Agenda and draft minutes

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Items
No. Item

19.

To Open the Meeting and Appoint a Chairman

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Minutes:

The Democratic and Civic Officer opened the meeting and explained that, as there was currently no Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Planning Committee, the first item of business for the Committee was to appoint a Chairman for the meeting. Proposals were duly sought.

 

A Member of the Committee proposed Councillor Fleetwood, this was duly seconded.

 

Having been proposed and seconded, and no other proposals forthcoming, it was

 

RESOLVED that Cllr Fleetwood would be the Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

 

Upon taking the Chair, Cllr Fleetwood sought to clarify Members’ voting rights for both of the planning application items on the agenda. It was explained that not all Members of the Committee had been able to attend the previous meeting on 25 June 2025, and/or site visit on 11 July 2025, due to unavailability, or not being sitting Members of the Planning Committee at the time, and therefore would be unable to vote on a particular item/(s).

 

It was clarified that with regard to application number 145475 (WL/2024/00015), land at Woodcock Lane, Burton Waters, the following Members would be able to vote: Councillors Barrett, Boles, Carless, Dobbie, and Fleetwood.

 

Regarding the second planning application on the agenda, number WL/2025/00182, RPC Containers Ltd, Gallamore Lane Industrial Estate, Market Rasen, the following Members would be able to vote: Councillors Barrett, Boles, Carless, Dobbie, Fleetwood, and Smith.

 

 

 

20.

Public Participation Period

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

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Minutes:

There was no public participation.

 

 

21.

To Approve the Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 378 KB

Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 25 June 2025, previously circulated.

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Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, be confirmed and signed as an accurate record.

22.

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.

 

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Minutes:

Cllr Dobbie wished to clarify his attendance of the 11 July 2025 site visit to the Committee and those present. It was explained that concerns had been raised about his attendance, however, that he had been working a nightshift the night before the site visit, and woke up early to attend the visit, albeit arriving late. Cllr Dobbie stated that upon locating the group, he had missed the initial instructions, meaning that when later in the site visit he was spoken to by the two local Ward Members, he was unaware that he was not permitted to do so. He then explained that he was asked to rejoin the main group in accordance with the initial instructions.

 

Cllr Dobbie continued, noting that it was important to have Councillors from a range of different backgrounds, including working people, rather than relying on those who were retired, unemployed, or independently wealthy. To conclude, he apologised for his lateness to the site visit and explained that he had similar work commitments during the online Planning Committee training resulting in him missing part of it. However, it was noted that he attended online where possible and revisited the circulated slides after the training to ensure his understanding.

 

Cllr Morris explained to the Committee that he had been informed by Officers prior to the meeting that he was unable to vote on either of the planning application items but was able to partake in the surrounding discussion, which was then confirmed by the Democratic and Civic Officer.

 

Cllr Bierley highlighted that he was also unable to vote on either of the planning application items on the agenda. He explained that this was due to his appointment to the Planning Committee on 7 July 2025, meaning that he was unable to attend previous meetings where both applications had been previously heard.

 

23.

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/

 

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Minutes:

The Committee heard from the Development Management Team Manager, who gave a summary of changes to national planning policy. It was explained that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill cleared the House of Commons in June and was now at the Committee stage in the House of Lords. The Manager stated that changes were being tabled to the part of legislation that would empower Government Advisor Natural England to prepare a new type of plan known as an “environmental delivery plan”; this was in regard to the test to be used by the Secretary of State to approve and adopt a plan.

 

In relation to Neighbourhood Plans, it was explained that regarding the Dunholme Review, a referendum was to be held on 24 July 2025. In terms of the Saxilby with Ingleby Review, consultation on the Neighbourhood Plan’s Reg 16 submission version was underway and would close on the 22 August 2025. Lastly, regarding Grasby and Searby-cum-Owmby, the consultation on the Neighbourhood Plan’s Reg 14 pre-submission version had closed on 6 July 2025.

 

 

 

24.

145475 (WL/2024/00015) - Land at Woodcock Lane, Burton Waters pdf icon PDF 241 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee then gave consideration to the first application on the agenda, application number 145475 (WL2024/00015), seeking planning permission for the erection of 66 residential dwellings with associated access, parking, and landscaping, on land at Woodcock Lane, Burton Waters.

 

The Officer confirmed that there were no updates, however, it was noted with regard to the wording of the viability clause, negotiations with the Applicant were still ongoing. In the event that agreement on the wording could not be reached, it was recommended that the application be referred back to Committee to consider an alternative form of the clause, subject to agreement.

 

The Officer made reference to the fallback position previously discussed at the last meeting, which had been confirmed through a Lawful Development Certificate; it was stated that the evidence had been submitted to demonstrate that a material commencement had occurred. It was also clarified that the extra care housing provision had not been secured and, as such, the dwellings could be categorised as C3 dwellings.

 

Matters arising from the Committee site visit on 11 July 2025 were subsequently addressed. Questions had been asked regarding whether a particular area was subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO); it was confirmed to be a group TPO. A tree protection measures plan had been submitted in support of the scheme and was recommended to be secured via condition.

 

It was explained that at the site visit further clarification was sought regarding the location of the attenuation pond, and it was identified on the plan north of the application site. In addition, the matter of the cut and fill exercise was discussed. Reference was made to the existing topographical survey, it was observed during the site visit that the land exhibited notable variation in elevation, thereby confirming existing contours across the site. The proposed contour cut and fill plan was then presented. It was explained that the intended effect of the cut and fill exercise was to elevate the development out of Flood Zones 2 and 3, positioning it entirely within Flood Zone 1. The presentation concluded with the Officer presenting the site plan, floor plans, and photographs of the location and surrounding area.

 

The Chairman thanked the Officer for her presentation and stated that there were six registered speakers; the first speaker, Cllr Sue North, as Parish Council Representative, was invited to address the Committee.

 

Cllr North gave a summary of the differences between the existing communities and the proposed development, and the extent to which the proposed plan conflicted materially with the established residential character of the locality. It was noted that, over a number of years, the Planning Committee had supported the development of three older-living/retirement communities. Cllr North explained that approval had previously been granted by for age-restricted dwellings, one community designated for those over 45 years of age and two for those over 55. The existing developments were comprised of single-storey lodges or bungalows with large areas of natural open space, whereas it was claimed that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

25.

WL/2025/00182 - RPC Containers Ltd, Gallamore Lane Industrial Estate, Market Rasen pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members gave consideration to the second application on the agenda, application number WL/2025/00182, seeking planning permission for four silos, on land at RPC Containers Ltd, Gallamore Lane Industrial Estate, Market Rasen. The Officer explained that report had been updated to incorporate appropriate location assessments submitted by the Applicant, alongside updated information regarding landscaping proposals. A presentation was then given outlining the location and key features of the proposed development. It was noted that the scheme would necessitate road widening due to the positioning of the new southern silo, in order to maintain vehicular access around the rear of the industrial facility.

 

The Officer gave an overview of the proposed site, highlighting location, elevations and proposed silo locations. Since the previous Committee meeting, the Officer stated that a landscaping mitigation plan had been submitted, providing additional visual screening at a height of 1.8-2 metres for the southern silos. An alternative location plan had also been submitted by the Applicant, indicating various possible positions for the silos, as outlined in the report.

 

The Chairman thanked the Officer for his presentation and stated that there were three registered speakers; the first speaker, Mr Alan Scoffin, as Agent, was invited to address the Committee.

Mr Scoffin acknowledged that the concerns raised by local residents regarding noise levels, visual impact, and site traffic were fully appreciated. It was stated that a careful review of the concerns had been undertaken in consultation with the Planning Officer, with measures put in place to address the issues appropriately.

The Agent explained that the proposed silos were considered critical infrastructure necessary to support an imminent customer project. Due to the volume of material anticipated on site, it was highlighted that bulk storage was deemed the only feasible solution, as manual handling risks would be considered too high. It was noted that, in the absence of the installation, the viability of the project and visibility of the site’s future would have been jeopardised.

Mr Scoffin explained that the site currently provided employment for 125 individuals. The proposal had been selected on the basis of existing infrastructure, energy efficiency, and minimised noise and traffic impact.

The Agent assured the Committee that alternative locations for the silos had been assessed, and a site plan with markers of these potential locations was presented to the Committee. It was explained that the alternative locations were dismissed for a variety of reasons and each dismissed location was addressed in turn. The reasons outlined were respectively, prohibitive costs due to the absence of infrastructure; increased traffic past residential properties, particularly from forklift trucks; the obstruction of key road access and associated health and safety risks; issues related to the transfer of materials to the production building; limitations on future warehouse projects; the removal of parking spaces in already limited areas; and finally, permanently increased energy usage and noise levels due to material transfer distances.

With regard to resident concerns, Mr Scoffin confirmed that the submitted installation would not result in increased forklift traffic or general  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

26.

Determination of Appeals pdf icon PDF 125 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

With no comments, questions or requirement for a vote, the Determination of Appeals report was NOTED.