Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andy Izard and Barrie Pierpoint.

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 Bedford, Pierpoint, Scoot and Welberry. Councillor Alison Austin acts as a substitute.

The Internal Drainage Boards: Councillor Bedford, Evans, Rylott, Scoot and Welberry.

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting on 24^th February 2026 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the inclusion of Councillor Evans’ declaration of interest for item 2, and his withdrawal from the room for that item, which had been omitted in error.

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 19^th March 2026.

No questions were received.

Application Type:    S73 – Major

Proposal:                Application under s73 for the Variation of Condition 7 (Delivery Route) of permission B/22/0356

Site:                       Land to the west of Cowbridge Road, Bicker, Boston

Application Type: S73 – Major

Proposal: (Application under s73 for the Variation of Condition 7 (Delivery Route) of permission B/22/0356

Site: Land to the west of Cowbridge Road, Bicker, Boston

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 Planning Officer presented the application. Members were reminded that planning permission had been granted in July 2023 for a 49.95MW photovoltaic solar array, grid connection, battery storage and associated development. He advised that Condition 7 of that permission had imposed a prescriptive one-way routing arrangement for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) during construction, with loaded vehicles required to arrive via the Viking Link haul road and North Ing Drove, and unloaded vehicles required to depart via Cowbridge Road and Ing Drove. The intention of the condition

had been to reduce the likelihood of construction vehicles meeting on narrow fenland roads and to minimise impacts on residential amenity and highway safety.

The Committee was shown a series of images, including satellite images of the location plan, and the two existing access routes (Routes 1 and 2).The Planning Officer described the relationship of these routes to Bicker village and the A52, highlighting the constrained nature of Cowbridge Road and Ing Drove and the long-standing concerns raised by residents throughout the wider phases of construction on Bicker Fen.

Members were advised that the applicant sought to vary Condition 7 to bring the routing requirements into alignment with the approved Construction Management Plan (CMP), which already allowed for more flexible routing options depending on the phase of construction. The CMP identified circumstances in which sole access or egress via Route 2 was necessary, particularly during phases of internal construction activity, and differed in important respects from the fixed one?way system imposed by Condition 7.

The Planning Officer confirmed that the proposal included a cap of four two?way HGV movements per day, alongside formal monitoring and record?keeping requirements. The Committee was shown the updated Highway Technical Note (February 2026), which evidenced that construction was now at an advanced stage, with 107 HGV movements remaining between January and July 2026 – an average of one movement per day. The Note included a monthly table of projected movements, identifying March 2026 as the peak remaining month, with 35 trips, but with only 24 further trips anticipated from April to completion. Members were advised that these levels were significantly lower than those experienced during earlier phases of construction.

It was further reported that the Highways Authority, Lincolnshire County Council, had raised no objection concluding that the revised arrangements would not result in an unacceptable impact on highway safety.

The application had been called in by Councillor James Cantwell, Ward Member, due to concerns raised by residents regarding amenity and the cumulative impacts of traffic associated with long-running infrastructure projects on Bicker Fen.

The Planning Officer summarised the representations received. Objections had been submitted by residents, the local  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

Application Type:    Full Planning Permission

Proposal:                Proposed external steel staircase to serve first floor apartment/Flats 03 & 04, including removal of a first floor window in lieu of a new access door at first floor level

Site:                       2, Leicester Square, Boston PE21 8RR

Application Type:    Full Planning Permission

Proposal:       Proposed external steel staircase to serve first floor apartment/Flats 03 & 04, including removal of a first-floor window in lieu of a new access door at first floor level.

Site: 2, Leicester Square, Boston PE21 8RR

The Planning Officer presented the application and confirmed that it had been referred to Committee because Boston Borough Council was the applicant.

The Committee was shown the site location plan, together with existing and proposed floor plans and a series of photographs illustrating the rear elevation and the surrounding context.

Members were advised that the application related to an existing two?storey detached building located adjacent to St George’s Road Car Park, containing residential flats arranged across the ground and first floors. The proposal comprised the installation of an external galvanised steel staircase on the rear elevation to provide an additional means of fire escape from the first?floor. Associated works included the replacement of an existing first?floor window with a new doorto facilitate the escape route.

The Planning Officer explained that the staircase would be positioned within the enclosed rear yard, a location with significantly limited public visibility and where no loss of residential amenity would arise.

Members were advised that no objections had been received from neighbouring residents or consultees.

The application was recommended for approval.

In considering the application, Members acknowledged the importance of ensuring adequate fire?escape arrangements for residential premises. The Committee noted that the staircase was not intended to serve as a primary means of access and would therefore not materially increase activity or access at the rear of the property.

The application was proposed by Councillor Stephen Woodliffe and seconded by Councillor Sarah Sharpe.

Resolved:

That planning permission be granted in accordance with the officer recommendation and subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Conditions:

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 Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2. The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the following details shown on the submitted plan(s):

? DSA 25 - 063 10 Existing Plans, Elevations, Site Plan & Location Plan;

? DSA 25 - 063 100 Rev A Proposed Plans, Elevations, Site Plan & Location Plan – received 03-Mar-2026.

Reason: To ensure that the development is undertaken in accordance with the approved details, in the interests of residential amenity and to comply with Policies 2 and 3 of the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan 2019.