Falklands : Lands Committee Meeting (02 August 2007)
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 13.08.2007 (Article Archived on 27.08.2007)
Find out what happened during this important committee meeting.
LANDS COMMITTEE MEETING (02 AUGUST 2007)
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of the Lands Committee took place in the Liberation Room of the Secretariat at 1330hrs on Thursday, 02 August 2007. Members attending were: The Hon Dr Richard Davies (Chiar), The Hon Mr. Mike Summers, Mr. Neil Judd (Department of Agriculture), Ms. Andrea Wright (Environmental Planning Officer), Mrs. Alison Ingles (Crown Council “A”) and Mrs. Margaret Butler (Secretary). Apologies were received from Councillor Mike Rendell, the Director of Public Works, Mr Manfred Keenleyside, and the Director of Mineral Resources and Agriculture, Mrs Phyl Rendell.
The Chairman advised that one extra item relating to Standard Chartered Bank – back up generator would be added to the agenda to be discussed after matters arising. Members agreed that the matter could be added to the agenda.
The Chair declared an interest in item 4.3 and the Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 5th July 2007 were confirmed with no amendments.
Matters arising from the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 5th July 2007
The Old Telephone Exchange Building (Page 1, Item 4.1)
CC(A) advised members that after last month’s meeting the RFIP had requested use of the building for storage whilst the Police Station is being renovated/extended. This has been agreed by FIG.
CC(A) advised members that she had also asked the Design Engineer what progress was being made on design work and costings for the conversion of the building into public toilets. He advised that this work was not a priority compared to design work for 2007/8 capital works, but it should be done in time for the 2008 budget sessions, with the works (if the conversion were approved) taking place in July/August 2008 before the 2008/9 tourist season.
Public Toilets (Page 1, Item 4.1)
Members discussed CC(A)’s paper and the feedback she had received on encouraging greater use of the existing public toilets in the Town Hall building.
It was noted that Mr Birmingham currently opens the toilets on cruise ship days at weekends or on holidays. It was agreed that better signage was required for the toilets.
Chair suggested that FIG needed to make a decision on whether to convert the Old Telephone Exchange Building before PWD tied-up resources in the design work.
It was also suggested that public toilets should be included in the dockyard development.
Cllr Summers noted that FITB had not been forthcoming in offering any financial assistance for the costs of conversion of the Old Telephone Exchange Building.
Development at the Canache (Page 2, Item 4.2)
Chair made it clear to members that he has a personal interest in development in this area. He attended the recent meeting of boat owners convened by Mike Forrest and Paul Ellis as a boat owner and not as a councillor.
Chair then reported to members on the meeting. It was attended by both current boat owners at the Canache and members of the public who would like to use the area.
There was a general desire from both boat owners and visitors for security of tenure, and it was felt by the meeting that an approach to FIG by a users association as a body for an overall lease may be preferable to FIG dealing with individual boat-owners.
Members welcomed developments, and agreed that the formation of a users association should both promote better land use within the area and ease administration for FIG.
A further meeting of boat-owners and interested parties has been arranged for the 14th August. Chair advised that in the meantime the group is exchanging views by email. It was agreed that the Marine Officer Jon Clark should be asked to delay his own meeting with boat-owners (previously requested by the Committee) to await developments from the group.
Chris May – Request for Site for Dog Cages (Page 2, Item 4.3)
EPO advised members that planning permission had been granted at the Planning & Building Committee meeting held that morning.
CC(A) noted that, since this Committee had already approved in principle the grant of a lease to Mr May on the site in question, subject to him obtaining planning permission, she would now proceed to put the lease in place.
Request for Lease at the Canache by Patrick Davy (Page 2, Item 4.4)
CC(A) advised members that differences between Patrick Davy and Neil Rowlands over the use of the jetty now appeared to have been resolved by the parties. Accordingly CC(A) will be putting Mr Davy’s lease in place.
Byron Heights:Access and Ancillary Rights (Page 3, Item 4.)
CC(A) advised members that she had submitted an Ex-Co paper on this subject which was subsequently withdrawn when the DEA reversed its position and agreed to accept that ownership of the track from Long Creek to Byron Heights would remain with the farm (subject to a right of access in favour of the MOD).
The Lands Surveyor is revising the plans to cover the previously-agreed conveyance of land at Long Creek to the MOD, and it is hoped that the transfer of the farm to the new owners will be completed soon.
Sale of Building Plots at “Balloon Site” and “Coseley Site” (Page 4, Item 4.8)
CC(A) advised members that tenders documents had been issued for the Balloon Site for not less than 5 houses, with tenders to be received by the end of September. Members examined the plans produced by PWD showing proposed site layouts.
CC(A) produced a plan of the Coseley site, showing the existing hard-standing nearby which it had previously been agreed would be made available for use by the purchaser as car parking. When the plan was prepared by the Land Surveyor it became evident to CC(A) that the hard standing formed an access to an existing garage. Given the age of the garage building, it is probable that the garage-owner now has a legal right to use this access.
Members agreed that the Land Surveyor should be asked to look at land to the east and west of the existing hard standing and identify a small piece of land suitable for the parking of up to 3 vehicles which could be hardcored and used by the purchaser.
Planning application by the Gun Club (Page 5, Item 6)
Last month the Gun Club’s planning application for erection of a covered firing-point on Phillips Point Range had been approved. CC(A) had been asked to check whether the Range had been excluded from the Common; the answer is no, it hasn’t been excluded.
Following the previous meeting CC(A) has written to the Gun Club as agreed by the Committee giving approval on behalf of FIG as landlord to the erection of the covered firing-point, on condition it is maintained in good condition and removed once it ceases to be used.
Future of Stanley Racecourse (Page 6, Item 12)
Chair had had a discussion with various horse owners, who feel it is desirable that the Racecourse be kept in its current location in town.
It was agreed that as a matter of urgency a meeting would be arranged between Chair, EPO, the Chief Executive and Roger Spink of the FIC to discuss this matter.
Standard Chartered Bank – back-up generator
This urgent extra item was allowed because it had been mislaid after being submitted by the Standard Chartered Bank in good time for the July meeting. Planning permission for the development had been granted in July and members did not want to cause the Bank any delay.
The Standard Chartered Bank has been granted planning permission for the siting of a back-up generator at the rear of their premises. FIG’s permission as landlord is required under their lease. Members agreed to the request.
Cllr Summers expressed concern about the siting of the generator in close proximity to “The Shack”, although it was noted that planning permission had been granted. It was agreed that CC(A) should advise the Bank that it is their responsibility if children are injured messing around with the unit.
Planning Applications
Members discussed the following planning applications affecting FIG property:
65/07 – Moody Brook Aquaculture site. Installation of 1kW, 2 bladed wind turbine on a concrete base and 6m pole for FIDC. The EPO confirmed that the turbine is to be sited within the land made available to FIDC, and not on the adjacent grazing plot.
67/07 – Outline application to erect a dwelling, South side of Airport Road, west of the caravan site, Murray Heights, Stanley.
Members noted that this application had been deferred by the Planning & Building Committee as there are issues concerning infrastructure and access across FIG land. As this area is close/adjacent to FIG land PWD have been requested to consider the provision of infrastructure to the whole area, and the EPO has been requested to consider producing a development brief.
74/07 – Earth Station, Darwin Road, Stanley. Installation of a second satellite Earth Station (6.3 metre antenna). Members agreed to grant C&W permission for the satellite antenna if required under their lease.
33/02 – Stanley House Grounds, Stanley. Renewal application for the siting of a portakabin. Members noted that this land is under the control of the Director of Education.
Grazing Plot at Moody Brook Road
CC(A) advised members that this site is considered problematic by horse-owners because of the cattle grid to the east and the bottle neck created if land on both the north and south sides of the road is fenced. The fear is that horses will be startled by animals and run into the cattle grid.
Members agreed that the area should be withdrawn as a grazing plot.
Double Creek Islands
Members considered the paper submitted by CC(A) and noted that ownership of the Islands lay with FIG.
Footpath to Seamen’s Mission
Secretary produced photos provided by Mr Ivan Short showing damage to the western end of the footpath apparently caused by tractors.
CC(A) advised members that Stanley Growers had previously agreed that approximately 10 metres of land running southwards from the shore should remain in FIG hands as a public footpath. In turn FIG had agreed that Stanley Growers could turn their vehicles, so long as they did not damage the footpath.
Chair agreed to speak to Mr Miller of Stanley Growers about the state of the area, tractor usage and the possibility of improving drainage of the path.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday 6th September 2007 at 1.30pm in the Liberation Room, Secretariat.
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