Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Alex Hall. 

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 Ru Yarsley had been appointed to the Committee in place of Councillor Sam Kemp for this Meeting only.

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

-        Councillor Ru Yarsley asked it be noted that, in relation to Item 7 she was Ward Member and knew both speakers and would leave the Meeting during that item.

-        Councillors Dick Edginton, Stephen Eyre, Neil Jones, Daniel McNally and Ru Yarsley asked it be noted that they were Members of the local Internal Drainage Boards.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 February 2026.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5th February 2026 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Chairman of the Planning Committee advised Members that there had been an informative presentation from the Witham and Humber Drainage Boards at the Planning Policy meeting on 19^th March 2026, Minute No. 25 refers.

To seek confirmation of a Tree Preservation Order.

Members received a report from Andrew Hudson, Arboricultural Officer, which enabled them to consider whether a provisional Tree Preservation Order (TPO), at The Woodlands, Mill Lane, Legbourne should be confirmed (made permanent).

The Arboricultural Officer referred Members of the Committee to the presentation which displayed the plan and images of the trees.

The Arboricultural Officer recommended to Committee that the TPO should be made permanent.

A Member commended the thoroughness of the ArboriculturalOfficer’s report and presentation whilst noting the professional expertise brought to the assessment and indicated support for approving the recommendation.

During the discussion, a Member raised a question regarding the proximity of the trees to neighbouring properties, seeking clarification as to whether the trees posed any danger or gave rise to concern for adjacent dwellings particularly in terms of their size and longevity.  In response, the ArboriculturalOfficer confirmed that there was no indication from the assessment that the trees were unhealthy or unsafe.  It was explained that any future management requirements would be addressed through the appropriate application and consent process under the TPO regime.

A Member referred to the origin of the request for the TPO and queried whether there had been a specific concern about the trees. The ArboriculturalOfficer advised that the request had been community-led including involvement from a local councillor and that it was motivated primarily by a desire to safeguard the trees for the future.  While some concern had been noted at the time of the site visit, Members were advised that no immediate threat or risk had been identified and that the trees were observed to be in good condition and not a danger to the public or nearby properties.

Following which, the application was proposed and seconded for approval.

Upon being put to the vote, in line with the officer recommendation that the TPO be confirmed with modification, Members voted as follows:

Vote:            12 in favour,            0 Against,     0 Abstention

RESOLVED:

That The Woodlands, Mill Lane, Legbourne (100.05) Tree Preservation Order be confirmed (made permanent).

02824/25/FUL: 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:                          Snape Homes Ltd

Location:                           Land Rear of 53 Tetney Lane, Holton Le Clay, Lincolnshire

Recommendation:             Approve Subject to Conditions.

Officer:                             Graeme Hyde

Application Type:     Full Planning Permission

Proposal:                Planning Permission - Erection of 14no. dwellings and construction of a vehicular access and associated landscaping

Location:                 Land Rear of 53 Tetney Lane, Holton Le Clay

Applicant:                Snape Homes Ltd

Members received an application for Full Planning Permission - Erection of

14no. dwellings and construction of a vehicular access and associated

landscaping at land rear of 53 Tetney Lane, Holton Le Clay.

The proposal had been the subject of a significant number of objections from third parties as well as the Parish Council in relation to the principle of development together with various technical concerns. It was therefore considered appropriate to refer the application to the Committee for determination.

The main planning issues were considered to be:

·       Principle

·       Design including impact on character

·       Trees

·       Access Highways

·       Drainage

·       Ecology/BNG

·       Contamination

·       Effect on residential amenity

·       Contributions

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

Graeme Hyde, Senior Planning Officer, detailed site and surroundings information to Members at Paragraph 2, together with the description of the proposal at Paragraph 3, pages 31 to 32 of the report refer.

Richie Tutill (Architect) spoke in support of the application.

Charlotte McMullen spoke in objection to the application.

Helen Reynolds spoke on behalf of Holton Le Clay Parish Council.

Councillor Terry Aldridge spoke as Ward Member.

Members were invited to put their questions to the speakers.

-        Clarification was sought regarding reports of sewerage problems affecting specific properties.  Members were informed that properties numbered 59 to 63 Tetney Lane had experienced ongoing issues which had worsened following nearby development.  They were further informed that correspondence with Anglian Water had taken place and the local MP had become involved. 

-        Members queried the width of the access road with regards to refuse collection and emergency vehicle access.  In response, Mr Tutill explained that the access would be constructed to adoptable standards with a deliberately narrowed section functioning as a traffic calming feature around the walnut tree.  It was confirmed that amendments had been made to address initial concerns raised by the fire service and that the proposal now complied with these requirements.  It was also confirmed that bins would be stored within individual plots and presented in the same manner as elsewhere in the village.

Following which, the application was opened for debate.

-        Concerns were raised regarding drainage and whether the proposal adequately addressed existing flooding issues in the village.  The Senior Planning Officer advised that pre-existing drainage problems were not the responsibility of the applicant.  It was confirmed that Anglian Water had raised no objection to the foul drainage connection and that a comprehensive surface water drainage scheme had been assessed through internal advisory processes and were found acceptable.  Members were advised that a condition would secure the detailed implementation and long-term management of the drainage system.

-        Following a Member requesting clarification on the weight given to the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP), the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

03628/25/FUL: 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 L Codrington

Location:                           Land off Church Lane, Langton by Wragby, Lincolnshire

Recommendation:             Approve Subject to Conditions.

Officer:                             Megan Larder

Application Type:      Full Planning Permission

Proposal:                  Planning Permission - Erection of a dwelling, construction of a vehicular access with gates and pillars and change of use of land to provide public green space.

Location:                  Land off Church Lane, Langton by Wragby

Applicant:                  SDA Heritage Ltd

Members received an application for Full Planning Permission - Erection of a dwelling, construction of a vehicular access with gates and pillars and change of use of land to provide public green space at land off Church Lane, Langton by Wragby.

The application was presented to the Committee because officers considered it would constitute a departure from the Local Plan, and the recommendation was for approval.

The main planning issues were considered to be:

·       Principle of Development

·       Design Quality

·       Impact on character of the area and the landscape

·       Impact on Heritage Asset

·       Impact on residential amenity

·       Highway impacts

·       Ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain

·       Flood Risk and Drainage

·       Other matters

Megan Larder, Planning Officer, detailed site and surroundings information to Members at Paragraph 2, together with the description of the proposal at Paragraph 3, pages 61 to 62 of the report refer.

Leon Codrington (Applicant) spoke in support of the application.

Sean Marshall spoke in objection to the application.

Members were invited to put their questions to the speakers.

-        A Member queried why the public footpath had not been diverted around the site.  Mr Codrington explained that the intention had been to retain the historic route while enhancing the setting by providing additional publicly accessible green space alongside it.

-        A Member raised a concern regarding the long-term management of the open green space.  Mr Codrington confirmed that the land would remain in private ownership but would be maintained by the owners who were content for a planning condition to secure its ongoing maintenance.

-        Following a question on the design approach and its relationship to the surrounding village, Mr Codrington explained that the design had been informed by national policy criteria rather than any single local vernacular and that professional advice had been sought to achieve a high-quality outcome.

-        Further questioning addressed the reasons for refusal of the earlier application.  Mr Marshall advised that the previous refusal was related to failure to meet the high design quality standards required by national policy for isolated dwellings.

Following which, the application was opened for debate.

-        The Planning Officer confirmed that the earlier application had been refused as it did not achieve the required standard of design quality set out in national policy. They further explained that in contrast, the current proposal had been through an extensive design evolution process and in their judgement, now met the threshold required under national guidance.

Following which, the application was Proposed and Seconded for approval in line with officer recommendation.

-        Members raised concerns regarding setting a precedent and the potential for similar development elsewhere in the village.  The Development Management Lead Officer advised that each application must be assessed on its own merits and that approval would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

The Appeals Decided were noted.

The Delegated Decisions were noted.

The date of the next meeting was noted as Thursday 7th May 2026.