Agenda and 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.

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

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

An apology for absence was received from Councillors Lawton, Patel and Whitby.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 June 2022 and the Reconvened Meeting held on 21 June 2022.

The Minutes of the Meetings held on 15 and 21 June 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:

In relation to item 8, Councillor de Whalley declared an interest in the Medworth item and addressed the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 34.  He took no part in the debate.

In relation to item 8/2(b) Dersingham, Councillor Bubb declared a non-pecuniary interest in the 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 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.

The following Councillors attended and addressed the Committee in relation to Standing Order 34:

S Dark                         Item 8              Land at Algores Way, Wisbech

M de Whalley              Item 8              Land at Algores Way, Wisbech

A Kemp                       Item 8              Land at Algores Way, Wisbech

J Collingham               8/2(b)               Dersingham

S Dark                         8/2(b)               Dersingham

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.

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Councillor de Whalley left the meeting and addressed the Committee in accordance with Standing Order 34.

Members were reminded that at the Council meeting on 25 February 2021, Council passed a motion to object to the principle of the proposal for an energy from waste facility in Wisbech.

It is important to note that this remains in placeand is unaffected by this very specific, and limited consultation response.

The Planning Inspectorate (PINS) had invited the Council to submit an Adequacy of Consultation (AoC) representation, in response to the submission of the Medworth EfW, CHP facility and associated grid connections application.  The Council had 14 days to respond to this specific consultation.  The deadline for comments to PINS was Thursday 21 July 2022.  PINS would consider comments it received from host and neighbouring authorities in deciding whether or not to accept the application as submitted.

As this was a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) it was considered by PINS and ultimately determined by the Secretary of State.

At this stage PINS are only looking for comments on the consultation carried out pre-submission. PINS have made it clear that this is not the stage to consider the merits of the case, that will be later, and the council will have much longer to provide their response. The timetable will be set out by PINS in due course, if they decide to accept the application. A copy of the flow diagram showing the role of local authorities in this process, was attached to this report.

Comments were made on the AoC by officers in the specific terms of the request received.

The report detailed the consultation carried out by the applicant.

The Committee noted the key issues for consideration as set out in the report.

In accordance with the adopted public speaking protocol,Dr Little (objecting) addressed the Committee in relation to the item.

In accordance with Standing Order 34, Councillor Dark addressed the Committee.  Councillor Dark, Leader of the Council and Administration stated that he wished to make it clear that this was a technical matter that was being considered, and the Council had taken a decision some time ago that the Council was in principle opposed to this incinerator at this location citing reasons that it was too large, too near and sufficient in the supply chain to actually need more.  That was the position of the administration and was a similar position taken by every other Council in the area around this matter including Norfolk County Council.  That position would remain. 

In terms of the matter being considered, Members were being asked about the adequacy of consultation and as had been explained what needed to be considered was whether the applicant had done what they said they were going to do which was the minimum legal requirement or in the prevailing circumstances that we know in West Norfolk, given the history of concern around  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC25:

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

(i)               21/02066/OM

Gayton:  Former works adjacent Gayton Mill, Litcham Road:  Outline application:  Erection of up to 33 dwellings, works to the existing access, estate roads, driveways, parking areas, open space, external lighting, pumping station and associated infrastructure:  Rannerlow Ltd

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The Planning Control Manager presented the report and advised that the application was in outline for residential development on a site adjacent to Gayton Mill, which was at the eastern end of Gayton Village.  All matters were reserved for future consideration except for access, which was to be fully considered.  An indicative layout had been submitted, which showed a development of 33 dwellings.

The site was brownfield and within the village envelope.

The application had been referred for determination at the request of the Planning Sifting Panel.

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, Mr E Clarke (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

A query was raised as to when the affordable housing would be provided.  It was explained that the delivery of affordable housing would form part of the reserved matters application.  In terms of the spread of affordable housing across the site, the Planning Control Manager advised that this was also be considered at reserved matters stage but did meet the affordable housing policy.

Councillor Rust raised concern in relation to the comment from Strategic Housing regarding requiring smaller units, ie. 2 bed 4 person units.  She felt that this was inappropriate given that children at a certain age had to have separate bedrooms.

Councillor Crofts expressed concern in relation to a Management Company maintaining the LEAP and public open space and asked for reassurance that this would work.  In response the Planning Control Manager advised that consultation would take place with appropriate consultees / internal departments to ensure that an appropriate management scheme came forward.

Councillor De Whalley (Ward Member) expressed concerns regarding the pedestrian access to the village, as stated by Gayton Parish Council.  He also had concerns in relation to flooding and that Anglian Water had raised no objection to the application, but the report had not included Anglian Water’s statement that development may lead to an unacceptable risk of flooding downstream. Gayton did suffer from flooding. 

The Planning Control Manager explained to the Committee the suggested off-site highway works but this would be subject to condition.

Councillor De Whalley proposed that a site visit be undertaken which was seconded by Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC26:a

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The Enforcement Team Leader presented the report which updated Members in respect of a continuing breach of planning control and to seek a resolution in respect of further enforcement action to remedy the breach of Planning Control at land at 2 Kemps Close, Salters Lode.

RESOLVED:     (a)   That the update in respect of the continuing breach of planning control was noted.

(b)     That authority be granted to the Executive Director of Environment & Planning for the implementation and execution of direct action under Section 219 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to comply with requirements set out in paragraph 3 of the Section 215 Notice.

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.