Agenda item

Proposal: Outline application for residential development. All matters reserved except access

Location: Claypole Road, Newark, Stubton, NG23 5BU

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

Councillor Penny Milnes stepped down from chairing the meeting, and Vice-Chairman Councillor Sarah Trotter assumed the role for the remainder of the item.

Councillor Mark Whittington disclosed that he knew the applicant’s agent personally and withdrew from the Chamber for the duration of the item.

Proposal: Outline application for residential development. All matters reserved except access.

Location: Claypole Road, Newark, Stubton, NG23 5BU

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

Noting comments in the public speaking session from:

Together with:

·       The SKDC Local Plan 2011-2036, Stubton Neighbourhood Plan, and Supplementary Planning Document

·       The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

·       Representations received from the Parish Council.

·       Comments received from Highways and SUDS.

·       Comments received from the Environmental Agency.

·       Comments received from Anglian Water.

·       Comments received from Heritage Lincolnshire.

·       Comments received from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

The following comments were made by public speakers:

-       The position of SKDC was noted in respect of the tilted balance.

-       It was noted that there was no bus, shop, school, or pub within the immediate vicinity.

-       Concern was noted about the indicative plan.

-       The road was linear and the site position was slightly elevated compared to nearby properties and this raised concerns about drainage. The applicant’s agent assured that a suitable solution would be accommodated for any drainage concerns.

-       The properties proposed in the rear of the site was not in keeping with the area and caused the most concern.

-       There were other large properties on the road, including a large holiday home whose countryside appeal would be detrimentally affected by the exposed properties proposed at the rear of the site. 

-       The Parish Council did not oppose the principle of development but reserved concerns about the proposed layout.

-       Stubton had already facilitated a significant proportion of the new dwellings across South Kesteven in 2026.

-       This exceeded the usual infill categorised development size of no more than three dwellings.

-       The land had been owned by the applicant’s agent’s father for 30 years, so the developer was local to the village.

-       The biodiversity net gain would be offsite.

-       The Applicant noted that similar developments had been approved by SKDC, such as on Doddington Road.

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

-       A Member commented his assumption that the local villagers seemed relaxed about the prospect of the development since only five letters of representation had been received.

-       The applicant’s agent was urged by a Member to account for the concerns of locals about drainage and flooding. The agent noted that he had already been undertaking flooding prevention measures personally.

During questions to officers and debate, the following comments were made:

-       Concern was noted that the application was contrary to SP2 and SP4 of the Local Plan.

-       A Member stated that they did not oppose the principle of the development but felt the indicative layout of the site was too dense. The Planning Officer confirmed that the application was submitted in outline with all matters reserved. Therefore, details relating to the layout would be subject to consideration as part of the reserved matters application.

-       It was confirmed that the height of the buildings would also be determined at the reserve matters stage.

-       The indicative plan contained five properties as this was the application received from the developer. 

-       Members noted SKDC’s position with the tilted balance.

Following discussions, it was proposed, seconded, and AGREED to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning & Growth to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions, and incorporating the amendment suggested to condition eight within the officer’s presentation. Namely, to amend condition eight to the following:

-       The development hereby permitted shall comprise no more than five dwellings in total.

-       Reason: To define the scope of the permission and to ensure that the scale of the development is appropriate to the site and its surroundings, in accordance with DE1 and EN1 of the SK Local Plan.

The meeting adjourned at 11.22.