Agenda and 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 21 September 2016 previously circulated.

Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 21 September 2016.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 21 September 2016, be confirmed and signed as a correct record, subject to the amendment that page 39 be corrected to read “8.12 dwellings per acre”.

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

Councillor Tom Smith declared a personal interest in item 6a (134578 Middle Rasen) as he was the Ward Member and had assisted on the previous appeal.

The Principal Development Management Officer gave reminder that the public examination of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan had been scheduled to commence on Tuesday 1 November, to be held in Lincoln. The Examination Hearing Programme had previously been circulated and is available on the Central Lincs website (https://www.n-kesteven.gov.uk/central-lincolnshire/local-plan-examination/ ).

Outline planning application for the erection of up to 47 dwellingstogether with open space - access to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications on land North of Old Gallamore Lane, Middle Rasen.

Outline planning application for the erection of up to 47 dwellingstogether with open space - access to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications on land North of Old Gallamore Lane, Middle Rasen.

The Principal Development Management Officer informed the Committee that additional comments had been received in support of the application from people who welcomed the possibility of increased availability of housing in the area and benefits of an increased population.  A further objection had also been received which stated that the objections to the original application were still applicable.

Mr Tom Smith, agent for the applicant spoke in support of the proposals stating that the previously refused application had been dismissed at appeal only on the grounds of the impact on the nearest neighbours.  The concerns were understood and the plans duly revised to increase the separation from existing properties and reduce the number of dwellings, which addressed the concerns raised by the Planning Inspector.  With these amendments the proposals were acceptable in principle, the Inspector had previously found there would be little no adverse impact on the character and function of the green wedge. The location was sustainable, drainage/flooding had been addressed and there would be a number of benefits such as contributing to the Five Year Housing Land Supply, attractive open space, affordable housing contribution and economic benefits. No adverse impacts would arise that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.

Lesley Bailey spoke in objection on behalf of local residents stating that the site was a green wedge outside of the development boundary as set out in the current West Lindsey Local Plan and also the proposed Central Lincolnshire Local Plan (CLLP).  Middle Rasen was designated as a large village in which such levels of growth should be in exceptional circumstances.  Other sites locally had proposals for development and there were concerns regarding flooding which impacted on residents’ home insurance.  Parking was inadequate and impeded access to services, there would be an additional impact on health and policing provision and the traffic increase would be unacceptable, particularly at school times and on race days.  There were no exceptional circumstances on which the grant the application.

The Principal Development Management Officer responded that the Police had raised no objections, NHS England recommended a s106 contribution to secure a capital contribution towards increasing local capacity.  The CLLP was at examination stage, and still to be tested, so was a material consideration, albeit not yet to attach full weight.  Clarification was given on the status of the Five Year Housing Land Supply, which could be demonstrated at the present time (September 2016 Statement) with 5.26 years.

Members of the Committee discussed the previous refusal at appeal and it was noted that housing numbers had been reduced and a greater setback from existing properties could now be demonstrated. The reasons given for the refusal had been addressed in the application before the committee.  The legal adviser advised caution in going against the views expressed by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48a

Retrospective planning application for change of use of field towoodyard for log cutting and amendment to 3 sided cutting shed to incorporate amendments made on site, including bio mass unit at Orange Farm, Sykes Lane, Saxilby.

Retrospective planning application for change of use of field towoodyard for log cutting and amendment to 3 sided cutting shed to incorporate amendments made on site, including bio mass unit at Orange Farm, Sykes Lane, Saxilby.

The Development Management Officer informed the Committee of a number of additional representations received.  The Ward Member Councillor Brockway had submitted further representation and also Parish Councillor Patrick Nicholson, however it was noted that Mr Nicholson’s comments were his own opinion as opposed to the views of the Parish Council.  It was also noted that the pending enforcement action was on hold whilst the retrospective application was determined.

Mrs Colley, speaking on behalf of the applicant, addressed the Committee, stating that the application for Change of Use following complaints about noise, had been granted, however this did not include the biomass unit, as information had been given by the manufacturer stating that permission would not be required.   The unit provided employment for a number of people and whilst there had been some amounts of odour and smoke it did not constitute a statutory nuisance.  As many as 26 visits had been made by Environmental Health officers.  There had been no improper use and all records were available.  The applicant’s family lived closest to the boiler, and the nearest neighbour, closer than the complainant, had raised no issues.

Mr Andrew Argyle spoke in objection to the application and raised issues such as: the principle of development, which was not felt essential to the needs of forestry; the employment of six people for which he had seen no evidence; that the boiler added to a carbon footprint, not reduced it; the impact on residential amenity; and air pollution which was documented in complaints from neighbours, and will have an impact on the local riding school which may have to close.  Mr Argyle stated that the nuisance from the smoke and odour restricted the use of outdoor space, and even penetrated open bedroom windows.  Sore throats and stinging eyes were also experienced.

Councillor Brockway addressed the meeting as Ward Member, stating that there were serious concerns and had seen for herself the smoke which covered all the local area and impacted on residents, and was concerned that Environmental Health officers had not witnessed the evidence.  Biomass was detrimental to health due to chemical pollutants, which could be invisible, and such installations were often refused near to housing.  It was claimed that the applicant was not using the equipment according to manufacturers’ instructions as the outdoor storage of wood altered the burn of the fuel and caused more pollutants than a gas system.  There had been complaints from the equestrian centre which was used by clients with special needs, and was detrimental to the horses.  Fuel was brought in in by road and there were highways issues where there was no room for passing places as requested.  The planning conditions were being breached and causing distress to residents.  Cllr Brockway asked the Committee to consider a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48b

RESOLVED: that the determination of appeals be noted.