Issue - meetings

The Chairman introduced the first application of the evening, application number 141128 to demolish existing main building and replace with 1no. dwelling including landscaping, ancillary works and installation of solar panels to existing garage on land adj 19 Brook Street Hemswell Gainsborough. He stated there was one registered speaker and invited the Planning Officer to provide any updates to the Committee. She stated that, since the report had been published, following the urgent works notice which was served on 17 February 2021, Officers visited the site on 2 March to inspect the works. The new propping and bracing installed was all robust and suitable for purpose. The south-west corner had collapsed further since the last inspection and was in an unstable and dangerous state. It was agreed with the owner on site that it should be carefully dismantled, to around waist height, to remove the risk to the public and remaining fabric. It was also agreed that an additional prop should be installed overhanging the south-west masonry, at eaves level, as near vertical as possible to avoid disturbing the propping already in place. Given its condition at the time of the original inspection, the loss of stone to the south-west corner was not entirely unexpected. The building is still entirely repairable as concluded in the report. Following the presentation of the application from the Officer, the Chairman invited the registered speaker, Mr Paul Morris to address the Committee. He explained there were slides to be shown during his time and he made the following statement.

“Good evening Planning Committee please allow me to introduce himself. I'm Paul Morris, son of one of the applicants, and the former Local Authority Town Planner and Head of Town Planning for the London 2012 infrastructure. I am addressing you this evening to seek your support for sustainable development, which is in full accordance with the recently drafted Hemswell Neighbourhood Plan and the West Lindsey Local Plan, which agrees the site is suitable for one family.  

This is the applicant’s proposal that we feel brings added value to the Hemswell Conservation Area by revitalising 17b Brook Street. Mr and Mrs Morris bought the plot with the full intention of carrying out the 2004 approved scheme. However on the advice of West Lindsey building control to take it down, they sought structural engineering expertise which confirmed the building is structurally unstable with serious health and safety issues associated with any attempt to convert. Unfortunately the 2006 structural report which was shared with West Lindsey was not contained in the map land sale pack, nor was this available on your website and was only brought to our attention during the recent parish council meeting. Had the applicants been aware of this, it's very, very likely they would not have purchased the site.

As you'll see, despite this being as a cherished building, most of the character reflecting its former life as the old Forge has already been demolished by previous owners. This includes the Shoe House,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108