Agenda and minutes

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

There were apologies for absence from Councillor Brian Rush; Councillor Neill Hastie was in attendance as his substitute.

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2020 were agreed as a correct record, to be signed by the Chairman, with the amendment of the end time of the meeting to 10.55 am.

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

Standing declarations of interest were recorded for Members of this Committee who were also Members of Lincolnshire County Council; Members of the South East Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee; and the Council’s Representatives on the Internal Drainage Boards.

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 4 March 2021.

None.

Siting of 4no. Glamping Pods with associated highways access, car parking & wash block

Land Adj. to Olcote, Scrane End North, Freiston, Boston, PE22 0LR

Mr & Mrs A. Drury

Siting of 4no. Glamping Pods with associated highways access, car parking & wash block

Land Adj. to Olcote, Scrane End North, Freiston, Boston, PE22 0LR

Mr & Mrs A. Drury

The Assistant Director - Planning presented the details of the application, as set out in the report.

It was reported that, since the publication of the agenda pack, the following additional submission had been received. 

·         Two photographs from the applicant’s agent, which had been circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting. 

·         Five letters of support, including a further letter from the We’ll Meet Again Museum, stating that the proposal would boost visitor numbers, add to the range of accommodation and that it would be acceptable in these surroundings. 

·         Four further letters from nearby residents, objecting to the application on the grounds of the impact of additional people visiting the area, particularly with respect to loss of privacy. 

The Chairman then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.

Mr P Weaver, a neighbour, spoke in objection to the application, stating that almost all local residents were objecting to the application.  Their grounds were the adverse impact on wildlife; the felling of trees; noise (particularly with respect to potential anti-social behaviour and the impact on mental health of residents in a quiet rural location); loss of privacy; litter; and possible trespass.  A back garden was not a suitable location for such a proposal.

Mr G Forman, the applicant’s agent addressed the Committee.  The applicant had paid for pre-application advice and had received positive feedback from Planning Officers; in particular that the proposal satisfied Policy 1 and 9 of the Local Plan in terms of need and benefits to the area. Therefore, the Planning Officers’ change of opinion was confusing.  The neighbours’ objections were out of proportion to such a small-scale proposal.  The applicant had put this environmentally friendly application together with care, was passionate about the wildlife and countryside of the area where they had lived for many years, and felt it did comply with Policies 1 and 9.  There was no objection from Environmental Health and 6-foot high fencing and trees screened the site.  The applicant lived on site and so could ‘police’ activity in the unlikely event there was any adverse impact.  It would be possible to have 5 touring caravans on the site without planning permission, but the applicant did not feel this would be appropriate.  The pods were smaller, allowing 2 adults and 1 child, fewer in number, and would be used by bird watchers and walkers who wished to visit Freiston Shore and would appreciate the site, which had been developed as a micro setting for wildlife.

Councillor Judith Welbourn, the Ward Member, then addressed the meeting and spoke in favour of the proposal for two pods.  The proposal would benefit the area; the pods would be small and built by a local firm; the site was well screened; there would only be two additional vehicles on site; dogs would not be allowed and the applicant worked so  ...  view the full minutes text for item 89.

Erection of a freestanding restaurant with drive-thru facility, car parking, landscaping and associated works, including Customer Order Displays (COD), Goal Post Height Restrictor and Play Frame

Land to the South of Swineshead Road and East of Wortley's Lane, Wyberton, Boston PE21 7JF

McDonald's Restaurants Ltd & Carta Real

Erection of a freestanding restaurant with drive-thru facility, car parking, landscaping and associated works, including Customer Order Displays (COD), Goal Post Height Restrictor and Play Frame

Land to the South of Swineshead Road and East of Wortley's Lane,            Wyberton, Boston PE21 7JF

McDonald's Restaurants Ltd & Carta Real

The Assistant Director - Planning presented the details of the application, as set out in the report.

The Chairman then invited registered speakers to address the Committee.

Mr P Thomas, the applicant’s senior acquisition surveyor, spoke in support of the application.  The applicant was committed to involvement in the local community and the proposal would bring significant economic benefits to the area including 65 jobs with staff training and development.  The company had a range of measures to encourage customers to dispose of waste responsibly and staff carried out regular litter patrols.  In addition, they were involved with initiatives to help communities tackle litter, such as the Big Boston Clean Up.  They had worked closely with Planning Officers to develop the proposal.  The access road would be suitable to feed into the proposed Distributor Road and the layout, design and parking provision were acceptable.  The transport assessment showed that traffic could be accommodated with no significant impact on the road network and had satisfied the Highways Authority. 

Councillor Richard Austin, the Ward Member, addressed the Committee and explained that he had called-in the proposals due to concerns raised by the parish council and local residents.  

Firstly, the litter generated by drive-through restaurants was a great public concern, which the applicant should take steps to reduce.  Secondly, additional traffic on a very busy road that had no footpath or cycle way for half a mile and was to be the access to large housing estates planned in the future.  The increased traffic would cause tailbacks on the A52.  Cycle ways depended on developer contributions and Councillor Austin urged the Committee to make this a condition of permission. 

Members then asked questions of the speakers, who answered as follows, in summary.

Mr Thomas stressed the applicant did not condone littering and continually worked actively to address the problem and improve education.  They gave customers as much choice as possible to dispose of litter responsibly. They had discussed the idea of stamping car registration numbers on packaging, but GDPR regulations had to be taken into account and proving a case, particularly when the wind could blow litter around, meant it would be difficult to prosecute.

[Members were advised this was not a planning matter.]

Councillor Austin believed that the queuing of traffic at the applicant’s other site in Boston had probably been resolved.

The Assistant Director - Planning advised Members that cycle and footway obligations had to relate directly to the impact of the proposed application site; in this case, the separation distance from that part of the road was too great.  In addition, the report set out the Highways Authority’s opinion, which had considered this point and had concluded that the proposal was acceptable without  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

Advertisement consent for the installation of 1no. Internally illuminated Freestanding Totem Sign

Land between Swineshead Road and Wortley's Lane, Boston PE21 7JF

McDonald's Restaurants Limited

Advertisement consent for the installation of 1no. Internally illuminated Freestanding Totem Sign

Land between Swineshead Road and Wortley's Lane, Boston PE21 7JF

McDonald's Restaurants Limited

The Assistant Director - Planning presented three applications for advertisement consent for the site at Wyberton.

Members agreed to consider the applications together, as the proposals were standard.  [They follow separately in the minutes for purposes of clarity.]

It was proposed by Councillor Tom Ashton and seconded by Councillor Alison Austinthat advertisement consent be granted as recommended by the Planning Officers. 

Vote: 11 for, 1 abstention

RESOLVED that Advertisement Consent be GRANTED as recommended, subject to the following conditions and reasons:

1.         This consent expires after 5 years from the day consent was initially granted.

Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.

2.         The signage hereby approved by this consent shall be carried out in strict accordance with the application received 02-Nov-2020, and with the details shown on drawings:

§  Drawing Number 7489-SA-8675-AL02 A (Nov 2020): Site Location Plan Adverts;

§  Drawing Number 7489-SA-8675-P122 D (Feb 2019): Site Layout Plan Drive Totem; and

§  Job Number 98748A (27/08/2019): Sign 1 – DT2 12m totem.

Reason: To ensure the development is undertaken in accordance with the approved details, and to comply with Policies 2, 3 and 29 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan 2011-2036, and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (February 2019).

3.         (i) No advertisement is to be displayed without the permission of the owner of the site or any other person with an interest in the site entitled to grant permission.

(ii) No advertisement shall be sited or displayed so as to—

(a) endanger persons using any highway, railway, waterway, dock, harbour or aerodrome (civil or military);

(b) obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air; or

(c) hinder the operation of any device used for the purpose of security or surveillance or for measuring the speed of any vehicle.

(iii) Any advertisement displayed, and any site used for the display of advertisements, shall be maintained in a condition that does not impair the visual amenity of the site.

(iv) Any structure or hoarding erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a condition that does not endanger the public.

(v) Where an advertisement is required under this permission to be removed, the site shall be left in a condition that does not endanger the public or impair visual amenity.

Reason: Standard conditions imposed by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulations 2007.

Advertisement Consent for the installation of:

6no. Internally Illuminated Fascia Signs

3no. Internally Illuminated Booth Lettering Signs

1no. Internally Illuminated Digital Booth Screen

Land between Wortleys Lane and Swineshead Road, Wyberton, Boston   PE21 7JF

McDonald's Restaurants Ltd

Advertisement Consent for the installation of:

6no. Internally Illuminated Fascia Signs

3no. Internally Illuminated Booth Lettering Signs

1no. Internally Illuminated Digital Booth Screen

Land between Wortleys Lane and Swineshead Road, Wyberton, Boston   PE21 7JF

McDonald's Restaurants Ltd

It was proposed by Councillor Tom Ashton and seconded by Councillor Alison Austinthat advertisement consent be granted as recommended by the Planning Officers.

Vote: 11 for, 1 abstention

RESOLVED that Advertisement Consent be GRANTED as recommended, subject to the following conditions and reasons:

1.         This consent expires after 5 years from the day consent was initially granted.

Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.

2.         The signage hereby approved by this consent shall be carried out in strict accordance with the application received 02-Nov-2020, and with the details shown on drawings:

Reason: To ensure the development is undertaken in accordance with the approved details, and to comply with Policies 2, 3 and 29 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan 2011-2036, and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (February 2019).

3.            (i) No advertisement is to be displayed without the permission of the owner of the site or any other person with an interest in the site entitled to grant permission.

(ii) No advertisement shall be sited or displayed so as to—

(a) endanger persons using any highway, railway, waterway, dock, harbour or aerodrome (civil or military);

(b) obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air; or

(c) hinder the operation of any device used for the purpose of security or surveillance or for measuring the speed of any vehicle.

(iii) Any advertisement displayed, and any site used for the display of advertisements, shall be maintained in a condition that does not impair the visual amenity of the site.

(iv) Any structure or hoarding erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a condition that does not endanger the public.

(v) Where an advertisement is required under this permission to be removed, the site shall be left in a condition that does not endanger the public or impair visual amenity.

Reason: Standard conditions imposed by the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisement) Regulations 2007.

Advertisement Consent for:

Various Site Signage

4no. Internally Illuminated Freestanding Signs

2no. Banner Units

1no. Play Land Sign

23.no Dot Signs

Land to the South of Swineshead Road and East of Wortley's Lane, Wyberton, Boston PE21 7JF

McDonalds Restaurants Ltd

Advertisement Consent for:

Various Site Signage

4no. Internally Illuminated Freestanding Signs

2no. Banner Units

1no. Play Land Sign

23.no Dot Signs

Land to the South of Swineshead Road and East of Wortley's Lane, Wyberton, Boston PE21 7JF

McDonalds Restaurants Ltd

It was proposed by Councillor Tom Ashton and seconded by Councillor Alison Austinthat advertisement consent be granted as recommended by the Planning Officers.

Vote: 11 for, 1 abstention

That Advertisement Consent be GRANTED, as recommended by the Planning Officers, subject to the following conditions and reasons:

1.            This consent expires after 5 years from the day consent was initially granted.

            Reason: Required to be imposed by Section 14 of the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) (England) Regulations 2007.

2.            The signage hereby approved by this consent shall be carried out in strict accordance with the application received 02-Nov-2020, and with the details shown on drawings:

·                Drawing Number 7489-SA-8675-AL02 A (Nov 2020): Site Location Plan Adverts;

·                Drawing Number 7489-SA-8675-P108 D (Feb 2019): Site Layout Plan Site Signage;

·                Un-numbered Drawing (10 August 2016): ERDDS Banner Unit;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: DOT Signage Accessible Parking Bay;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: Caution – Look Left Traffic Approaching and Caution – Look Right Traffic Approaching Signs;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: DOT Signage Give Way;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: DOT Signage Litter Sign;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: Caution Look Both Ways Sign;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: DOT Signage No Entry;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: DOT Signage Parked Order Bay 1;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: DOT Signage Parked Order Bay 2;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: DOT Signage Pedestrian Crossing;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: 10MPH Disc;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: Playland Logo Outdoor Untis (sic) Logo: 1100mm;

·                Un-numbered Drawing: Double Digital Menu Board; and

·                Un-numbered Drawing: Single Digital Menu Board.

            Reason: To ensure the development is undertaken in accordance with the approved details, and to comply with Policies 2, 3 and 29 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan 2011-2036, and guidance contained in the National Planning Policy Framework (February 2019).

3.            (i) No advertisement is to be displayed without the permission of the owner of the site or any other person with an interest in the site entitled to grant permission.

            (ii) No advertisement shall be sited or displayed so as to—

(a) endanger persons using any highway, railway, waterway, dock, harbour or aerodrome (civil or military);

(b) obscure, or hinder the ready interpretation of, any traffic sign, railway signal or aid to navigation by water or air; or

(c) hinder the operation of any device used for the purpose of security or surveillance or for measuring the speed of any vehicle.

            (iii) Any advertisement displayed, and any site used for the display of advertisements, shall be maintained in a condition that does not impair the visual amenity of the site.

            (iv) Any structure or hoarding erected or used principally for the purpose of displaying advertisements shall be maintained in a condition that does not endanger the public.

            (v) Where an advertisement is required under this permission to be removed, the site shall be left in a condition that does not endanger the public or  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

A report by the Planning Policy & Section 106 Officer

The Committee considered a report by the Planning Policy & Section 106 Officer, which provided a summary of the Council’s first Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS).

The IFS had been produced in accordance with the introduction of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2019 and reported on the new Section 106 (S106) monitoring fees introduced in December 2020.  It also provided a wider update on activities relating to S106 agreements.

The IFS provided details of planning obligations entered into within 2019/20, following the adoption of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan, and also detailed the payments received for historic agreements where triggers for obligations had been met, S106 monies currently held by the Council and any spend of S106 monies made within that year.

The Council was able to meet the required deadlines for producing and publishing the IFS and data files and reporting to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).  The Council remained committed to working with the local community, developers and stakeholders alike to ensure that planning contributions were sought, used appropriately and monitored, to deliver the infrastructure needs and requirements arising from development with the borough. 

Members welcomed the report and thanked the Planning Policy & Section 106 Officer for a solid piece of work.