Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors David Bellamy and Helen Crawford.

Councillor Sarah Trotter declared that she was registered to speak as Ward Councillor for application S24/0360, she would therefore not participate in the debate or vote for this item.

Councillor Paul Fellows declared that application S24/0674 was within his Ward, however, this did not affect his ability to participate in the debate and vote.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2024 were proposed, seconded and AGREED as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2024 were proposed, seconded and AGREED as a correct record, subject to a minor amendment to the attendance of the Legal Advisor, who attended the meeting virtually.

Proposal: Installation of a solar farm comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels, including mounting systems, inverters, underground cabling, stock proof fencing, CCTV, internal access tracks, electrical substation and associated infrastructure for a temporary period of 40 years.

Location: Land west of Church Lane, Welby

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions.

Proposal: Installation of a solar farm comprising ground mounted solar photovoltaic panels, including mounting systems, inverters, underground cabling, stock proof fencing, CCTV, internal access tracks, electrical substation and associated infrastructure for a temporary period of 40 years.

Location: Land west of Church Lane, Welby

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions.

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

District Ward Councillor                                                      Cllr Sarah Trotter

Londonthorpe and Harrowby Without Parish Council        Cllr Alan Bowling

Against                                                                               John Ingle

Applicant                                                                             Charlotte Peacock       

Together with:

·       Provisions within South Kesteven Local Plan 2011-2036, Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD, Design Guidelines for Rutland and South Kesteven Supplementary, National Planning Policy Framework, National Policy Statement for Energy (EN1) and National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy (EN3).

·       No comments received from Association of Gardens Trust.

·       No comments received from Civil Aviation Authority.

·       No comments received from Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

·       No comments received from Environment Agency.

·       Comments received from Heritage Lincolnshire.

·       No comments received from Historic England.

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire County Council (Highways &SuDS).

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire County Council (Planning Policy).

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire County Council (Public Rights of Way & Access).

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

·       No comments received from National Grid.

·       No comments received from National Highways.

·       Comments received from National Trust.

·       No comments received from Natural England.

·       Comments received from SKDC Conservation Officer.

·       Comments received from SKDC Environmental Protection Officer.

·       Comments received from Welby Parish Council.

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

·       Whether the land proposed was used as farming land for crops.

The Ward Councillor noted that the land was used to grow good quality cereal crops.

·       Further information was requested on the cumulative impact of solar farms.

The Ward Councillor had concerns regarding the number of applications coming forward for solar farms. It was noted that there were two other solar sites within the vicinity of Londonthorpe and Welby.

·       The biodiversity of the area was queried.

The Applicant had completed a biodiversity survey, where birds of prey and other species were identified. There had been a herd of deer seen nearby the site.

·       Why the farmer/owner of the proposed land was willing to change from farming land to a solar farm.

It was noted that the landowner may feel that there is a better guaranteed income with a solar farm rather than agricultural production. The importance of food production and food security was emphasised.

·       Whether there was land within the vicinity that would be better suited for a solar farm.

The Public Speaker highlighted the risk of farming land becoming waterlogged during Autumn, whereby food production could not take place. The proposed land was high quality for farmers due to it being free-draining.

The Assistant Director of Planning clarified that the Environmental Statement within the report outlined the grading and quality of the agricultural land, which the Committee needed to assess.

·       Whether  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Proposal: Section 73 application to vary condition 2 (approved plans) of permission S16/0112. Amendment to the access, associated layout changes, house type updates and changes to affordable plot numbers of Phase A only.

Location: Land north of Towngate East and south of Northfield Road, Market Deeping

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director for Planning to GRANT planning permission subject to the completion of a Deed of Variation to the Section 106 Agreement related to S16/0112 and subject to conditions outlined in this report.

Proposal: Section 73 application to vary condition 2 (approved plans) of permission S16/0112. Amendment to the access, associated layout changes, house type updates and changes to affordable plot numbers of Phase A only.

Location: Land north of Towngate East and south of Northfield Road, Market Deeping

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director for Planning to GRANT planning permission subject to the completion of a Deed of Variation to the Section 106 Agreement related to S16/0112 and subject to conditions outlined in this report.

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

Applicant                                         Georgina McRae

Together with:

·       Provisions within SKDC Local Plan 2011-2036, Deepings Neighbourhood Plan (June 2021) and National Planning Policy Framework.

·       No comments received from Market Deeping Town Council.

·       Comments received from Heritage Lincolnshire.

·       Comments received from LCC Highways & SuDS.

·       Comments received from Welland & Deepings IDB.

·       No comments received from Environment Agency.

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue.

·       Comments received from Anglian Water.

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

·       Clarification was sought that the original application was through Larkfleet Homes, however, the development was now owned by Alison Homes.

The Applicant confirmed that the development was now owned by Alison Homes.

·       Whether more trees had been planted as previously requested.

The site now complied with all landscaping details, in accordance with those approved plans. The Council’s Enforcement Officer had visited the site and were satisfied with the landscaping that had been completed.

During questions to Officers and debate, Members commented on:

·       Whether the comments made by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue on fire hydrants had been resolved.

The Planning Officer confirmed there were no conditions on requiring the provision of fire hydrants, however, this was a matter for the legal agreement, which would be linked to any permission granted through this application.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director for Planning to GRANT planning permission subject to the completion of a Deed of Variation to the Section 106 Agreement related to S16/0112 and subject to conditions outlined in this report:

Approved Plans

1)    The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following list of approved plans:

-       Location Plan L189-Location-2 (received 21 September 2020)

-       Site Layout Plan L-Site-A Rev C for phase A only (received 21 September 2020)

-       Site Layout Plan L55 - SITE- AREAD REV K for phase D only (received 05/06/2020)

-       Site Layout Plan for phases B and C drawing nos. 117-004 Rev J (received 18 January 2016)

-       Phase A House Types drawing nos. L189 2318 DS, L189 2328 DS, L189 2404 DS, L189 2421 DS, L189 2422 DS, L189 2431 DS, L189 2513 DS, L189 2224 DS, L189 2324 DS, L189 2404 DS, L189 2409 DS, L189 2433 DS, L189 2434 DS, L189 2309 DS, L189 2310 DS, L189 2307 DS (received 21 September 2020)

-       Phase B, C, D House Types and garage plans drawing nos. 2110/L138/DS; 2318/DS; 2326/L00/DS/02; 2401/L00/DS; 2409; 2410/L00/DS; 2421; 2422; 2423; 2427/L00/DS; 2428/L00/DS; 2508/L00/DS/AS;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

Proposal: Proposed change of use from Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to Class C2 (residential care home)

Location: The Croft, 65 Main Street, Woolsthorpe By Belvoir, NG32 1LX

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions

Proposal:Proposed change of use from Class C3 (dwellinghouse) to Class C2 (residential care home)

Location: The Croft, 65 Main Street, Woolsthorpe By Belvoir, NG32 1LX

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

District Ward Counciilor           Cllr Robert Leadenham (statement to read out)

Together with:

·       Provisions within South Kesteven Local Plan 2011-2016, Design Guidelines for Rutland and South Kesteven Supplementary Planning Document, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

·       Comments received from SKDC Conservation Officer.

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire County Council Highways.

·       Comments received from Environmental Protection.

·       Comments received from Melton Borough Council.

·       No comments received from Crime Prevention Officer.

·       Comments received from Derbyshire County Council.

·       Comments received from Woolsthorpe By Belvoir Parish Council.

During questions to Officers and debate, Members commented on:

·       Clarification was sought around the number of children and carers that would occupy the property and what their needs were.

The proposal sought to allow up to 3 children between the ages of 7-17 years old to live at the home, each child would have a one-on-one carer. It was clarified that the children residing in the home may have emotional and behavioural issues but not physical disabilities.

·       The character of the area was discussed. Concern was raised that there would be several children homes in a small village.

·       Complaints and fear of crime from local residents. However, Lincolnshire Police had not objected to the proposal.

The Development Management Planner noted that the property was set back from the roads in terms of character of the area. In terms of harm, the Committee would need to assess the use of the property and whether it would be characteristically different to its current use as a family dwelling. 

The Council’s Neighbourhoods Team had been consulted on whether any anti-social behaviour reports had been received from existing care homes within Belvoir. The Neighbourhoods Team confirmed there had been no reports of anti-social behaviour, however, reports had been received from Melton Borough Council and the Ward Councillor.

·       Parking arrangements for the site were discussed.

The current parking area on site was not included within the proposal. However, the driveway to access parking would be created within the application site.

·       The local need was raised in terms of local children and local employment.

The local need for children in the area had not been submitted as part of the application. There was a need for this type of housing within the Written Ministerial Statement nationally.

In terms of local employment, carers from the home would be relocated from the old home to the proposed home in Belvoir. Therefore, the application would not provide employment to local people.

(Councillor Tim Harrison left the meeting at 16:25).

·       The number and concentration of children’s homes within the area was emphasised.

·       Concern was raised of the relocation of the children’s home and whether this was due to additional concerns.

The Development Management Planner reminded the Committee that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

Proposal: Extend dropped kerb access and driveway to allow parking of mobility vehicles for disabled occupants

Location: 20 Cecil Close, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9QP

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions.

Proposal:Extend dropped kerb access and driveway to allow parking of mobility vehicles for disabled occupants

Location: 20 Cecil Close, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9QP

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions.

Together with:

·       Provisions within SKDC Local Plan 2011-2036 and National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire County Council Highways.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED To authorise the Assistant Director for Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions:

Time Limit for Commencement

          The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: In order that the development is commenced in a timely manner, as set out in Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).

Approved Plans

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following list of approved plans:

Site Location Plan - received 19 April 2024

Proposed Layout Plan - received 19 April 2024

Unless otherwise required by another condition of this permission.

Reason: To define the permission and for the avoidance of doubt.

Before the Development is Occupied

Before any part of the development hereby permitted is occupied/brought into use, the external elevations shall have been completed using only the materials stated in the planning application forms unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure a satisfactory appearance to the development and in accordance with Policy DE1 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

There were none.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 17:30.