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 Wednesday, 27 May 2026, previously circulated.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 27 May 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.

The Chairman declared a non-pecuniary interest in application WL/2026/00290 on behalf of all Members of the Planning Committee, as the applicant was a West Lindsey District Councillor known to Members. It was also stated that the applicant would address the meeting before leaving the Chamber for the debate and determination of the application. This declaration was echoed by Councillor Duguid.

Councillor Boles declared a non-pecuniary interest in application WL/2026/00415, as they were a Member of Lincolnshire County Council. It was confirmed that the application would be considered with an open mind.

Councillor Rollings declared a non-pecuniary interest in application WL/2026/00415, as they were the Ward Member for Scotter and Blyton and were attending as a substitute Member.

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/

It was reported that the Saxilby with Ingleby Neighbourhood Plan had successfully passed referendum in early May 2026. It was further advised that a report would be submitted to Full Council on 29 June 2026 recommending that the Neighbourhood Plan be made.

The application was introduced and Members of the Committee were advised that the proposal sought permission for the change of use of a dwelling from Use Class C3 to a children’s home within Use Class C2.

An additional representation had been received from a neighbouring property, which had been considered and was not considered to raise any new material planning matters beyond those set out in the Committee report.

The Officer advised that an update to the recommendation was proposed. Condition 3, as set out in the report, was to be replaced with two separate conditions controlling staffing arrangements and limiting the number of children to a maximum of three at any one time.

It was explained that the proposal would accommodate up to three children, with a minimum of two members of staff present overnight, alongside additional staffing arrangements as detailed within the submitted information.

The Committee was shown photographs of the site and surrounding area, noting that no external alterations were proposed and that on- street parking and a rear garden were available.

The site was identified within a Tier 5 settlement and was shown in the context of nearby services and facilities, including shops, a primary school, hospital and public transport links. The location of other similar facilities within the area was also indicated.

The Chairman outlined the procedure for public speaking.

Councillor Allison, speaking on behalf of Morton Parish Council, addressed the Committee and raised concerns regarding flood risk, stating that whilst the site was identified within Flood Zone 1, the wider area was subject to flooding and could become isolated. Reference was made to national and local planning policy, with the view expressed that insufficient weight had been given to the vulnerability of the proposed use.

Concerns were also raised regarding the concentration of similar developments within the area, the interpretation of Morton’s relationship with Gainsborough, and the potential impact on the local community. The Parish Council requested that the application be refused.

The applicant addressed the Committee in support of the application. It was explained that the proposal sought to provide a small-scale children’s home for up to three children, offering a stable and supportive home environment. Reference was made to the increasing number of children in care and the need for appropriate accommodation. Assurance was provided that the home would be professionally managed and regulated, with a focus on the wellbeing of both the children and the wider community.

The agent also addressed the Committee and outlined their professional experience within the public sector and children’s services. It was stated that the proposed development would operate under strict regulatory oversight, and that no objections had been raised by Lincolnshire Police. The view was expressed that children benefited from living within established communities with access to local services and facilities. The Committee was asked to support the Officer recommendation and approve the application.

An objector addressed the Committee, concerns were raised regarding the impact of the proposal on the character of the area, noting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The Officer introduced the application, who advised that the proposal sought permission for the change of use of the former blacksmiths building to a café and shop.

The Committee was advised that, with no updates to the application, the proposal included limited external alterations, comprising new windows and doors and the addition of a timber pergola, with internal works to facilitate the café, shop and outdoor seating area.

It was noted that the application was before Committee as it represented a departure from Policy S49 due to the absence of on-site parking provision. The Officer further advised that the Highways Authority had initially raised concerns regarding access, however, these had been addressed through the provision of a pedestrian access to the north of the site and a refuge point on the opposite side of the road, to be secured through a highways works agreement and planning condition.

It was also noted that the building was identified as a non-designated heritage asset, and that the proposal would bring the building back into active use and support its long-term preservation.

The Chairman invited the applicant to address Members of the Committee. It was explained that the proposal sought to bring the building back into use as a small-scale café and village shop, providing a community facility and preserving a building of historic importance. Assurance was provided that the business would operate on a modest scale and would seek to complement village life whilst supporting local employment and community cohesion.

Councillor Howitt Cowan as Ward Member addressed the Committee in support of the application, highlighting the opportunity to restore a building of local historical value and provide a community asset. It was acknowledged that the absence of parking presented a challenge, however, it was considered that this should be weighed against the benefits of bringing the building back into use. The Committee was urged to support the application in line with the Officer recommendation.

Members of the Committee expressed overall support for the application, recognising the benefits of bringing a non-designated heritage asset back into active use and providing a community facility within the village. The proposal was welcomed as a positive investment, with support noted for small scale local enterprise and the enhancement of local amenities.

Clarification was sought in respect of highways matters, including the nature of the initial objection and the proposed pedestrian refuge, and of the level of archaeological recording to be secured by condition. It was confirmed that the highways concerns related to pedestrian safety and had been addressed, and that a proportionate level of archaeological recording was proposed.

Whilst the absence of on-site parking was acknowledged, Members considered that the impacts were acceptable in this context, noting the location and anticipated scale of the use.

With no further comments, the proposal to accept the Officer’s recommendations was duly seconded and voted upon. It was therefore agreed that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:

Conditions stating the time by which the development must be commenced:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The application was introduced by the Officer, who advised that the proposal sought to vary an existing planning permission to remove an agricultural occupancy condition attached to the dwelling.

The Committee was shown the site location and surrounding context, noting that the site was located within the open countryside to the west of Glentham. The existing condition restricting occupancy was presented and explained. Photographs of the dwelling and access arrangements from the A631 were provided for context.

The applicant addressed the Committee in support of the application. It was explained that the dwelling had been constructed as a farmhouse associated with the wider agricultural holding and was not a typical agricultural workers’ dwelling.

It was stated that changes within the agricultural sector had resulted in significantly reduced employment opportunities, meaning that the dwelling was no longer suitable for occupation by a person employed in agriculture as required by the condition. Reference was made to a marketing exercise undertaken over an extended period, which had not resulted in a suitable occupant being identified.

The applicant advised that the property was of a nature and scale that limited its suitability for agricultural occupancy, and that the continued restriction was no longer practical. It was further stated that the removal of the condition would not result in harm, noting the absence of local objection and the established presence of the dwelling.

The Committee was requested to support the removal of the agricultural occupancy condition.

NOTE: Councillor Adam Duguid exited the Council Chamber at 7.48pm.

With no comments to return from the Officer, the Chairman opened to Members of the Committee for debate.

Support was indicated by a Member of the Committee who considered that planning policy should respond to changes within the agricultural sector, noting that buildings no longer required for their original purpose should be capable of alternative use. It was considered that the applicant had demonstrated that the existing restriction was no longer practical, and approval of the application was proposed.

Other Members expressed sympathy with the circumstances outlined by the applicant, particularly in relation to changing agricultural practices. However, concern was raised regarding the need to identify appropriate planning justification to support the removal of the condition, with it noted that decisions must be based on policy.

Further concerns were raised regarding the absence of evidence of a suitable marketing exercise. Clarification was sought regarding the requirements for marketing a dwelling subject to an agricultural occupancy condition, including duration, pricing and demonstration of lack of interest. The Officer advised that a period of marketing would typically be required, supported by evidence of reduced pricing and details of interest received, and confirmed that no such evidence had been submitted in this case.

Concern was also expressed regarding the potential precedent that could arise from the removal of such conditions. The Committee considered whether the application should be deferred to enable the applicant to provide supporting evidence of marketing activity, rather than determining the application in its current form. It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

With no comments, questions or requirements for a vote the appeal decisions were DULY NOTED.

NOTE: The meeting entered closed session at 8.03pm

Members of the Committee considered the Planning Enforcement update, with reference made to a case where an enforcement notice had been issued in December 2019, and a subsequent application had only recently been submitted. Concern was expressed regarding the length of time taken for the matter to progress, with a query raised as to how the situation had been allowed to extend over a period of approximately 6 years. It was confirmed that the appropriate Officer would follow this up with the relevant teams.

With no further comments or questions, the Planning Enforcement - Formal Case Update was DULY NOTED.