Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Anne Dorrian, with Councillor Andy Izard substituting, and from Councillors Barrie Pierpoint, Lina Savickiene and Sarah Sharpe.

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

Standing declarations of interest were received for all members of the Council who are also members of:

The South East Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee:

Councillors Peter Bedford and David Middleton.

The Internal Drainage Boards: Councillors Peter Bedford, David Middleton, Claire Rylott, David Scoot, and Suzanne Welberry.

Several Members declared that they had been lobbied in relation to the application under consideration but confirmed that this would not affect their impartiality or decision-making.

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting on 6^th May 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6^th May 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 26^th June 2025

No questions were received.

Major - Full Planning Permission

Proposed residential development of 89 dwellings and associated infrastructure, drainage and open space in accordance with amended plans received by the Local Planning authority on 31-Oct-2024

Land to the East of Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0SF

Full Planning Permission

Proposed residential development of 89 dwellings and associated

infrastructure, drainage and open space in accordance with amended

plans received by the Local Planning authority on 31-Oct-2024

Land to the East of Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft, Boston PE21 0SF

The Chairman opened the item by welcoming Members and members of the public to the meeting. He introduced the application and invited officers to present the report.

The Senior Planning Lawyer addressed the Committee at the outset. She advised Members that following the previous Committee meeting on 6 June 2025, the Council had obtained independent legal advice in relation to the application. As a result, officers had taken the decision to return the application to Committee for fresh consideration. This was to ensure that any decision taken would be robust and defensible, and that the risk of legal challenge would be minimised. Members were reminded that their role was to consider the application on its planning merits, and that any procedural concerns raised by third parties should be directed through the Council’s corporate complaints process.

The Development Manager presented the application in detail. He outlined the site’s location to the east of Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft, and confirmed that part of the site was allocated for housing in the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan (allocation Fis046), with the remainder benefitting from two extant planning permissions. The proposal was for 89 dwellings, including 20% affordable housing, with associated infrastructure, drainage and open space.

The Development Manager explained that the application had been amended since its original submission, with revisions to layout, house types, materials and drainage strategy. The presentation included site plans, street scenes, landscaping proposals and photographs of the site and surrounding area.

Key planning considerations included:

·         The principle of development was established through the Local Plan and previous consents.

·         The proposed density was considered acceptable and reflective of modern developments in the area.

·         The design had been revised following officer feedback and was considered to be of suitable quality.

·         No significant harm to neighbouring amenity was identified.

·         The drainage strategy, including an attenuation basin and interceptor drain, had been reviewed by statutory consultees with no objections raised.

·         Highways officers raised no concerns regarding access or traffic impact.

·         Section 106 contributions included £400,000 towards education and healthcare.

·         The proposal would result in some harm to the nearby heritage asset of Fishtoft Manor but the extent of the harm was less than substantial and outweighed by the benefits of the scheme.

·         The scheme would deliver Biodiversity Net Gain across the site despite not being required to do so.

The Development Manager concluded that the proposal was in accordance with the development plan when taken as a whole, and that the benefits of the scheme, particularly in addressing the borough’s housing shortfall, outweighed any identified harm. The application was recommended for approval, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

The Committee heard from four registered speakers in relation to planning application B/23/0379.

Mr Ian Scott – Objector

Mr Scott  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.