Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Ryves, Storey (Councillor Long sub) and de Whalley.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday 7 September 2026.     

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 September 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

In response to a query from Councillor de Winton, regarding the breakdown of enforcement cases by start date, the Planning Control Manager undertook to chase this up.

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 Long declared an updated employment within the home-improvements sector and involvement in correspondence to the Prime Minister concerning the new planning scheme of delegation.

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 none.

The Ward Member(s) for the relevant application/item can speak; and/or

at the discretion of the Chair of the Planning Committee, other Members can speak provided:

-        that two days clear notice shall be given of any intention to speak on an application/item along with a brief summary of what they intend to say.

A statement was read out on behalf of Councillor Osbourne in relation to 9/2(a) – Downham Market.

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 for 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)              25/01801/FM

Downham Market / Wimbotsham:  Land south of 22 Bridle Lane:  Full planning approval for the erection of 114 dwellings with associated open space and infrastructure with vehicular access proposed from Lynn Road and an emergency vehicular access to Cinnamon Road:  Mrs Anne Dew

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The case officer introduced the report and explained that the site was an irregular shaped parcel of land located to the north-east of Downham Market. It was located mostly within the parish of Downham Market, but the access road serving the site was located within the parish of Wimbotsham (boundary along bridleway BR13 / Bridle Lane which ran generally east west).

Excluding the access, the site comprised approximately 6.4 ha of an allocation site of 16.2 ha of residential development for Downham Market under Policy F1.3 of the Local Plan, with the policy requiring at least 250 dwellings and associated facilities.

Phase 1 of Allocation F1.3 already benefitted from outline and reserved matters consent (21/00798/F and 21/01121/RMM) for 226 dwellings and the site was currently being built out and was known locally as ‘The Willows’.

This was a full planning application for Phase 2 which proposed the construction of 114 dwellings with associated open space and infrastructure.  Vehicular access was proposed from Lynn Road and an emergency vehicular access to Cinnamon Road.

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

The Committee noted the key issues to be considered when determining the application, as set out in the report.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol, Anne Dew (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

The case officer advised the Committee that fire hydrants had been referenced in the report and a condition needed to be added relating to the provision of fire hydrants.

During the debate, Members raised the need for fire hydrants and wider fire-service funding. Officers confirmed that hydrants could be secured by condition, would meet building-control standards and would provide at least three hydrants for this scheme.  However, no additional fire-service financial contribution had been requested by the relevant authority.

In response to a question regarding contributions, officers explained that the allocation had been judged unviable for Community Infrastructure Levy purposes during the plan examination.  However, this exemption might be reconsidered through the next CIL review and local plan.

It was explained that the primary vehicle access would be from the Lynn Road roundabout, with an emergency-only connection to Cinnamon Road controlled by  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC47:

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

The Committee received schedules relating to the above.

Members noted the report of applications determined under delegated powers. An apparent error concerning the number of decisions issued was identified, and officers agreed to circulate corrected information separately.

RESOLVED:   That the report be amended and re-circulated.