Agenda and minutes

Venue: to be held virtually via MS Teams and available to watch at: https://west-lindsey.public-i.tv/core/portal/home

Contact: Ele Snow/James Welbourn  Democratic and Civic Officers

Media

Items
No. Item

102.

Register of Attendance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman undertook the register of attendance for Members and each Councillor confirmed their attendance individually.

 

The Democratic Services Officer completed the register of attendance for Officers and, as with Members, each Officer confirmed their attendance individually.

 

103.

Public Participation Period

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman confirmed there was one registered speaker for the Public Participation period. He explained that Mr Sath Vaddaram wished to address the Committee in relation to the public report due to be heard in agenda item 7a. This was a report regarding a tree preservation order and, as a public report, was not part of the scheme used for those wishing to speak on planning applications. The Chairman stated Mr Vaddaram had three minutes in which to address the Committee and invited him to speak.

 

Mr Vaddaram thanked the Chairman and the Committee for the opportunity to speak. He stated he was the owner of 23 Wragby Road and wished to speak regarding the tree preservation order. He explained that he did not object to the TPO in general but that he did have concerns as to how the process had been carried out. He highlighted that he had detailed his concerns in two letters to the council, one in November 2020 and the other in January 2021. To summarise what he saw as the failures of the council, he stated that the Officer had clearly stated she had been thinking of putting a TPO on the softwood trees for many years but for some reason this had not happened. He noted that a lack of resources had been the reason given for this. He explained to the Committee that he had contacted the council regarding all planned tree work prior to making the application in July 2020. He felt this had given them opportunity to be aware of all trees in question. Had the TPO been in place previously, it would have saved him from needing to make a second application in relation to the softwood trees. He felt there had been opportunity for an emergency TPO which had also not been put in place. His objections to the manner in which the TPO had been dealt with focussed on the unnecessary time taken to resolve the matter and the impact this had had on him, both in lost time and costs.

 

The Chairman thanked Mr Vaddaram for his comments, they would be noted for the item later in the meeting.

 

104.

To Approve the Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 412 KB

i)       Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 3 February 2021, previously circulated.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 3 February 2021 be confirmed as an accurate record.

 

105.

Declarations of Interest

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor I. Fleetwood made a declaration on behalf of all Members of the Committee that a lobbying email had been received in relation to application number 141228 (agenda item 6a). It was accepted that the email would not influence decision making unless any Councillor wished to state otherwise.

 

Councillor R. Waller declared a personal interest in the public report for the TPO in Sudbrooke. He stated he was Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council and had been involved in discussions regarding the matter and as such would stand down from the Committee at that point in the meeting.

 

106.

Update on Government/Local Changes in Planning Policy

 

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/

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee heard of the latest updates from Government, including a reminder that the Government consultation on revisions to the NPPF (to strengthen policies on design quality) would end on 27 March 2021. Members were invited to raise any comments through Russell Clarkson or Rachael Hughes. Further information could be found by using the following link:

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/national-planning-policy-framework-and-national-model-design-code-consultation-proposals

 

Updates on Neighbourhood Plans included the following information:

 

Morton NP:                Examination completed. Examiner’s final report to be issued shortly. Assuming examination is successful, referendum to be held 6 May 2021. To be afforded increasing weight

 

Corringham NP:       Submission NP consultation (Regulation 16) underway soon.            Some weight

 

Sturton & Stow NP:  Submission version of NP (Regulation 16) in preparation.                               Some weight

 

 

NOTE:           Councillor M. Boles joined the meeting at 6:42pm.

 

107.

Planning Applications for Determination

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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

 

108.

141128 - Hemswell pdf icon PDF 669 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the first application of the evening, application number 141128 to demolish existing main building and replace with 1no. dwelling including landscaping, ancillary works and installation of solar panels to existing garage on land adj 19 Brook Street Hemswell Gainsborough. He stated there was one registered speaker and invited the Planning Officer to provide any updates to the Committee. She stated that, since the report had been published, following the urgent works notice which was served on 17 February 2021, Officers visited the site on 2 March to inspect the works. The new propping and bracing installed was all robust and suitable for purpose. The south-west corner had collapsed further since the last inspection and was in an unstable and dangerous state. It was agreed with the owner on site that it should be carefully dismantled, to around waist height, to remove the risk to the public and remaining fabric. It was also agreed that an additional prop should be installed overhanging the south-west masonry, at eaves level, as near vertical as possible to avoid disturbing the propping already in place. Given its condition at the time of the original inspection, the loss of stone to the south-west corner was not entirely unexpected. The building is still entirely repairable as concluded in the report. Following the presentation of the application from the Officer, the Chairman invited the registered speaker, Mr Paul Morris to address the Committee. He explained there were slides to be shown during his time and he made the following statement.

 

“Good evening Planning Committee please allow me to introduce himself. I'm Paul Morris, son of one of the applicants, and the former Local Authority Town Planner and Head of Town Planning for the London 2012 infrastructure. I am addressing you this evening to seek your support for sustainable development, which is in full accordance with the recently drafted Hemswell Neighbourhood Plan and the West Lindsey Local Plan, which agrees the site is suitable for one family.  

 

This is the applicant’s proposal that we feel brings added value to the Hemswell Conservation Area by revitalising 17b Brook Street. Mr and Mrs Morris bought the plot with the full intention of carrying out the 2004 approved scheme. However on the advice of West Lindsey building control to take it down, they sought structural engineering expertise which confirmed the building is structurally unstable with serious health and safety issues associated with any attempt to convert. Unfortunately the 2006 structural report which was shared with West Lindsey was not contained in the map land sale pack, nor was this available on your website and was only brought to our attention during the recent parish council meeting. Had the applicants been aware of this, it's very, very likely they would not have purchased the site.

 

As you'll see, despite this being as a cherished building, most of the character reflecting its former life as the old Forge has already been demolished by previous owners. This includes the Shoe House,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

109.

140156 - Dunholme pdf icon PDF 219 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman invited the Committee to consider application number 140156 for extension and alterations to existing community centre, including the removal of the portable timber frame building and construction of proposed community room with toilets, offices and staff facilities at The Old School 8 Market Rasen Road Dunholme Lincoln. With no Officer update, the Chairman invited the only registered speaker, Councillor S. England, to address the Committee.

 

Councillor England thanked the Committee and stated he was speaking as Ward Member for the application. He wished to state that he fully supported the application and Officer recommendation to grant permission. He offered local knowledge as to the use of the building and the benefit to the local area. He explained that the proposals would enhance both the building and the local community. He spoke highly of the proposal and requested his colleagues to kindly approve the application.

 

The Chairman thanked Councillor England for his comments and, having fully supported the application and moved the recommendation from the Chair, invited Members to discuss the application. Members were supportive of the application and, those who were aware of the work undertaken by people involved with the building, praised the commitment to the local community.

 

Having been proposed and seconded, it was unanimously agreed that 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:

 

2. No development shall take place until a written scheme of archaeological investigation has been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority (see notes to applicants below). The local planning authority shall be notified in writing of the intention to commence the archaeological investigations in accordance with the approved written scheme, at least 14 days before the said commencement. This scheme shall include the following:

 

1. An assessment of significance and proposed mitigation strategy (i.e. preservation by record, preservation in situ or a mix of these elements).

2. A methodology and timetable of site investigation and recording.

3. Provision for site analysis.

4. Provision for publication and dissemination of analysis and records.

5. Provision for archive deposition.

6. Nomination of a competent person/organisation to undertake the work.

 

Reason: To ensure the preparation and implementation of an appropriate scheme of archaeological mitigation and in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

 

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

 

3. 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: 11455 05M dated 08/09/2020, 11455 06G dated 03/11/2020, 11455 07 F dated 02/11/2020 and 11455 08B dated 03/09/2020. The works shall be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

110.

141907 - Waddingham pdf icon PDF 195 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman introduced the last of the planning applications for the evening, application number 141907, outline planning application for 4no. dwellings with all matters reserved on land East of The Wolds Waddingham Gainsborough. With no updates from the Planning Officer, the Chairman invited the first speaker, Tori Heaton, Agent for the Applicant, to address the Committee. She made the following statement.

 

“Good evening Members, thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of my client, Mr David Waite. To give you some background, the Waite family have been farming for the last three generations, the farm is currently operated by David Waite and he runs a mixed arable and livestock farm, which in the future will be passed down to his children. This application is not one from the big corporate or national housing developer, but one from a local farming family who are custodians of the land and good village citizens. They're proposing a small scale logical infill development which is ultimately compliant with the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan. We started working with David back in 2018, when the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan was adopted. The Plan showed Waddingham to have a growth level of 15%.  David is a local person who's grown up in the village, and will continue to earn a living from his family farm, based in the heart of Waddingham. He wants to engage in the planning process in the correct way, that being a grassroots local level through the Neighbourhood Plan. The stated purpose of the Neighbourhood Plan is to allow local people to strongly influence where development is to occur, and give local communities a voice. My clients and I have tried very, very hard to engage in this process. However, despite our best efforts, we understand that the Waddingham Neighbourhood Plan has reached impasse, and progress has effectively stalled. However, we decided to continue and have now submitted this application, which is policy compliant for small scale and logical infill sites in the hearts of the village. We are wholly content that this application meets the fundamental policies required and meets the core shape and form of the village. Highway Safety, vehicle movements, as well as pedestrian safety of all being an absolute overriding consideration in putting this small scale application forward access and parking, have been big considerations when evolving our application, and we have demonstrated that the site can accommodate this modest development, whilst generating insignificant additional vehicle movements. In summary, as of the end of February 2021 Waddingham still has an outstanding growth capacity of 26 dwellings, the village needs an appropriate growth level to remain a thriving and desirable destination. This application provides a policy compliant, well designed, logical, and small scale infill development. I therefore urge members to support your officer's recommendation and grant approval. Thank you for your time.”

 

The Chairman thanked her for her comments and invited the second speaker, Mr Martin Woodliffe, speaking as an objector, to address the Committee.

 

Mr Woodliffe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 110.

111.

Public Reports

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the public report detailed in agenda item 7 be dealt with as follows:

 

112.

TPO - Sudbrooke pdf icon PDF 2 MB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Note:              Councillor R. Waller left the meeting at 7:39pm

 

The Chairman invited the Trees and Landscape Officer to introduce the public report. She stated that the report related to an objection received against the making of a Tree Preservation Order protecting sections of two tree belts crossing the front and rear gardens of a property on Wragby Road, Sudbrooke. She explained that the trees in the garden were prominent features within the locality, significantly contributing to the character and amenity of the area. The 1950 Order already protected hardwoods, but it was well overdue for updating, and this new TPO would ensure tree protection for both hardwoods and softwoods. The confirmation of this order was the only way to ensure the integrity of the two tree belts was not diminished by work at this property to remove yew trees, or individual trees inappropriately pruned, or trees compromised by development.

 

The Chairman thanked the Trees and Landscape Officer and reminded Members they had heard from Mr Vaddaram at the start of the meeting. Having moved the Officer recommendation from the Chair, this was duly seconded and taken to the vote.

 

RESOLVED that confirmation of the Tree Preservation Order Sudbrooke No1 2021 be approved.

 

113.

Determination of Appeals pdf icon PDF 210 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The determination of appeals was NOTED.