Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first Planning Committee being held via Zoom.  He informed the Committee that the meeting was being broadcast live on You Tube. 

The recording of the meeting is available to view at WestNorfolkBC on You Tube.

The Democratic Services Officer conducted a roll call to confirm attendees.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Patel.

The Chair thanked Councillor D Tyler for substituting at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 March 2020.       

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2020, 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.

The following declarations of interest were declared:

Councillors Bubb, Crofts and Kirk declared that they were members of King’s Lynn Internal Drainage Board.

Councillors Joyce, Kirk and Rose declared that they were members of East of Ouse, Polver & Nar Internal Drainage Board.

Councillor Joyce also explained that his nephew, wife and their daughter had signed in support of the Starbucks application.

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 Chairman of their intention to do so and on what items they wish to be heard before the meeting commences.

The following Members attended for the items of business, as set out below:

P Gidney                     8/1(b)                           West Winch

M de Whalley              8/1(c) & 8/1(d)             Gayton

J Ratcliffe                    8/2(d)                           Downhham Market

H Humphrey                8/2(e)                           Emneth

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

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

(i)         19/01654/OM

Docking:  Limagrain UK Ltd, Station Road:  Outline application with some matters reserved:  Residential development consisting of 30 dwellings: 

The Principal Planner introduced the report and explained that outline consent with all matters except access reserved for future consideration was sought for residential development of the site with 30 dwellings.

The site was located almost wholly within the development boundary for Docking, a Key Rural Services Centre.  The southwest corner of the site, which clearly formed part of the operational Limagrain site, had been excluded.

The site was previously developed, as defined by the NPPF, and contained a number of buildings, glasshouses and areas if hardstanding associated with its previous use.

The southeast corner of the site was located within the Conservation Area, as did the entrance.

There was one tree protected by a TPO on the site; the trees in the southeast corner would be protected by virtue of their siting within a Conservation Area.

The site was located within flood zone 1, a groundwater medium risk zone and a sand and gravel mineral resource area.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination, as the officer recommendation was contrary to the views of the Parish Council, and by the Assistant Director.

The Committee noted the key issues for consideration when determining the application, namely:

·       Principle of development;

·       Highway safety;

·       Form and character / impact on the setting of the Conservation Area;

·       Residential amenity;

·       Flood risk and drainage;

·       Trees;

·       Ecology;

·       Minerals;

·       S106 considerations;

·       Crime and disorder; and

·       Other material considerations.

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

The Committee debated the application and officers responded to questions and provided clarification on the following issues:

·       In terms of this application, there was no requirement for a viability study;

·       Pages 15 and 16 of the agenda dealt with the loss of employment land;

·       The application had been assessed against National and Local policies, it was a brownfield site in a Key Rural Service Centre.  The loss of the employment site was considered acceptable.

·       There was no requirement for the applicant to demonstrate housing demand.

·       In relation to the affordable housing being pepper-potted, the plan submitted was indicative only and the location of the affordable units would be dealt with at reserved matters stage.

·       With regards to the access being opposite the village shop, it was explained that County Highways had raised no objection to the application and considered that the visibility splays was acceptable.  With regards to the provision of the affordable housing units,  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC103: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.