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 then 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 Councillors Crofts, Nockolds (Cllr Sampson sub), Patel (Cllr Rose sub) and Howland.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings held on 7 November 2022 and 18 November 2022 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meetings held on 7 November 2022 and 18 November 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.

There were no declarations of interest declared.

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 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.

There were no Members present under Standing Order 34.

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

(i)          21/01121/RMM

Downham Market / Wimbotsham:  Land NE of Bridle Lane:  Reserved matters application for layout, scale, appearance and landscaping for the erection of 226 dwellings and associated works and infrastructure:  Persimmon Homes East Midlands

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The Senior Planner introduced the report and explained that the site was an irregular shaped parcel of land located in the north-east of Downham Market but was located mostly within Wimbotsham.

The site comprised 9.2ha of an allocation site of 16.2ha for Downham Market under Policy F1.3 of the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Plan (SADMPP) 2016, with the policy requiring at least 250 dwellings and associated facilities.

The principle of residential development of the site along with access (3 arm roundabout junction on Lynn Road / B1507) had already been established by outline planning permission granted initially under application reference 16/00610/OM, and then varied by 21/00798/F to remove the need for an emergency access route adjoining the roundabout junction on Lynn Road (and supported by the Local Highway Authority).

The application sought reserved matters approval for 226 dwellings with associated works and infrastructure.  The matters for consideration were appearance, landscaping, layout and scale.

The application had been referred to the Committee as the views of Wimbotsham Parish Council were contrary to the officer recommendation.

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, Katie Dowling (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

In response to a query from Councillor Parish, the Senior Planner explained that Norfolk County Council did not deem it necessary for the applicant to provide an emergency access, as agreed at the outline consent stage.

The Senior Planner also answered questions in relation to trees and that there were easement issues which affected the position of certain houses on the scheme. The delivery of the affordable housing was part of the Section 106 Agreement.

With regards to the lack of GPs, dentists, etc the Assistant Director advised that this was a national issue.

In relation to the Greenspace Officer objection that in line with Fields in Trust guidance, developments of more than 200 dwellings required a MUGA to be included within the scheme. No MUGA had been provided in this phase.  The Senior Planner explained that there was area that could be used for a MUGA, and this would be provided in a second phase.  There was also a MUGA not too far away from the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC82: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.