Council Meeting – 25th June 2025

LITTLE EATON PARISH COUNCIL

clerk@littleeatonparishcouncil.org.uk

Minutes of the Monthly Council Meeting held on

Wednesday 25^th June 2025 at Little Eaton Village Hall.

PRESENT: Parish Councillors D Howard (Chair), R Brown, S Caines, A Done-Johnson,

E Jennison-Boyle, J Reid, P Rowlinson

IN ATTENDANCE: Parish Clerk

 

25/049 To receive apologies for absence – Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Councillor J Bush who were unable to attend due to work commitments and Councillor K Shankland who was on holiday.

25/050 To Receive Declaration of Members Interests – Councillor Reid declared an interest in agenda item 25/059 as the payment schedule contains expenses claimed by him in relation to consumables purchased for the park.  Councillor Caines declared an interest in agenda item 25/060 planning application at land formerly Windy Rise, Windy Lane as he lives close by.

25/051 To consider any applications for Dispensations – none.

25/052 Public Speaking – (15 Minutes)

• A period of not more than fifteen minutes will be made available for members of the public and Members of the Council to comment on any matter
• If the Police Liaison Officer, a County Council or Borough Council Member is in attendance they will be given the opportunity to raise any relevant matter

A number of residents attended the meeting to voice concerns regarding the planning application relating to land formerly known as Windy Rise on Windy Lane.

The residents live on Windy Lane and voiced the following concerns:

In the short term they have concerns about access to the site and the size of the vehicles that will be necessary when delivering materials. The footprint of the development is very large which will result in a huge amount of material needing to be transported onto the site.

The access road is single track and there are concerns around whether it will be able to withstand the size and weight of the vehicles that will be required. This will also create significant access issues as well as wear and tear on a private road unadopted by highways.

In the longer term, a concern was raised regarding the increase in traffic on the lane which is barely suitable for cars which also raised fears for the safety of pedestrians using the lane.

The site is on a slope so water-run off could be an issue as well as there being no mention in the application or consideration of the need to drill into the rock to level the site.

Another resident wished to speak about the planning application submitted in respect of the Old Brewery, Duffield Road.  He explained that the development will overlook his property and will also have safety and parking issues.

He pointed out that the application is misleading because it looks as if the development will have 2 parking spaces per property, however 2 of the parking spaces are not within the boundary of the development site and it is unlikely these spaces would ever be allowed to be used. It is not unreasonable to expect each dwelling to have 2 cars and currently there is only sufficient parking for 1 dwelling.  Duffield Road is not suitable for parking additional cars on.

The utility room doors for one of the maisonettes opens directly onto Number 21 land and so if anyone tried to step out of it, they would be trespassing.

Storage of bins is also likely to be an issue as the car parking spaces will take up the room currently used for bin storage.

County Councillor Hart gave her apologies as she was unable to attend due to a meeting clash.  There is nothing to report on Derbyshire County Council matters as they have not yet held any public meetings.

Borough Councillor Eddy also sent her apologies due to having to attend another meeting, but gave the following brief report.

There was a flag flying ceremony at Ilkeston and Long Eaton for Armed Forces Day and there will be a stand on Ilkeston Market Place this Saturday organised by the British Legion to honour all men and women who have served our Country.

More than £100,000 is being made available by Erewash Borough Council to help create jobs across the Borough to encourage businesses to innovate. Grants between £5,000 and £20,000 will be available for firms if they are able to match a third of their project.

25/053 Variation of Order of Business – It was agreed to move agenda item 25/060 Planning Applications to be the next items to be discussed.

25/060 Planning Applications –

Application number: ERE/0625/0005 & ERE/0625/006 (listed building consent) Old Brewery Duffield Road Little Eaton Derby, Derbyshire DE21 5DS

Proposed development: Planning permission for the conversion of an existing listed building to provide 2 maisonettes with associated parking.

It was resolved to object to this planning application in its current form, on the grounds of the increased flood risk, parking and highway safety concerns due to the under provision of parking.  Also, on heritage and conservation grounds, as the scheme as designed results in harm to the listed building and conservation area.

Application number: ERE/0625/0013 – 9 The Leys, Little Eaton DE21 5AR

Proposed development: Planning application for permission to construct a two storey extension to the side and a single storey rear extension, to form a study/playroom, utility, toilet, dining/family space, together with bedroom and ensuite above.

It was resolved that the parish council has concerns over the risk of heightened flooding due to the increase in impermeable surfaces on the site and the fact that it lies above an area known to have experienced repeated and significant flood events.  The applicant should therefore be required to submit a fully detailed drainage strategy incorporating appropriate SuDS features.

Application number: ERE/0525/0032 – Land Former Windy Rise, Windy Lane, Little Eaton DE21 5AJ

Proposed development: Replacement dwelling with associated landscaping and boundary treatments

It was resolved to object to this application on the following grounds:

• The proposed development poses a surface water flood risk due to the site’s topography and extensive new impermeable surfaces.
• No detailed drainage strategy has been provided to demonstrate how surface water will be controlled on site.
• The proposal includes extensive on-site parking (approximately six car spaces) which raises concerns about obstruction, safety, and traffic volume on the narrow Windy Lane. The scale of parking for a single dwelling is excessive and could lead to high vehicle movements on an unadopted lane that is ill-suited to heavy use.
• Windy Lane itself is a major constraint that makes this development problematic. It is a steep, narrow private single track with a rough surface and poor visibility, originally intended to serve a handful of dwellings. Introducing a large single luxury dwelling at the end of this lane raises multiple access concerns:
• There is no turning head except within private plots, and no pavements or marked bays. Introducing potentially 6+ additional vehicles regularly using this lane (residents and their visitors) is a significant intensification on a small access road.
• Windy Lane’s limitations make the proposal ill-suited unless substantial improvements are secured. The application has not addressed how the access can support the new dwelling’s needs safely and reliably. No widening, passing places, or strengthening of the lane are proposed.

25/54 To consider a resolution to close the meeting for public participation under the Public Bodies (admission to meetings) Act 1960 – not applicable.

25/055 To confirm the minutes of the monthly meetings held on 21^st May 2025 – All agreed that the Chair be authorised to sign the minutes of the monthly council meeting held on 21^st May 2025 as being a true and correct record.

25/056 To receive Chair’s Report – the Chair stated that two people had contacted him regarding the churchyard. A family member of someone buried in the churchyard raised concerns about the trees protruding over some of the graves. Councillor Howard will walk around the churchyard and explain how the Council intends to manage it with the family next time they are visiting.

The other comment was about the mowing prior to Carnival and the Chair confirmed that the front of the church will be cut and tidied up in time for Carnival.  The churchyard contractor has said that he can remove the clippings that have built-up from the churchyard prior to carnival at a cost of £70.  All agreed that the contractor should be asked to remove the clippings.

The Chair suggested that there should be signage at the churchyard stating that it is a closed churchyard managed by the Parish Council.  All agreed and the Chair will make the arrangements.

Actions from the Minutes

24/179 Update on cycle parking at Croft Corner/Greenway and ways to discourage pavement parking – no update has been received from DCC.  The Chair has chased DCC regarding the cycle racks and object licence for the planters.

25/044 and 25/045 Update on Bowls Club and Tennis Club contract renewals – It was agreed to offer another 10 year contract to both clubs but to include a sentence stating that the Parish Council reserves the right to charge an additional sum for water and electric, as well as adding a rate increase per year based on the previous 12 months average CPI.

 25/057 Report of the Parish Clerk – The Clerk informed members that from next year the requirement for all councillors to use their parish council email address will form part of the audit. It was agreed that the Clerk will resend the login details for councillors Council specific emails.

 25/058 Update from Working Groups

• Village Hall – new treasurer, Pete Watson, has started in the roll and the handover has taken place. Thanks to Mark Jennison-Boyle for all his help and support as the previous treasurer.
• The electrician is looking at the emergency lighting in the next couple of weeks.
• Park Group – it was noticed that members from Trix Academy were practicing their display for Carnival on the park, whilst an adult cricket match was taking place. All agreed that so many children on the park at the same time as a cricket match is taking place is dangerous and the Council has a duty of care towards users of the park.  It was therefore agreed that, as football and cricket matches are already booked for next weekend to ask Trix Academy not to practice whilst these games are taking place and offer them alternative times and dates when they can safely practice their display on the park.  It was also agreed that there should be signage at the park asking organisations wishing to use the park to contact the Parish Council beforehand.
• Churchyard Sub Group – no update on when the new path will be laid.
• Finance Group – the 2026 and 2027 budgets have now been completed.
• Environmental Action Group – the shelves have now been fitted in the recycling hub using money donated by Carnival last year. Thanks to Pete Watson for his time fitting the shelves. The recycling hub is now ready to go live.
• Footpaths – the blocked Morley Lane footpath remains blocked with no communication from the third party regarding organising working parties. It’s looking likely that the Parish Council will need to organise the clearance.  Councillor Bush will ensure that all the footpaths are clear for the Carnival race on 29^th

25/059 Finance – Payments for June totalling £9,440.12 were circulated to members for approval. All agreed that the payments be approved and the accounts to which they relate paid.

25/060 Planning – see minute above.

25/061 To consider adopting a banner policy – It was agreed that the only banners promoting local charitable events would be permitted and for no longer than 28 days. All banners should comply with Erewash Borough Council’s planning policy. The Clerk will draft a policy for circulation at the next meeting.

25/062 To consider enquiry from Duffield Cricket Club regarding the feasibility of creating another team that would play at Little Eaton next year – Councillor Reid explained that Duffield Cricket Club would like to field a 6^th team based at St Peter’s Park from 2026, this would double the number of games being played.  It was noted that this is no more than when Duffield CC and Stainsby CC planned to share the pitch, and so all agreed that permission should be given to Duffield CC to field a 6^th team based at St Peter’s Park next year.

25/063 To consider changing the July monthly meeting to 30^th July – it was agreed to change to the date of the July meeting to 30^th July.

25/064 Correspondence for Action –

• Email from Emergency Planning department of DCC enquiring about venues in the parish which could be used as a rest centre should one be needed. All agreed that the Village Hall could be used as a venue.

 25/065 Correspondence for Information

• Extension to b_line discount travel scheme so that young people living in Derbyshire aged 19 to 21 can get single bus fares for £1.50 on many buses in the county. This is a pilot scheme up until the end of this year, and the cards are available for free online.
• Request from Immerse Gym to use St Peter’s Park for a rounders game and traditional Sports day on 20^th Anyone wishing to, can join in, there is no need to be a gym member. As there is nothing else scheduled on the park this request was approved.

 

There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.20pm.