Agenda and minutes

The Chairman of Planning Committee made the following statement:

‘I am minded to defer the following Applications due to recent adverse weather conditions meaning scheduled site visits were unable to take place. Site Visits for the Applications to be considered would be rescheduled for Tuesday 21 January 2025 or the nearest alternative date.

-       Agenda Item 6 - S24/0568

-       Agenda Item 7 - S24/1418

-       Agenda Item 8 - S24/1707

An Extraordinary Planning Committee would be arranged for Thursday 23 January 2025 at 13:00.

Speakers registered to speak would be invited back to attend the Extraordinary meeting.’

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to defer S24/0568, S24/1418 and S24/1707 to an Extraordinary Planning Committee meeting on 23 January 2025 at 13:00.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Fellows, Penny Milnes, Helen Crawford and Gloria Johnson.

Councillor Charmaine Morgan declared that she was familiar with a few of the public speakers for application S24/1414. She declared that there was no pecuniary interest and would remain impartial when debating and voting on the application.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2024 were proposed, seconded and AGREED as a correct record.

Proposal: Retrospective application for single storey rear extension

Location: 30 Arnold Avenue, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 8HN

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

Proposal: Retrospective application for single storey rear extension

Location: 30 Arnold Avenue, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 8HN

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 Paul Martin

Against                                                    Simone Sheffield

                                                                Helen Goodwin

On behalf of the Applicant                      Michael Ellison (Chartered Architect)

Together with:

·       Provisions within South Kesteven Local Plan 2011-2036, Design Guidelines Supplementary Planning Document and National Planning Policy Framework.

·       Comments received from Grantham Town Council.

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

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

·       Clarification was sought around the standing platform of the catio.

The Ward Member highlighted that the standing platform on one side was of similar height to a decking, however, the level of the platform increased at the end side of the catio.

·       A query was made whether without the catio, neighbours would still be overlooking the garden.

It was stated that the standing platform had made the difference. Prior to the catio being built, there was no overlooking over the fence to neighbours gardens.

·       The distance was requested between where a neighbour could be overlooked from the catio.

·       A query was raised on how the privacy of neighbours had been affected and how often they were overlooked.

There were two speakers against the application.

One speaker objecting to the application was a neighbour to the rear of the site. They stated that since the catio had been isntalled, the Applicant could see straight into their kitchen from the back end of the catio, where the standing platform was higher, due to the close proximity of the catio and their property being a lower elevation.

The neighbour objecting adjacent to the catio had a raised decking area in their garden, in the summer months they would sit outside. The length and height of the catio resulted in them being completely overlooked when trying to enjoy their outdoor space. They had stated their privacy was badly affected. It was possible for the Applicant to view straight through their neighbours house from the catio as well due to its length and elevation.

The neighbour expressed how the situation had upset them and said the lack of privacy had impacted on their mental health.

A further concern was raised regarding the overshadowing of the neighbours garden by the catio. Photographs were shown to illustrate the amount of shadow created before the catio was built and afterwards with a noticeable difference in the photographs said to be afterwards. Shadow ran the entire length of the neighbours garden.

The Assistant Director of Planning and Growth pointed out that the photographs could not be verified with regards to when they were taken.

·       An indication was requested at how often people were in the catio per day.

It was stated that residents of the property would be in the catio daily, for hours at a time. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

Proposal: Provide dropped kerb access and replace gravel with concrete hard standing

Location: 13 West Street Gardens, Stamford, PE9 2QB

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

Proposal: Provide dropped kerb access and replace gravel with concrete hard standing

Location: 13 West Street Gardens, Stamford, PE9 2QB

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

Together with:

·       Provisions within South Kesteven Local Plan 2011-2036, Design Guidelines Supplementary Planning Document, Stamford Neighbourhood Plan and National Planning Policy Framework.

·       Comments received from Stamford Town Council.

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

·       Comments received from Cadent Gas.

During question to Officers and debate, Members commented on:

·       Whether the curb had already been dropped following a site visit.

The Principal Planning Officer confirmed that the site had an element of a dropped curb, however, there were other curbstones that were not completely dropped. The proposal was to completely drop the curb and tarmac the gravel part of the driveway.

·       Whether recent adverse weather conditions would impact the replacement of gravel with tarmac and whether drainage issues had been considered.

The replacement of gravel with tarmac would be minor development and drainage had been taken into consideration, however, it would also be covered by building regulations. It was plausible for an Applicant to put hardstanding at the front of their property provided it was a permeable surface or that the Applicant dealt with drainage on site.

·       Concern was raised on vehicles driving over a footpath to reach the driveway.

Highways had been consulted and were comfortable with vehicle movements.

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

Time Limit for Commencement

1)    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

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

a.    Location Plan – received 03/09/24  

b.    Proposed Layout Plan – dwg no. DFG/13WestStreet/02– received 03/09/24

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

3)    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 and approved drawings 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.

Proposal: Erection of an anaerobic digestion (AD) facility and carbon capture, improvement of existing and part creation of new access track, landscaping and other associated infrastructure.

Location: Development East of Sewstern Industrial Estate, South of Sewstern Road, Gunby, Lincolnshire NG33 5RD

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

This application was deferred to an Extraordinary Planning Committee on 23 January 2025.

Proposal: Erection of a single dwelling with associated access, landscaping and engineering works

Location: Fulbeck Heights, Pottergate Road, Fulbeck

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

This application was deferred to an Extraordinary Planning Committee on 23 January 2025.

Proposal: Change of use from dwelling (C3) to children’s home (C2) for up to 2 young people

Location: The Lodge, Main Street, Hougham

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions

This application was deferred to an Extraordinary Planning Committee on 23 January 2025.

Councillor David Bellamy requested a brief update on the Local Plan Review following a letter received from the Secretary of State.

The Assistant Director of Planning & Growth clarified that a new version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published just before Christmas 2024. The new version of the NPPF had implications for the Council’s Local Plan Review which was currently being undertaken, in particular the amount of housing that will need to be found as the housing requirements had gone up.

The Council were working hard over a short timeframe to take stock of this outcome and what the implications may be. An updated Local Plan timetable as part of the Local Development Scheme (LDS) to Cabinet on 11 February 2025.

A query was raised on the annual housing figure provided by the letter from the Secretary of State.

The figure provided was 912 in the consultation version and was 895 per annum. The Council were currently working off 685.

In relation to the Regulation 19, the next stage was a pre-submission stage. This required transitional requirements which needed regard to take into account the higher figure provided.

The Chairman sought clarification on whether a margin was built into the 895 figure or would need to be factored in separately.

The figure was 895 with the additional of a buffer. In the existing Local Plan, there was an 18% buffer. The Officers were considering how high the buffer be considering some applications came forward unplanned. It was likely that the buffer be around 10%.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 14:40.