Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G Hipperson and Mrs E Watson.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2^nd July 2018.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 July 2018 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

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 the meeting commences.

There were no Members present under Standing Order 34.

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

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

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

A copy of the late correspondence received since the publication of the agenda, which had been previously circulated was tabled.  A copy of the summary 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 Assistant Director advised Members that the new NPPF had been published the previous week and that a training session for the Committee would be scheduled for September 2018   The Assistant Director explained that the changes to the NPPF would not change any of the recommendations of the applications being determined by the Committee today.

The Committee considered schedules of applications for planning permission submitted by the Executive Director for Planning and 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) – (xi) below, where appropriate to the conditions and reasons or grounds of refusal, set out in the schedules signed by the Chairman.

(i)                         18/00195/FM

Welney:  Land North of Grange Farm, Main Street: Proposed development of 17 residential dwellings (including 3 affordable units) and improved vehicular access to Main Road:  Mr R Boyd

Councillors A Bubb, A Morrison and Mrs S Young did not attend the site visit prior to the meeting so did not take part in any debate on the above application.

The Principal Planner introduced the report and explained that the application sought full permission for the construction of 17 dwellings (including 3 affordable units) with associated garages and access road off Main Street, Welney, which was classed as a ‘rural village’ in the settlement hierarchy.

The site was located on the western side of Main Street, which adjoined the Old Croft River.  There were residential properties on the opposite side of Main Road and along New Road to the north.  The Grange (farmhouse) was to the south, with Church Cottages and Grade II listed St Mary’s Church beyond, the application site therefore was effectively bounded on three sides by residential development.  There were agricultural fields to the rear/west and south behind The Grange.

The Committee was reminded of the points raised and clarified during site visit prior to the meeting this morning, in particular, the proposed access and footpath.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination as the views of the Parish Council were contrary to the Officer recommendation.

The Principal Planner then outlined the key issues for consideration when determining the application, namely:

·        Principle of development.

·        Impact of layout on locality.

·        Highway issues.

·        Affordable housing provision.

·        Flood risk and drainage.

·        Impact on setting of listed church.

·        Impact upon ecology.

·        Other material planning considerations.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol, Mr P Spears (objecting), Mr P Gardiner (on behalf of the Parish Council - objecting) and Mr G Maxey (applicant –

supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

In response to questions from Councillors Crofts and White on how the Council could ensure that developers would maintain the estate road and private courtyard areas in future years, the Principal Planner explained that specific clauses to address the concerns raised regarding future maintenance would be included in the Section 106 Agreement

Councillor Crofts expressed further concern regarding  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC30:

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

The Committee received schedules relating to the above.

RESOLVED:  That, the report be noted.

To provide the Committee with the quarterly report covering performance for the 1^st and 2nd quarters

The Committee received a report which gave an update on service performance during the first and second quarters of 2018.

Attached to the report was a list of live cases to 17 July 2018.

It was noted that the total number of live cases was 278 with 254 cases being closed.  In addition, 27 formal notices had been served.

The Committee notes that aside from the usual range of notices served, in the last two quarters, it was reported that a High Court Injunction in relation to unauthorised works to facilitate a residential caravan site on land in Marshland St James was granted.  The Injunction also prohibited further activity including the installation of residential caravans without the benefit of planning permission.

The Committee was provided with the quarterly report update covering performance for the period 1 April 2018 – 30 June 2018.

It was noted that for the second quarter of 2018 33% of all appeals were allowed.  For the 12 month period 30 June 2018 an average of 37.5% of all appeals were allowed, which was slightly above the post National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) national average figure of around 36% of all appeals allowed.

RESOLVED:  That, the report be noted.