Agenda item

The next item was application number 138441, an application for change of use of existing building and adjoining land to commercial use at Land East of A1133 Newton on Trent, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN1 2GJ.

There were no updates from Planning Officers at this point.

The first speaker on the item was Mr Nick Grace, agent for the applicant.  He raised the following points:

·         RSM undertook agricultural and highways verge maintenance, contract work, and had diversified over time;

·         There was a need to permanently operate on site;

·         There had been no objections from third parties to this application;

·         The site was ideally suited for its rural activity;

·         The growth team at West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) supported continued activity at the site.  It was considered a sustainable location for the company’s operation, and growth;

·         Paragraphs 83 and 84 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) applied to this application, regarding supporting a ‘prosperous rural economy’;

·         Regarding the applicant potentially having time to relocate to another site, this was considered to ‘fly in the face’ of the NPPF as decisions should enable the growth and expansion of all types of business in rural areas through the conversion of existing buildings;

·         A temporary permission was seeking to force an existing business out of an established site and into a site being developed by WLDC; that site would not be fit for purpose due to size;

·         Many local people rely on RSM for work; relocation would have significant implications for the business, and there would be the loss of local jobs;

·         Respectfully ask for full planning permission to ensure the long term viability of this flagship local rural business.

Following this, Councillor Stuart Kinch spoke as the Ward Member for the application.  He highlighted the following points:

·         The business had been broken into several times;

·         It would be very difficult to relocate the business for cost reasons.  The number of people employed were 12 full-time staff, and 5 part-time staff; rural businesses are few and far between;

·         The growth team at WLDC fully supported this application;

·         Cllr Kinch urged committee to debate the item thoroughly with a view to passing the application.

Note:   Following his speech, Councillor Kinch left the Chamber.

Members then debated the application; following consultation with officers, the following points were raised:

·         The application was supported by the community and had no objections;

·         The business had been operating in its current location for a long period of time;

·         No alternative access to the site had been proposed;

·         There was an opportunity with a temporary permission to find an alternative location that was compliant with the Local Plan (i.e. an allocated site); planners were not seeking to direct the applicant to a specific site;

·         Temporary planning permissions can be granted for longer than a year, but these lengths of time would be subject to a reasonableness test;

·         Paragraphs 83 and 84 of the NPPF could be appropriately applied to the application as it was contributing substantially to the local community in terms of jobs.

An amendment to the application was proposed, seconded and voted upon and approved; the amendment removed the temporary 12 month permission stipulation in the report.

It was therefore AGREED that full planning permission be GRANTED, subject to conditions.