Agenda and draft minutes

Up to 15 minutes are allowed for public participation.  Participants are restricted to 3 minutes each.

There was no public participation.

i)       Meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, previously circulated.

The Chairman advised that there had been an amendment to the minutes since publication. Item 75 in the minutes from the 7 January meeting had originally read “Councillor P. Morris declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 6a, application WL/2024/00898, in that he was the Ward Member for the application and was registered to speak as Ward Member; he stated he would not vote against the application.”

The minutes were amended to read “A non-pecuniary interest was declared by Councillor P. Morris in relation to agenda item 6a, application WL/2024/00898, as he was the Ward Member and was registered to speak. He left the Council Chamber for the duration of the item and did not vote.”

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, be confirmed and signed as an accurate record.

Members may make any declarations of interest at this point but may also make them at any time during the course of the meeting.

A non?pecuniary interest was declared by Councillor K Carless in relation to agenda item 6a, application WL/2025/01244, as she was the Ward Member and was registered to speak. She left the Council Chamber for the duration of the item and did not vote.

Note – the status of Neighbourhood Plans in the District may be found via this link

https://www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/my-services/planning-and-building/neighbourhood-planning/

Members were thanked for attending the previous month’s NPPF briefing. It was reported that Officers were working with Lincolnshire colleagues to prepare a response to the Government’s deadline of 10 March 2026.

Regarding neighbourhood plans, it was advised that the Saxilby and Ingleby Review examination had been completed, and the examiner’s report and decision statement were expected to be published shortly.

For Ingham, the examination was underway and the examiner had issued a clarification note to the Parish Council in relation to elements of their draft plan.

The Grasby and Searby Regulation 16 submission was being consulted on by West Lindsey on behalf of the parish, with the consultation period running until 13 March 2026.

Finally, the Sudbrooke Review had been submitted, with consultation scheduled to run until 7 April 2026.

It was noted that, within the officer’s report on page 15, the planning application history reference WL/2025/957 related to 70 Walkerith Road and not to the application site. The reference had been included due to its proximity to the application site and because it had been submitted by the same applicant. Members were also advised that the extension and garage conversion shown within the presentation photographs had already been completed.

The Officer then introduced the presentation. The application was for a change of use from a dwelling house to a children’s home, including a single storey rear extension and the conversion of the existing garage. The location of the application site within Morton, off Walkerith Road, was identified.

The Chairman thanked the Officer for their updates and presentation and welcomed the first speaker Councillor Bruce Allison as Parish Council representative to address the Committee.

Councillor Allison referred to Sections 1 and 23 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan (CLLP) and the Morton Neighbourhood Plan, stating that a children’s residential care facility within a Tier 5 village would not provide sufficient facilities for the likely occupants. It was stated that the application focused on the physical alterations to the property rather than on the proposed change of use.

Reference was made to neighbourhood plan policies requiring that development should not adversely affect the amenity of nearby residents, including matters of massing, overlooking, and noise. The speaker noted that Morton predominantly provided facilities for an older population, as set out in paragraph 2.10 of the Morton Neighbourhood Plan, and was considered distinct from Gainsborough.

Concerns were expressed that Morton Playing Field was not accessible during school hours or before 6pm, and that the nearest well?equipped play area was at Richmond Park, approximately 1.5 kilometres from the application site with no safe crossing points. It was further stated that there was no direct transport to the West Lindsey Leisure Centre.

The speaker questioned the purpose of local planning policies if the tier system was not adhered to and suggested that allowing the development would create a precedent for similar proposals not supported within a Tier 5 settlement.

Policy 53 of the CLLP was cited, together with Ofsted guidance, noting that children’s homes should avoid over?concentration to prevent cumulative adverse impacts on residential areas and local services. It was stated that Morton, with a population of 1,325, already accommodated one children’s residential facility, one care home for adults with mental health needs, and two large adult residential care homes. The speaker contended that these existing facilities had not been fully considered within the application.

Reference was also made to Policies 47 and 49 of the Local Plan, which required safe and well?designed access. Walkerith Road was described as a busy route, with locally collected vehicle data indicating over 1,000 vehicle movements per day, speeds averaging 37 mph, and some recorded at up to 73 mph in a 30-mph zone. The speaker stated that Ofsted advised against locating such developments near busy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

NOTE: Councillor Carless entered the meeting at 7.10 pm.

The Chairman declared a non?pecuniary interest on behalf of all Members of the Committee in relation to applications WL/2025/00025 and WL/2026/00026, as the applications had been submitted by West Lindsey District Council.

The Officer reported an amendment to condition numbers within the report, noting that this did not alter the substance of the conditions. The Committee was informed that two applications were under consideration: a planning application and a listed building consent application for repair works to the northern boundary wall at the Trinity Arts Centre.

The Officer outlined the location of the works, identifying neighbouring residential properties to the east and a commercial garage to the north. It was explained that gravestones currently situated along the wall would need to be relocated temporarily to a designated storage area as part of the works.

The Officer confirmed that the Conservation Officer had been closely involved throughout and was satisfied with the submitted details. No objections had been received, and the Parish Council supported the proposal.

An archaeological consultee had suggested a condition; however, the Officer advised that an informative would instead be added to require works to stop should any burial remains be identified.

A Committee Member noted that the matter had been ongoing for some time and welcomed its return for determination. They stated that it was important for the Council to maintain local cultural and heritage assets and considered the repair works necessary.

Another Member of the Committee supported the proposal and commented briefly on the potential cost of the works. They asked whether any significant future increase in costs could be brought back for further consideration. The Chairman advised that financial matters were not planning issues and would fall under the remit of another Committee.

A further Committee Member raised concerns about vegetation and waste within the churchyard area and suggested that this should be addressed alongside the repair works to prevent further structural issues. It was confirmed that an informative could be added to direct the applicant to consider these matters, and that a related note could be referred to the appropriate committee. The same Committee Member queried the future placement of the gravestones currently stored against the wall. It was clarified that the intention was for the stones to be returned to the wall in accordance with the submitted details. The Member raised concerns regarding the potential weight and positioning of the stones.

The proposal to accept the Officer’s recommendations was duly seconded and voted upon. It was therefore agreed that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

Recommended Planning Permission Conditions:

Conditions stating the time by which the development must be

commenced:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of

three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To conform with Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

Conditions which apply or require matters to be agreed before the

development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

The Officer introduced the application for the siting of a portacabin for community use on land at the Newton on Trent playing field. The proposed block plan was presented, showing the intended position of the building, along with the proposed elevations, floor plans and the main dimensions.

It was explained that Parish Councils have permitted development rights for small ancillary buildings on land that they own. The Officer confirmed that the proposal met the relevant size limits, being under four metres in height and under two hundred cubic metres in volume. The application had been submitted to support funding requirements.

With no comments from Officers or Members of the Committee the proposal to accept the Officers recommendations was duly seconded and voted upon. It was therefore agreed that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

Conditions stating the time by which the development must be commenced:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To conform with Section 91 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

Conditions which apply or require matters to be agreed before the development commenced:

None.

Conditions which apply or are to be observed during the course of the development:

2. With the exception of the detailed matters referred to by the conditions of this consent, the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the following drawings and documents: 839-NEW-0413-A1-P01A dated October 2025. The works shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and in any other approved documents forming part of the application.

Reason: To ensure the development proceeds in accordance with the approved plans and to accord with the National Planning Policy Framework and Policy S53 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

3. The development shall be carried out in accordance with the mitigation measures outlined in the submitted Flood Risk Assessment dated December 2025.

Reason: To reduce the risk and impact of flooding on the approved development and its occupants in accordance with National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Policy Guidance and Policy S21 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

Conditions which apply or relate to matters which are to be observed following completion of the development:

4. The portacabin will be the following colour:

• anthracite grey (RAL 7016).

Reason: To ensure the use of appropriate materials to accord with the National Planning Policy Framework and Policy S53 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

The Officer introduced the application which sought the conversion and change of use of the former Halifax building to create two ground floor retail units, two apartments and one short stay room. The proposed plans were presented, including new shop fronts facing Lord Street and Flag Alley, which were identified as improvements to the appearance of the building.

The Committee was informed that a related listed building consent application had already been determined on 11 February 2026. The Officer also advised that, following discussion with the applicant, condition number two in the agenda pack should be removed if approval was granted.

It was noted that no parking spaces were proposed for the residential units and that policy states flatted development should normally include one space plus a visitor space. The absence of parking meant the proposal represented a departure from the Local Plan and was therefore before the Committee.

Elevation plans and internal layouts were shown, including the proposed green roof to the rear. External photographs were presented, and the Officer explained that internal inspection had revealed that much of the historic fabric had already been altered. The remaining significant elements were mainly the windows. A site visit had been undertaken with the Conservation Officer.

The Chairman thanked the Officer for their presentation and invited the only registered speaker for the application, Mr Tomlinson, the agent for the application to address the Committee.

They explained that the proposal centred on three main objectives: improving the appearance of the building, securing its future sustainability, and delivering an appropriate change of use.

The speaker stated that the works aligned with the Townscape Heritage Initiative identified in 2018. They confirmed that the applicant was committed to reinstating altered historic features, including the granite frontage and window details, to enhance the building’s contribution to the conservation area.

In relation to the change of use, the speaker noted that many commercial buildings and upper floors in town centres were now underused. Government policy supported conversion of such spaces to residential use, and although this building required full permission due to its listed status, the underlying policy intention remained relevant. Bringing the upper floors back into use would increase activity and support the wider town centre.

The speaker also highlighted measures intended to secure the long-term sustainability of the asset. The proposed subdivision of the ground floor would create more lettable commercial units, and the integration of renewable energy systems aimed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Modelling indicated the potential for the building to meet a significant proportion of its own energy demand.

The speaker concluded that the scheme would restore and reuse an underutilised listed building, improve its appearance, and deliver environmental benefits.

The Chairman thanked the speaker, and with no Officer response he opened to Members to comment.

A Member of the Committee expressed strong support for the proposal, describing it as an excellent scheme that would bring a vacant building back into use. They noted that the former Halifax building had closed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86a

With no comments, questions or requirements for a vote the appeal decisions were DULY NOTED

With no comments, questions or requirement for a vote, the Planning Enforcement Report was NOTED.