Agenda item

Planning application for use of land for the siting of holidayaccommodation units with an associated building to provide restaurant, village shop and tackle shop, with associated access, parking and landscaping on land adjacent Locklands Lake, Lincoln Road, Torksey Lock.

Planning application for use of land for the siting of holidayaccommodation units with an associated building to provide restaurant, village shop and tackle shop, with associated access, parking and landscaping on land adjacent Locklands Lake, Lincoln Road, Torksey Lock.

The Development Management Officer informed the Committee that as had been requested, a management evacuation plan as part of the flood risk assessment, had been provided, and that if approved, a condition should be included for the proposal to be in accordance with the Flood Risk Assessment.

George Martin, agent for the applicant, addressed the meeting and thanked the Development Management Officer for her assistance and support in the preparation of the application.  Mr Martin noted with disappontment, the comments from Fenton Parish Council, as it was felt that the application was more relevant to Torksey than Fenton, and that Torksey Parish Council had not objected.  This was proposed to be a unique development of attractive shepherds’ huts, with associated landscaping and the provision of local facilities, which were currently lacking in the area.  The proposals complied with all relevant policies.

Councillor Stuart Kinch, spoke as local Ward Member, noting that many years ago Torksey was a very popular tourist location with many camping and caravan sites, with full, well used pitches, which supported local shops and businesses.  As many of these sites had been lost to residential development local businesses had suffered and closed.  Residents did not eat out with the same frequency as holiday makers.  The current proposals would assist to regenerate the tourist industry and benefit the local economy.

Members commended the proposals and felt that the development would assist with employment and transformation of the area.  It was hoped that visitors would be directed to the facilities in Torksey and Gainsborough.

It was agreed that the Parish Council comments were not considered relevant to the planning case before the committee.

On seeing photographs of the proposed huts, the Committee agreed that it was to be an attractive site.  The question of the eastern access restriction was raised, and it was affirmed that this could be controlled by condition.  It was noted that the shop would be constructed prior to siting of the huts.

It was moved and seconded that the recommendation in the report be AGREED and that permission be GRANTED with the additional condition as noted.

Additional Condition

The development permitted by this planning permission shall be carried out in accordance with the submitted Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) prepared by R M Associates, dated 1 July 2013, including the following mitigation measures detailed within the FRA:

• The internal finished floor levels to be set no lower than 5.6mAOD (above ordnance datum) i.e. at least 600mm above the adjacent external ground level.

• The proposed developments to incorporate appropriate flood resistant and resilient measures, giving consideration to the recommendations of the Environment Agency and DEFRA report, ‘Improving the flood performance of New Buildings – Flood Resilient Construction’(ISBN 9781859462874).

• In the event of a “Flood Warning” for the area being issued by the Environment Agency, the site to be evacuated and closed down and remain closed until the flood warning is no longer in force.

The mitigation measures shall be fully implemented prior to occupation and subsequently remain in place.

Reasons: To reduce the risk of flooding to the proposed development and future occupants, to reduce the consequence of flooding and to facilitate a quicker recovery in the event of a flood and to ensure the safety of the occupants of the site and to ensure that there is no additional burden placed on the emergency services during times of flooding.