Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Sid Dennis.

It was noted that, in accordance with Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, notice had been given that Councillor Robert Watson had been appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Steve McMillan for this Meeting only.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman sent best wishes to Councillor Sid Dennis.

The Chairman welcomed Phil Norman to the Meeting following his recent appointment to Assistant Director, Planning and Strategic Infrastructure.

At this point in the Meeting, Members were invited to disclose any relevant interests.  The following interests were disclosed:

• Councillor David Hall asked it be noted that he knew one of the speaker’s in relation to Item 6, however he would remain in the Meeting with an open mind.

• Councillor Terry Knowles asked it be noted, that in relation to Item 7 he was Ward Member, however he remained of an open mind.

• Councillors Dick Edginton, Stephen Eyre, Neil Jones and Daniel McNally asked it be noted that they were Members of the Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 March 2024.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 March 2024 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Councillor Tom Ashton, Chairman of Planning Policy Committee, advised Members that at the previous Meeting held on 14 March 2024, there was a discussion on large scale structures and pylons and informed Members that

their infrastructure policies would be reviewed.  

S/086/01714/23: View the Plans and documents online, please click on the Application Number.  (Please note: If viewing as a pdf document, this hyperlink is not available).

Applicant:                          Horncastle Education Trust, Ms S James

Location:                           Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, West Street, Horncastle, LN9 5AD

Recommendation:              Approval with Conditions

Officer:                              Sam Hallett

Application Type:         Full Planning Permission

Proposal:                     Planning Permission - Creation of a 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with perimeter fencing, acoustic fencing, hardstanding areas, storage container, floodlights, access footpath and

associated bund.

Location:                      QUEEN ELIZABETHS GRAMMAR SCHOOL, WEST STREET, HORNCASTLE, LN9 5AD

Applicant:                    Horncastle Education Trust

Members received an application for Full Planning Permission – Creation of

a 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) with perimeter fencing, acoustic fencing,

hardstanding areas, storage container, floodlights, access footpath and

associated bund at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, West Street, Horncastle, LN9 5AD.

The application was subject to considerable local interest and was also subject to a Committee call-in request by Councillor Sandra Campbell-Wardman and Councillor Richard Avison as local Ward Members.

The main planning issues were considered to be:

• Principle of development

•         Impact on the character and appearance of the area

• Impact on residential amenity
• Impact on the highway network
• Flood risk and surface water drainage
• Other matters (Archaeology, Ecology, &

Contamination)

Members were referred to the additional information contained on page 1 of the Supplementary Agenda.  

Andrew Booth, Development Management Lead Officer, detailed site and surroundings information to Members at Paragraph 2, together with the description of the proposal at Paragraph 3, pages 17 to 18 of the report refer.

Mrs Sandra James (Applicant) and Mr Tom Betts (Developer) spoke in support of the application.

Mr Stephen Pickwell spoke in objection to the application.

Councillor Richard Avison spoke as Ward Member.

Members were invited to put their questions to the speakers.

-      Several queries were raised with regards to the fencing between the proposed pitch and the neighbouring properties and whether security and noise would be an issue.  Councillor Avison highlighted that security at nighttime was a major concern as there would be no security or school staff on site at this time.  

-      A query as to whether the location of the new pitch could be changed was also raised.  Mrs James advised that following a number of site visits and consideration being given to the school day, the school’s facilities and the safety of pupils, the proposed location was the best option.

-      Members were advised that the pitch would be open until 6pm on weekends and potentially 9pm on weekdays to accommodate use by the community. 

-      Councillor Avison considered that a site visit would be beneficial as the photos did not provide a good representation of the proposal.

Following which, the application was opened for debate. 

-      A Member queried what mitigation measures had been put in place for the new housing development that was yet to be built with regards to access.   The Development Management Lead Officer advised Members that he was content with the proposed access and explained that the bund would wrap around the three sides and there would also be boundary treatments. 

-      A Member proposed a site visit in order to get more clarity on the proximity of the proposed site to the residential properties, in particular relating to the size of the proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

N/092/02375/23: View the Plans and documents online, please click on the Application Number.  (Please note: If viewing as a pdf document, this hyperlink is not available).

Applicant:                          KCS Development Ltd

Location:                           Land South of, Chestnut Drive Louth

Recommendation:              Approval with Conditions

Officer:                              Lindsey Stuart

Application Type:         Outline Planning Permission

Proposal:                     Outline Planning Permission - erection of up to 50no. dwellings and associated infrastructure (with means of access, landscaping and layout to be considered).

Location:                      LAND SOUTH OF, CHESTNUT DRIVE, LOUTH

Applicant:                    KCS Development Ltd

Members received an application for Outline Planning Permission –

Erection of up to 50no. dwellings and associated infrastructure (with

means of access, landscaping and layout to be considered) at land South

of Chestnut Drive, Louth.

The application was the subject of local concern and a call-in request by Ward Member Councillor Edward Mossop. The request was on the grounds that 'the site is not allocated in the ELDC Local Plan for Louth/Keddington and as such is a windfall site.  The site has been described as 'infill' by the applicants.  However, looking at the allocated sites in the Settlement proposals, it sits between the two sites LO311 and LO326 (or5) creating a pleasant block of open space on the edge of the settlement adding to the more rural, edge of town feel to Park Row.  The windfall site is for 50 houses which is considerably large and would merit it being considered as an allocated site in the future given proper consultation through the process given to a revised Local Plan.  Objections from neighbouring new-build properties describe the problems that have occurred since their completion such as waterlogged gardens and poor mains foul water drainage.  Objection from Louth Town Council.  There is no Keddington Parish meeting.  Until boundary changes take place, the properties will benefit from Louth Town Council services without any contributions from the residents through their Council Tax.  This renders the application premature'.

The main planning issues were considered to be:

• Principle of the Development in Terms of Sustainability.
• Impact of the Development on the Character of Area.
• Impact of the Development on the Amenity of the

Neighbours.

• Highway Safety and Capacity.
• Flood Risk and Drainage.
• Ecology.
• Impact of the Development on Local Health and

Education Services.

• Contamination.

Members were referred to the additional information contained on pages 1 to 2 of the Supplementary Agenda.  

Lindsey Stuart, Senior Planning Officer, detailed site and surroundings information to Members at Paragraph 2, together with the description of the proposal at Paragraph 3, pages 39 to 40 of the report refer.

Mr Nick Pleasant (Agent) spoke in support of the development.

Councillor Paul Starsmore, Louth Town Council, spoke in objection to the application.

Councillors Ros Jackson and Edward Mossop spoke as Ward Members.

Members were invited to put their questions to the speakers.

-      A Member queried whether Park Row was an adopted road.  Councillor Starsmore advised that he did not believe it was and commented that with the increase of footfall there was concern with regards to who was going to maintain the road.

-      Following a query with regards to the footpath recommended by LCC Highways, Members were referred to pages 49 to 50 of the Agenda.  The Senior Planning Officer advised Members that it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

N/128/00956/22: View the Plans and documents online, please click on the Application Number.  (Please note: If viewing as a pdf document, this hyperlink is not available).

Applicant:                          Mr & Mrs Parker

Location:                           Land North of Louth Road, North Cockerington, Louth, LN11 7DY

Recommendation:              Approval with Conditions

Officer:                              Andrew Booth

Application Type:         Full Planning Permission

Proposal:                     Planning Permission - Erection of a house, and outbuildings that comprises of a garage/car port, store and greenhouse, and construction of a wildlife pond.

Location:                      LAND NORTH OF LOUTH ROAD, NORTH COCKERINGTON, LOUTH, LN11 7DY

Applicant:                    Mr & Mrs Parker

Members received an application for Full Planning Permission – Erection of a house,

and outbuildings that comprised of a garage/car port, store and greenhouse, and

construction of a wildlife pond at land North of Louth Road, North Cockerington,

Louth, LN11 7DY.

The proposal was subject to a call-in request by Councillor Terry Knowles as the local Ward Member and, if approved, would not fully comply with requirements of the East Lindsey Local Plan.  For clarity, however, because elements of the proposal would accord with adopted policy, it was not regarded as a departure from the development plan.

The main planning issues were considered to be:

• Principle of development
• Visual amenity and the impact on the character and

appearance of the rural area

• Residential amenity
• Highway safety
• Ecology
• Other material considerations and the planning balance

principle

Members were referred to the additional information contained on page 2 of the Supplementary Agenda.  

Andrew Booth, Development Management Lead Officer, detailed site and surroundings information to Members at Paragraph 2, together with the description of the proposal at Paragraph 3, pages 61 to 63 of the report refer.

Mr and Mrs Parker (Applicants) spoke in support of the application.

Members were invited to put their questions to the speakers.

-      A Member queried whether the building was going to be constructed of concrete.  Mr Parker responded that the proposal was for a timber clad solution with the garage block in a traditional farmhouse style.

Following which, the application was proposed and seconded for approval in line with officer recommendation.

-      Following a Member’s query on Policy SP8, Paragraph 7.4 on page 67 of the Agenda refers, Mr Parker informed Members that they were trying to create a new lifestyle in the countryside that enabled them to be more self-sufficient and that the application was not an agriculturally linked scheme.

-      A Member queried whether the 10% bio-diversity net gain calculation had been included in the net gain application as it was considered that this looked higher.  Mr Parker responded that it had been included. 

Following which, the application was opened for debate. 

A discussion ensued on how the application was recommended for approval by officers when it was a dwelling in the open countryside and did not meet the usual exception tests.  The Development Management Lead Officer referred Members to paragraph 7.32 on page 72 of the agenda which outlined the planning balance considerations for the proposal.

Upon being put to the vote for approval, the vote was carried.

Vote:           11 In favour           0 Against                1 Abstention 

RESOLVED:

That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

The Delegated Decisions were noted.

The date of the next meeting was noted as Thursday 9 May 2024.