Agenda item

Land east of Wolds Farm, Landyke Lane, Scalford

Reference:	20/01107/FUL
Location:	Land East of Wolds Farm, Landyke Lane, Scalford
Proposal:	Erection of business unit including office and welfare space associated access, car parking, drainage and landscaping

 

(Councillors Holmes and Steadman here left the meeting due to their personal interests declared at Minute PL18.)

 

The Assistant Director for Planning and Delivery addressed the Committee and provided a summary of the application and summarised that the recommendation was for approval.

 

There was mention of the economic benefits for the Borough to the application and that a wide range of jobs were involved in the business.

 

Pursuant to Chapter 2, Part 9, Paragraphs 2.8-2.28 of the Council’s Constitution in relation to  public speaking at Planning Committee, the Chair allowed the following to give a 3 minute presentation:

 

·                Max Hobill, Objector

In response to Member queries, Mr Hobill said that he owned the land to the west of the site and had control of the gated road which was a potential access road to the site

 

·                James Lloyd, Applicant

Mr Lloyd responded to Member queries as follows:

·           Access to the site would be at the current entrance to the site which was approximately 25 yards from the junction with Eastwell Road and traffic would use Clawson Lane from the east of the site and not the single track to the west, being Landyke Lane

·           There were approx. 70 jobs and employees’ salaries typically ranged from £25k to £48k per annum, often with benefits such as overtime and company vehicles. He had invested in training such as nvqs and trade specific skills for the workforce to progress and develop

·           The business currently operated close by from a farm off Eastwell Road therefore the traffic infrastructure was already in place for the business

·           The business typically involved 3-5 wagons a week as deliveries. Most of the work was vehicles going from site to site rather than back to the yard. HGVs would not be parked, they were only used for collection and delivery

·           Noise surveys had been carried out on the existing site and were documented in the application

·           There was extensive screening for visual and noise purposes included in the landscape plan of the application

·           The business operated mainly from 7 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday with occasional weekend presence. Encourages work/life balance for employees

·           There had been occasions for early starts but that was for a specific project that had ended 18 months previously

·           Workshop was insulated to help with noise pollution

·           Had considered industrial sites in the Borough and small holding farms but they had not been able to accommodate all the requirements of the business including access, HGV movements, secure storage, workshop and office space

·           Employees were Melton based and he did not want to move the business out of the area and risk losing the investment already made in a good workforce

·           The application included infrared all night cameras for security as well as specific downlighters on timers and floodlighting as needed

 

In accordance with the Council’s Procedure Rules, a resolution was passed to continue the meeting beyond 9 pm being the 3 hour threshold. 

 

The meeting was adjourned for a 3 minute comfort break at 9 pm.

 

During discussion the following points were noted:

 

·         It was felt the site was unsustainable and there was  concern at use of the neighbouring single track gated road and the noise impact on the neighbouring properties.

·         It was mentioned that there 41 hectares allocated in the Local Plan for industrial use and this proposal was ideal for one of those designated sites

·         Some Members felt torn between support for a thriving business and a strong desire to retain the enterprise in the Borough but had uncertainty about the location presented

·         There was an argument that the business was not moving very far so the impact on the neighbourhood was already in place and the economic benefits of the application should not be thrown away by refusing the application

·         There was concern that should the application be refused the applicant may move the business away and the jobs would be lost rather than look for an alternative site within the Borough

·         Deferment was suggested to enable the Economic Development Manager to provide a full evaluation of other industrial sites in the Borough as well as a reconsideration of the application in terms of landscaping, vehicle movements and being more sympathetic to neighbouring residents

 

Councillor Higgins proposed that the application be deferred to enable the Economic Development Manager to provide a full evaluation of other industrial sites in the Borough as well as reconsideration of the application in terms of landscaping, vehicle movements and being more sympathetic to neighbouring residents. Councillor Bindloss seconded the motion.

 

RESOLVED

 

That application 20/01107/FUL be DEFERRED to enable the Economic Development Manager to provide a full evaluation of other industrial sites in the Borough as well as reconsideration of the application in terms of landscaping, vehicle movements and being more sympathetic to neighbouring residents.

 

(5 for, 3 against)

 

(Councillors Holmes and Steadman re-joined the meeting.)