Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.  He advised that the meeting was being recorded and streamed live on You Tube.

The Democratic Services Officer carried out a roll call to determine attendees.

RESOLVED:   That Councillor Bower be appointed as Vice-Chair for the meeting.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Patel and Mrs V M Spikings

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 December 2021 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 Storey referred to page 153 of the agenda and explained that he was the Chairman of the Trustees.

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.

The Assistant Director advised that application 8/2(a) – Burnham Norton had been withdrawn from the agenda by the applicant, as detailed in late correspondence.

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 Councillors attended via Zoom and addressed the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 34:

P Gidney                     8/2(d)               Gayton

M de Whalley              8/2(d)               Gayton

G Middleton                 8/2(e)               South Wootton

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 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) – (x) below, where appropriate, to the conditions and reasons or grounds of refusal, set out in the schedules signed by the Chairman.

(i)                21/01568/FM

King’s Lynn:  King’s Lynn Athenaeum, Blackfriars Street:  Conversion of former post office (Class E) to a flexible use for commercial uses (Class E), public house, wine bar, drinking establishments and hot food takeaway (sui generis) on ground floor only with 30 residential units on first, second and third floors and third floor extension to create 4 new residential units:  Mrs Feride Guccuk

Click here to view a recording of this item on You Tube

The Planning Control Manager introduced the report and explained that the application related to the former Post Office and BT exchange building off Baxter’s Plain, in the town centre of King’s Lynn.  The building was roughly triangular in shape with Paradise Parade to the north west, Paradise Road to the north-east and Blackfriars Street to the south.

The application sought consent for a mixed-use development of the existing building, to provide approximately 1312 m² of commercial space (Class E, public house, wine bar, drinking establishments and hot food takeaway (sui generis)) on the ground floor with 30 residential units on first, second and third floors and a third-floor extension to create 4 new residential units.

The site was considered a non-designated heritage asset and was located adjacent to St Margaret’s area of the King’s Lynn Conservation Area.

The application had been referred to the Committee by the Planning Sifting Panel.

The Committee noted the key issues to be considered when determining the application, as set out in the report.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol, Mr B Guccuk (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

Councillor Holmes expressed concern in relation to the possible asbestos within the building, car parking provision, charging points for EV vehicles.

Other Members of the Committee agreed with Councillor Holmes that they had concerns in relation to parking.

Councillor Nockolds added that this would be a high-quality regeneration scheme for the town centre and supported the application.

In response to comments made by the Committee, it was explained that the quote which had appeared in the newspaper had been taken from the officer report once the agenda had been published.  With regard to parking provision, the site was within a town centre location with other car parks nearby and complied with Norfolk County Council’s parking standards.

It was also explained that there were separate Asbestos Regulations in place with regards to asbestos removal, which the applicant would have to conform to.

The Chairman drew the Committee’s attention to the late correspondence and the need to amend conditions, which was agreed.

The Democratic  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC95: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.