Apologies were accepted from Phil Collins, Bob Harvey and Elaine Mason.  Carole Williams was absent.

None, other than those already notified to the TLAF.

- to receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2012.

The Minutes of the meeting of the TLAF held on 16 February 2012 were accepted and agreed as an accurate report of the meeting.

Neighbourhood Plan Meetings

Wanda Hollingworth informed the Forum that the Paignton meetings had been mostly about Victoria Park.  The fencing around the new play park in Paignton had also been discussed.

Margaret Forbes-Hamilton said that Torquay had held several meetings on what should be done.  There is funding from the Princes Trust Foundation for all three towns.  A steering group will be set up to discuss what needs to be done and two projects groups will be formed.  MFH put herself forward as the Greenspace Forum rep.

Margaret Forbes-Hamilton passed on a comment from a resident who lives in this area that widening the road at the Hilltop Nursery would not really improve matters. 

The Forum had no other comments to make.

Brixham Co-ordinator

Robert Boyd updated:

·         Astra Zenica – it was felt that a good job had been done.  There is space between the laboratories and the tarmac which is 2 metres wide which is enough for people and wheelchair users.  RB had a discussion with John Gibson who felt there should be access for wheelchair users to the benches.  He was told that this was not in the initial remit.  What is proposed it what was asked for. 

Action:  Robert Boyd to contact Disability Access officer in the Council to discuss this.

·         Town Square, Brixham/Tesco issue – John Gibson had raised in an email that the building of a Tesco on the Town Square should be opposed.  It was suggested that the particular laws for Town Squares should be looked at.

Action:  Robert Boyd to contact James Oram, Legal Officer Torbay Council regarding the laws and status of Town Squares.

Paignton Co-ordinator

Wanda Hollingsworth updated:

·         Oldway Mansion is going ahead in October.

·         Crossways still ongoing.

·         Playpark is now complete apart from the fencing.

Torquay Co-ordinator

Margaret Forbes-Hamilton updated:

·         Scotts Meadow planning enquiry was well attended.  Results from the enquiry are awaited.

·         The Hi-flyer Balloon is going, the site is being ripped up. 

·         Maidencombe – the Residents Association has been active in looking for funding the restore the Linney as a spot for walkers and visitors to stop and obtain information of the area and natural history of the coastal path (not a shop).

·         Edginswell

o   Tesco – discussions around road access and parking issues.  These will be in the Neighbourhood Plan for Torquay.  The biggest objection to the scheme is from the Environment Agency regarding drainage which could be a serious problem. 

o   MFH put in an objection regarding the proposed office building on the car showroom plot – the car park was going to be across Edginswell Lane.

o   Traffic surveys were carried out before Dunelm and Asda were opened and consequently they need to be carried out again.

Agreed.

Planning Framework

B&Q site – looking at building homes on this site with a green area.

John Mellor agreed that it was a good idea to exchange information between other LAF groups.  Devon has three LAFs whereas some other areas only have one. 

·         Comment in the email from John Gibson regarding membership of LAF discussed.  

Action:  Teresa Buckley to take this forward.

·         Huddle – members asked if they would like to join huddle.  No-one wished to do so.

Action:  Secretary to inform Hilary Winter.

·         Planning application – Change of use to temporary park and ride facility for 230 vehicles, with temporary buildings to run until 31.10.14. – land to north east of A3022, Brixham Road and West of Elberry Lane, Churston

Members were not aware of this planning application.  Robert Boyd and Mick Lear were not aware of any discussions having taken place in Brixham.  It was agreed that no comment would be made until there had been a response from the people of Brixham.  Also the LAF would like clarification of whether this is an extension of use or change of use.

·         Regional LAF meeting

Hilary Winter emailed with a choice of dates for the next Regional LAF meeting.  Mick Lear, John Mellor and Ian Doggett can all provisionally attend on 9 or 16 October. 

Action:  Secretary to complete Doodle poll to indicate which dates are suitable.

·         National Trail Review

John Mellor, Mick Lear and James Nicholas attended a meeting on 22 May 2012.

A grant from Natural England for the South West Coastal Path goes to Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust.  However this is being cut by 30%.  Funding comes in each year which makes it difficult to plan long term.  The proposal is to give out the money every 3 years in future.  The grant money is prescriptive on what the money can be spent on, generally vegetation, hand rails, steps. 

JN suggested an agenda item for LAF – SW Coastal Path updates.

·         Margaret Forbes-Hamilton raised an issue from a recent Greenspace Forum meeting when she said she was the rep for LAF.  It became apparent that some Torbay Councillors were unsure what the LAF was.  It was agreed that posters should be produced explaining the LAF and for one to be put into each of the Political Groups’ rooms at the Town Hall. 

Action:  MFH to produce a draft poster and forward to Teresa Buckley.

·         JN asked for backing from the LAF on behalf of Dominic Acland of Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust for proposed cycle routes at Scadson Woods and Cockington.  There will be signage for the routes.  Some will be an improvement on what is already there and some will be new routes.  It was also suggested that the cycle routes should be on the website to enable tourists to plan ahead.  Once there is an image of the design JN will bring it to LAF. 

The Forum agreed this scheme was a good idea.

·         JN informed the Forum that there had been objections to the PROW at Innerbrook Road and therefore there would be a hearing. 

Thursdays from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. at Oldway Mansion, Paignton:

19 July 2012 in the Cecil Room – Annual General Meeting

25 October 2012 in the Cecil Room

·         19 July 2012, Cecil Room, Oldway Mansion (AGM

·         25 October 2012 – Venue to be confirmed