AGM 24th March 2025

Meeting Overview:

The meeting was the fifth Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the Forum. Standard AGM procedures were followed, including welcoming attendees (non-members were also invited to observe), noting apologies, confirming no conflicts of interest, and approving the minutes from the previous year’s AGM.

Key Discussion Points & Opinions:

1. Forum Activities & Finances:
   • An activity report was presented without comment.
   • The Treasurer presented the 2024 accounts, noting that committee members often cover minor expenses personally. Attendees approved the accounts and the Treasurer thanked residents for donations.
   • The minutes from the 2024 AGM were approved.
     https://edenfieldcommunityforum.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ECNF-AGM-minutes-2024-signed.pdf
     
2. Neighbourhood Plan:
   • The Secretary reported the Neighbourhood Plan was successfully approved in a recent referendum with very strong support (95% majority on a 38% turnout).
   • The plan was due to be formally adopted by the Council shortly, after which its policies would influence local planning decisions.
   • Information addressing resident questions raised during the referendum process was distributed.
     
3. Development of Site H66 (Ex Green Belt Land): This was the most significant discussion topic.
   • Forum Concerns: The Chair and other committee members expressed significant concerns:
     • The Council-approved Masterplan for the site was considered too vague.
     • It was felt that developers submitting planning applications before the Masterplan was approved was incorrect procedure based on the Local Plan requirements.
     • One developer’s revised application was approved by the Council’s Development Control Committee (DCC) despite Forum objections. A Forum representative spoke against it, and an attendee who observed the DCC meeting felt the committee members didn’t fully grasp the situation or ask probing questions.
     • Detailed objections were submitted against another developer’s application, with particular concerns about inadequate drainage proposals highlighted by statutory bodies. The Forum intends to monitor this closely.
     • There is uncertainty about the development of a third portion of the site.
     • The Forum acknowledged that overturning the site’s allocation in the Local Plan was likely unfeasible (due to cost/uncertainty of legal challenge), so efforts are focused on mitigating the development’s negative impacts.
       
   • Attendee Comments & Questions:
     • Attendees questioned the history of the site’s allocation.
     • Some questioned the need for approving more housing applications when Borough targets were reportedly being met (the Chair explained approvals were needed for long-term targets).
     • Strong opinions were voiced that a proposed car park and playground should be located within the H66 development site itself, not on adjacent Green Belt or Burnley Road, citing necessity and safety concerns (especially for children accessing the playground). The Forum confirmed they had raised this point previously.
     • Concerns were raised about preserving a stone wall bordering one part of the site.
     • Attendees anticipated future traffic problems related to access for the third part of the site, supporting the Forum’s push for a village-wide transport review.
       
4. Other Issues:
   • Fundraising: Continued reliance on donations rather than active fundraising events, due to the committee’s focus on planning matters.
   • Wind Farm Proposal (Scout Moor II): An attendee raised concerns about a nearby wind farm extension proposal (outside the Forum’s area). The main issue for Edenfield was the potential for construction traffic coinciding with H66 development. The Forum noted engagement with the developer and encouraged residents to attend an upcoming consultation.
     
5. Governance:
   • Most existing management committee members were re-elected. One member stepped down due to moving away but, along with another co-opted individual, agreed to continue assisting the committee. No new members volunteered from the floor.
   • Attendees expressed thanks and applause for the committee’s work.

The meeting concluded with the expectation that the next AGM would be in March 2026.