Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M de Whalley and C Joyce.

The notes of the previous meeting held on 4 December 2019 were agreed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

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 Members 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider any business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chairman proposes to accept as urgent under Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

There was no urgent business.

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.

The Principal Planner (Policy) and Water Management Officer presented the draft Policy LP11.

The Task Group discussed the draft policy and officers responded to questions and comments, a summary of which is set out below:

·        Recent Government announcement to re-use old railway tracks.  Officers advised that Norfolk County Council was the transport authority and were therefore best placed to carry out any required investigation.

·        King’s Lynn to Hunstanton disused track was in a variety of ownerships.

·        Clarification given on the comments received from CPRE (page 14).  It was noted that provision was being made potential uses such as new rail facilities. 

·        Some disused railway tracks were used for walkways or cycleways.

·        Upwell tramway – consideration to be given to protecting the route of the former tramway if possible.

AGREED: 1) The Task Group approved the recommendation.

2) Officers to send an email update to Members of the Task Group to let inform them if it was possible to protect the route of the former tramway in Upwell.

The Principal Planner (Policy) and Water Management Officer presented the draft Policy LP12 and outlined the issues raised from consultees.

With regard to the Norfolk Local Transport Plan consultation, the Chair asked officers if the information could be obtained and published in order to raise public awareness.

Officers responded to questions/comments relating to:

·        Encouraging wider use of public transport.  It was noted that this important point had been included in the Environment Policy.  Reference to the King’s Lynn Transport Strategy was detailed in Section 2 of the draft policy.

·        Development in smaller villages and relevant infrastructure not being in place.  Reference was made to the recent Government announcement on funding for infrastructure to connect rural villages to public transport services, etc.  It was noted that the Norfolk County Council would be the authority to apply for funding.

·        Work being undertaken by the Council’s officers in relation to housing and climate change.

·        Impact of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and the work currently being undertaken by the CIL Task Group.

·        Importance of a good public transport network for new housing development within the borough.

·        Reliance on the car in rural areas.

·        Electric vehicles.

·        Renewable energy.

AGREED:  1) Officers to include a clear reference to the King’s Lynn Transport Strategy objectives to consider whether these could be applied borough-wide and also consider the promotion of public transport to be presented at a future meeting.

2) Consideration of how to promote public transport better through the Local Plan and also to consider the role of the private car in the Local Plan to 2036.

The Principal Planner (Policy) and Water Management Officer explained that it was proposed to amend clause 2.

Officers responded to questions and comments in relation to:

·        Conversion of garages.

·        Requirement for provision of car parking space for each new dwelling.

·        Height and width of garages required for planning consent.

·        Role of the Neighbourhood Plan.

·        Provision of affordable housing.

Following comments made by the Task Group, the Planning Policy Manager explained that the text could reflect the type of car parking spaces to be provided.  The Planning Policy Manager undertook to liaise with the Assistant Director, Environment and Planning regarding the requirements for a garage (and conversion of)/parking space.

AGREED:  The Task Group approved the recommendation.

The Principal Planner (Policy) and Water Management Officer outlined the main issues raised by the consultees.

A discussion took place on the Hunstanton Sea defences and the proposed works to repair the groynes and the shifting of sand at Heacham.  The Principal Planner (Policy) and Water Management Officer explained that the coastal management plan was within the remit of the Environment Agency.

AGREED:  The Task Group approved the recommendation.

The Principal Planner (Policy) and Water Management Officer outlined the main issues raised by the consultees.

Officers responded to comments and questions in relating to:

·        Guidance on light pollution.  It was noted that there was a website available on light pollution.  The Task Group was advised that details of the policy approach regarding light pollution was set out on page 65 of the draft policy.

·        Low level footway lighting provided by a developer for a housing scheme in a rural village.

·        Proposed development in context of the setting.

·        How to discourage fast food outlets in the vicinity of local schools.  It was noted that each planning permission was determined on its own merits and the health of children could be considered as a material planning reason.

AGREED:  The Task Group approved the recommendation.

Members were advised that no adverse comments had been received in relation to this policy, therefore no changes were therefore needed to the policy.

AGREED:  The Task Group approved the recommendation.

The Principal Planner (Policy) and Water Management Officer outlined the main issues raised by consultees.

In response to questions regarding the Council’s £50 Habitats Monitoring and Mitigation (HM) payment, it was explained that some councils in the country had a higher level than £50.  A seminar was scheduled in March 2020, which would consider the proposal of an increased levy following on from work carried out on a Norfolk-wide green Intrastructure (GI) and Recreational Impact Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy (RAMS).

The Planning Policy Manager provided an overview of the mechanism as to how the HMM levy was allocated.

AGREED:  The Task Group approved the recommendation.

The Principal Planner (Planning Policy) reminded the Task Group of the requirement for local planning authorities to prepare, publish and maintain a Local Development Scheme (LDS).  The main document covered the Local Plan review 2016 – 2036 from preparation to adoption.

It was noted that this latest version of the LDS provided a timetable for which documents were proposed to be prepared and when.  It also set out the stages at which the public could be involved in the process.

The remaining work to be completed was outlined.

The Principal Planner (Planning Policy) provided an update which was circulated with the Agenda.

Reference was made to the email received from Councillor M deWhalley regarding Leziate and Bawsey not wishing to be a single identity.  It was confirmed that Leziate and Bawsey were two separate parishes.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 4 March 2020 at 11.00 am in Meeting Room 2-4, Second Floor, King’s Court, Chapel Street, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on Wednesday 4 March 2020 at 11.15 am in the Kempe Room, Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn.