Minutes of the Meeting of High Littleton Parish Council held on Tuesday 9 September 2025 7 pm.
Councillors present
K Fuglesang, P Ghillyer, A Godwin, C Lindley, R Lane, Douglas Hunter and M Whiting.
Opportunity for the members of the public to speak (the public are asked to limit their address to 5 minutes with maximum time allowed 20 minutes). Please note that the Parish Council cannot make a decision on any item which is not on the agenda, but items may be put forward for a future agenda.
The Council heard concerns from residents re planning application 25/03278/FUL.
A resident attended to observe the meeting with a view to becoming a Councillor.
Agenda
2509.1 Apologies – to note apologies for absence
Apologies were received and accepted from S Gould. And apologies were received from Ward Cllr Ann Morgan.
Agenda
2509.2 [TO RESOLVE] To confirm and approve minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 12 August 2025
Resolved – the Council agreed that the 12 August 2025 minutes were a true and correct record of the meeting.
2509.3 Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests and Request for Dispensations
To receive declaration of any members personal or prejudicial interest in any item on the agenda
None.
Development Control, Forestry Works and Footpath Diversions
2509.4 Planning applications to consider and decide comment for submission to B&NES
a) Applications to consult
[TO RESOLVE] 25/03163/TPO 1 Paulton Road Hallatrow BS39 6EG
2no. ash trees – fell
Resolved to support.
[TO RESOLVE] 25/03196/REM Gordel White Cross Farm Bristol Road Farrington Gurney BS39 6TJ
Removal of condition 2 (Agricultural tie) of application C.2382 Date of Decision: 12/01/1976 (The erection of an agricultural dwelling on land adjoining White Cross Farm, Farrington Gurney).
Resolved to support
[TO RESOLVE] 25/03044/OUT Parcel 4330, Paulton Road, Paulton
Outline planning application for the erection of up to 130 dwellings (including affordable housing), with public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage system (SuDS), a vehicular access point and the demolition of a farm building. All matters reserved except for access.
Resolved to comment – High Littleton Parish Council object to this application.
1. The site sits predominantly within the parish of High Littleton where a Neighbourhood Plan was made in June this year. The applicant makes no reference to the policies of the plan. Any future application should provide a full and evidenced based response to the High Littleton and Hallatrow Neighbourhood Plan.
2. There will be direct and indirect impacts from this proposed development on services and infrastructure within the parish of High Littleton that are not addressed in the proposal. In particular, traffic congestion and pedestrian safety are significant issues for High Littleton / Hallatrow. A development of this size must address these concerns, including a full response to policies PD2b and PD5 of the High Littleton & Hallatrow Neighbourhood Plan (repeated below for completeness).
PD2b: Any new small-scale development must demonstrate consideration for highway and pedestrian safety and support easement of traffic congestion throughout the Parish, for example, by providing necessary parking.
Any new small-scale development must consider the need to support a sustainable and safe commuter corridor that protects the parish residents and also supports commuters utilising this route.
PD5: Where appropriate, new small scale developments must demonstrate support for safe walking routes throughout the Parish and, in particular, routes to key parish assets (including the school and recreation ground). Where any significant enhancements are proposed, a consultation with residents is encouraged.
[TO RESOLVE] 25/03278/FUL Site Location: Land Adjacent To Garden Cottage High Street High Littleton
Erection of block built garden shed (Retrospective)
Resolved to comment – High Littleton Parish Council would like to know how the finished building will look and whether it will be in keeping with the surrounding buildings.
b) To note decision notifications
23/04622/VAR Hallatrow Business Park Wells Road Hallatrow BS39 6EX
Variation of condition 7 (Plans List (Compliance)) of application 22/02775/FUL (Change of use to learning and non-residential institutions (Use Class F1) for a temporary three year period with associated siting of porta-cabins and shipping containers (part retrospective)). Condition Number(s): Condition 7 – Approved plans Conditions(s) Removal: Please see covering letter Please see covering letter
Pending consideration
23/04623/VAR Hallatrow Business Park Wells Road Hallatrow BS39 6EX
Variation of condition 9 (Plans List (Compliance)) of application 22/02777/FUL (Change of use to storage or distribution (Use Class B8) for a temporary three year period with associated siting of porta-cabins and shipping containers). Condition Number(s): Condition 9 – Approved Plans Conditions(s) Removal: Please see covering letter
Pending consideration
23/04687/FUL Hallatrow Business Park Wells Road Hallatrow BS39 6EX
Material change of use (temporary) for B8 use and associated operational development (in connection with adjacent permitted use) (Retrospective).
Pending consideration
23/04686/FUL Parcel 0172 Wells Road Hallatrow
Material change of use (temporary) for F1 use and associated operational development (in connection with adjacent permitted use) (Retrospective)
Pending consideration
24/02290/FUL Hallatrow Business Park Wells Road Hallatrow BS39 6EX
Erection of warehouse (Use Class B8) with associated hard/soft landscape works; drainage; and ecological enhancement area, together with stopping up of existing business park access to vehicular traffic; creation of new vehicular access for business park off the A39 with right turn lane and widening of the A39 to accommodate a new public foot/cycle path.
Pending consideration
25/02015/FUL Leafy Way Mearns High Littleton BS39 6JR
Erection of a replacement dwelling following demolition of existing and associated works.
Pending consideration
25/02196/OUT Parcel 5378 Hallatrow Road Paulton
Outline permission for the erection of a care home (Use Class C2), access, car parking, servicing and other associated works, with consideration of layout, scale, and access.
Pending consideration
24/04072/FUL Detached Part Of Rolmar High Street, High Littleton
Erection of 1no. 3bed residential dwellinghouse
Pending consideration
2509.5 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide relocation of VAS on New Road
Deferred – K Fuglesang to liaise with B&NES Highways Engineer for advice.
2509.6 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide the purchase of additional email quota
Deferred. To be added to a future agenda.
2509.7 [TO RESOLVE] To review and approve Direct Debit/Standing Order schedule
Resolved to approve.
2509.8 [TO RESOLVE] To consider and decide a date/time for online GDPR training for Councillors and Clerk
Resolved to approve training for 8 October 7.30pm online.
2509.9 [TO RESOLVE] To approve the following finances
a) Payments – resolved to approve the following items for payment in September.
| Description | Amount £ | |
| DD | Sage Payroll – Sept 2025 | 13.20 |
| DD | Pension Contributions– Aug 2024 | 40.84 |
| DD | Yu Energy – Aug 2025 | 92.37 |
| SO | D Stephenson – website maintenance | 25.00 |
| Total | 171.41 | |
| Bank Tsfr | A2B Print Solutions – Sept/Oct News & Views | 349.00 |
| Total | 349.00 | |
| Cheques | ||
| 002779 | Kirsty Headlong Sept 2025 Salary Apr – Aug backpay Pension PAYE Tax National Insurance Working from home allowance Net Total Clerk’s Expenses Aug 2025 mileage & stationery & admin Cheque Total | 1138.67 175.95 (31.78) (238.20)(21.33) 26.00 1049.31 4.28 1053.59 |
| 002780 | HMRC Employer’s and Employee’s NI Sept 2025 Sept 2025 Tax – K Headlong Total | 155.97 238.20 394.17 |
| 002781 | Austin sage – Recreation Ground grass cutting Aug 2025 | 130.00 |
| 002782 | B George – delivery Sept/Oct News & Views | 150.00 |
| 002783 | Broxap – installation of outdoor gym equipment | 1296.00 |
| 002784 | Trenjory Designs – editing Sept/Oct News & Views | 200.00 |
| 002785 | Branching Out – cemetery grass cutting Aug 2025 | 610.00 |
| 002739 | Hilliers Garden Centre – plants for planters | 101.40 |
| Cheque Total | £3935.16 | |
| Grand Total | £4455.57 |
b) To note receipts
Recreation Ground Committee – £912 (50% outdoor gym equipment), £540 (50% gym equipment installation).
2509.10 To receive any updates on district matters from Ward Cllr Ann Morgan
Ward Cllr Morgan reported (via email) that she is liaising with B&NES on solutions for speeding issues on Hallatrow Bridge, residents have contacted her with concerns re planning application 25/03278/FUL, and she will be bringing up bus issues at the next WECA Scrutiny.
2509.11 To receive reports and updates on current items
- Allotments
No news/updates.
- Recreation Ground
No news/updates.
- Police and Neighbourhood Watch
No news/updates.
- Defibrillator/Bleed Kits
No news/updates.
- School Governors
No news/updates.
- Grass and Cemetery
The Council noted that the cemetery is being well maintained.
- Charity of Mary Jones
The Clerk reported that trustees are liaising on the page for the website.
- Parish Magazine
Due to current printers closing the latest edition was produced by A2b Print Solutions and the Council agreed that it would like to use this printer to the end of the year and that it is happy with a colour page for the Nov/Dec issue. The newsletter funding for 2026 will be considered at the November meeting.
- Greyfield Wood
No news/updates.
- Environmental Group
R Lane reported the latest bat walk was fully booked.
- Parish sweeping – [TO RESOLVE] to consider and approve any areas to be swept
No areas identified. Any issues before the October meeting to be reported to the Clerk.
- Highway/footpath Issues
The Council noted that the footpath from Biggs to the bridge has been cut back.
- Transport/buses
The Council noted the new 768 trial bus service between Radstock and Bath but it does not travel via High Littleton. The Forgotten Valley Bus Campaign is liaising with B&NES to set up meetings to get a fit for purpose regular bus service to Bath which will include stops in High Littleton and Hallatrow.
- Neighbourhood Plan – to be removed.
- Streetlighting
P Ghillyer is liaising with the streetlight team on issues.
- Rosewell Home
No news/issues.
- Church Farm
No news/issues.
- Councillor vacancies
The Council noted one vacancy
- Hallatrow polling station – [TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide action to be taken re a polling station in Hallatrow
Deferred.
- CIL Funds – [TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide 2025 CIL projects/expenditure
No expenditure identified at this meeting.
- Ward Councillor Fund 2025.26 – [TO RESOLVE] to consider and decide a project in Hallatrow
Deferred.
- Investment of reserve funds
Cllr D Hunter briefed Councillors on a comparison of the Council’s current bank and the Unity Bank (used by many Parish/Town Councils). A decision on change of bank will be made at the October meeting.
2509.12 Correspondence
2509.13 Items for next meeting
Six month budget report
Change of bank for consideration and decision
2509.14 To note future meetings
Somer Valley Forum Meeting – Wednesday 17 September 6pm.
Parish Liaison – Wednesday 15 October 2025 6.30pm Keynsham Community Space.
ALCA 52nd Annual General Meeting Saturday 25th October 10:15-12:00 online.
The Chair closed the meeting at 9.05pm.
Date of next meeting – 14 October 2025
| Kate Fuglesang Chair | Kirsty Headlong Clerk |