Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Barclay (Cllr Coates sub) and Councillor Devulapalli (Cllr Moriarty sub).

The Chair thanked the subs for attending the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 December 2025 (previously circulated).

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 declared a pecuniary interest in relation to application 9/2(a) – Brancaster, as he was the applicant.

Councillor Mrs V M Spikings declared an interest in relation to application  9/2(f) – Walsoken, as she knew the applicant personally and would leave the meeting during consideration of the item.

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.

There was no urgent business under Standing Order 7.

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 under Standing Order 34:

Cllr T Parish                9/1(a)               Sedgeford

Cllr S Ring                   9/2(d)               North Wootton

Cllr J Kirk                    9/2(f)                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 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 Chair.

(i)              25/00641/FM

Sedgeford:  Sedgeford First School, Ringstead Road:  Change of use of former School from education (Class F1a) to residential use (Class C3), subdivision of headteachers cottage, alongside demolition of ancillary structures, erection of new dwellings, creation of new access, cycle parking, car parking, hard and soft landscaping, plant and associated works:  c/o Agent

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The case officer introduced the report and explained that the application sought full planning permission for the conversion of the Sedgeford First School (and associated Headmasters House) to 8 flats and the construction of 12 new build houses within the surrounding site.  Two on-site affordable units were proposed.

The site was wholly within the development boundary within the Policies Plan and in a position where residential development was supported by Policy LP02.  The site was also within the Sedgeford Conservation Area which there was a duty to preserve or enhance.

The existing school building which had been unused since 2020 was designated as a community facility under Policy C1 of the Sedgeford Neighbourhood Plan.

The Sedgeford Neighbourhood Plan had a principal residency requirement which applied to the application.

The case officer pointed out a correction in the report in relation to GIRAMS tariff.  The current fee was £304.17 per dwelling.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination at the request of Councillor Parish 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, Mr B Clark on behalf of Sedgeford Parish Council and Claire Galilee (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

In accordance with Standing Order 34, Councillor Parish addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

Committee members debated the adequacy of parking enforcement, the need for glazing restrictions to protect dark skies, the provision of public open space, biodiversity net gain (BNG) and tree replacement, and the implications of Anglian Water’s concerns about sewage capacity.

After clarification from the Council’s Legal Advisor in relation to the applicant being Norfolk County Council, Councillors Storey and Moriarty declared an interest in the application as Norfolk County Councillors and took no part in the debate or decision.

Councillor Lintern proposed that an additional condition be imposed to require glazing restrictions to protect dark skies.  This was seconded by Councillor Fry.

In response to a question from Councillor Lintern, it was confirmed that Condition 16 could be amended  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC84:

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.