THE main issue addressed at the February parish council meeting was the unfinished state of the development at Church Bank Gardens.

The developer had not adhered to many the conditions laid down in the planning approval and had now gone into receivership. Residents of the estate had notified South Lakeland District Council of these many contraventions throughout the building phase but had received no redress at the time.

With the intervention of the parish council a meeting had taken place between SLDC planners, councillor from the parish council and councillor Tom Harvey. Numerous breaches were noted, houses were in the wrong place, car parking spaces and landscaping not as approved, walls not of the correct height and drainage and flooding prevention left unfinished and possibly in a dangerous state. The condition of the ginnel leading to the village had not been finished to the specified standard particularly in respect of lighting but the most significant contravention was that the roads and pavements had not been improved to a standard which would allow adoption by the appropriate council.

Additionally, the development had not paid the Community Infrastructure Levy about £8000 of which should accrue to the parish. Lengthy discussion between the parish council and residents to decide a way ahead was hampered by the fact the identities of the Receiver and the finance company now backing the development were not known. However, SLDC had put a veto on the sale of the remaining properties until a resolution could be agreed. The parish council and residents agreed that improvements to the roads and pavements were the highest priority and both parties would continue to work with SLDC to resolve as any of the contraventions as possible.

Of the two current planning applications on the agenda the council had no objections to the one for Crow Trees and the other for 13 Morewood Drive had been withdrawn. County and district councillor Bingham reported that he had secured £6000 or road improvements for Burton and Holme and noted that there would be a 2.5% increase in council tax for the coming year.

To improve the visual impact of The Square East the council wished to remove the telephone kiosk, replace the litter bin and bag dispenser and facilitate marked parking bays. BT would not allow removal of the telephone box, but the other improvements would be actioned.

Recent rain had caused some flooding in the village, but it was explained that the new drainage work was not yet completed but should all be connected up in the next few weeks. Commemoration of VE Day was briefly discussed. It is hoped for a cooperation between the Local History Society, Burton Morewood School and St James' church to mark this 75th anniversary.

Finally, the meeting was reminded that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held at 19.15 on Thursday, 19 March followed by the parish council meeting.