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 3 April 2019, previously circulated.

Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 3 April 2019.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 3 April 2019 be confirmed and signed as a correct 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.

There were no declarations of interest at this point of the meeting.

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 Development Management Team Leader advised the Committee of several updates regarding Neighbourhood Plans. She explained that, since the previous meeting, an examiner had been appointed for the Glentworth NP and examination was underway. Examination for the Spridlington NP was expected towards June or July. Consultation on the submission version for Sudbrooke had been completed as had consultation on the pre-submission version for Scotton. The application from Greetwell Parish Council to do a Neighbourhood Plan was out for consultation with the closing date for comments being 10 June 2019. Further details for all Neighbourhood Plans were available on the West Lindsey website.  

RESOLVED that the applications detailed in agenda item 6 be dealt with as follows:-

The Chairman introduced planning application number 136577, an outline planning application for the development of up to 49no. dwellings, with access to land to the west of Horsley Road, Gainsborough to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications - resubmission of 134824. The Committee were advised that since the last meeting, the site visit requested by Committee Members had taken place on 8 May 2019. He invited the Senior Development Management Officer to provide any updates. He advised that since the report was drafted additional letters of objection had been received from residents of 22 Marshall Rise and 43 Horsley Road Gainsborough and 62 Willingham Road, Knaith Park which were summarised as follows:

·         The site had an unsuitable access.

·         The water table may be a problem that caused damp.

·         A smaller development with landscaping and an extension to Roses playing fields with parking should be proposed.

·         Detrimental to existing infrastructure.

·         Drainage problems.

He advised, however, that the updates did not change the recommendation.

The Chairman invited the first registered speaker, Mr Adam Key, to address the Committee. Mr Key explained he was speaking on behalf of the applicant and wished to address the salient points that had been raised when the application was deferred at the previous meeting. He noted that the application was policy compliant in all regards. The proposed development was on former scrub land with the site having been deselected as open space by the Local Plan Inspector. He explained there had been extensive discussions with the Lead Local Flood Authority and the Environment Agency, both being key statutory consultees, and neither entity had issues with the proposal. Mr Key added that they were now confident that the proposed arrangements would bring improvements to the current situation. He stated that this accorded with LP14. Mr Key explained to the Committee that during the site visit, driveways of residents had been unused with residents preferring to use street parking instead. He felt this gave a skewed representation of the access way to the site. He added that Lincolnshire County Council Highways had supported and accepted the application, no alternative expert evidence had been put forward as to why it was not acceptable. Mr Key stated that the application accorded with LP13. Mr Key added to this that the public realm would be enhanced by the proposed development, with previously inaccessible space being opened up, pathways and cycleways being linked as well as the contributions to health and education in the area. He stated that this was a robust application, they had worked with the planning department throughout and requested Committee Members to support the Officer recommendation to grant approval. He thanked Members for their time.

The Chairman then invited Councillor Sheila Bibb to address the Committee.

Councillor Bibb explained she was speaking as Ward Member in opposition to the application. She noted the comments from Mr Key but referred to three main areas of concern. The first of these was regarding the risk of flooding in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

The Chairman introduced application number 139207, for outline planning to erect 1no. dwelling - access and layout to be considered and not reserved for subsequent applications. The Planning Officer confirmed there was no update to the application.

The Vice Chairman enquired whether the application would have been dealt with under delegated powers, had the applicant not been a relative of an Officer of the Council and it was confirmed this was the case. The Vice Chairman then moved the Officer recommendation, this was seconded and voted upon and unanimously agreed that the Committee delegate powers to Officers to approve the application subject to conditions and the receipt of a unilateral undertaking to ensure the fence granted planning permission (reference 138841) is not built if the proposed development is implemented.

·         138091 – Land adjacent 25b Church Road, Stow

·         137057 – Land south of High Street, Cherry Willingham

RESOLVED that the determination of appeals be noted.

The Vice Chairman noted that, in relation to the application that was refused on appeal at Cherry Willingham, the Inspector’s decision highlighted the value of the Neighbourhood Plan.

A Member of Committee also suggested a point of training in relation to the appeal at Stow and thanked the Chairman, and all Members of Committee, for their work over the previous year. Another Member concurred with this and commented on the positive nature of the Committee as a whole.

The Chairman reiterated thanks to the Committee Members and, in light of the coming election, wished all present all the best. He also noted his thanks to Officers for the level of support provided to the Committee and again mentioned the previous Planning and Development Manager for his work over the previous years.