Agenda item

Proposal: Change of Use of agriculture to multi-functional Nature Reserve and associated engineering operations

Location: Bourne North Fen Nature Reserve, Spalding Road, Twenty, Bourne, PE10 0AU

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

Proposal: Change of Use of agriculture to multi-functional Nature Reserve and associated engineering operations

Location: Bourne North Fen Nature Reserve, Spalding Road

Twenty, Bourne, PE10 0AU

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

 

Noting comments in the public speaking session by:

 

Agent                                     Mark Tarttelin - Wild Planet Associates (Working on behalf of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust) [Answer questions only]

 

Together with: 

 

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

·       No comments received from Anglian Water.

·       No comments received from Bourne Town Council.

·       Comments received from Environmental Agency.

·       No comments received from Environmental Protection.

·       Comments received from Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire.

·       No comments received from Lincolnshire County Council Highways.

·       No comments received from Natural England.

·       Comments received from SKDC Tree Officer.

·       No comments received from South Holland District Council.

·       No comments received from Welland and Deepings Internal Drainage Board.

 

During questions to public speaker, Members commented on the following:

 

·       Whether the site had any proposals for a level of access open to members of the public.

 

The agent confirmed there were no proposals at present for full public access to the site. It was noted that public open days would be explored going forward.

 

·       How the long-term management of the site would be secured and enforced.

 

A S106 agreement would be secured and monitored.

 

·       Whether the Agent could address the points outlined by the SKDC Tree Officer.

 

The Agent confirmed the comments had been taken on board. It was hoped all trees would be maintained and the proposal outlined would not impact any trees and would be monitored through the S106 agreement.

 

·       Whether there were any harms against the current use of the site as agricultural land.

 

It was highlighted the project going forward would explore the way that nature reserves sit within the landscape, however, there would still be agricultural activities within the site. It was noted there were no harms.

 

·       Clarification was sought on lack of information on paludiculture.

 

It was noted that parts of the reports were redacted around protected species, which was routine in a planning process.

 

·       Whether there was a concern for possible flooding and whether any mitigations would be implemented as a preventative.

 

The Agent confirmed they were aware of the flooding concerns. They were open to working with the Environment Agency and explore funding opportunities for studies.

 

During questions to officers and debate, Members commented on the following:

 

·       Whether the Officer was satisfied that S106 conditions were robust enough to secure the benefits of the development.

 

The S106 agreement predominantly related to a habitat management and monitoring plan going forward. Part of that plan was to secure a mechanism on how many units created might be used.

 

It was highlighted the legal agreement was based on the same template used for the Boothby Wildland application.

 

·       It was queried whether any engineering works would require building regulations alongside any traffic concerns during construction phase.

 

The Planning Officer clarified the primary engineering works on the application was for the surrounding bund which would accumulate some vehicular traffic. The site was isolated meaning there was no safety issues on construction in terms of traffic.

 

·       One Member queried whether a condition could be secured on the access, following concerns.

 

It was outlined that phase two of the application would highlight operational arrangements in terms of access and parking to facilitate any visitors.

 

Condition 3 within the report outlined future aspirations for public visitors to the site.

 

Final decision

 

It was proposed, seconded and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions and completion of a Section 106 Agreement:

 

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:

 

i.      Site location Plan- Date received: 17.06.2024

 

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

 

3)    Before the site is first brought into use, a Site Operational Management Plan shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The Management Plan shall include, but is not limited to:

 

a.    An assessment of visitor numbers

b.    Details of access and parking arrangements

c.     Details of areas of the site to be made accessible to the public; and

d.    An assessment of any impacts on neighbouring amenity resulting from visitor access to the site.

 

Thereafter, the site shall be operated in accordance with the approved Management Plan at all times.

 

Reason: To ensure that the proposed use does not have any unacceptable adverse impacts on highways safety and capacity, and residential amenity, as required by Policy DE1 and ID2 of the adopted Local Plan.