Draft Minutes of the EGM July 2025 

Download a PDF copy of the minutes here

DRAFT MINUTES: CORBY GLEN PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the EGM held on Tues July 29^th 2025 at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Memorial Gallery, Corby Glen.

Present: Cllrs Walsingham (Chair), Baker, Ellam, Green, Harty, Harwood, Mardling, Shepperson (Vice-Chair) & Waumsley

In attendance: County Cllr M Hill; 17 residents / visitors; Mrs. S. Woodman (Parish Clerk).

Open Forum:

Members of the public made the following points regarding the proposed WMEL power line / sub-station: 

• Concern re health issues (especially children) from the electro-magnetic field surrounding pylons. There are differing views on how far this extends, and the potential issues.
• Although the proposed location of the sub-station is in a dip, the visual impact is unknown, including whether it will be ‘hidden’ in any way eg fencing / hedging. Only an artist’s impression of another site has been available.
• Is the power line inevitable? There was a discussion on what alternative routes were considered: of the 5 routes proposed, the preferred one, passing close to the village, had been preferred as the most direct, least problematic and cheapest option. The ‘rules’ had resulted in other routes being discounted.
• Cllr Hill provided some background information: Originally it was proposed to take the power line under the sea from the Wash to South East England, where the need for power is greatest, but this had been deemed too costly.
  All connections currently run North – South; this cross-country East-West line is out of step.
• Cllr Hill stressed that the real question is not which route, but is it actually needed?
• There is a misconception that the power line will bring jobs to the community. This is not the case.
• It was pointed out that the government is now seriously considering the nuclear option, which would change the route of power lines.
• It is important that everyone makes their views known. The number of comments received is important. The deadline is Wednesday August 6^th. Parish Cllrs can help in cases of difficulty.

Members of the public made the following points regarding the SKDC Draft Local Plan: 

• The proposal for housing in Corby Glen was clarified: 144 houses on the North side of Bourne Road, already in the previous plan; plus an additional 293 houses between Bourne Road and Swinstead Road and continuing South of Swinstead Road (next to the Ron Dawson Hall). Total 437 houses.
• This puts all development on one side of the village and is thus ‘unbalanced’, the furthest houses being a considerable distance from the village centre.
• It is considered that Corby Glen has already had to accept too many new houses – pre-Covid, the village consisted of c.450 houses; SKDC now expect it to grow to c.1,300 – almost triple in size – with no supporting infrastructure. This is unfair and unrealistic.
• SKDC has elected to locate too much of the additional housing the government has tasked it to provide in rural locations such as Corby Glen, where the infrastructure is poor and there is no work,
• In the past the public services have been unco-operative in supporting the development with eg improved road layouts. It appears to be the responsibility of the community to demonstrate extra need.
• Cllrs clarified that any extra funding provided by developers does NOT go direct to the Parish Council. It is paid by the developer to SKDC and is strictly controlled. The Parish Council must apply for funding for what are deemed ‘eligible’ projects.
• It was noted that the route of the pylons passes though one of the proposed development sites!
• It is vital that as many people as possible make their views known to SKDC – numbers count. Residents are requested to talk to friends and neighbours and encourage them to submit individual comments ie husband & wife, 2 comments. The Parish Council will continue to interact with the community to encourage as many residents as possible to make comments.
• The deadline is Thursday August 28^th.

1. Apologies for absence: None
2. Councillors’ Declarations of Interest: Cllr Harwood has a loose connection to the owners of the land North of Bourne Road which is included in the local plan; Cllr Walsingham is related to another landowner of a small field where a pylon might be situated. These interests were not considered material.
3. Agree the council’s response to the proposed National Grid and sub-station and agree actions: It was agreed unanimously that the council should raise a hard objection to National Grid’s proposal for the WMEL powerline and sub-stations. Reasons should not be given to minimise debate.
4. Consider the council’s response to SKDC’s draft Local Plan concerning the currently proposed 144 + additionally proposed 293 houses allocation and agree actions:
   Summary of concerns expressed by Cllrs: No provision for additional infrastructure; existing new housing has not yet been absorbed into the village – too much too soon; additional pressure on roads eg Swinstead Road; development all on one side of the village – unbalanced; no work in the village, inadequate public transport, so increased use of cars (environmental concerns); no demand for existing development – unsold houses being bought up by SKDC for ‘shared / social housing’.

Cllr Harwood raised a grave concern that further development could follow – there was additional land available adjacent to the proposed sites. There was no reference to this in the plan.

It was agreed unanimously that the council should raise a hard objection to the additional housing allocation in Corby Glen in SKDC’s draft Local Plan.

5. Consider support for an Action Group to follow through actions agreed regarding items 3 & 4 above:
   Action Groups have more flexibility that the Parish Council, which is bound by regulations. It was considered that approaching residents direct was likely to be the most effective eg door knocking. Further leaflets will be prepared and distributed – one issue per leaflet.

It was agreed unanimously that a dedicated Action Group with the objective of stopping the proposed Pylons would be beneficial. This may join with other local affected parishes / groups.

An Action Group to object to the additional housing in the draft local plan was not considered necessary at this stage. We should concentrate on encouraging the maximum number of people to express their views.

The involvement of our local MP was discussed. Cllrs have been in touch with her office, but sadly at present she is unwell. Cllr Hill will ensure she is kept informed.

6. Agree next Steps regarding Developer issues (Swinstead Road Drainage):
   Originally the problem was considered to originate from the Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) development because Allison Homes & David Wilson Homes (DWH) were dosing their sewerage with chemicals. It has now been recognised that this is not necessarily the case. To prove the source absolutely, Allison & DWH installations need to run without the dosing for a period to see whether the smell returns. Anglian Water have instituted a 12 month ‘maintenance’ period during which any problems which come to light must be fixed by the developer.

It is important that the residents of all developments understand the correct position.

A total budget of £250 was agreed unanimously to fund expenses of the Action Group looking into this.

Tanners Lane: After recent rain, raw sewerage was seen on Tanners Lane. This has been reported and is currently believed to be unconnected with the new developments. Cllr Baker reported that an inspection is due.

7. Agree the council’s position regarding the Christmas Tree / Lights for 2025:
   Feedback received at the recent session at the Church Street Rooms (CSR) and various options were discussed. The consensus at the meeting was that the village would like a real tree, but not necessarily in the Market Place alongside the Buttercross Lights. Cllr Harwood offered his paddock as a possible site, where power is available and which can be seen when approaching the village.

As the Buttercross Lights have been specifically designed for the Buttercross, it was felt that they should remain. Cllr Harwood’s paddock would be best placed for the ‘real’ Christmas Tree proposed by the Sheep Fair committee (of which 2 members were present). They agreed to take the proposal back to the next Sheep Fair Committee Meeting.

8. Agree proposed VJ Day service outline and budget: The Church Warden has drafted an order of service, to be held on Friday August 15^th 2025 at 7.30pm on the Green. A budget of up to £50 was agreed unanimously for commemorative materials.
9. Consider the council’s position regarding commercial signage: LCC’s Brown signs are considered too expensive. Instead, perhaps a black & white sign on / around the Green could be devised? It must be remembered that this is a conservation area. All the local businesses need to come together to agree the content of the sign.

To be covered at the September meeting of the Parish Council.

10. Consider the council’s position and response regarding anti-social behaviour: More work is required before SK’s ASB unit or the police will be involved. Cllr Mardling agreed to keep a log of all incidents. All were requested to continue to report incidents to the police and also to inform Cllr Mardling, along with the relevant crime no.
11. Agree the council’s response and actions regarding Devolution proposals: This is less a consultation – the government will make proposals at some stage.

To be covered at the September meeting of the Parish Council.

12. Consider appropriate recognition of service: The Parish Council is pleased to recognise outstanding service to the village over a long period. To that end, a budget of £100 was agreed unanimously.

The meeting closed at 9.13pm, Chair thanked all for the good turn-out.

The next regular parish council meeting is on Wednesday September 10^th at 7.30pm in the Willoughby Gallery

Sue Woodman, Parish Clerk.