Agenda and minutes

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i)       Meeting of the Planning Committee held on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, previously circulated.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on Wednesday, 4 March 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.

Councillor Dobbie declared a non-pecuniary interest in application WL/2025/01067 – Ship Court, Silver Street, Gainsborough, as the matter had previously been discussed at Gainsborough Town Council, of which he was a 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/

The Lead Officer provided an update on recent Government and local changes in planning policy.

Members were advised that the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2026had been issued (see Appendix A, Reference 1). The Direction specified that, where a local planning authority intended to refuse planning permission for a scheme of 150 dwellings or more, the Secretary of State must be consulted. Ministers would then have 21 days to decide whether to exercise their powers to call in the application. The Direction would apply to applications that had not been determined before 11 May 2026.

The Committee was informed that the Government was also consulting on extending consultation with the Secretary of State in additional circumstances (see Appendix A, Reference 2), namely where a local planning authority was minded to refuse planning permission for commercial development with a floorspace of 15,000 square metres or more, certain development relating to nuclear facilities, and residential development within a Detailed Emergency Planning Zone for an Atomic Weapons Establishment where some local planning authorities, though not West Lindsey District Council, were minded to grant permission. The consultation was due to close on 4 May 2026.

Members were further advised that, since the previous meeting, the Government had undertaken a short consultation on a proposed new National Scheme of Delegation (see Appendix A, Reference 3). Information had been circulated to Members, and thanks were expressed to those who had provided feedback for inclusion in the Council’s response. The consultation proposed that applications would be split into two tiers. Tier A applications would always be delegated to Officers, unless they were Officer or Member applications, and would include householder development, minor commercial development and residential development of up to nine dwellings. Tier B applications would only be referred to Committee where the nominated Member and nominated Officer agreed, using specified criteria. This tier would include major residential schemes and retrospective applications. It was also proposed that Planning Committees would be limited to 13 Members. The consultation had now closed, and it was anticipated that the National Scheme of Delegation would be introduced in September 2026.

The Lead Officer also outlined proposals relating to planning fees. Members were advised that the Government was consulting on a new national fee structure, based on recovering 90 per cent of estimated costs, together with principles relating to local fee setting and potential caps on locally set fees (see Appendix A, Reference 4). It was noted that full cost recovery was not proposed in order to avoid fees exceeding actual costs for some local planning authorities and to incentivise continued service improvements. Examples of proposed fee changes were highlighted, including increases for householder applications, dwellings and changes of use. The consultation was due to close on 18 May 2026.

Members were also informed of consultations relating to biodiversity net gain. The Government was consulting on proposals to exempt small residential brownfield sites of up to 2.5 hectares from biodiversity net gain requirements (see Appendix A, Reference 5). It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

Consideration was given to planning application WL 2025 01067, relating to the conversion of the Ship Court building to eight apartments. The application was referred to the Committee due to a departure from adopted parking standards.

TheLead Officer presented the application and confirmed that no updates had been received. It was explained that the proposal included five parking spaces, where nine would ordinarily be required to comply with policy. Existing and proposed floor plans and elevations were shown. The building was currently vacant. The proposal comprised 2x one bedroom units at ground floor level,4x one bedroom units at first floor level and two units at second floor level, one of which would be a two bedroom apartment. External works included repairs to damaged render, replacement of windows and doors and repainting, with the intention of improving the appearance of the building. The unit fronting Silver Street would be re rendered and would remain in commercial use.

A Member of the Committee stated that the proposal would secure the renovation of a prominent building which had fallen into disrepair and was considered an eyesore. Support was expressed for the application. A question was raised regarding how the proposed parking spaces would be secured for residents. Officers advised that this would likely be controlled through private parking signage.

A Member of the Committee stated that while parking concerns had initially been noted, the Officer’s assessment was considered sound. Reference was made to the proximity of nearby short stay parking and support for town centre living.

A Member of the Committee expressed support for the application as part of the regeneration of Gainsborough and welcomed the collaborative working between Officers and the Conservation Officer.

A Member of the Committee queried the practicality of monitoring conditions relating to construction methods, including the use of handheld tools only. The Lead Officer advised that conditions had to be enforceable and proportionate, and that while continuous monitoring was not feasible, reported breaches could be investigated. It was explained that the condition primarily related to minimising noise impacts. Officers further advised that close working with the applicant was ongoing and that the Conservation Officer had been undertaking site visits.

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:

RECOMMENDED 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:

None.

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

2. 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 plans and documents:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

There are no determination of appeals to note.  

There were no determination of appeals.