Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor de Winton (Councillor Moriarty substitute).

The Chair thanked Councillor Moriarty for being a substitute at the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 12 January 2026 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2026 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.

There were none.

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 de Whalley            9/2(a)               Congham

Cllr A Beales               9/2(b)               Great Massingham

Cllr J Kirk                    9/2(e)               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) – (XXXX) below, where appropriate to the conditions and reasons or grounds of refusal, set out in the schedules signed by the Chair.

(i)              25/01552/FM

Denver:  Land to the east of Ryston Road:  Change of use of agricultural land to sui generis for secure dog walking:  Tiggys Paddock

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The case officer introduced the report and explained that the application was for the change of use of approximately 1.04ha agricultural land to a secure dog walking (sui generis) use at land to the east of Ryston End in Denver.

The site was located to the east of Ryston Road.  The application site comprised of an existing access from Ryston Road and 1.04ha of agricultural land.  The wider setting of the site encompassed agricultural land bound by woodland to the west, protected under a Tree Preservation Order (reference TPO/00085/W1) and trees along the north, east and south boundaries.  Furthermore, Denver Footpath 21 was located along the south of the application site.

The application had been referred to the Committee for determination at the request of Councillor Hodson.

The case officer advised that there was a correction to Condition 2, which had been outlined in the correspondence received after the publication of the agenda.

The Committee noted the key issues for consideration when determining the application, as set out in the report.

The Committee raised concerns about noise impact on neighbouring properties and the effectiveness of proposed fencing and landscaping. Officers clarified that while landscaping would provide visual screening, it would not significantly attenuate noise, and management plans would be required to address potential nuisance. Conditions had been included to require further details on boundary treatments and landscaping, particularly along the southern boundary adjacent to the public footpath.

Members discussed the risk of dogs jumping fences and the interaction between dogs on the field and those on the adjacent footpath. Officers confirmed that a two-metre-high stock fence with timber posts and mesh would be installed, and further details would be agreed through planning conditions. The management plan would also address operational aspects, including the number of dogs allowed on site at any one time.

Concerns were also raised about dog waste and the potential for the field to become unpleasant. Officers explained that the applicant would require users to pick up after their dogs, and a waste company would be contracted to manage any missed waste.

The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to approve the application and, after having been put to the vote, was carried (13 votes for and 1 abstention).

RESOLVED:   That the application be approved as recommended subject to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC93:

To receive the Schedule of Planning Applications determined by the Executive Director.

The Committee received schedules relating to the above.

RESOLVED:   That the report be noted.