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 invited the Democratic Services Officer to carry out a roll call to determine attendees.

Lorna Gilbert

She also informed the Committee that this would be Lorna’s last meeting working for the Council.  She thanked Lorna for her hard work and wished her well in her new role.

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

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Crofts, Lawton (Cllr Morley sub) and Patel (Cllr Rose sub).

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 6 March 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2023 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.

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 under Standing Order 7.

The Assistant Director took the opportunity to refer the Committee to the late correspondence in relation to 8/2(d) – Holme next the Sea where it was recommended that in light of the inaccuracy of plans and that some late correspondence had not been reported, the application be deferred.  This was proposed by the Chairman and agreed by the Committee.

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 under Standing Order 34:

S Dark                         8/1(a)               Heacham

C Sampson                 8/2(g)               Wereham

To receive any Chairman’s correspondence.

The Chairman 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 late correspondence received after the 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 were published with the agenda).  Any changes to the schedules were recorded in the minutes.

RESOLVED:   That the applications be determined, as set out in the schedules signed by the Chairman.

(i)              22/01648/FM

Heacham and Snettisham:   Heacham Bottom Farm, Lynn Road:  Change of use of existing buildings and new buildings to provide – new visitor centre, café, event and retail space, indoor play building, bike hire service, change of use of land to play facilities and creation of new bike tracks, woodland edge glamping units, car parking, new landscaping and off-road path:  Wild Ken Hill

Click here to view a recording of this item on You Tube.

The Principal Planner presented the application and explained that full planning permission was sought for a new destination day visitor attraction including a small 10 yurt glamping site.

The site that measured c.38ha comprised an area of existing built form in the farmyard, areas of agricultural fields and rough pasture, and a small part of Ken Hill Wood.

Part of the site fell within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  The northern part of the site fell within the parish of Heacham, while the southern part fell within the parish of Snettisham.

The site was located outside the development boundary of both villages.

It was suggested that the proposed development would generate 16.25 full time equivalent jobs.

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

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, Paul Rawlinson (objecting on behalf of the Parish Council), James Ellis (supporting), Dominic Buscall (supporting) and Mr B Carrick (objecting) addressed the Committee in relation to the application.

In accordance with Standing Order 34, Councillor S Dark addressed the Committee in relation to the application.  He explained that Ken Hill was a popular and thriving local business and at the forefront of many environmental initiatives including rewilding, reintroduction of rare species and regenerative crop planting.  It had been seen nationally and internationally recently on the BBC and was a credit to the area.  It was the centre of green tourism and other businesses and educational establishments not regionally but national and international interest in this area.  Whilst this could be seen as tourism and business development in an area which was already stretched it was a bit more nuanced and was not more caravans, but an area not catered for locally and something different.  As well as that, there was also green infrastructure improvements which was encouraging such as the route from Snettisham to Heacham away from the busy A149 which then linked to Hunstanton and the area of coast beyond, for the benefit of local residents.  He considered that there were a lot of positives to the proposals  ...  view the full minutes text for item PC126: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.