Issue - meetings

The second application of the evening was introduced, planning application number 142146 for the removal of all existing buildings to be replaced by 13 no. new rural enterprise units for business use (Class E(g)/B2/B8), at Fosters Yard, Station Road, Langworth, Lincoln. The Committee heard that additional comments had been received from Internal Drainage Board on Drainage Strategy, read aloud as follows:

“The watercourse is Sudbrooke Beck and at this location it is a board maintained watercourse so anything within 9m of the top of the bank requires consent from the board. As stated in the original comments the board normally maintains the watercourse from the opposite side but periodic access from this side may be required. The building closest to the watercourse should be set back to provide access. Ultimately responsibility for the stability of the bank is with the site owner and it is in their interest to provide access should they required to under remedial work. Consent will also be need for the outfall.

The drainage strategy is generally acceptable, but I would point out that water levels in Sudbrook Beck are subject to high water levels backing up from Barlings Eau so the outfall will be surcharges reducing discharge at times. The comment about ground raising is a common issue, if a plot is raised it potentially acts as a dam and prevents overland flow going where it naturally goes. So the effect can be ponding in the adjacent sites and at worst flooding. Also raising the ground can locally affect the water table which again could cause ponding or soggy ground. It is something that you should always be aware of. In this case I have not visited the site but I think it is already raised so it may not be an issue, but you will need to assess it.” 

The Officer noted that there was currently access to the Beck and it was not considered reasonable or relevant to the merits of the application to impose a setback requested. There was a separate consent procedure in place that the applicants would need to engage with in connection with discharge to the Beck and due to distance to the bank. It was also highlighted to Members that there was a proposed amendment to condition 2 in the report, as read aloud. In addition to these comments, further comments had been received from Langworth Group Parish Council on amendments stating that “LGPC remained in favour, as per the previous application”.

The Chairman noted there had been two statements submitted to be read aloud to the Committee. The Democratic Services Officer read aloud the following statement, on behalf of Mr Oliver Fytche-Taylor, agent for the applicant.

“Dear Chairman,

Thank you for the opportunity to address the committee. We would like to send our apologies for not being present in person to deliver this statement to you.

This application site has been a location for continuous employment and industrial uses as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28