Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings welcomed everyone to the meeting.  She advised that the meeting was being recorded and streamed live on You Tube.

The Chairman then invited the Democratic Services Officer carried out a roll call to determine attendees.

To receive any apologies for absence and to note any substitutions.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Patel (Cllr Bambridge sub) and Councillor Squire (Cllr Howland sub).

The Chairman thanked the substitutes for attending the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 March 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the Member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

These declarations apply to all Members present, whether the Member is part of the meeting, attending to speak as a local Member on an item or simply observing the meeting from the public seating area.

Councillor appointed representatives on the Internal Drainage Boards are noted.

Councillor Bone declared an interest in relation to items 8/3(a) and 8/3(b), Downham Market.  He explained that during 2018 and 2019 he worked for Purfleet Trust, but he had not visited the sites since that time.  He considered that he had not pre-determined the application an interest in the items.

Councillor Holmes declared an interest in relation to item 8/2(a) Downham Market, and addressed the Committee in relation to Standing Order 34.

To consider any business, which by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept, under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was no urgent business to consider.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before a decision on that item is taken.

The following Councillors addressed the Committee under Standing Order 34:

Cllr Holmes                 8/1(a)               Downham Market

Cllr Ryves                   8/1(a)               Downham Market

Cllr J Ratcliffe              8/1(a)               Downham Market

Cllr A Ryves                8/2(b)               Downham Market

Cllr A Ryves                8/3(c)               Heacham

Cllr J Moriarty              8/3(d)               Hillington

*Cllr J Kirk                   8/3(g)               Walpole          

*The Democratic Services Officer read out a statement from Councillor Kirk.

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

The Chairman,  Councillor Mrs Spikings reported that any correspondence received had been read and passed to the appropriate officer.

To receive the Schedule of Late Correspondence received since the publication of the agenda.

A copy of the late correspondence received after the publication of the agenda, which had been previously circulated, was tabled.  A copy of the agenda would be held for public inspection with a list of background papers.

The Committee is asked to note the Index of Applications.

The Committee noted the Index of Applications.

To consider and determine the attached Schedule of Planning Applications submitted by the Executive Director.

The Committee considered schedules of applications for planning permission submitted by the Executive Director for Planning & Environment (copies of the schedules are published with the agenda).  Any changes to the schedules are recorded in the minutes.

RESOLVED:  That the applications be determined, as set out at (i) – (viii) below, where appropriate, to the conditions and reasons or grounds of refusal, set out in the schedules signed by the Chairman.

(i)           21/01781/F

West Walton:  Land north-east of Thurston Farm, Common Road, Walton Highway:  Change of use of land and stables to commercial livery yard (retrospective) and siting of temporary dwelling in connection with commercial livery:  Mrs D Glover

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Members were reminded that this application had been deferred at Planning Committee on 7 March 2022 to allow discussions with the applicant relating to temporary consent.

The description of the development had been agreed with the agent, referring to the siting of a temporary dwelling in connection with the livery business.  Updated comments relating to the impact of Policy DM6 of the SDMPP (2016) had been included within the report in bold.

Full planning permission was sought for a new business tied dwelling in association with a proposed change of use of existing stables to use as a commercial livery.  The site was accessed via Common Road, Walton Highway.

The site was located outside of the development boundary on land, which was considered to be within the wider countryside for the purposes of planning policy.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination as it was deferred from the meeting held on 7 March 2022.

The Committee noted the key issues for consideration when determining the application, as set out in the report.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol, Liam Lunn-Towler (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to refuse the application and, after having been put to the vote, was carried (13 votes for, 3 against and 2 abstentions).

RESOLVED: That the application be refused as recommended.

(ii)         20/01893/FM

Downham Market:  Land east of 160 and west of roundabout, Bexwell Road:  Erection of a new Lidl food store (Use Class E) with associated car parking and landscaping:  Lidl Great Britain Limited

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Councillor Howland advised that he would not be taking part in this item.

Councillor Holmes left the meeting and addressed the Committee under Standing Order 34.

The Principal Planner introduced the report and explained that full planning permission was sought for the construction of a Lidl food store with associated car parking and landscaping.  The store would have a gross internal floorspace of 2175 m² with a net sales area of 1414 m².

The site comprised of 0.93 hectares of land on the southern side of Bexwell Road and to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC54:a

To receive the Schedule of Planning Applications determined by the Executive Director.

The Committee received schedules relating to the above.

RESOLVED:   That the reports be noted.