Agenda and draft minutes

To receive apologies for absence and notification of substitutes (if any).

It is recorded that prior to moving into the preliminary items of the meeting the Chairman asked his appreciation be noted to Councillors Michael Cooper and Jonathon Noble for standing in for himself and the vice chairman in their respective roles at the previous meeting.  The Chairman further requested his personal appreciation be recorded to Councillor Michael Cooper whom he noted was a very experienced member of the planning committee and he thanked him for all his support and commitment of the committee over a number of years.

Apologies for absence were tabled for Councillor Alison Austin with Councillor Judith Welbourn substituting.

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting.

With the agreement of the Committee Members the Chairman signed the minutes of the previous meeting held on the 10 December 2019.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

Standing declarations of interest are recorded within these minutes for:

Councillors Tom Ashton and Paul Skinner in their respective roles as Councillors for Lincolnshire County Council.

Councillor Tom Ashton and Peter Bedford in their respective roles as members of the South East Lincolnshire Joint strategic Planning Committee and Councillor Jonathan Noble as a Substitute Member on the said committee.

Councillors Tom Ashton, Peter Bedford and Frank Pickett in their roles as representatives of the Internal Drainage Boards.

Councillor Jonathan Noble declared an interest in respect of planning application B 19 0317 in that hestated he was a self-employed teacher who worked at the Thomas Middlecott Academy in Kirton.  The reason for the declaration was that the previous application on the site had been subject to a section 106 agreement and as such a material consideration in that it was referred to in the papers for the current application.

Councillor Yvonne Stevens declared an interest in respect of planning application B 19 0409 in that her son was a site manager for Larkfleet Homes on that application site.

Councillor Paul Skinner declared an interest in planning application B 19 0409 in that whilst his wife Councillor Judith Skinner had called the application in to committee, he was waiting to be convinced either way before determining the application.

Councillor Peter Watson declared an interest in respect of planning application B 19 0317 in that he was a member of Kirton Parish Council.

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday 9 January 2020

No public questions were tabled.

Erection of 31 dwellings, new access and infrastructure following demolition of existing dwelling.

Land off Station Road   Kirton   Boston   PE21 1LQ

D and R Homes  (Kirton)  Ltd

Erection of 31 dwellings. New access and infrastructure following demolition of existing dwelling.

Land off Station Road   Kirton   Boston

D and R Homes  (Kirton) Ltd

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report to committee and confirmed there were no update matters to table following issue of the agenda.   Committee were reminded that the application was determined on Heads of Terms which were not consistent with the adopted policy due to the schemes viability position, which had resulted in no contributions being proposed by the applicant.    Members were asked to recognise the importance of the history of the site and to take it into consideration during deliberation:  the initial refusal by committee in 2016 had been allowed at appeal and the site still had an extant permission for 30 dwellings.

Referencing the key issues considered by the Inspector the Senior Planning Officer reaffirmed that Highway Safety; planning obligations and the impact on the TPO’s had all been found to be acceptable.    The findings of the Councils’ own independent assessment of the applicant’s viability assessment had acknowledged the challenges faced to develop the site. specifically flood risk; piled foundations and relocation of an overhead line.  The assumptions identified were reasonable and the scheme would be unviable should it be subject to any provision for affordable housing or any financial contributions. 

Representation was received from Mr Roberts in objection to the application which included the following comments:

Committee were advised Mr Roberts had resided on Station Road since 1986 with his residence being approximately 40 metres from the site.  He noted he knew the locality very well and stressed he did not object to development of the site in principle:  his concern was the proposed access and the removal of two lime trees which were subjected to Tree Preservation Orders.  

Mr Roberts voiced serious concerns on both the existing traffic volumes along the A16 and the significant increases the development would cause.   He noted the effect such a significant increase would have on pedestrians, along with the impact on local amenity and increased congestion at the nearby roundabout, which already experienced ongoing queuing throughout the day.  Movements of both HGV and agricultural traffic had increased significantly in the area due to industry on Washdyke Road.  Additional traffic had also been experienced through increases in visitors to the RSPB at Frampton Marsh and also in usage of the nearby Graves Park social facility with car boot sales; social evenings and various events.  

Committee were asked to recognise the option of an alternative access to the site from Wash Road as had been identified in the original application in 2016:  Mr Roberts stated that by moving the access it would reduce traffic queuing on the A16; improve pedestrian safety and improve the amenity of residents on site. 

Representation was received from the Agent Mr Smith on behalf of the applicant which included:

Stating that the site was now allocated within the Local Plan Mr Smith provided a brief overview of the layout of the houses  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Erection of electronic gates at site entrance.

Land off Sibsey Road   Boston   PE21 9RN

Charlotte Dew  Larkfield Homes

Erection of electronic gates at site entrance

Land off Sibsey Road    Boston   PE21 9RN

Charlotte Drew Larkfield Homes

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report to committee and advised an update following issue of the agenda.

Members were advised that the applicant had made a significant change to the report and had withdrawn the electronic gates from the application:  all that remained was the piers and the wall.  As such, members were advised of amendments to the report:

1. Condition 2 would be amended to include reference to the amended plan.
2. An additional condition would be added restricting any future alterations to the walls to be subject to planning committee or officer delegation decision making.

Representation had been requested by Fishtoft Parish Council and Parish Councillor Armstrong addressed the committee but stated that the only objection that Parish Council had was in respect of the electronic gates:  as the gates had been withdrawn from the application, no further representation would be made.

General committee deliberation agreed the removal of the electronic gates as being positive although concerns were noted in respect of the wall being a visual barrier, parking issues on the site and potential future changes to the access which could include gates being positioned.  Issues in respect of bin collection were also raised along with a suggestion of removal of the piers to allow footpath access on both sides.   The Growth Manager confirmed that committee only needed to determine the application tabled and issues of bin collections and parking issues were not for consideration.

A member voiced concern at the wrong information detailed on the amended plan which identified the location as Wainfleet Road and not Sibsey Road, and also stated the siting of the wall as an ‘entry’ when it should have read wall.   The member asked for the wrong information to be rectified and agreed to delegated powers being given to the Growth Manager to make the amendments to correct the errors identified within the amended plan.

It was moved by Councillor Paul Skinner and seconded by Councillor Stephen Woodliffe that committee grant the application in line with officer recommendation, subject to the conditions and reasons therein; subject to the amendment to condition 2; subject to the additional condition and subject to delegated powers to the Growth Manager to rectify the errors within the amended plan.

Vote:    10 in favour.   2 against.   0 abstention.

RESOLVED:  That committee grant the application in line with officer recommendation, subject to the following conditions and reasons and subject to the Growth Manager being given delegated powers to rectify the errors identified within the amended plan.

1.      The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: Required to be imposed pursuant to Section 51 of the Planning and Complsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.      The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in strict accordance with the application received 30-Sep-2019 and in accordance with the associated plans referenced:

           Entrance wall location plan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.