Agenda and draft minutes

To appoint a Vice-Chair for the meeting.

RESOLVED:   That Councillor Crofts be appointed as Vice-Chair for the meeting.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Spikings (Councillor Blunt sub), Councillor Bubb, Councillor Storey (Councillor Crofts sub), Councillor Lintern (Councillor Ryves sub) and Councillor de Whalley.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 1 June 2026 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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.

The following declarations of interest were declared:

Councillor Rose declared that in relation to 9/2(a) – Upwell he would leave the meeting as he was well acquainted with the applicant, and he was also a Member of Upwell Parish Council.

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

There was no urgent business under Standing Order 7.

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.

There were no Members present in accordance with Standing Order 34:

To receive any Chair’s correspondence.

The Chair reported that any correspondence received had been read and passed to the appropriate officer.

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

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

The Committee is asked to consider and determine the attached Schedules of Planning Applications submitted by the Assistant Director.

The Committee considered schedules of applications for planning permission submitted by the Assistant Director for Planning and Environment (copies of the schedules were published with the agenda). Any changes to the schedules will be recorded in the minutes.

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

(i)              23/01141/FM

Downham Market:  Land south of Railway Road:  Erection of 26 dwellings (Use Class C3):  Degfont (UK) Ltd

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The case officer introduced the report and explained that the application site was located to the south of Railway Road, Downham Market. It comprised an area of approximately 1h of unmaintained scrubland and some peripheral trees bounded by the railway line to the west, Sovereign Way industrial estate to the south, The Willows Nature Reserve (County Wildlife Site) to the east and residential development on Daisy Lane to the north with Railway Road beyond, plus a commercial workshop (TLH Autocare) adjoining the NW corner of the site.

The site was located within the development area of the town and there was a history of previous approvals for residential development over the past two decades.

The proposal sought full permission for the construction of 26 dwellings.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination at the request of the Planning Sifting Panel.

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, Ryan Astill (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

Councillors raised questions about allotments, cycle signage, road adoption, indemnity for waste vehicles, drainage, affordable housing with officers clarifying policy requirements, maintenance arrangements, and technical solutions, including the role of management companies and drainage schemes.

The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to approve the application and, after having been put to the vote, was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED: (A)      That subject to completion of a Section 106 agreement within 4 months of a resolution to approve to cover affordable housing provision, maintenance as a private road, off-site contribution towards play equipment / maintenance, etc fee towards maintenance of The Willows Nature Reserve plus payment of GIRAMS fee, permission be granted subject to certain conditions.  If the agreement is not completed within 4 months of the committee resolution, but reasonable progress has been made, delegated authority is granted to the Assistant Director / Planning Control Manager to continue negotiation and complete the agreement and issue the decision.

(B)      If in the opinion of the Assistant Director / Planning Control Manager no reasonable progress is made  to complete the legal agreement within 4 months of the date of the committee resolution, the application is refused on the failure to secure affordable housing provision, maintenance as a private road, off-site  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC19:

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

The Committee received the delegated report.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted.