Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Scoot (Vice-Chairman).

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, and Suzanne Welberry.

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting on the 1^st July 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 4^th September 2025.

No questions were received.

Major – Full Planning Permission

Construction of a retail unit (Use Class E(a)) including car parking, landscaping and associated works 

Land south of Swineshead Road, Boston PE21 7JE

Major – Full Planning Permission

Construction of a retail unit (Use Class E(a)) including car parking, landscaping and associated works 

Land south of Swineshead Road, Boston PE21 7JE

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 Consultant Planning Officer presented the application and made the following points:

The application was for the construction of a retail unit (Use Class E(a)), including car parking, landscaping and associated works with Marks and Spencer identified as the end user.

·         The Consultant Planning Officer outlined the key elements of the proposal, including the size of the retail unit, the number and type of parking spaces, and the provision of landscaping and cycle parking.

·         Members were informed of several late items:

·         An amendment to the delivery hours condition, following consultation with Environmental Health, to allow deliveries on Sundays and bank holidays.

·         Clarification that there was no planning history on the site itself.

·         Confirmation that the proposal would create 70 jobs (full and part-time).

·         Additional information regarding on-site and off-site biodiversity net gain.

·         The Consultant Planning Officer also clarified that the Council’s retail consultants had reviewed the application and agreed with the findings presented.

The officer concluded by confirming that the recommendation was for approval, subject to the conditions set out in the report (including the amended deliveries condition) and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

The Committee received a presentation of slides, including satellite and roadside photos of the site, the site layout plan, the building elevation and floor plans and the landscaping plan, including native hedge and tree planting. The location was explained, including its proximity to the consented Aldi site (which had not yet been built) and the existing McDonalds site, which had been trading for some time. Access would be provided via the existing access road off Swineshead Road, which would serve the ALDI and already served McDonald's.

The section 106 contributions would include a £25,000 cycle access improvement contribution, £5,000 travel plan monitoring contribution and two bus stops and one bus shelter on the A52 Swineshead Road.

The Committee was addressed by Charlotte Perry and Phil Marsden on behalf of the applicant. In their respective presentations, they highlighted the following points:

• The proposed store would be well-located alongside existing retail uses, including the approved ALDI and Costa drive-through and the established McDonald's, forming a growing retail cluster.

• The application would deliver economic benefits. An independent assessment had shown that, while there would be some trade impacts, these were not likely to harm the vitality or viability of the town centre.

• The proposal would bring retail choice, secure the return of M&S to Boston, and generate investment and job creation in the area.

• Sustainable transport measures would be provided. The Highways Officer had confirmed that the network could safely accommodate the new store and that all planning policy tests were satisfied. The applicant would fund sustainable transport improvements, including a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.