Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anota, Everett and Fry.

RESOLVED:   That Councillor S Lintern be appointed Vice-Chair for the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 13 April 2026 (previously circulated).       

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 April 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair, subject to a correction on page 11, 4^th paragraph – add the word ‘outside’ of the development boundary and in the open countryside.

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:

The Chair, Councillor Spikings declared that in relation to item 9/(e) – Upwell, she was a member of Upwell Parish Council but had not taken part in the debate or decision.

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.

The Chair took the opportunity to refer to inappropriate comments which had been made about a planning officer, with a request for professional conduct at all times.

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 accordance with Standing Order 34:

J Osborne                   9/1(a)                           Downham Market

B Long                         9/1(b)                           Marshland St James

                                    9/1(c) & 9/1(d)             Tilney St Lawrence

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

(i)              26/00414/F

Downham Market:  Melanna, 25 Ryston End:  Householder:  Retrospective:  Erection of detached garage:  Peter Humphrey Associates

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The case officer introduced the report and explained that permission had been granted under application 25/01624/F for alterations to an existing dwelling and the erection of a garage in November 2025.  Works on the garage then commenced and it was not being constructed in accordance with the approved plans, it was reported to the Planning Enforcement Team.  An application was then subsequently received, reference number 26/00155/F which was subsequently withdrawn in March 2026.  The current application was then received in March 2026.

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

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, Chris Walford (supporting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

The Democratic Services Officer read out a statement from Councillor Osborne, who could not be present at the meeting.

In response to comments raised by the Committee, Officers clarified that the building would be conditioned for use only as a garage and storage area, with any change requiring further planning permission.

Councillor Bubb raised questions about the rendering of the garage and the ramp for vehicle access, with officers confirming that plans included rendering and a gradual ramp.

In response to a comment from Councillor de Winton asking whether PD rights could be removed, the Chair read out Condition 2 which restricted the use.   The Planning Control Manager advised that the applicant could still apply to carry out additional works but planning permission would be required.

Th Assistant Director advised that in relation to the impact on No.19, the Committee could consider using obscure glazing to that window. This was formally proposed by the Chair and seconded by Councillor de Winton and agreed by the Committee.

The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to approve the application subject to the additional condition 3 (as detailed in the correspondence received after the publication of the agenda) and a condition to ensure that the relevant window must be fitted with obscure glazing to protect neighbour privacy., after having been put to the vote, was carried (6 votes for, 3 against and 2 abstentions).

RESOLVED:That the application be approved as recommended.

(ii)            26/00370/F

Marshland St James:  Nissan hut and farm buildings north of Harston, Black Drove:  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC122:

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

The Committee received the delegated report.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Committee received a report relating to the above.

RESOLVED:That the report be noted.