Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Paul Fellows.

Councillor Charmaine Morgan and Councillor Tim Harrison declared an interest in application S25/0069 as members of Grantham Town Council. However, Councillor Morgan and Councillor Harrison confirmed they were approaching the application with an open mind.

Councillor Helen Crawford declared an interest in application S24/2100 as the Chairman of Bourne Town Council. However, Councillor Crawford confirmed they were approaching the application with an open mind.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2025 were proposed, seconded, and AGREED as an accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 February 2025 were proposed, seconded, and AGREED as an accurate record.

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

Location: Home Farm, Dyke Drove, Bourne

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

Together with -

·       Provisions within the South Kesteven (SK) Local Plan 2011-36, design guidelines for Rutland and SK Supplementary Planning Document, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), National Policy Statements for Energy and Renewable Energy.

·       No objections received from Bourne Town Council.

·       No objections received from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation.

·       No objections were received from the Environment Agency subject to conditions.

·       No objections were received from the Heritage Lincolnshire subject to conditions.

·       No objections received from Lincolnshire County Councils (Highways and SuDS)

·       No objections received from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

·       No objections received from Natural England.

·       No objections received from SKDC Conservation Officer.

·       No comments received from Morton Parish Council.

·       No comments received from Civil Aviation Authority.

·       No comments received from SKDC Environmental Protection.

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

-       Confirmation was given by the landowner that the land identified suffered from black grass, compromising its ability for effective food production. Although the landowner was committed to the growth of crops such as milling wheat, barley, oats and peas elsewhere on the farm. The applicant confirmed the presence of black grass was a key reason for choosing the site amongst several that they had considered within the area.

-       Confirmation was also given that the landowner felt the necessity to diversify given the current financial pressure faced by farmers.

-       Members queried the intentions of the landowner after the temporary 40-year period requested by the planning application. It was confirmed that this period would allow a period of respite for the land, breaking the cycle of the black grass. Subsequently, it was possible that the land could return to food production use.

-       It was confirmed that whilst the site was known to some areas of surface water flooding, it did not regularly flood.

-       Regarding biodiversity, the landowner confirmed their intention to plant wildflowers and the planning application had accounted for buffer zones to allow deer runs.

-       The applicant also noted their intention of financial support for Dyke Village Hall to demonstrate their long-term commitment to the area. The Assistant Director of Planning and Growth noted that this was not a material consideration of Members within the merits of whether to grant planning permission.

Councillor Helen Crawford declared an interest as being on Dyke Village Hall Committee. However, Councillor Crawford remained open minded.

-       It was queried where the solar panels had been sourced from.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

Proposal: Section 73 application for the variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of planning permission S22/2308 (Erection of 21 affordable dwellings with associated access, landscaping, parking and cycle storage provision)

Location: Land to the rear of Larch Close and Shaw Road, Grantham

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

The Committee adjourned for a break at 14.35 and resumed at 14.58.

Councillor Vanessa Smith entered the Committee upon resumption.

Together with:

·       Provisions within the South Kesteven (SK) Local Plan 2011-36, design guidelines for Rutland and SK Supplementary Planning Document, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), National Policy Statements for Energy and Renewable Energy.

·       No objections were received from Grantham Town Council.

·       No objections were received from SKDC Conservation Officer.

·       No objections were received from National Highways.

·       No objections were received from Lincolnshire County Council (Highways and SuDS).

·       No further comments were made by SKDC Environmental Protection.

·       No comments were received from Lincolnshire County Council (Education).

·       No comments were received from Anglian Water.

·       Historic England did not need to be notified or consulted on the application.

·       There were no national gas assets affected in the area according to National Grid.

·       Heritage Lincolnshire commented that any variation/removal of conditions attached to S22/2308 should be subject to the provisions of condition 3 requiring a scheme of archaeological works. 

During question to Officers and debate, Members commented on:

-       Confirmation was given that the application sought to replace the four-bedroom houses originally proposed with a two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow and a three-bedroom semi-detached bungalow.

Following discussions, it was proposed, seconded, and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth 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 the S22/2308 planning 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: 

i. Site Location Plan, drawing ref. 001-(PL)-8635 (received 22/11/22) ii. Proposed Site Plan, drawing ref. 2860/P 101 C (received 26/11/24)

iii. Bungalow Plots 1 & 2, drawing ref. 2860/P 200 B (received 26/11/24) iv. House Plots 3-8, drawing ref. 2860/P 201 A (received 26/11/24)

v. Apartments Plots 9-12, drawing ref. 2860/P 202 A (received 26/11/24) vi. Apartments Plots 13-21, drawing ref. 2860/P 203 A (received 26/11/24)

Unless otherwise required by another condition of this permission. 

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

Before the Development is Commenced

Archaeological Investigation

3) Before the development hereby permitted is commenced, a written scheme of archaeological

investigation shall have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. 

Thereafter, the archaeological investigations shall be completed in accordance with the approved details. 

Reason: In order to provide a reasonable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

Proposal: Removal of a modern stud partition to enlarge an existing office and provide additional means of access/escape to the Mayor's Parlour within the Guildhall.

Location: Guildhall Arts Centre, St Peter's Hill, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6PY

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director for Planning to GRANT listed building consent subject to conditions

Together with:

·       Provisions within the South Kesteven (SK) Local Plan 2011-36, design guidelines for Rutland and SK Supplementary Planning Document, and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

·       No objections received from Grantham Town Council.

Councillors Charmaine Morgan and Tim Harrison advised they were Members of Grantham Town Council. Whilst present at the meeting where the required works were discussed at Grantham Town Council meetings, neither were party to any decision and retained an open mind.

During question to Officers and debate, Members commented on:

-       It was confirmed that the works included reinstating the original design.

Following discussions it was proposed, seconded, and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director for Planning & Growth to GRANT listed building consent subject to conditions.

Time Limit for Commencement 

1 The works hereby consented shall be commenced before the expiration of three years from the date of this consent. 

Reason: In order to ensure that the works are commenced in a timely manner, as set out in Sections 18 and 74 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 (as amended). 

Approved Plans 

2 The works hereby consented shall be carried out in accordance with the following list of approved plans and reports: 

i) Location Plan received 14 January 2025

ii) Proposed Ground Floor Plan, Drawing No 12903-WMS-ZZ-00-D-A-10401-S8-P1 received 14 January 2025

iii) Heritage Statement received 14 January 2025

iv) Design and Access Statement received 14 January 2025

Unless otherwise required by another condition of this permission.

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

The Assistant Director of Planning & Growth updated Members regarding the proposed Aldi site in Bourne. A start date for the appeal process had been sent to residents advising any comments to be sent directly to the Planning Inspectorate prior to the hearing in April 2025. The same applied for Members who could also request a speaking slot from the Planning Inspectorate.

A Member queried what was happening to the former Salvation Army site in North Street, Stamford. The Assistant Director of Planning & Growth noted that this was up to the landowner.

It was requested that a copy of the Local Plan was left in the Members Lounge following its review. Members were urged to access the document online.

The Chairman concluded the meeting at 15.25 pm.