ELEVEN members of the public were present at the bi-monthly meeting of Corse Parish Council and heard the chairman, Coun Pat Lewis, confirm that a planning application in respect of Grangebrook/ Corse Grange (erection of seven new dwellings) has been made.

Opening the discussion, the chairman also confirmed that the parish council had met to consider the implications of the application, which proposed to increase the present approval for three dwellings to seven dwellings. The chairman stated that after consideration it had been unanimously agreed to recommend refusal on the grounds that the proposed development would be out of character with the surrounding countryside. Moreover the proposal was outside of the approved development area and from the point of view of road safety would create more hazardous conditions than had previously existed or would exist if the development were limited to three dwellings.

The chairman also expressed concern at the proposal to build an access road through the much admired long-standing garden. Several members expressed the need for sporadic development such as this one to be resisted at all costs if the character of the present village was to be maintained.

Many of the parishioners present then raised their concerns and confirmed that objections to the proposal had been sent to the Forest of Dean District Council. A site inspection was to be undertaken by members of the FODCC planning committee at 10.30am on Tuesday.

Two new members of Corse Parish Council and members of the public were welcomed to the annual general meeting of Corse Parish Council by chairman, Coun Pat Lewis. They were councillors D Spry and J N Bates. Coun Lewis and Coun R Padfield were re-elected as chairman and vice-chairman respectively.

In her annual report the chairman outlined significant events that had occurred during the year. Efforts had been made to re-establish the identity of the parish and it was pleasing to report that Ordinance maps would now clearly define the boundary. Royal Mail has introduced a new address system and shortly new road signs would be erected. Decisions were still awaited in respect of the 30mph speed limit through the village but approval had been given to a 40mph limit in Straight Lane and Malvern Road. The poor conditions of some roads had been brought to the notice of the surveyor and details were still awaited regarding the levels of illuminations of the street lighting in Prince Crescent and Boundary Place. Dog fouling remains a problem through the village and playing field.

Donations had been made to the playing fields towards new equipment and maintenance and also the school and Corse charity. Coun G Bruce reported on the activities of the school and explained why additional contributions were required to assist in financing the new building works, the school had organised several money raising events and the new extensions were already demonstrating their worth to both teacher and pupils.

Coun Lewis confirmed the village hall was going from strength to strength with very full bookings from local community groups. The village hall committee were very grateful to a local resident for the gift of £60,000 towards the refurbishment of the hall which would include facilities for the disabled. It was hoped that a further £30,000 could be raised so that the building works could start during the summer.

Reports were given on the successes of both football and cricket teams and of the number of local youths using the facilities, but concern was expressed at the wanton damage to established conifers and the theft of the children's swings.

PC Simon Bailey reported on crime statistics for the village, burglaries had decreased marginally but theft had increased significantly. Six reported road accidents had occurred within the village but no one location stood out. Coun Bates stated he would like to see a greater physical presence of police to deter petty crime.

The chairman thanked the members for their support and special thanks were made regarding the work of the clerk Norman Davis and internal auditor Mr Gerry Morrell and also to Ursula Groves-Smith for reports.