Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Kirk, Ryves and Storey.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 4 November 2019.      

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

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 none.

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 under Standing Order 7.

Members wishing to speak pursuant to Standing Order 34 should inform the Chair 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 Members attended under Standing Order 34:

G Howman                  8/1(a)               19/00904/F

Mrs M Wilkinson          8/1(a)               19/00904/F

A  Holmes                   8/3(d)               19/01339/F

P Kunes                      8/3(f)                19/01498/F

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

The Chair, Councillor Crofts 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) – (xi) below, where appropriate, to the conditions and reasons or grounds of refusal, set out in the schedules signed by the Chair.

(i)         19/00904/F

            King’s Lynn:  Car Park, Centre Point:  Erection of 7 no. dwellings and             associated car parking plus provision of 10 car parking spaces to the existing car park:   Blend Properties LLP

The Principal Planner introduced the report and reminded the Committee that the application had been deferred from the last meeting, to address issues relating to land ownership; access to bins and bikes, the need for a turning head, compliance with Manual for Streets and concerns relating to the public parking in the private residential bays.  The report went on to address those issues raised.  An amended plan had been received from the applicant, which sought to address the concerns raised at the previous meeting.

Full planning permission was sought for the erection of 7 dwellings with associated parking plus an additional 10 car parking spaces to the south of the existing BCKLWN car park.

The site was located within the development boundary of King’s Lynn and currently accommodated c.24 car parking spaces that previously formed part of the aforementioned BCKLWN car park.

The site was within Flood Zone 1 as depicted on the Local Authority’s Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

The application had been called-in by Councillor Howman.

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

·        Principle of development;

·        Form and character;

·        Highway safety;

·        Residential amenity; and

·        Other material considerations.

In accordance with Standing Order 34, Councillor Howman addressed the Committee as follows:

‘As the first photo shows, the site is part of a car park which serves the busy neighbourhood centre of Fairstead in Kings Lynn. It provides access to a primary and nursery school, the Doctors Surgery, the Councils own Community Centre and the local shops.

The Fairstead estate was built in the 1960s to provide council housing for those in need. It remains a less than affluent area and we do need more housing but it should be social or at least affordable housing. Not one of these units will be for affordable housing which to me is shameful.

This plan to squeeze in seven houses will result in the loss of about half the car park. That means it will become overloaded and inaccessible at times causing disruption and road safety concerns. The school run in particular will be dangerous with cars having to park on the adjacent William Booth Road, which is a through road and busy bus route.

All of this car park used to be owned by the Borough Council, but some years ago the Council sold part of it to  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC63: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.

The Committee considered a report which updated them on recent Tree Preservation Orders (TPO’s) that had been served between 1^st May 2019 – 31^st October 2019, along with a summary on some of the other aspects of work in relation to trees.

RESOLVED:   That, the report be noted.