish. Whitehouse Wood is an ancient woodland and forms part of the Golden Valley Pilgrim Way, a site of local heritage and ecological importance.
- ADOPT MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – 17th July 2025 – The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.
- OPEN DISCUSSION – No other specific points were raised other than tree felling at Slough Breast Wood.
- REPORTS
5.1 Local Police – The local police were unable to attend the meeting. They reported via the Clerk that since the last meeting on 17th July there have been no reports of thefts or burglaries in the parish.
5.2 Ward Councillor – Ward Councillor Engel’s report included: –
The Chief Executive at Herefordshire Council, Mr Paul Walker has resigned.
The planning at Aubreys in Llanveynoe has now been approved by the Planning Inspectorate upon appeal.
There should be a speed restriction in place before the end of the year at the Locks Garage junction before a long-term solution is agreed.
5.3 Lengthsman report – The Lengthsman was unable to attend the meeting. Councillor Smith advised that soil left in Newton after a previous visit had still not been removed. Clerk to chase with lengthsman.
Clerk to also check with the Locality Steward when 2nd verge cut is due to take place. - CLERKS UPDATE – Clerks updated included: –
Balfour Beatty are holding a Stakeholder engagement session on 25th September at 2pm via Teams
The next Parish summit will be on 7th October – more details to follow.
A response from Jesse Norman MP regarding Neighbourhood Development Plan funding has been distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting.
Since the July meeting correspondence has been received from residents regarding the cost of the noticeboards, hedge cutting at Vowchurch Common and Parish Councillor visits for planning consultations; the Clerk has responded to all enquiries accordingly. - CONSIDER PLANNING
7.1 PLANNING CONSULTATION
Site: Land at Barn North of Marlborough Grange, Newton St Margaret, Herefordshire. HR2 0QN
Description: Proposed continued occasional use of existing access (variation of planning permission ref. 213593)
Application No: 252374 Grid Ref: 334316:233508
OBJECT – The Parish Council wishes to object to this application. It is noted that in the original application (ref: 213593), the agent explicitly stated that the existing access serving the land and barn is positioned on a bend in the road, where visibility is very limited in both directions. This results in a dangerous access point. As part of the previous planning permission, a condition was imposed that the new access must not be brought into use until the proposed replacement hedge had been planted. This requirement was included to maintain the visual amenity of the area and to provide biodiversity enhancement, in accordance with Policies LD1 and LD2 of the Herefordshire Local Plan – Core Strategy, and the National Planning Policy Framework. The Parish Council considers that the applicant cannot “have it both ways” — arguing that the old access is unsafe while seeking to bypass the requirements of a condition on the original planning. The Parish Council considers this condition essential and requests that it be upheld.
7.2 PLANNING CONSULTATION – TO NOTE COMMENT ALREADY SUBMITTED TO HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL/PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: 2 Birch Cottages, Vowchurch, Herefordshire. HR2 0RA
Description: Proposed variation of condition 2 of planning permission 240781 (propose studio) – minor amendments to the design and proposed location.
Application No: 252005 Grid Ref: 335869:236293
SUPPORT – The Parish Council would like to reiterate its previous comment under planning consultation 240781, but note that you can see the building from a PROW and not as stated on the application form.
7.3 PLANNING CONSULTATION – TO NOTE COMMENT ALREADY SUBMITTED TO HEREFORDSHIRE COUNCIL/PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: Crossways Farmhouse, Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire HR2 0QH
Description: Retrospective application for entrance to field with 15ft gate off road from Crossways Farm to Urishay (C1209). Proposed application for a drop kerb.
Application No: 251155 Grid Ref: 332340:235093
SUPPORT – The Parish Council would prefer that planning applications are submitted in advance, rather than on a retrospective basis. In this case, the applicant should have been aware that planning permission was required prior to removing the hedgerow and creating a new entrance onto the highway. The Council would like any gate installed to be of a standard agricultural type and should open into the field, not outwards onto the highway, to maintain safety and accessibility. We also seek assurance that the entrance will not be used for business purpose, as such use could lead to increased traffic and potential impacts on safety and capacity of the highway.
7.4 PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Site: Cwm Clyd, Newton St Margarets, Herefordshire. HR2 0QN
Description: Proposed replacement single storey side and front extension and extensions of outbuilding to link the house.
Application No: 251373 Grid Ref: 33431:233244
Please view planning applications at http://www.herefordshire.gov.uk/searchplanningapplications - FINANCE
8.1 Confirmation of bank balance – £13,804.73 issued 31st August 2025.
To include £12.00 bank charges.
Receipts – £4499.00 Drainage grant funding from 2024/25
8.2 Payment to Mrs Linda Cowles for September 2025 Clerk’s hours to include pay agreement for local government with back pay to April 2025 – Payment agreed.
8.3 Payment to Mr T Griffiths invoice no. TGC3423 roads account July 2025 (1) of £587.16 gross (VAT £97.86) and invoice no. TGC3454 roads account September 2025 (1) of £587.16 gross (VAT £97.86) – Payment agreed.
8.4 Payment to Wyehost Ltd invoice no. 37715 to rectify spam problems on website of £54.00 gross (VAT £9.00) – Payment agreed.
8.5 Payment to Cloud Next invoice no. 252116 Home Hosting (vowchurchgroup-pc.gov.uk) renewal of £59.98 gross (VAT£9.99) and invoice no. 252761 .gov.uk domain of £60.00 gross (VAT£10.00) – Payment agreed.
8.6 Payment to PKF Littlejohn LLP invoice no. SB20251498 for External Audit of £252.00 gross (VAT£42.00) – Payment agreed.
8.7 Payment to HMRC of £298.60 PAYE and £96.67 NI July 2025 – Sept 2025 – Payment agreed. - EXTERNAL AUDIT 2024/25 – The External Auditors report was noted. The Notice of Conclusion of Audit will be displayed from Monday 22nd September 2025 for 14 days. This can be viewed on the Parish Council website and noticeboards.
- DRAINAGE GRANT FUNDING AND PROW 2025/26 – Following consultation with the lengthsman, three areas will be included in the drainage fund application form to include the C1206, U75009 and U74204 totalling £10,000. The remaining available funds will be included in the PROW grant application once finalised with Councillor May and PFO Deas, this should be approximately £5000.
- WELSH WATER – Councillor Price advised that there have been three further issues with no water supply in approximately 20 houses in St Margarets since the last Parish Council meeting. The water pump has failed this included on one occasion when water was needed to tackle a local fire. It was agreed that the Clerk contact Welsh Water to raise concerns about the supply, especially considering lack of water during a fire. The Parish Council would encourage all affected residents to contact Welsh Water for compensation.
- GRIT BINS – Defer to October meeting.
- IT POLICY – It was agreed to adopt the IT Policy.
- GRANTS – It was agreed to apply for a Small Sparks Grant to complete works to the Telephone box at Newton
- PUBLIC PATH DIVERSION ORDER- HIGHWAYS ACT 1980, SECTION 119 – PUBLIC FOOTPATHS SM14 AND SM15 (PARTS) ST MARGARETS – It was agreed that the Parish Council raises no objection to the proposed diversion order. However, it is understood that Herefordshire Council specifies the installation of metal kissing gates. The Parish Council would request that consideration be given to the installation of wooden self-closing gates as a preferred alternative.
- TREE FELLING ABOVE SLOUGH COTTAGE – As above
- NEWSLETTER AND COMMUNICATION WITH RESIDENTS– Talk Community website and small sparks grant. Encourage residents to follow Facebook page. The Clerk advised that there was no reason why Councillors could not make residents aware of any Council business via local WhatsApp groups. Residents should always be encouraged to come along to a Parish Council meeting if they want to raise any concerns.
- NOTE THE CORRESPONDENCE SHEET – The correspondence sheet was noted.
- RAISE MATTERS FOR THE NEXT ORDINARY MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL – Thursday 16th October 2025 at 7.30pm in Vowchurch & Turnastone Memorial Hall – Grit Bins.
A RESOLUTION WAS PASSED TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC & PRESS DUE TO EMPLOYMENT MATTERS - It was agreed to increase the Clerk’s salary as per the agreed NALC 2024/25 national salary review back dated to April 2025 and to increase the salary scale point to SCP30 from 1st October 2025.
The Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.20pm
Signed…………………………………………………………………
Dated………………………………………………………………….