Issue - meetings

The Chairman introduced planning application number 136577, an outline planning application for the development of up to 49no. dwellings, with access to land to the west of Horsley Road, Gainsborough to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications - resubmission of 134824. The Committee were advised that since the last meeting, the site visit requested by Committee Members had taken place on 8 May 2019. He invited the Senior Development Management Officer to provide any updates. He advised that since the report was drafted additional letters of objection had been received from residents of 22 Marshall Rise and 43 Horsley Road Gainsborough and 62 Willingham Road, Knaith Park which were summarised as follows:

·         The site had an unsuitable access.

·         The water table may be a problem that caused damp.

·         A smaller development with landscaping and an extension to Roses playing fields with parking should be proposed.

·         Detrimental to existing infrastructure.

·         Drainage problems.

He advised, however, that the updates did not change the recommendation.

The Chairman invited the first registered speaker, Mr Adam Key, to address the Committee. Mr Key explained he was speaking on behalf of the applicant and wished to address the salient points that had been raised when the application was deferred at the previous meeting. He noted that the application was policy compliant in all regards. The proposed development was on former scrub land with the site having been deselected as open space by the Local Plan Inspector. He explained there had been extensive discussions with the Lead Local Flood Authority and the Environment Agency, both being key statutory consultees, and neither entity had issues with the proposal. Mr Key added that they were now confident that the proposed arrangements would bring improvements to the current situation. He stated that this accorded with LP14. Mr Key explained to the Committee that during the site visit, driveways of residents had been unused with residents preferring to use street parking instead. He felt this gave a skewed representation of the access way to the site. He added that Lincolnshire County Council Highways had supported and accepted the application, no alternative expert evidence had been put forward as to why it was not acceptable. Mr Key stated that the application accorded with LP13. Mr Key added to this that the public realm would be enhanced by the proposed development, with previously inaccessible space being opened up, pathways and cycleways being linked as well as the contributions to health and education in the area. He stated that this was a robust application, they had worked with the planning department throughout and requested Committee Members to support the Officer recommendation to grant approval. He thanked Members for their time.

The Chairman then invited Councillor Sheila Bibb to address the Committee.

Councillor Bibb explained she was speaking as Ward Member in opposition to the application. She noted the comments from Mr Key but referred to three main areas of concern. The first of these was regarding the risk of flooding in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111