Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings welcomed everyone to the meeting.  She advised that the meeting was being recorded and streamed live on You Tube.

She invited the Democratic Services Officer to carry out a roll call to determine attendees.

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

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Patel (Councillor Rose sub)

The Chairman thanked Councillor Rose (substitute) for attending the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 December 2022 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2022 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.

Councillor appointed representatives on the Internal Drainage Boards are noted.

In relation to item 8/1(a), Councillor Holmes declared that he had already spoken about the application before he was Member of the Planning Committee and would not take part or vote on the matter.  He would address the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 34.

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.

Click here to view a copy of the recording on You Tube.

Councillor Holmes did not take part in the discussion or vote.

The Planning Control Manager advised that in relation to application 8/1(a), Downham Market late representations had been received and as a result legal advice sought.  The legal advice was that the application should be deferred to enable time for the updated planning statement and additional amended plans to be considered, and for further representations following uploading of the additional documents to be received and taken into account.  It would also give the agent the opportunity to respond to the third-party comments requesting more information about the difference between an Eco Store and standard Lidl store.  If the Council did consider the item, it could put the Council at risk of a legal challenge.

The Chairman then invited Steven Bell, the Council’s legal representative to explain the legal advice.  He explained that time was needed to look at the additional information submitted, the amended plans, updated planning statement and reference to the Eco Store.  This was to ensure that all Members had up to date information and all parties had the opportunity to respond on further consultation before the application was considered in full by the Committee.  If the application was determined before all the information was in front of the Committee, then it would possibly lead to another challenge and therefore put the Council at risk. 

The Chairman proposed that the application be deferred, which was seconded by Councillor Rose and, after having been put to the vote, was agreed by the Committee.

RESOLVED:   That application 20/01893/FM be deferred.

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.

The following Members attended and addressed the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 34:

Councillor J Kirk                      8/2(h)   West Walton

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

The Chairman 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 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 and Environment (copies of the schedules were published with the agenda).  Any changes to the schedules were recorded in the minutes.

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

(i)           20/01893/FM

Downham Market:  Land east of 160 and west of Roundabout, Bexwell Road, Downham Market:  Erection of a new Lidl food store (Use Class E) with associated car parking and landscaping:  Lidl Great Britain Limited

This application had been deferred earlier in the meeting.

(ii)          22/01577/RM

Watlington:  10 Fairfield Lane:  Reserved matters:  Approval for all reserved matters:  Construction of new dwelling:  Client of Holt Architectural Ltd

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The Principal Planner introduced the report and explained that the application had been deferred from the previous meeting held on 5 December 2022 to consult CSNN on conditions for a construction management plan.

The application was for reserved matters for a two-storey dwelling following the grant of outline permission 22/00442/O.

The application site was located to the north of No.10, along the west side of Fairfield Lane, Watlington, which was a Public Footpath.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination as the officer recommendation was contrary to the Parish Council response and it was also referred by the Planning Sifting Panel.

The Committee noted the key issues for consideration when determining the application, as set out in the report.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings drew the Committee’s attention to the late correspondence and the need to amend Condition 7, which was agreed.

The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to approve the application subject to condition 7 being amended (as detailed in late correspondence) and, after having been put to the vote was carried.

RESOLVED:  That the application be approved as recommended, subject to condition 7 being amended as detailed in late correspondence.

(iii)         22/01777/F     

Castle Acre: Heritage View, Castle Square, Bailey Street:  Single storey extension to create garden room:  Mr & Mrs J E Moriarty

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The Planning Control Manager introduced the report and explained that the application site was located off Castle Square in Castle Acre.  The site was located within the Castle Acre Conservation Area and located to the south-west of Castle Acre Castle (a scheduled ancient monument).

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination as the applicant was a Borough Councillor.

The Committee noted the key issues for consideration when determining the application, as set out in the report.

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:  That  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC92: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.