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 to You Tube.

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

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings thanked Councillor G Hipperson for his kindness and support as Vice-Chairman over the last year.

She also welcomed Fiona Croxen from Eastlaw, who was present at the meeting, and would be providing legal advice for the first five applications that were on the agenda.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings also announced that the meeting scheduled for 6 June 2022 would be rescheduled to 15 June.  Other changes in July would be communicated to the Committee.

RESOLVED:   That Councillor D Tyler be appointed as Vice-Chairman for the meeting.

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bower (Cllr Long sub), Hipperson, Parish (Cllr Morley sub) and Patel (Cllr Crofts sub).

The Chairman thanked the substitutes for attending the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 4 April 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 April 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.

The following declarations of interest were declared:

Councillor Long declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to item 8/2(a) – Heacham as was related to the applicant who was his cousin.  He also declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 8/2(b) as he was the Chair of West Norfolk Property Ltd, who might obtain some of the homes in the future.

Councillor Tyler added that he knew former Councillor Tony White who was the applicant for 8/1(b) – Northwold.

Councillor Bubb declared a pecuniary interest in item 8/3(a) – Dersingham, as he was the applicant.

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 to report.

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.

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

The Chairman, Councillor Mrs Spikings 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 Chairman.

(i)              20/01893/FM

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

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Councillor Holmes left the meeting and addressed the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 34.  He did not take part in the debate or vote on the matter.

The Principal Planner introduced the report and reminded Members that this application had been considered on 4 April 2022.  The Committee were minded to approve the application, subject to discussions taking place to identify both the scale of the financial contribution and what it would be used for.  The package would then come back to the Planning Committee for ratification and formal confirmation of the Committee’s decision to approve.  Any mitigation measures would need to be subject to a Section 106 and appropriate conditions imposed.

It was reported that discussions had taken place with the Town Council and the applicant with respect to the scale of the financial contribution and for what it could be used for.

The Principal Planner drew the Committee’s attention to page 28 of the agenda where it outlined some potential projects that the £50,000 could be used towards.  She explained that if the Committee were satisfied with the sum of £50,000 and the potential projects it could be used towards, and that it was still considered to be suitable and adequate mitigation to offset any harm identified, then this could be secured through a Section 106 legal agreement.

The Principal Planner also drew the Committee’s attention to the late correspondence, which contained a number of draft conditions in case the Committee determined to approve the application.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol, Barry Wiles (objecting), George Dickson (objecting), Kate Bueloch (supporting) and Richard Huteson (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

Councillors Holmes (supporting), Ratcliffe (supporting) and Ryves (objecting) addressed the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 34.

In speaking in support of the application, Councillor Long proposed that the application be approved with the payment of £50,000.  This was seconded by Councillor Storey.

Councillor Storey added that he supported the application and at the previous meeting, permission had been granted for 300 dwellings not too far away from the site demonstrating that Downham Market was a growth area.  The proposal also provided choices for the people of Downham Market and the surrounding area.  The proposal also provided 40 jobs for local people.  Also, 310 individuals supported  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC65:a