Agenda and minutes

Cllr Chandler, who was substituted by Cllr Pearson

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting on 05.04.18

Minutes of the meeting held on 05.04.18.

 

Where it reads “the floor plan has been designed to give more room when someone is less mobile” at the top of page nine, under application 17/01508 Cllr Holmes asked for reference to wheelchair bound persons to be added.

 

Approval of the minutes was proposed by Cllr Holmes and seconded by Cllr Greenow. It was unanimously agreed that the Chair sign them as a true record.

Members to declare any interest as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

None

Land off Great Lane, Frisby on the Wreake

Applicant: Bellway Homes - Paul Coleman

Location: Land off Great Lane, Frisby on the Wreake

Proposal: Application for approval of Reserved Matters - 16/00491/OUT - Outline application for residential development with associated landscaping, open space, drainage infrastructure and vehicular and pedestrian access. Additional Information: density of development and provision of pedestrian facilities.

 

(a)       The Development Manager (LP) presented the report and stated that:

This application seeks approval of the reserved matters application following the granting of application 16/00491/OUT, the details for consideration are the design, appearance and scale of the proposed 53 dwellings along with associated layout and landscape.

The County Highway Authority have responded to the queries that have been set out in the report and have stated the following

“Road adoptions have advised that 1:15 would not be acceptable.  Given the constraints on this site, it would not be acceptable to delay resolving this to be dealt with at the S38 stage as approving the reserved matters on the basis of a plan which has sub-standard gradients would then result in a situation where the approved plan would not pass the technical approval stage.” 

This information has been put back to the agent who has stated

“In order to obtain the planning approval we accept that the roads will be at a gradient of 1:20 as per highways request.”

It is considered that the development brings forward a reasonable mixture of housing which would contribute to identified needs and provides 21 affordable homes, the proposal is one that is allocated for housing in both the Local and Neighbourhood Plans, both of which are well advanced, and this adds significant weight to the proposed.

It is however noted that objection has been raised through representations received which predominantly relate to highways and drainage, both of which are to be further considered through the submission of additional details to both the Local Planning Authority and the County Highway Authority.

The proposal is recommended for approval as per the conditions of the report.

 

(b)       Cllr Charles Sercombe, on behalf of the Parish Council, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Application is increase of 10% above outline permission

•           Increased density

•           Increased number of 4/5 bed houses, reduction of 2/3 beds

•          45% of existing dwellings are 4+ bed therefore already adequate stock of these

•           Short of smaller single storey dwellings

•           Single storey bungalows completely removed from application

•           Bungalows give more opportunity for residents to downsize

•           Does not enhance village

•           Cumulative effect is detrimental

 

A Cllr asked what the number of properties on the outline permission was.

 

Cllr Sercombe stated that it was 48.

 

(c)        Shaun Groom, an objector, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Concern for residents at southerly side of Great Lane

•           Single storey properties would be more in keeping

•           Impact on privacy

•          Parking spaces for plots 9, 10 and 11 abut the properties 27 and 29 Great Lane

•           Parking is close to boundary

•           Tandem  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL97.1

Field OS No 7000, Bescaby Lane, Waltham on the Wolds

Applicant: Davidsons Developments Ltd and The Bicker Family

Location: Field OS No. 7000, Bescaby Lane, Waltham on the Wolds

Proposal: Outline planning application for up to 45 No. dwellings (Re-submission of 16/00793/OUT)

 

(a)       The Planning Officer presented the report and stated that:

•          One update is the Parish Council has submitted their comments saying the proposal does not conform to neighbourhood plan policies Policy S1: Limits to Development; Policy H1: Housing Provision; Policy ENV4: Protection of Other Sites of Environmental (natural or historical) Significance; Policy ENV11: Ridge and Furrow Fields (edited); Policy ENV12: Protection of Important Views (edited); Policy ENV16: Groundwater Flooding; Policy T1: Transport Requirements for New Developments (edited)

•           Resubmission of 16/0793/OUT refused on 18/10/2017

•           New proposal not different to original scheme

•          Different policy position as not allocate in new local plan nor neighbourhood plan that security majority vote at referendum on 12/04/2018

•          Despite being a sustainable location as recognised as part of the last proposal’s determination and section 106 contributions its lack of conformity with neighbourhood plan and local policies mean the proposal is refused.

 

The Chair asked Members if they would suspend standing orders to allow 2 objectors to speak. Cllr Holmes proposed to allow this and was seconded by Cllr Posnett. All were in favour.

 

(b)       Malcolm Mills, on behalf of the Parish Council, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Contrary to Neighbourhood Plan

•           Outside Neighbourhood Plan and Local Plan

•           Contrary to housing provision

•           Potential for archaeological remains

•           Protection of important views

•           Adverse impact on character setting

•           Ground water for flooding

•           Contrary to Policy ENV 16

•           Adverse impact on High Street and surrounding area

 

(c)        Geoffrey Hulland, an objector, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Site not identified as new housing development

•           Policy OS2 allows development for recreation etc., not housing

•           Close to old quarry which is an SSSI site

•           Abuts conservation area

•           Bescaby Lane and High Street cannot sustain extra traffic

•          Local school is almost at full capacity and face the probability of existing families having children bussed to other schools

•           Flooding issues

•           Facility to walk Bescaby Lane would be lost

 

A Cllr asked Mr Hulland to expand on his point about the school and busing people in.

 

Mr Hulland stated that the capacity is already fairly tight and if there are no changes to the infrastructure existing families in Waltham may not get their children into the school.

 

(d)       Malcolm Mills, on behalf of Teresa Tunstall, an objector, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Site not in Local Plan

•           Heritage asset

•           Flooding issues

•           Increase traffic congestion on High Street

•           Previous reasons for refusal still stand

•           In conflict with Neighbourhood Plan

 

(e)       George Machin, the agent, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Sustainable location

•           Previous refusal reasons overcome

•           Conservation Officer has no concerns relating to the ridge and furrow

•           No  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL97.2

91 Grantham Road, Bottesford

Applicant: Mr Ross Whiting

Location: 91 Grantham Road, Bottesford

Proposal: Partial variation of condition 3 (To allow the obscure glazed windows indicated on the plans to be top hung only and obscure glazed) of planning approval 15/00924/VAC Residential development of 2 Dwellings

 

a)        The Planning Officer presented the report and stated that:

Retrospective application for retention of obscure windows and opening for two house scheme at 91 Grantham Road, Bottesford.

To summarise report despite being retrospective, the windows are not considered to compromise amenity substantially to warrant refusal and enforcement action. The Ground floor faces timber fencing and windows at first floor bathroom only that is non principle room

 

(b) Shelagh Woollard, an objector, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Windows previously conditioned to be obscured

•           Adverse impact on privacy

•           Noise issue

•           Opening windows are not needed

•           Previous condition should be enforced

 

A Cllr stated that they could not support the application as the NPPF states that conditions should be reasonable and fair. This condition protects the amenity of the neighbour.

 

Cllr Greenow proposed to permit subject to the officer’s report.

 

Cllr Posnett seconded the proposal to permit.

 

The Chair stated that he could not support the proposal to permit and stated that they could not go against the condition.

 

A Cllr stated that windows do not need to open in order for ventilation now.

 

A vote was taken to permit the application. 3 Members were in favour. 8 Members voted against.

 

Cllr Baguley moved the recommendation to refuse the application.

 

Cllr Faulkner seconded the proposal.

 

A vote was taken to refuse the application. 8 Members voted in favour of refusal. 2 Members voted against. 1 Member abstained.

 

DETERMINATION: REFUSE, for the following reasons:

 

1.  The retention of the windows in the side elevation that can be opened are deemed to cause an undue loss of amenity in terms of privacy and therefore in contrary to policy BE1 of the Melton Local Plan and paragraph 17 of the NPPF as a core planning principle.

 

 2.  The  application  does  not  maintain  public  confidence  in  the  planning  system  and  therefore  is contrary to paragraph 207 of the NPPF and the letter to Chief Planning Officers on 31 August 2015 which  introduced  a  planning  policy  to  make  intentional  unauthorised  development  a

material consideration that would be weighed in the determination of planning applications and appeals.

Old School House, 2A Church Lane, Wymondham

Applicant: Caister Castle Trust

Location: Old School House, 2A Church Lane, Wymondham

Proposal: Change of Use to form 3no. dwellings including the demolition of the old canteen area [Re-submission of 17/01107/FUL]

 

(a)       The Planning Officer presented the report and stated that:

Application is a re-submission of 17/01107/FUL for same development which was refused on 1/2/18 for failing to provide in parking in line with policy H7.

One update is an objection that was received on Sunday that follows same lines as that mentioned in report

New proposal now adds this space which is deemed acceptable in line with the NP policy.

All other considerations remain the same and therefore approval is recommended.

 

(b)       Christian Semmens, on behalf of the Parish Council, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Overdeveloped

•           In breach of Policy H7

•           Addition of parking space does not address previous concern

•           Extra traffic

•           Dangerous

•           Conflicts with T1 Policy

•           No attempt to identify how noise issue will be addressed

•           Conflict with activities of village hall

•           Extreme proximity to village hall

•           Expensive repercussions

•           Loses amenity value

•           Detrimental impact on village hall

•           Over intensification

•           Breaches of Policies H7, T1 and CF1

 

(c) Adam Murray, the agent, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Sustainable

•           Revised version of scheme

•           Issues of insufficient parking has been dealt with

•           Level of development concerns noted

•           Includes noise mitigation process

•           No impact on village hall

•           In accordance with Neighbourhood Plan

 

A Cllr asked for clarification on the previous reasons for refusal.

 

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services stated that the minutes of that meeting read “intensification leading to car park issues” and that the reason was stated in full at the beginning of the report, for reference

 

A Cllr asked if the parking space had been measured as it looks small on the plans.

 

The Planning Officer confirmed that Highways deem it sufficient.

 

A Cllr had concerns that the layout of the car parking would cause issues for cars trying to get out.

 

The Planning Officer stated that both spaces in concern would be allocated to one home and it would be up to the residents to deal with this.

 

Cllr Botterill proposed to refuse the application as there is not enough room in when the village hall empties out, so it doesn’t work in this location.

 

Cllr Holmes seconded the proposal and stated that it is an over-intensification and there is no room to get cars down the road.

 

A Cllr asked if there are any rules on noise generated from the village hall throughout the day and they are used constantly.

 

The Chair advised that day time use needs no regulation.

The Chair asked the proposer if the reason of overdevelopment in the previous refusal still stands.

 

Cllr Botterill confirmed it does and stated the village hall is too near to the development. Cllr Botterill stated that nothing has changed.  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL97.4

Buckminster Lodge Equestrian Centre, Wymondham Road, Sewstern

Applicant: Mr D Phipps

Location: Buckminster Lodge Equestrian Centre, Wymondham Road, Sewstern

Proposal: The proposed alterations and conversion of former agricultural buildings.

 

(a)       The Development Manager presented the report and stated that:

This application is for full planning permission for the conversion of existing buildings on the site to associated ancillary space for the British Model Flying Association model flying visitor centre and model flying site. The existing buildings form part of a range of former agricultural / equestrian buildings forming a courtyard at the centre of the built form of the site.

The proposal would utilise the existing access which already serves the site and was upgraded as per the conditions attached to the 2016 approval, prior to the centre opening in 2017.

The principal of the use of the site as the BMFA’s model flying and visitor centre was established in the planning permission granted in 2016, and the highway authority raised no objection at that time. The highway authority has not objected to this application.

The application is recommended to be approved, subject to conditions as set out in the report.

 

(b)       Kate Bygott, on behalf of the Parish Council, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           No objection to conversion into accommodation

•           Increase in traffic

•           Intensity use of centre

•           50-100 persons will visit throughout year

•           Traffic issues intensify

 

(c)        Manny Williamson, the agent, was invited to speak and stated that:

•           Provides positive addition to area

•           Educational aspects

•           Benefits to local amenity

•           Provided employment

•           Minimum local impact on amenity

•           Limits noise

•           Bank holidays designated for silent flight

•           Traffic situation monitored

•           Impact on roads negligible

•           No detrimental effect on environment

•           Significant long term development of lodge

•           Strong links with the community

 

The Development Manager clarified that the Parish Council were consulted and the dates in system confirm this. No objection from Highways.

 

Cllr Botterill proposed to permit the application as it is a good use of buildings; it is not crowded and is an ideal location.

 

Cllr Posnett seconded the proposal to permit and stated that rural activities should be encouraged, young people can get involved, it has created employment, and has an educational aspect.

 

A Cllr stated that they supported the proposal as it is a good reuse of buildings.

 

A vote was taken and it was unanimously decided that the application should be permitted.

 

DETERMINATION: PERMIT, subject to the conditions as set out in the report.

 

For the following reasons:

The conversions are sympathetic, and retain the general overall appearance of converted stable blocks, and the conversions are not considered to have a negative impact upon the character and appearance of the open countryside.

 

Whilst there have been objections principally relating to traffic movements, the small scale development proposed in this application is unlikely to have a severe cumulative impact upon the safety of the highway. The principal of the use of the site as the BMFA’s model  ...  view the full minutes text for item PL97.5

Report of the Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services:

Update Report 16/00704/OUT: Residential Development of up to 48 Dwellings; Leicester Road, Frisby On The Wreake

 

Item 5 – Report of the Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services: Update Report 16/00704/OUT Residential Development of up to 48 dwellings; Leicester Road, Frisby on the Wreake

 

(a)       The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services presented the report.

 

Cllr Cumbers proposed to move the recommendation.

 

Cllr Wyatt seconded the proposal.

 

A Cllr asked if left to reserved matters will the footpath be put in and suggested it was best to condition now.

 

The Assistant Director of Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services stated the description refers to 48 houses and all of the component parts that make up the application, including the footpath. When the reserved matters application comes in it will need to display all those components.

 

A vote was taken and it was unanimously decided that the recommendation be moved.

 

DETERMINATION: PERMIT in accordance  with the Section 106 Agreement and conditions as originally concluded on 7th September 2017 and an additional condition that details submitted under condition 2 above (reserved matters) shall provide for the erection of houses limited to the area identified by the area hatched red in the attached Plan

To consider any other items that the Chair considers urgent

 

The Chair moved the minute to recommend that the public be excluded during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with part 1 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 Access to Information exempt information numbers 1 to 11. This was agreed unanimously.