MINUTES OF RICHARDS CASTLE (SHROPSHIRE) PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT 7.30 PM ON TUESDAY 18 MARCH 2025 AT THE VILLAGE HALL
PRESENT: Cllr. H Salwey (Chairman); Cllr. V Hawkins (Vice Chairman); Cllr. D Ayres; Cllr. A Hall; Cllr. R Smith and Cllr. A Wright.
IN ATTENDANCE: Ward Cllr. V Parry and R Hewitt, Clerk. Four (4) members of the public were present.
24/100 Apologies – Cllr. A Cowell.
24/101 Declarations of Members Interests and requests for Dispensation – None.
24/102 To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting
The minutes of the meetings held on 21 January and 13 February 2025 were approved as a correct record.
24/103 Ward Councillor Report
Ward Cllr. V Parry kindly provided a brief verbal report which included the consultation for a proposed clearway from Ludford towards the A49 (see 24/109 below).
24/104 New waste treatment plant for the village hall
There was no report.
24/105 To invite views and discussion from members of the parish
Members of the public present said they supported planning application 25/00041/OUT Proposed Dwelling South of Overton Grange Farm.
24/106 Report from Representatives who have attended meetings of other Organisations on behalf of the Parish Council – There were no reports.
24/107 Planning
25/00659/FUL Ched Barn, Mitnell Lane, Richards Castle, SY8 4EJ – Erection of agricultural building (retrospective). The parish council does not object to the agricultural building as such but does object to looking at another retrospective planning application for the same location. It is noted that planting of trees and shrubs conditioned in an earlier granted permission remain outstanding.
25/00041/OUT Proposed Dwelling South Of Overton Grange Farm, Richards Castle – Outline application (all matters reserved) for the erection of one dwelling. The planning application was supported.
24/108 Financial Items – None.
24/109 Highway Items/ Environmental maintenance/ Footpath Items
a) Informal consultation by Shropshire Council for the introduction of a 24 hour rural clearway order (no stopping or waiting at any time) on the B4361 Overton Road: The parish council felt that something needed to be done to address extensive parking on one section of the B4361 Overton Road. There was no consensus however on the proposed solution of a 24-hour rural clearway. When put to the vote, the 24-hour rural clearway was not supported.
b) Highway / Amenity and Footpath items: Overgrown hedges at the top end of Wheatcommon Lane towards the A49 were reported to be causing problems for vehicles. It was noted the highway authority is planning surface repairs on Park Lane and Wheatcommon Lane in 2025.
24/110 VE Day 80, May 2025
The preparations for the beacon event on the evening of 8 May 2025 are underway. The event has been publicised in Castle News. The parish council passed a vote of thanks for the organisers of the event.
24/111 Clerk’s report
The police community charter has been renewed with West Mercia Police. The policing priorities are unchanged. The parish council has been thanked by the people nominated to attend the Lord Lieutenant’s Garden Party. The Buckingham Palace Garden Party invitation is for chairs of councils only, there were two places available, and they were selected at random by SALC from the nominations made. The safeguard review by the bank has been completed. A notice to encourage members of the public to stand in the forthcoming local elections in Shropshire has been submitted to Castle News.
24/112 Matters raised for next meeting (no discussion)
Request from Orleton School to support Oracy project.
24/113 Next Meeting – The next scheduled meeting will be the annual meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 20 May 2025 at the village hall. The annual parish meeting is at 7pm on Tuesday 20 May 2025 at the village hall.
The meeting closed at 8.43 pm.