Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Vanessa Smith.

Councillor Max Sawyer substituted for Councillor Vanessa Smith.

Councillor Paul Fellows declared a personal interest on item 4 of the Agenda, He declared he would not take part in the debate or vote for this item.

The Chairman made the following declaration in regard to item 7 of the Agenda:

‘I make a declaration on behalf of all members that whilst it is acknowledged that the applicant is the Council, this will not affect how members of the planning committee determine the application. All members have been trained and will determine the application in accordance with their planning training and with an open mind. Any member who does not feel they are open minded to determine the application today should make a declaration to that effect and not vote on the application.’

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 October 2024 were proposed, seconded and AGREED as a correct record.

(The Chairman gave the Committee 5 minutes to read additional information reports).

Proposal: Change of use from dwellinghouses (C3) to educational use (F1) in connection with Kirkstone House School

Location: 22 And 24 School Lane, Baston, PE6 9PD

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

Proposal: Change of use from dwellinghouses (C3) to educational use (F1) in connection with Kirkstone House School

Location: 22 And 24 School Lane, Baston, PE6 9PD

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

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

Baston Parish Council                       Cllr Clarke

Against                                              Jill Groutage

Together with:

·       Provisions within SKDC Local Plan 2011-2036 (Policy SP6 - Community Services and Facilities and Policy DE1 - Promoting Good Quality Design).

·       National Planning Policy Framework (Section 12 - Achieving well-designed places and Section 9 - Promoting sustainable transport).

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire Police.

·       No comments received from Education and Cultural Services (LCC).

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire Fieldpaths Association.

·       No comments received from South Kesteven District Council Footpaths Officer.

·       No comments received from The Ramblers Association.

·       Comments received from LCC Highways and SuDS Support.

·       Comments received from Parish Council.

(Councillor Paul Fellows left the Chamber for this item).

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

·       Further clarification over main safeguarding issues were requested.

Concerns were raised regarding the proposal having low fencing and little security measures.

The safeguarding of children, teachers and adults was a concern due to 1-1 teaching. The proposal was designed in a way where an adult could be left in a room with a student inside a closed door, which was a serious safeguarding concern. The Applicant’s did not intend on making any adaptations.

There was also a requirement for adults and children to have separate toilet facilities in such settings, this could not be seen on the submitted plans.

·       Confirmation of whether there were empty buildings surrounding the proposal area that could be put to potential use.

It was confirmed that there were empty buildings surrounding the proposal area that could be put to potential use.

The school had 350 places, however, the school only had 108 pupils at present. It was highlighted that there may be current capacity in the existing building for more students as other rooms and buildings within the current grounds were vacant.

·       It was queried as to how long the bungalows had been vacant for.

A Public Speaker estimated that the bungalows had been vacant for 10 years.

·       Other education provisions In Baston were questioned.

It was noted that Baston had a primary school that was nearly up to capacity.

During questions to Officers, Members commented on:

·       What weight should be given to the fact the proposal may take up residential properties, in line with the Council’s policies on new builds. Bungalows were a primary need for housing in the District.

The DM & Enforcement Manager clarified that weight given to a material consideration was at the discretion of the Committee.

The report acknowledged the loss of housing as a relevant material consideration, but consideration should be given to the quantity of houses (two bungalows) in line with the overall housing need of the District.

The Committee were reminded to consider the planning merits on the current use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

Proposal: Construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic farm with battery storage and associated infrastructure

Location: Land At High Dike Road, Londonthorpe

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

Proposal: Construction and operation of a solar photovoltaic farm with battery storage and associated infrastructure

Location: Land At High Dike Road, Londonthorpe

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 Councillor                               Cllr Phil Gadd (Statement)

Londonthorpe & Harrowby Without              Cllr Alan Bowling

Parish Council

Against                                                          Ken Steer-Jones

                                                                      Lisa Morton

                                                                      Carol Markwell (Statement)

On behalf of the Applicant                            Ed Perrin, Low Carbon

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 Planning Document, National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), National Policy Statement for Energy (EN1) and National Policy Statement for Renewable Energy (EN3).

·       Comments received from The Gardens Trust.

·       No comments received from Civil Aviation Authority.

·       Comments received from Ministry of Defence.

·       Comments received from Environment Agency.

·       Comments received from Heritage Lincolnshire.

·       Comments received from Historic England.

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

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

·       Comments received from National Trust.

·       Comments received from Natural England.

·       Comments received from Lincolnshire County Council (Policy).

·       Comments received from Black Sluice Drainage IDB.

·       Comments received from SKDC Conservation Officer.

·       Comments received from SKDC Environmental Protection Officer.

·       Comments received from Londonthorpe and Harrowby Without Parish Council.

·       Comments received from Barkston & Syston Parish Council.

During questions to Public Speakers, Members commented on:

One Member sought legal advice on whether the cumulative impact could be considered through 3 other schemes that may be considered in the future.

The Committee were reminded to note that of the 3 schemes that had been presented to the Committee:

-       Church Lane had been refused by the Committee and was currently pending consideration by the Planning Inspectorate. This scheme did not consist of a consented site.

-       The application being considered currently (Londonthorpe) was pending consideration.

-       The third scheme was a current application; however, it had not yet been considered by the Committee.

At present, there was no cumulative impact because none of the three schemes had been consented. If Committee were minded to approve this application, once the third of the three schemes was heard, it would then be appropriate for Committee to consider potential cumulative impact.

The Chairman queried whether an application in any planning stage from when submitted to a final decision being made could be used when weighing up cumulative impact.

The Legal Advisor provided further clarity that there were currently no consented schemes in the area, and this application was being considered. The Committee were reminded to give cautious minimal weight to cumulative effects at present.

The Principal Development Management Planner noted the criteria that public speakers had referred to was criteria three of the renewable energy appendix.

The criteria referred the Council requiring a cumulative impact assessment to be undertaken, this shall consider solar developments that were under construction, consented or subject of a valid  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

Proposal: Demolition of existing building and construction of 3no. commercial units (Use Class B2/B8), associated car parking, servicing yard and landscaping

Location: Autumn Park Business Centre, Dysart Road, Grantham

Recommendation: To authorise the Assistant Director of Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission subject to conditions, and completion of a Section 106 Agreement.

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to DEFER this application to be fully considered at the next meeting of Planning Committee on 7 November 2024.

Proposal: Construction of an extension to the existing car park, comprised of 146 parking bays, including 11 accessible bays and 8 EV charging parking bays

Location: Car Park, Station Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2JL

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

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to DEFER this application to be fully considered at the next meeting of Planning Committee on 7 November 2024.

There were none.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 17:12.