Agenda and draft minutes

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

There were apologies for absence from Councillors Paul Goodale and Chelcei Trafford.

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting, held on 29^th June 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29^th June 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Standing declarations of interest were recorded for the following Members of the Committee:

Councillors Tom Ashton, Alison Austin and Paul Skinner in their respective roles as Lincolnshire County Councillors.

Councillors Tom Ashton and Peter Bedford in their respective roles as members of the South East Lincolnshire Joint Strategic Planning Committee and Councillors Jonathan Noble and Paul Skinner in their roles as substitute members’ of that Committee.

Councillors Tom Ashton, Peter Bedford and Paul Skinner in their respective roles as representatives of the Internal Drainage Boards.

Councillor Paul Skinner declared that he was one of the Ward Members for Fishtoft and lived near the application site for the two applications on the agenda, but this would not affect his decisions, he had not expressed an opinion on the applications and he would consider it with an open mind.

Councillor Jonathan Noble, also a Ward Member, declared that he had been contacted by one of the objectors and had called-in Planning Application B/20/0488, but stated that he was not prejudiced or predisposed in any way with respect to the applications.

Councillor Peter Bedford and the Chairman, Councillor Tom Ashton, declared that they were Members of Witham Forth Internal Drainage Board, of whom the applicant was also a member, but that this did not prejudice them with respect to the applications.

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 22^nd July 2021.

None.

Outline application for 46 residential dwellings and associated works with all matters reserved for later approval           

Land adjacent and to the rear of Fishtoft Scouts, Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0SF

John Saul Ltd C/O Clive Wicks Associates

Outline application for 46 residential dwellings and associated works with all matters reserved for later approval

Land adj and to the rear of Fishtoft Scouts, Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0SF

John Saul Ltd C/O Clive Wicks Associates

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

Registered speakers addressed the Committee as follows, in summary.

Mr Roly Ashley, a neighbour, spoke in objection to the application on the following grounds on behalf of local residents.  The Local Plan being out of date; the availability of nearby alternative brownfield sites; lack of facilities and economic growth in the village; congestion on the main road; inadequate drainage; highway safety due to lack of footpaths; inability of village roads to deal with heavy lorries; and the dangers of the blind road junction proposed.

Mr Clive Wicks, the applicant’s agent, described pre-application consultations as extensive.  The site was one of the safest in terms of flood risk, was allocated in the Local Plan, and would contribute towards the borough’s overall need for housing.   The layout was of good quality, the design attractive, there would be no over-looking and the open space would be in an appropriate location.  There would be measures to protect wildlife, significant tree planting and a drain to deal with surface water run-off.  The applicant would also provide toilet and parking facilities and a pedestrian crossover for the scout hall in addition to education and NHS contributions.  All consultees approved of the application, which was in accordance with the Local Plan and the NPPF.  There would be no adverse effect on properties on Gaysfield Road, though their view would be affected.  The scheme was sustainable and would promote economic growth. 

Parish Councillor Joff Williams spoke on behalf of Fishtoft Parish Council as its vice-chairman.   The parish council opposed the application on several grounds.  With respect to access and traffic volumes, the Highways Agency assessment was not agreed due to the significant additional traffic that the development would generate and the cumulative impact on the roads would be severe.  The reduction in height of the proposed dwellings would not provide privacy for existing dwellings, as they would still be two-storey with upstairs windows.  The character of the area would not be maintained, as the proposed 5-year plan was inadequate, as were the requirements for the maintenance of the open space.  Brownfield sites were available across the borough and should be used before development on farmland.  The number of units was in excess of the Local Plan allocation.  There were inadequate local services and the NHS contribution would not address the financial impact of this number of new residents.  There were also flood risk and archaeological impact concerns.

Councillor Judith Skinner, addressing the Committee as one of the Ward Members, asserted that the proposal was contrary to the aims of sustainable development, as the village had few local services and limited public transport. There was a substantial number of objections from local residents and properties  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

Full application for proposed residential development of 20 affordable dwellings and associated works

Land adjacent and to the rear of Fishtoft Boy Scouts, Gaysfield Road, Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0SF

John Saul Ltd C/O Clive Wicks Associates

Full Planning Permission Proposed residential development of 20 affordable dwellings and associated works

Land adj and to the rear of Fishtoft Boy Scouts, Gaysfield Road,

Fishtoft, Boston, PE21 0SF

Applicant: John Saul Ltd C/O Clive Wicks Associates

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

Registered speakers addressed the Committee as follows, in summary.

Mrs Linda Taylor, a resident of Gaysfield Road, spoke on behalf of local objectors.  All objections to the previous application also related to this application.  The application site was not within FIS046 of the Local Plan; it was within FIS007, described in the Local Plan as unsuitable for development with a dangerous level of flood risk.  Recommending planning permission for affordable housing on a dangerous site could lead to an accusation of discrimination.  Policy 11 of the Local Plan gave the new housing allocation for Fishtoft as 50 dwellings up to 2036, yet this figure had already been significantly exceeded.  This policy should not be disregarded. 

Mr Clive Wicks, the applicant’s agent, explained that the proposed dwellings would be built behind trees within the public open space and hedging would provide a boundary between existing developments.  It was a quality scheme, with a tree belt to the rear and houses overlooking an attractive open site entrance.  The NPPF referred to the provision of affordable housing to meet local needs through use of exception sites.  There were no objections to the application from consultees other than the parish council.  Inspectors recognised that development would need to be built on prime agricultural land to achieve housing numbers.  Both applications would provide a mix of house types and help young people obtain housing by rental and shared-equity schemes and allow families to walk the short distance to the school and play area. 

Parish Councillor Joff Williams asserted that many of the objections to the previous application also applied to this one and asked the Committee to take this into account.  The two applications should have been taken together and it appeared a ‘backdoor’ method of securing permission.  The parish council objected to the access and traffic generation and, again, considered the Highways Authority assessment to be wrong, as the impact on the roads would be severe.  The condition requiring management of the open space was welcomed, but detail of the final agreement was requested before implementation because, if this was inadequate, responsibility would devolve to the parish council.  Financial contributions were noted, but previous concerns regarding impact on local services remained.  The parish council did not object to the proposal in principle, but believed the location was wrong. 

The Democratic Services Delivery Manager delivered the address on behalf of Councillor Judith Skinner, one of the Ward Members, who had had to leave the meeting.  Points raised with respect to drainage on the previous application also related to this application, as did the points regarding vehicle movements and lack of local services.  The main objection was that the site was outside  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113.