Shepton Beauchamp

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====== Notes on meeting Friday 7/11/2008 ======
Attended by Roger, Marcus, Jules, Debbie, Mary, David.\\ 
  -  Application for Watermark grant (Wessex Water) received, and grant award will take place in approx 2 months. Application for O2 award also received, and result of application will occur in a few weeks time.\\  
  -  Response from Colin Skellett, Chairman Wessex Water, to our letter asking for further assistance with site survey, received. This does not offer any financial assistance beyond the possibility of a Watermark grant, but does supply much useful information on the site history. This will enable us to refine our requirements for testing soil etc. We have had positive responses from Andy Roberts of SCC, and Jeff Downing of SSDC.  Mary to write to Andy and Jeff with outline of possible ways forward. Martin Fine, our facilitator, emphasises that the “duty of care for public use of the site” is all important. Mary to reply to Wessex Water.\\ 
  -  The utilities that may have infrastructure on the site will need to be contacted, to ensure we do not compromise their activities in any way. Water and Sewage information already received from Wessex Water, as is info from Western Power. Debbie to provide copies of these for application file. Mary to contact BT for telephone lines etc, Transco for gas pipes, and British Pipeline Agency for oil pipelines.
  -  Joy Williams, biodiversity officer, SSDC, has contacted David with regard to our proposals. (She is a colleague of Phil Stone) David to keep her informed.
  -  Roger is to contact Groundwork to confirm that an application for infrastructure work will be compatible with additional grants etc from other sources. We do not want to find that there is rigid deadline for completion of the project that will be incompatable with the long term development of the site.
  -  We still have no idea who cut back grass on the site several weeks ago. Although this was useful to get a view of what is present, we do not wish anyone else to “have a go” without talking to the committee. Once things are planted etc, we wish to remain in control of what happens on the site.
  -  Tree planting work on Sunday 9th Nov 12md to 2pm. Phil Bartlett has 5-6 black poplar trees, approx 30 willow ( red, yellow and black stemmed) whips and 1 swamp cypress to plant. As we have not made final descisions on the plan, these are to be heeled in until they can be replanted in their final position.
  -  The request for the playgroup to have plots in the seating area was discussed. It was agreed that this could be accommodated in the present plan, with some modification. This is likely to involved the use of central beds. This can be discussed further at AGM.
  -  It was suggested that the plan to have the orchard area start just inside the gateway, would be better visually if there were to be a selection of low growing shrubs in the area near the notice board, and then orchard trees.
  -  In Somerset, orchard trees are traditionally planted at 6m intervals, and some people felt this would lead to a regimented feel. It was suggested that some gaps might be left in the planting, or else some trees could be removed in a few years time, as they may not all thrive. This has not really been resolved. It is also recommended that the area around the base of the trees is kept vegetation free for a couple  of years, until they are established and will not suffer competition from weeds.
  -  Though it is considered essential to have hard paths in key areas for use of wheelchairs, buggies etc, grass paths through trees are thought to be more appropriate, providing reasonable access is available to all users. We need to establish the position of these paths by mowing, so that dog walkers etc are habituated to walking where they will not interfere with new planting.
  -  Jules suggests willow pods in some areas, which can be planted to allow willow play “houses” to grow up.
  -  The bramble thicket remaining near the South West corner of the seating area should be planted with relatively low growing trees- hazel suggested- to keep down brambles, and not interfere with power lines.
  -  We will not rule out grazing animals on site at some later date, but they create difficulties.
  -  Position of gateways to be decided--- particularly a lockable gate to prevent access to machinery etc., but with a pedestrian gate to allow wheelchair access etc. (What would Wessex Water think of a lockable gate?)
  -  Outline of agenda for AGM discussed, and will be sent out at weekend.
**  Mary H Clarke, 09/11/08**
====== Notes following meeting Wed 15/10/08 ======
Attended by Mary, Roger, Debbie, Marcus.
Mary reported that a letter had been sent to Wessex Water identifying possible risks attached to using a former sewage works site for developing a community garden, outlining possible hazards, and requesting financial assistance with costs of a precautionary survey. Copies of the letter have been sent to various local councillors, and the local MP, as well as Mark Doughty, the senior Ecology officer.

Our facilitator, Martin Fine has been making preliminary soundings of ways in which we could reduce the costs of a survey. This may enable us to get a sufficiently detailed survey carried out, that would allow our application to for the Stage 2 grant to proceed smoothly.

Debbie reported a meeting with Phil Stone from Somerset County Council, who will be able to fund some trees for a community orchard at approx £10 per tree, and also provide woodland trees and guidance for people involved in planting. He suggests that most of the paths through woodland areas should be mowed grassland, and that this would allow disabled access and buggies etc. Most members of the group were happy with this, but felt that hard pathways were important in the seating area, for year round access.

The playgroup are keen to participate with a couple of vegetable plots, and a sensory plot. They envisage having raised beds, but because of the risk of possible contamination at the site of the old sewage filter beds, they would prefer to have these beds in the seating area. This has the advantage of being nearer the playgroup premesis (the village hall), and enable contact between the children, and residents of Buttle Close who may use the seating area. Shelley, the Playgroup Leader felt this would be beneficial to all. This needs to be discussed at the next meeting.

Andy Roberts, SCC officer, stressed that the end use of the land would indicate what kind of investigation needed to be carried out. This is very important when it comes to growing vegetables, planting trees etc, as the depth to which land is disturbed is important. Raised beds obviously will reduced disturbance to land.

**Mary H Clarke**