Agenda and draft minutes

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i)       Meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, previously circulated.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 22 July 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.

On behalf of all Members of the Committee the Chairman declared a non-pecuniary interest in application WL/2026/00514, North Kelsey, advising that a relative of the applicant was a Councillor of the District Council.

Councillor Smith declared that, in respect of application WL/2026/00514, he had previously received communication regarding the application, as declared at a previous meeting, and had received no further communication since that time.

Councillor Smith also declared that, as the former County Councillor for the area relating to application WL/2025/00667, he had received no communications regarding the application, had made no comment on the matter, and approached its consideration with an open mind.

Councillor Dobbie declared, in relation to application WL/2026/00292, that the application had previously been considered by Gainsborough Town Council. Councillor Dobbie advised that, whilst the Town Council had resolved to support the proposal, he would consider the application before the Planning Committee with an open mind and determine it on its planning merits.

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/

The Lead Officer advised the Committee that the Government had published a new National Planning Policy Framework earlier than anticipated and that the revised Framework took immediate effect. As a result, the new Framework was a material consideration of critical importance in the determination of planning applications, including those being considered at the meeting.

It was explained that planning decisions continued to be made in accordance with the Development Plan unless material considerations indicated otherwise. However, where Development Plan policies were materially inconsistent with the new national decision making policies, the revised National Planning Policy Framework indicated that such policies should be afforded very limited weight.

The Committee was advised that the revised Framework introduced a distinction between development within settlements and development outside settlements. A presumption in favour of development within settlements now applied, subject to specified criteria, whilst development outside settlements would be assessed against more limited circumstances where development may be considered acceptable.

The Lead Officer advised that an addendum had been circulated to Members ahead of the meeting to reflect the immediate implementation of the revised National Planning Policy Framework and to update references contained within the reports.

Following the update, the Chairman noted that the supplementary information had been published only the previous day, after circulation of the original agenda papers. The Chairman considered it important that all Members had sufficient opportunity to read and consider the additional information before determining the planning applications.

NOTE: The meeting adjourned at 6.37pm and reopened at 6.43pm.

The Committee considered an application seeking planning permission for the erection of one self-build detached dwelling together with associated works on land to the rear of Langmead, West Street, North Kelsey.

The Officer advised that, following the publication of the revised National Planning Policy Framework, it was recommended that the first reason for refusal be amended to include reference to Policy S5 of the National Planning Policy Framework. Members of the Committee were advised that the reason for refusal would therefore conclude that the principle of development in the proposed location would be contrary to Policies S1 and S4 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan and Policy S5 of the National Planning Policy Framework, specifically points 1 and 4.

The application was then presented to the Committee, including details of the site location, the proposed development, access arrangements, site photographs, and the relationship of the site to the developed footprint of North Kelsey.

Mr Lawrence, the applicant, addressed the Committee in support of the application. He advised that the proposal was for a self-build dwelling intended for occupation by his family. He stated that the site occupied a sustainable location close to the centre of North Kelsey and was within walking distance of local facilities, including the village school, village green, chapel and public house.

Mr Lawrence further stated that the site should be regarded as falling within the settlement boundary, noting that it was surrounded by residential development on three sides and that nearby properties extended further west than the proposed development. Reference was also made to the updated National Planning Policy Framework and to the absence of any substantial harm arising from the proposal.

In response, an Officer reminded Members that there were no defined settlement boundaries and that the proposal should be assessed against the relevant definitions of appropriate location and developed footprint contained within the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan. Members were also advised that approval of the application could result in setting a precedent for further residential development within the wider paddock area.

During the debate, the Chairman commented that the site visit had been beneficial in understanding the relationship of the site to the wider village and noted its proximity to the village school and other local facilities. The Member expressed the view that the proposed dwelling would be closely related to the existing built form of the village.

A Committee Member expressed the view that, unlike other developments referenced during the debate, the proposal would not represent a continuation of existing frontage development and would instead introduce development behind existing properties. The Member therefore indicated support for the Officer recommendation.

Another Member of the Committee advised that, whilst understanding the points raised in support of the application, concerns remained regarding the scale and siting of the proposal and its impact on the character of the village. Reference was also made to the weight to be afforded to the revised National Planning Policy Framework.

With three votes cast in favour of the proposal and two  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

The Committee gave consideration to an application seeking planning permission for the installation and operation of a solar farm on land off Stallingborough Road, Keelby.

The Lead Officer explained that the proposal formed part of a cross boundary application extending into North East Lincolnshire. Members were advised that the Committee's determination related only to the section of the site within West Lindsey, comprising approximately 31.85 hectares of the overall development area. It was noted that North East Lincolnshire Council had granted planning permission for the adjoining part of the development in April 2026.

The Lead Officer presented the application, outlining the proposed layout, landscaping, agricultural land classification, visual impact assessment and proximity to neighbouring properties. Members were advised that the majority of the site comprised Grade 3B agricultural land and was therefore not classified as best and most versatile agricultural land.

The Committee heard that additional perimeter landscaping and woodland planting were proposed in order to mitigate visual impacts and that the planting would mature over time to provide increased screening of the development.

In presenting the recommendation, the Lead Officer advised that both local and national planning policy contained support for renewable energy development and that substantial weight should be given to the benefits arising from renewable energy generation. Members were further advised that the principle of need for such development should not be questioned.

The Lead Officer also advised that, following discussions with the applicant, additional archaeological conditions relating to archaeological investigation and mitigation should be added to any planning permission granted.

Mr Burt, speaking as the landowner, addressed the Committee in support of the application. He explained that the land formed part of a long established family farming business and advised that income generated from the solar development would support the ongoing viability of the farm and its workforce. He stated that the land proposed for the development was not amongst the most productive agricultural land within the holding and noted the potential for continued agricultural use through sheep grazing. Reference was also made to the proposed landscaping, biodiversity enhancements and the temporary nature of the development.

Mr Bowen, as applicant, addressed the Committee. He advised that the development would generate renewable energy equivalent to that required by a significant number of homes and noted that planning permission had already been granted for the adjoining section of the site within North East Lincolnshire. He explained that feedback received during consultation had informed amendments to the scheme, including additional planting, permissive paths and environmental enhancements. Reference was made to the proposed biodiversity net gain, continued agricultural use of the site, community benefit funding and the Officer recommendation for approval.

Councillor Bierley, speaking as Ward Member, welcomed the progress of the application and expressed the view that a number of concerns raised during the planning process had been mitigated or resolved through engagement between the applicant, landowner and consultees. He welcomed the recognition given to the importance of the local aquifer and chalk stream, the proposed boundary planting and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

The Committee gave consideration to an application seeking planning permission for the conversion of existing office accommodation to one residential apartment at 33 Market Street, Gainsborough.

The Officer advised that, as the proposal represented a departure from the Development Plan, the application would require advertisement as a departure for a period of 21 days. It was therefore recommended that, subject to the Committee's decision, authority be delegated to Officers to issue the decision following completion of the required statutory publicity process.

The application was presented to the Committee, including details of the proposed conversion of the existing office accommodation to residential use, associated internal alterations and replacement windows to the rear of the building.

During the discussion, the Vice-Chairman sought clarification regarding representations relating to ownership and access rights affecting part of the site. The Officer referred Members to the information contained within the report and advised that the applicant's agent had confirmed that the occupiers of the adjoining property retained rights of access to an existing toilet area at the rear of the building.

With no further comments, the proposal to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions set out in the report, and to delegate authority to Officers to issue the decision following public notice of the application as a departure from the Development Plan, was duly seconded and voted upon. It was therefore agreed that planning permission be GRANTED, with authority delegated to Officers to issue the decision following completion of the required publicity process. Planning permission was 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 drawing PA -101 -A -B -GA -PP Rev B dated 06/07/26. 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.

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

None.

There are no determination of appeals to note.

There were no determination of appeals to note.