Agenda and draft minutes

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

There was no public participation.

Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 11 September 2024, previously circulated.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 11 September 2024, 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.

There were no declarations of interest at this point in 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 Committee heard from the Development Management Team Manager regarding updates to local and national planning policy. He explained that the Government’s consultation for reform to the National Plan and Policy framework (NPPF) closed on 24 September, and that representations had been submitted on behalf of the Council; the Officer thanked Members who had participated in the workshop which led up to this.

He then outlined how the Lords Minister for Housing and Local Government, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, had explained that the government had received “thousands and thousands” of consultation responses, and that according to the Minister, the revised NPPF would potentially be issued towards the end of the year, or possibly the following year, due to the volume of responses.

In terms of Neighbourhood Plans, it was explained that the Nettleham Review had successfully passed its referendum, meaning that the planning decision carried full weight, and would be presented to Full Council on 4 November 2024, with a recommendation that the Neighbourhood Plan Review be made.

It was then explained that the Reepham Neighbourhood Plan was now at examination stage, and a hearing had been held on 25 September to discuss the Neighbourhood Plan’s housing allocations; the Examiner’s report was expected shortly.

With regards to the Fiskerton and Sudbrooke Neighbourhood Plans, the Officer detailed how their respective first drafts had been submitted to consultation; he then affirmed that the Fiskerton consultation would run until 28 October 2024, and that the Sudbrooke consultation would run until 17 November 2024.

A Member of the Committee took the opportunity to stress the importance of the consultation on the Central Lincolnshire Design code to colleagues and members of the public. In response to a question from the Member, it was confirmed by the Officer that the first consultation closes on 22 October 2024.

The Committee then gave consideration to the first application on the agenda, number 147672, seeking planning approval for up to 100 dwellings on land at Sykes Lane, Saxilby. The Officer presented the Committee with an update to the recommendation for the application in question; he clarified that the amended recommendation would contain the addition of ‘public open space’ as part of the Section 106 legal agreement.

The Officer presented an overview of the application, explaining that the although the entirety of the site was allocated for the development of 134 dwellings, as indicated in the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan (CLLP); the density of the development was less, with the proposal of 100 dwellings. It was outlined that the reasoning given was a Landscape Visual Statement had been submitted with what the developer thought would be acceptable on the site itself.

The Chairman stated that there were two registered speakers, and invited the first, Cllr Hillman, as Parish Councillor, to address the Committee.

Cllr Hillman explained that on 30 January 2024, Saxilby with Ingelby Parish Council facilitated a meeting with residents in relation to the application, with over 50 concerned villagers in attendance. She outlined that a longstanding concern over Saxilby’s infrastructure and growth was repeatedly raised; with similar concerns being raised earlier in 2017 regarding earlier developments in the area. She continued to explain that the north of the village was overdeveloped, with 363 dwellings built in the last seven years. With the addition of the proposed development, the Councillor explained that there had been little consideration to the capacity of the area’s infrastructure, alongside concerns regarding traffic; sewerage; flooding; lack of school places; and availability of doctor’s appointments. She continued to explain the Parish Council’s concerns in relation to the future capacity of the A57 Mill Lane junction had been acknowledged in the Officer’s report, however, due to the junction’s frequent use by residents as well as commuters, traffic queues would build up in the surrounding area. It was explained that a sum of £125,424, which had been proposed for purchasing bus passes for residents to reduce car usage, was unrealistic and unacceptable, due to the lack of bus service available, and the residents’ preference for car usage.

Cllr Hillman explained that following a meeting with the Developer in April 2024, the Parish Council had requested from the Council that £350,000 of S106 funding to be allocated to accessible facilities in the community, namely, a dog exercise area, allotments, and improving existing play facilities; furthermore, she indicated that Saxilby with Ingelby Parish Council would apply for Neighbourhood Funding from West Lindsey District Council towards a children’s play area on Westcroft Green. The Councillor explained that after discussion with the Developer, Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) funding would be available for play equipment off site. The Councillor reaffirmed that the Parish Council believed the proposed development would be more acceptable if S106 funding was allocated to building a play area, and a dog exercise area, on Westcroft Green.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.

The Committee heard from the Development Management Team Leader regarding planning application number 14775, seeking to erect five dwellings with detached garages, associated access, car parking, infrastructure and landscaping, on the land off High Street, Glentham. The Members then heard a short presentation introducing the application.

The Chairman stated there was one registered speaker, and invited Mr Andrew McDowall, Agent for the Applicant, to address the Committee.

Mr McDowall highlighted how the key issues under consideration were whether the site fell within the developed footprint of Glentham, and the impact the development would have on the immediate neighbouring properties, and the wider character of the village. He continued that the proposed development would enhance the built frontage of the village, reinforcing the linear character of the A631. In terms of the wider impact, it was explained that the design would be in keeping with the local residential architecture; he added that the choice of building material would be matched to Glentham’s historic dwellings, and the layout and scale of the development would be inspired by cul-de-sacs located in the village.

The Agent for the Applicant addressed concerns raised by neighbouring properties, stating that the proposed development had been carefully designed to avoid overlooking generally. He continued that another concern had been raised regarding a legal easement to the rear of the garden, noting that the Applicant had no record of this easement, with sufficient space left if required in the future. He then noted that the Parish Council had voiced concerns in relation to highway safety, adding that these concerns had been adequately addressed in the planning application, with the Highways Agency raising no objection.

Mr McDowall then focused on ecology and biodiversity; he outlined that although the application had exemption due to being submitted prior to the imposition of mandatory requirements, net gains would be delivered overall, with no objection raised by the Council.

He concluded by confirming to the Committee that the proposed development had undergone extensive pre-application and ongoing consultation which attempted to address any concerns. Mr McDowall thanked the Committee for their time, and highlighted the high-quality nature of the design, its sustainability, alongside the support received from the Council’s planning department.

The Chairman thanked Mr McDowall for his comments, and after having received no Officer response, he invited comments from the Committee.

A Member of the Committee commended the Developer, noting their willingness to work with the Council to enhance the proposal, describing the proposed development as potentially first-class. He explained how the development would improve the built footprint of Glentham, commenting on how the proposed use of similarly matched sustainable building materials would be suitable for the location. The Member continued that a potential benefit of the proposed development was the increased usage of Glentham’s local amenities, noting that these amenities required more than passing trade to sustain them. It was then proposed to move the recommendation in the report.

Another Member of the Committee expressed his surprise with a lack  ...  view the full minutes text for item 155.

The Committee then heard details of the next application, number 145253, seeking permission to erect 196 dwellings and associated infrastructure, drainage, and open space, on land south of the A631, Hemswell Cliff. The Officer clarified an update to the recommendation, before giving a short presentation to the Committee.

He explained that the Council’s own independent assessment concluded that it was not viable for the scheme to make full policy compliance on infrastructure, and after negotiations with the Developer, an additional £100,000 had been offered towards infrastructure, initially towards secondary education. However, as alternative funding was available to the local education authority through CIL funding, it was instead proposed that the money would be used to make a full £124,000 contribution towards the National Health Service. It was recommended that it was delegated to Officers to finalise negotiations with the Developer for any outstanding contribution money (£38,000) to be used against another area of infrastructure shortfall.

The Chairman stated that there was one registered speaker for the application, and invited Fiona Beddoes, Applicant, to address the Committee.

As Land Manager for Gleeson Homes, she explained that they provided affordable and high-quality homes which provided a range of benefits, and specialised in entry-level housing, particularly for first time buyers. She added that the proposed development would generate income into the area, supporting a more sustainable and regenerated local community, highlighting how few workers in the local business park lived in the local area, due to the lack of affordable housing. It was explained that the Parish Council supported the development, particularly as it would potentially secure the ongoing use of the local primary school.

The Applicant added that no objections had been raised by statutory consultees in relation to several areas. She continued that Gleeson Homes had worked with the Planning Officers to achieve an acceptable scheme, with provisions such as an improved footway along the southern boundary of the A631, with an uncontrolled tactile crossing, along with a Local Area of Play. It was also outlined that biodiversity net gain would exceed the 10% requirement. She then reiterated the Officer’s earlier update, adding that Gleeson Homes would provide the full contribution towards National Health Service facilities, as well as other improvements and infrastructure contributions.

The Chair thanked the Applicant and asked for any Officer response, to which the Officer added that the Parish Council had expressed a desire for a puffin crossing as part of the development, which had not been set as a requirement by the Highways Agency, nor had it been proposed by the Developer. The lack of a proposed puffin crossing was raised later in the discussion with Members, with concerns raised about people’s safety crossing the road from the infants’ school.

Two Members praised the proposed development for its affordable housing, and the potentially positive impact on increased local employment and sustainability in the community in uncertain times. Due to potential future change, a Member welcomed the possibility of refreshing the viability appraisal after two years, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156.

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

To resolve that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph  2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that under Section 100 (A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Note:               The meeting entered closed session at 7:39pm

A Committee Member enquired about a specific item on the Planning Enforcement report, which was clarified by another Member of the Committee.

With no further comments, questions or requirement for a vote, the Planning Enforcement Report was NOTED.