North Nibley Parish Council Meeting

5th November 2025

My informal notes from Wednesday's Parish Council meeting that I attended along with SDC Cllr. Braun. GCC/SDC Cllr. Cohen sent apologies.

A couple of Cllrs had sent their apologies. Four people in the public forum. Two spoke regarding planning item 7a. It was explained that they are residents and are looking to use their field for a horse stables and paddock purely for personal use. They need the stables to care for their horses which are kept at Severn Beach but this land became available, hence the COU. The chair points out that there have been a few objections. However, the resident says that they have received pre-app advice and have taken this into account. Trustees of the Tyndale monument have objected which is only 150m away.

The chair noted that ex-cllr Ray Smith had passed away. He was a long serving cllr who was involved in getting the pavilion built.

Minutes of the last council meeting approved. Just a minor typo.

Then there was an update on various actions from previous meetings. Too fast to keep up with! Road condition on the Throat, water leak, war memorial clean. Waste wizard. Letter to derelict garage. Andy, the SDC Community Officer has made contact with them, changes may happen. The defib at school to go ahead. Council needs access to check it. OK. School worried about code. Few other items in an e-mail from clerk. Covenant update. Outstanding task regarding properties with overgrown hedges but winter is approaching so no longer an issue.

Cllr Braun gave a quick update from the district councillors' report. We did raise the imminent work at Westridge Woods (Item 13 on the agenda). SDC approved a thinning license a few years ago. However, the contractor exceeded the scope and conditions. As ward councillors we are intending to write an open letter to the directors of the company which undertook that work to say that we expect a significantly higher standard of care and strict adherence to the conditions of the felling licence. Cllr Cohen's county councillor report was taken as read.

Rapid reports from Cllrs on matters not covered by agenda. Bio-diversity group meets next Wednesday in the Black Horse. A largish sinkhole 3'x3' which appeared in the playing field close to the goal is being repaired. Clerk's report on matters not covered by agenda taken as read.

A planning enforcement site visit was discussed. The land owner wasn't there. It's a change of use and a retrospective planning application will be required. I didn't catch the detail. The defib at the school required a switch protector to prevent inadvertent loss of power.

Then the council moved onto planning applications.

S.25/1903/FUL|Change of use of agricultural land to 1.5 acres of equestrian use. Erection of stables, a barn, a field shelter and welfare unit. After checking a few details to the applicant it was decided to object mainly on visibility grounds.

S.25/1960/LBC|Alterations to curtilage Listed barn including replacement roof, removal of stone wall and staircase, installation of flooring and re-pointing. No comment

It was noted the S.24/2306/FUL|Conversion of an outbuilding into a single self-build residential dwelling was allowed on appeal.

More discussion and updates on other projects. Lots of work ongoing for phase one and two of the play area. Biodiversity meeting Weds 7:30pm 12th Nove Black Horse. Some good work with Chris Mewse's report. Brave putting the draft onto Facebook. Council informed the simplest way to get 20mph is by changing all the 30mph areas if they can agree. Lots of talk - agreed to support 20mph if Chris can achieve this. Quick review re tree survey. Action reqd on black oak and elm, yew tree needs trim arrange work at the same time to save costs. Cllr Braun gave a quick overview on LGR.

More discussion on plans for the management of the Recreational Field. Covenant moving forward, the lease requirement falls way so all legal issues pretty much resolved. Other discussion about expected structure.

Myself and Cllr Braun left the meeting at this point to catch up on other business outside.