Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anota, Devulapalli and Storey (Councillor Long substitute).

The Chair thanked Councillor Long for being a substitute at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 September 2025 and the Reconvened Meeting held on 4 September 2025 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the previous meetings held on 1 & 4 September 2025 were agreed as a correct record subject to Councillor Fry’s name added to the attendees for the 1^st September meeting.

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 de Winton advised that in relation to application 9/3(a) – Brancaster, he would be speaking under Standing Order 34 and would not take part in the debate or decision.

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.

The Planning Control Manager advised that in relation to application 25/00865/F – Brancaster legal advice had been received in relation to how S.73 applications should be dealt with when dealing with variation of conditions for retrospective applications, which affected this application.

The Legal Advisor explained that Counsels advice had been received in relation to another case which referred to case law when dealing with similar issues and advised that the report needed to be updated to take that advice into account. She therefore recommended that the application should be deferred to enable the report to be updated.

This was proposed by Councillor de Winton and seconded by Councillor Mrs Spikings and agreed by the Committee,

RESOLVED:   That application 25/00856/F be deferred to enable the report to be updated following legal advice.

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.

Councillor J Kirk          9/1(a)               Walsoken

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 to the schedules will be recorded in the minutes.

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

(i)              25/00389/F

Walsoken:  Land east of Willowdene, north of Clydesdale, Biggs Road:  Intensification of use of existing hardstanding at an existing Gypsy / Traveller site to enable standing of an additional five static caravans and one touring caravan (retrospective):  Mr J Rooney

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The case officer introduced the report and explained that the application had been deferred from the Planning Committee meeting held on 1^st September 2025, to allow for additional information to be sought regarding drainage, and to clarify the full criteria of Policy LP32 of the Local Plan, as well the Planning Policy for Traveller Sites.

The Committee were advised that the application sought retrospective planning permission for the intensification of use of existing hardstanding at an existing Gypsy / Traveller site to enable standing of an additional five static caravans and one touring caravan.  The proposal included an extension of the previous site boundary to the east (rear) to increase the overall site area.

Application reference 23/01082/F granted consent under delegated powers for the siting of one residential static caravan and two touring caravans.  The site, known as ‘Land next to Clydesdale’ in the GTAA provided one G&T pitch.  The retrospective proposal would increase this to a total of six static caravans on the site at any one time.

The application site was outside of the development boundary and within Flood Zones 2 and 3.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination as it was deferred from the 1^st September Planning Committee meeting and it had originally been called in by Councillor Kirk, and the officer recommendation was at variance with the views of the Parish Council.

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

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol Rachel Bingham (objecting), Fred Leach (objecting on behalf of the Parish Council) and Stuart Carruthers (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

In accordance with Standing Order 34, Councillor Kirk addressed the Committee and outlined his concerns in relation to the application.

In response to comments made by the speakers, the case officer advised that in relation to ‘meeting the need’, she referred to the appeal decision provided in late correspondence paragraph 21, which outlined that the planning permission ran with the land and it was therefore not necessary for the Council to ask if the occupants met the definition as part of the planning application.  The proposed condition would ensure that anyone  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC52:

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.