Email: leveringtonpc@gmail.com
Web: leveringtonparishcouncil.org
Minutes of the meeting of the Leverington Parish Council, held in the Leverington Village Hall,
Gorefield Road on Tuesday 24th March 2026.
This meeting was held after the Parish Assembly therefore there was no Public Forum.
- Present
- Parish Councillors T.Bulgarelli, B.Baker, Ms R.Collins, J.Downes (Chairman), Mrs. S.Edghill, Mrs. S.Ward, Mrs. P.Webb. District Councillor Ms S.Clark, C Seaton. Clerk B.Boyce.
1. Opening Remarks
1.1 Apologies and Declarations of Interest
Apologies from Parish Councillor N.Brooks.
There were no Declarations of Interest.
1.2 Parish Council Representative
Chairman J.Downes.
Report submitted for the minutes - not discussed.
I attended Leverington Ffeofees Meeting held in Gorefield on the evening of Wednesday 11th March.
E.Newling was re-elected as Chairman. D.Ball was re-elected as Vice Chairman.
Other business: Thomas Criplin grants awarded to 5 widows from Newton.
Hardship grant was discussed and a small grant in form of vouchers was given, alongside advice on seeking help from other bodies.
2. To Agree the Minutes of the Meeting Held on 24th February 2026
Due to the omission of a name, the minutes could not be signed.
3. To Receive Reports from County and District Councillors
District Councillor C.Seaton gave an update on the situation with the Roman Court development complex. Also:
Subject: Update on Fenland 50: Transition to the Local Planning System.
In December, the Council agreed that Fenland would be one of the first areas in the country to move onto the Government’s new Local Plan system. These new rules – the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 – came into force on 25 March 2026. To ensure the Fenland 50 plan is prepared in line with this new legal framework, we have reissued our Notice of Commencement, as required under Regulation 19: https://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/18745/Fenland-50-Notice-to-Commence
What this means for work already underway
Thank you to everyone who has taken part in our early engagement or provided feedback over recent months. None of this work is lost. All comments, ideas and evidence gathered so far remain part of our evidence base and will help shape the emerging plan. This approach is supported by the regulations and accompanying explanatory material, which confirm that relevant existing evidence may continue to be used when preparing a new plan.
However, the new system introduces key steps that all local planning authorities must now follow:
- A statutory period before Gateway 1
- A formal scoping consultation in May
Local authorities must demonstrate readiness and complete a required self-assessment before formally starting the 30-month preparation period at Gateway 1. The 30-month timeline begins only when Gateway 1 is passed. We expect to reach Gateway 1 at the end of July 2026.
The regulations require a defined statutory scoping consultation (Regulation 20) before Gateway 1. We will therefore be holding an additional scoping consultation in May 2026, giving all stakeholders a further opportunity to comment on what the plan should cover and how future engagement should take place.
How you can get involved now
- Suggest land for consideration
Our Call for Sites remains open. If you know of land that may be suitable for new homes, jobs, green space or other uses, you can submit suggestions via our online portal: Call For Sites 2026 - View the updated timetable
We have updated our Local Plan Timetable, in line with Regulation 4 requirements for publication and maintenance. You can view the latest version here: https://www.fenland.gov.uk/article/18746/Fenland-50-Local-Plan-Timetable
We are proud to be leading the way under the new national plan making arrangements, which aim to deliver up to date Local Plans more quickly and transparently. Your continued involvement is vital to ensuring the Fenland 50 Local Plan reflects the needs, priorities and ambitions of our communities.
Best regards,
The Planning Policy Team
Fenland District Council
4. To Receive a Financial Report
4.1 Account Balances
| Date | Details | Amount (£) |
|---|---|---|
| Opening balance | 32,469.92 | |
| 02.03.26 | Interest | 81.67 |
| Payments | ||
| 09.02.26 | Upwell Computer Repairs - Monthly retainer | 25.00 |
| NPower Commercial - Street light power | 40.00 | |
| Village Hall - Hall hire | 57.00 | |
| Upwell Computer Repairs - various | 320.00 | |
| NPower Commercial - Street Light Power | 873.49 | |
| 10.02.26 | N.Brooks - Light screws etc | 56.79 |
| 23.02.26 | B.Boyce - Monthly payment | 574.53 |
| NPower Commercial - Street Light Power | 897.89 | |
| Closing balance | 28,234.47 | |
| Cemetery Account | ||
| Opening balance | 140,190.76 | |
| 09.02.26 | Richard King - Diggle memorial | 160.00 |
| 23.02.26 | Richard King - Lenton tablet | 100.00 |
| No payments | ||
| Closing balance | 140,450.76 | |
The accounts were scrutinised by the councillors Ward and Webb.
The estimate value in the General Account at the end of the financial year was £18,000.00. A minimum of £10,000 should be left in the account. The council resolved to transfer £10,000 from the general account into the reserve account under the cemetery reserve.
4.2 Insurance Requirements
The monthly inspections of assets need to continue for the insurance purposes.
5. To Receive Health and Safety Reports from Councillors
Benches Councillor Collins
All benches checked and seem in order. Vegetation behind the one on the pit, Ringers Lane, needs cutting back.
Defibrillators. Councillor Downes
15.03.26 All defibrillators checked and in working order. Report sent to Community Heartbeat Trust and East of England Ambulance Service. Councillor Ward will be shown the procedures.
Street Lights Councillor Downes
12.03.26 Routine checks on street lights carried out at 9pm this evening. No problems other than the 2 not functioning in Horseshoe Terrace. An Email sent to Contractors requesting date or estimated date for carrying out the remedial work.
Public Footpaths. 16.03.26 Councillor Webb
I went round all the locations on Saturday and Sunday no problems overall Roman Bank is looking particularly pretty with its spring flowers and blossom, little bits of litter but insignificant. Bledwick Drove access gate will soon need the wooden fencing repaired.
Playground. Councillor Edghill
Please see attached 2 photos from my recent visit to the playground. As you can see there is now a broken part on the multiplay rope which needs replacing ASAP. In addition, the swing seat is looking more fragile, not helped by continued use of them being leaning posts for adults watching their children playing football on the adjoining all-weather surface, I thought this was one of the things being replaced. I note that Onlineplaygrounds say they have done some work, but I see no evidence of this and would like to see a detailed breakdown. Whilst I visited the playground there was a family there with 2 small boys, enjoying the slides and swings. Unfortunately one of them tripped over the raised wet pour which prompted the father to comment on the height of it to me. I explained that we would like to replace it, but at a cost of £50k it just wasn’t possible right now. Asset sheet sent to you separately.
Allotments Councillor Bulgarelli
Have visited twice since last meeting. Did not meet any plot holders on either visit. No comments in particular - all seemed in order. Would however continue to monitor old greenhouse structure in corner which is going to blow away one day.
Foal Ground, Councillor Collins
Signage on entry, all clean and visible. Mole hills. Bottom fence, covered in weeds. Generally clear of rubbish. Waste bin, outside entrance is empty. Did we book, a contractor to trim the hedge, not just height but width, before bird nesting season? As coming through the wire mesh and before long, will block access in the layby for offloading passengers. Has a tree surgeon checked the trees, do any need cutting back? As children climb the trees and use as a climbing frame, particularly the ones that edge Gadds Lane.
Cemetery. Councillor Brooks
Been over today 23.03.26, All good. Got some moss to remove on the brickwork. I had Tredell over to give a quote. He is checking sizes and will give us a quote by the end of next week.
Noticeboards Councillor Ward
No problems. All in order.
6. Planning Applications. Councillor Downes
Subject: F/YR26/0066/F. Erection of 50 Dwellings Land North of Horseshoe Terrace
Please see comments from Leverington Parish Council.
- Increase in number of dwellings will result on extra strain on services:-Sewage and Surface Water Drainage.
- This is already a development on a flood plain an extra 33 Dwellings will result in extra surface water drain’s possibly unable to cope.
- Biodiversity will be compromised.
- Extra vehicular traffic which will not be appreciated by residents who have already purchased properties on estate. Estimate an extra 60+ vehicle movements per day allowing 2 vehicles per household.
- Resulting increase of traffic flow from Delamore Drive (only entrance and exit) onto A1101 which is already subject to a large traffic flow that will increase excessively once proposed Wisbech Incinerator is completed. Our suggestions would be On Demand Traffic Signals at entrance to Delamore Drive and on A1101 and the 30mph limit being enforced from approximately 20 metres Beyond Parson Drove Lane.
- Extra strain on Drs Surgeries.
- Local schools already over subscribed.
- Strain on people’s mental health.
- Related increase in construction traffic.
- Properties appear to be minimal compared to previous 17 larger already agreed dwellings and unsuitable for this development.
We as a Parish Council recommend REFUSAL
F/2026/0134
Erect a single-storey front extension and canopy, alterations to roof, external finishes and fenestration including demolition of existing side extension at 1 Milton Drive Leverington Wisbech Cambridgeshire PE13 5DF
No objections.
Close of Meeting
Next meeting 28th April 2026