Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Paul Fellows, Vanessa Smith, Patsy Ellis, Sarah Trotter and Gloria Johnson.

Councillor Max Sawyer substituted for Councillor Vanessa Smith.

Councillor Paul Wood declared interests on all applications as he had been lobbied on them. Councillor Paul Wood came to the meeting with an open and transparent mind.

Councillor Helen Crawford declared an interest on applications S24/0568 and S24/1707 as she had been lobbied on them. Councillor Helen Crawford came to the meeting with an open and transparent mind.

Councillor David Bellamy declared an interest on application on S24/0568 as he was speaking as Ward Councillor. Councillor David Bellamy would not take part in the debate or vote.

Councillor Penny Milnes declared an interest on application on S24/1418 as she was speaking as Ward Councillor. Councillor Penny Milnes would not take part in the debate or vote.

The Chairman declared thar all Members of the Committee had been lobbied on all applications, however, a decision would be made with an open and transparent mind.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2025 were proposed, seconded and AGREED as a correct record.

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.

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

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

District Ward Councillors                               Cllr David Bellamy

                                                                       Cllr Ben Green

Parish Council’s                   Cllr Caroline Hainsworth (Stainby and Gunby Ward of Colsterworth and District).

                                               Mrs J Arnold (Buckminster Parish Council)

Against                                      Vanessa Tombs

                                                  Ron Simpson

 Applicant                           Phillipp Lukas (Chief Executive of Future Biogas)

Together with:

·       Provisions within SKDC Local Plan 2011-2036, Colsterworth and District Neighbourhood Plan, Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD, Design Guidelines for Rutland and South Kesteven, Renewable Energy Appendix 3, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), National Policy Statement for Energy (EN1) and National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy (EN-3).

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire County Council – Highways.

·       Comments received from Anglian Water.

·       Comments received from Environmental Protection.

·       Comments received from Cadent Gas.

·       Comments received from Natural England.

·       Comments received from Heritage Lincolnshire.

·       Comments received from Leicestershire County Council – Highways.

·       Comments received from Environment Agency.

·       No comments received from Historic England.

·       Comments received from Melton Borough Council.

·       Comments received from CPRE Rutland.

·       Comments received from Colsterworth and District Parish Council.

·       Comments received from SKDC Conservation Officer.

·       No comments received from Rutland County Council – Highways.

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

·       Comments received from SKDC Tree Officer.

·       Comments received from Councillor Ben Green.

·       Comments received from SKDC Design Officer.

·       Comments received from Buckminster Parish Council.

·       Comments received from South Witham Parish Council.

·       Comments received from Corby Glen Parish Council.

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

·       Clarification was sought around the difference between a smaller scale AD with the farming land surrounding it relating to a larger scale AD bringing crops from elsewhere.

·       The importance of an appeal statement on whether the land was agricultural or industrial.

It was noted that from the appeal decisions, the Inspector had a view that products being transported to the AD from outside the area at over 50,000 tonnes per annum, it would be on an industrial scale.

·       Further clarification around a statement made on endless HGV traffic.

It was felt that the nature of these plans demanded vehicles of such nature continuously on a daily basis which the Speaker felt was inappropriate with existing infrastructures on site.

·       Whether the HGV movements was 70 vehicular movements a day or 140.

It was confirmed that the 70 movements a day from HGV vehicles would be 1 trip in and out the site.

·       The impact on overspill materials outside of the 50,000 tonnes was queried.

Concern was raised on road structures through local villages and also an impact on A1 closures. Further concern was raised on the development being operational before the access road works had taken place.

·       Lincolnshire County Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

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.

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.

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

District Ward Councillor                          Councillor Penny Milnes

Against                                                    Alix Fane

                                                                Julian Fane

Applicant/Client Agent                             Kevin Kelly and David Sayer

Together with:

·       Provisions within SKDC 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 Planning Document, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and South Kesteven Local Plan Review 2021 – 2041 (Regulation 18 Draft).

·       Comments received from Fulbeck Parish Council

·       Comments received from Heritage Lincolnshire

·       Comments received from Historic England

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

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire County Council (Minerals).

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

·       No comments received from Ministry of Defence (Defence Infrastructure Organisation).

·       Comments received from SKDC Conservation Officer.

·       No comments received from SKDC Environmental Protection Officer.

·       Comments received from SKDC Principal Urban Design Officer.

·       No comments received from The Gardens Trust.

·       No comments received from The Ramblers Association.

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

·       A query was raised on what type of protected species within the area were.

The Public Speaker had provided video and photo evidence of 6 types of protected species, however, this could not be shown in the public domain due to possible unwanted attention being drawn to them.

·       Whether any mitigations could be put into place to protect the species, if the application was approved.

The location of the proposal was at the centre of the woodlands where the protected species pass through.

·       Clarification was sought that the location of the proposal would block movement.

It was noted the proposal may block the nature highway and cause upset to the species.

·       Whether the site had any designation of special interest.

It was clarified that the roadside verges had a designation for wildflowers, however the proposed site did not have any designation of special interest.

·       It was highlighted that Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust had not objected to the application.

·       That the land was previously used for farming. It was queried whether the land could still be utilised for farming.

The Public Speaker felt that the land could become agricultural land.

·       It was confirmed that species utilising the land were vertebrates and invertebrates.

·       Whether the proposal meant the property would be built directly on top of a spring. It was queried whether a previous owner of the land could foresee any potential risks of flooding.

The Assistant Director of Planning and Growth clarified that the land could be used as agricultural if the application was not approved, which would not require planning permission.

·       Clarification was sought around the biodiversity net gain.

The Applicant confirmed the biodiversity net gain was 23.79% for habitats and the hedgerows had a 132% gain. There were no credit or offsetting in the proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

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

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

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

Hougham Parish Council                                          Peter Baker

Against                                                                      Marc Whelan

                                                                                  Rod Bonshor

Together with:

·       Provisions within South Kesteven Local Plan 2011-2036, Design Guidelines for Rutland and South Kesteven Supplementary Planning Document, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and South Kesteven Local Plan Review 2021-2041 (Regulation 18 Draft).

·       Comments received from Hougham Parish Council.

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

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire County Council (Children’s Care Home – Senior Commissioning Officer).

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

·       Whether the Parish Council had engaged with the Applicant for this application.

The Applicant stated they would engage with the local community and Parish Council and had view of objections made.

·       Clarification was sought around amenities available in the village which could be accessed by the children.

A Public Speaker confirmed a playing field was shared with Marston and was outside of the Hougham boundary. It was noted there were no clubs of facilities for children to attend within the village.

·       Where the nearest facilities available were.

A Public Speaker clarified there were no actual facilities within the vicinity. The closest children facility was in Long Bennington, which was 6 miles from Hougham.

·       Clarification was sought from a Public Speaker who had stated the applicant had supplied incorrect or misleading information.

The Public Speaker noted the Applicant had stated there were two double garages on site, however there was one garage. The Applicant’s parking plan stated that staff could utilise a Call Connect service, however this was not available for shift pattern suggestions. Other information related to a differ in numbers of children that would live in the home.

During question to Officers and debate, Members commented on:

·       Clarification over the number of children that would reside in the home.

The Principal Planning Officer confirmed the application was for up to 2 children which would be strictly controlled by condition 3 of planning conditions.

·       That the Applicant’s had applied for a lawful development certificate which had previously been refused by the Council as the property would not operate as a residential dwelling, there would be an increase on vehicle movement, in excess of a ‘normal’ dwelling and would become a place of residence and work. It was felt the change of use could impact on neighbouring properties.

A lawful development certificate and planning application assessments were different. The certificate was to a degree on whether a change of use was occurring, it did not gauge any assessment on whether the change of use was acceptable or not.

Officers had accepted a material change of use which gave some rise to impact, but it was not harmful or unacceptable.

·       That Hougham was a small, agricultural village with limited amenities.

·       Concern was raised on the size  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

There were none.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 18:10.