11th September 2025
MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 11th September 2025
PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Cllrs A Dewsnip, C.Dickinson, T Hall, K Tharby and S Gallimore (from item 6c) at 8.30) Also in attendance Cllr A Paraskos (NYC), M Richards (Clerk) and three residents
1. Apologies: No apologies for absence were received.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
3. Public participation. No items submitted.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting on 10th July were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Dewsnip and seconded by Councillor Dickinson. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising. None.
As the 3 residents were attending in respect of specific agenda items, the Chairman approved the bringing forward of those items, hence items 6b) and 11a) were discussed first of all, followed by item 8b) i)
Planning
Applications Received
a) 25/02563/DVCMAJ PROPOSAL: Variation of conditions 2 (approved drawings) and 9 (vehicular parking and manoeuvring/ refuse storage details) in relation to planning consent 21/05487/FULMAJ – Partial demolition of existing driving range building, erection of two storey driving range building including retail provision, teaching facilities, cafe / bar and associated areas (Use Class E(a), E(b), E(d), F2(c) and Sui Generis). Reconfiguration and extension to existing car park, earthworks relating to the reconfiguration of existing ground contours and golf bunkers with all associated landscaping, ancillary storage and apparatus and all engineering, drainage works and operations. Rudding Park Driving Range, Rudding Park, Follifoot.
The Chairman displayed the existing and proposed site plans and referred to the variations in this application, compared with the original, approved application. He noted that the various other consultees had not objected or submitted comments, and he recommended a SUPPORT response be submitted and councillors confirmed their agreement.
b) 25/02263/FUL – Two storey side extension, single storey rear extension and attached garage to side following demolition of existing detached garage. Construction of a new drive/turning area and alteration of existing access on to Pannal Road. 3 Park Side, Pannal Road, Follifoot.
The applicant gave some additional details of the application, mentioning that the Council’s arboriculturistwas considering the “root protection area” for the tree adjacent to the new drive/turning area (decision awaited) The Chairman displayed the plans and elevations and the applicant agreed with councillors that whilst the proposed extension is rather large,it is similar in size and design to the next door property. Councillors had no material concerns, and it was agreed to SUPPORT the application.
c) 25/02809/TPO – Works to trees within Tree Preservation Order 66/2023 (HAR). Crown reduction (by 2.5m in height, 1m roadside, 3m field side and 1.5m neighbouring tree side) and crown thinning (by 10%-30%) of 2 no. Cherry trees (T1 and T2). Village Hall, Tofts Lane, Follifoot. Councillors MacDermid, Dewsnip and Tharby notified their interest as trustees of the Village Hall but as no financial or beneficial interest is involved, there is no restriction on their participation in discussion and debate. Discussion followed on the need for the works and Councillor Dickinson questioned the accuracy of the comments in the arboriculturist’s report, but it was ultimately agreed that the Parish Council’s role was to assess the application as described and evidenced, which focused on safety and the impact phone lines, and, accordingly, a SUPPORT response was agreed.
d) 25/02768/LB – Listed building application for the installation of electric vehicle charger to the front of the property, within the courtyard. (No. 3 Wingate Court already have the same, within the courtyard) 1 Wingate Court Roundabout to Braham Hall, Plompton.
The Chairman briefly ran through the details of the application, displaying the existing and proposed plans. Councillors had no concerns and a SUPPORT response was agreed.
e) 25/02793/FUL – Pitched roofed rear extension with dormers to sides and pitched roofs to existing front dormers. Alveston, Main Street, Follifoot.
Councillors agreed there was no material change to the appearance of the front of the property and there were no issues with oversight and a SUPPORT response was agreed.
f) 25/03020/FUL – Replacement outbuilding, side extension and internal reconfiguration including insertion of 1no. external door. Plompton Hall Farm House, Farrar Wood To Plompton Park, Plompton.
g) 25/03021/LB – Replacement outbuilding, side extension and internal reconfiguration including insertion of 1no. external door. Plompton Hall Farm House Farrar Wood To Plompton Park Plompton.
The Chairman displayed the existing and proposed plans (for f) and g)) It was noted that the previous more significant application, which had been supported by the Parish Council, had been refused. Whilst this proposal will in fact be more visible, councillors could not see any reason to object and a SUPPORT response was agreed.
Decisions
h) ZC24/02245/FUL – Installation of 2no. external glazed screens within 2no. existing external archways and associated works. Keepers Cottage, Plompton, Knaresborough. REFUSED
i) ZC24/02246/LB – Installation of 2no. external glazed screens within 2no. existing external archways and associated works. Keepers Cottage, Plompton, Knaresborough.REFUSED
j) 25/02442/AMENDS – Non material amendment to allow the proposed driveway surface material to be changed from Stone Block Paving to a combination of Stone Block Paving and Resin Gravel to planning permission HGTZC24/02942/DVCON – East View Cottages, Main Street, Follifoot.
GRANTED
k) 25/01735/FUL – Demolition of existing garage and erection of replacement garage and store. Erection of new boundary treatments, driveway alterations and external landscaping. Wentworth, The Paddocks, Follifoot.GRANTED
Councillors noted the above decisions and had no comments.
Other
l) Planning Enforcement Case No: 25/00200/PR15 – The Round House, Manor Court, Follifoot, North Yorkshire HG3 1UB. ALLEGED BREACH: Alterations to window PLANNING REF: HGT87/02506/FUL.
The Chairman explained that the “alterations to window” referred to a change from frosted to clear glass, thereby causing a lack of privacy to an adjacent property. No role for the Parish Council other than to await developments. Councillors noted. `
m) Land south of Glenshee, off Spofforth Lane – further development observed, with an additional building constructed. The clerk has reported to Enforcement but no action notified as yet. Exact location will be notified to Cllr Paraskos, who will follow up.
7. Chairman’s communications.
a) The Chairman reminded councillors of the car parking issue raised at a previous meeting. He
has received further communication from concerned residents of continuing safety issues due to
a car being parked by the Main Street bus stop, close to the junction with Leconfield Garth.
This is believed to be a breach of the highway code, and may potentially be unlawful.
The clerk will write to the individual advising him of this fact and request they make alternative
parking arrangements.
b) The Chairman has received communication regarding an accident involving a resident (in
their car) and a bus on Spofforth Lane. This occurred at a narrow stretch of the road near
Aketon. The Chairman agreed to raise this issue at the PC meeting to make residents aware.
8. Clerk’s correspondence
a) New Assertion 10 – 2025-26 AGAR.
Further to the discussion on this topic at the last meeting the clerk has ascertained that to comply with the new requirement for the allocation and use of .gov,uk email addresses for all councillors and the clerk, the Parish Council needs to obtain its own domain with an approved name (which must meet certain requirements) It appears that “follifootplomptonpc” meets these requirements so the clerk will make the necessary arrangements to proceed with this issue. NB he will also check whether officially, “Plompton” or “Plumpton” is the correct designation.
b) Tree problems
i) Tree behind Leconfield Garth. The two residents explained the problem regarding this silver birch tree which appeared to be dead and potentially is a health and safety issue. The tree is actually on HC Townsend, Funeral Directors land and the Chairman confirmed that the responsibility for the tree lies with them. The Chairman advised that the first steps should be to contact the NYC arboriculturist, to confirm the state of the tree. If he agrees that the tree is dead, the next step should be to contact Townsends and agree the necessary action. Both residents confirmed they were happy to do this.
ii) Birch tree outside Coin House, Plompton Road. The property owner is concerned about the tree overhanging her property and also obscuring the street light and growing round telephone cables. The clerk will contact NYC Highways to confirm responsibility and request action to resolve.
iii) X70 bus route, The bus company had advised customers that the double decker buses on the X70 service could no longer travel on Rudding Lane due to overhanging trees, thereby causing problems for residents. Note : this was not an issue for the single deckers. The Chairman had made contact with various relevant parties and who had offered to arrange contractors to address the matter. The Parish council are very appreciative of the prompt assistance. He and councillor Dickinson have also been communicating with the MD of Connexions buses. Note : Correspondence was also received on this matter from a resident.
9. Parish Matters
a) Plompton.
i) Cllr Hall advised that, at long last, most of the “triangle” drains had been unblocked but the
potholes in the road towards Wetherby were still bad, and the black and white marker posts at
the junction had not been replaced. Cllr Paraskos agreed to follow up again with Highways.
ii) “Closed” Signs had been erected on the footpaths into Wetherby by Yorkshire Television for
the period 17 September to 30 October, without notification or consultation. The clerk will make
enquiries of the Footpaths Officer.
b) Village upkeep.
i) The light bulb in the Information Centre has burnt out. The clerk will arrange for a replacement.
ii) The new arrangement to maintain the roadside verges up and down Pannal Road and
elsewhere in the village, previously undertaken by the village handyman, needs to be confirmed.
The Follifields contractor will be asked to inspect thevillage verges as part of his routine
Follifields visit, and cut verges where necessary.
iii) The street light at the top of Main Street is still “out” The clerk will contact NYC again.
iv) Potholes on Main Street. The Chairman will provide “What3Words” indicators to the clerk who
will forward to NYC Highways.
10. Road safety
a) VAS Speed Sign – Cllr Dickinson reported that there was no real change in traffic speeds
data. As agreed at the June meeting, the device has been reversed to capture the speeds of
traffic exiting the village towards the A658. He will present collected data to the October meeting.
b) Haggs Road. The installation of the 40mph zone is still awaited. The clerk will contact NYC
Highways for an update.
c) Installation of “speed pipes” on Plompton Road. The results of the survey revealed a
very low level of speeds in excess of 30mph – 85thpercentile indicating speeds <30mph, with a
mean average of 23mph. The Highways Safety Officer confirmed that there was no justification
for a VAS or other traffic calming measures.
11. Follifields
a) Unofficial gate from a house on Parkside, directly into Follifields. The Chairman repeated the
reasons behind the need for this gate to be removed:
- health and safety issue as highlighted by the Council’s Risk Assessment.
- Access to and exit from the area, should only be via the self-closing gate
at the top of Radcliffe Close.
- the existence of an additional, unofficial, insecure entrance is contrary to
the terms of the lease agreement between the Parish Council and the
Landlord (Rudding Park Estate), and also of Planning Consent.
The property owner (who was present) acknowledged the above but stated that a gate had
been in place when the property was purchased, it was not a new addition. She maintained that
the gate was bolted shut all times and she did not consider it to be a risk. The Chairman
accepted these comments but nevertheless could see no option but to insist that the gate be
removed and the hedge made good. The resident was concerned at the additional cost that this
would require and a compromise was suggested that, instead of completely removing the gate, it
be converted to a fixed length of fencing. The resident agreed to consider the best option.
b) Hedge maintenance. The top, bottom and far hedges bordering Follifields, will be cut by
Rudding Estate and we thank them for this. The hedge along Radcliffe Close will be maintained
by the Parish Council and the clerk will contact the local contractor to arrange for this to be done.
12. Finance
a) Review of finances, approval of expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 11th September 2025 in Current Account £1,051.05 and Deposit
Account £24,753,90, total £25,804.95. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in
confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process. Monthly Reconciliation –
reconciliation as at 11th September was provided, with receipts and payments in the period
10th July to 11th September, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 8 amounts below for payment.
| Clerk’s salary | M Richards | £298.69 | Bank transfer |
| PAYE | HMRC | £199.12 | Bank transfer |
| Clerk’s Expenses | M Richards | £100.00 | Bank transfer |
| Speed pipes | NYC | £132.00 | Bank transfer |
| Follifields grasscutting | N Rigton PC | £92.40 | Bank transfer |
| Follifields grasscutting | S Bush | £92.40 | Bank transfer |
| Print cartridges | M Richards | £39.99 | Bank transfer |
| ½ Barrel planters | C Dickinson | £110.00 | Bank transfer |
b) The Clerk explained the payment to North Rigton PC. He had inadvertently paid the August
Follifields grasscutting from the NRPC bank accountand this was the corresponding refund. He
then very briefly ran through the Summary and Cumulative budget statements explaining the
updates from July receipts and payments. Councillors had examined the budget statements prior
to the meeting and had no questions or comments.
13. Items for the next meeting
None notified.
The meeting finished at 10.00pm
Date of next meeting – Thursday 9th October 2025, commencing at 7.30pm, at Follifoot Village Hall.