PRESENT:  Councillor Collinson (in the chair).

Councillors Whiteley (Vice-Chair), Ali, Armitage, Barker, B Briggs, Carlile, Eckhardt, England, C Sherwood, N Sherwood Swift and Wardle.

Councillors Poole and Waltham attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The committee met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

1319  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS, SIGNIFICANT CONTACT WITH APPLICANTS OR THIRD PARTIES (LOBBYING) AND WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY)

The following member declared a personal and prejudicial interest:

The following members declared personal interests: –

The following members declared that they had been lobbied: –

1320  MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held on 9 February 2011, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.

1321  (50) APPLICATION DEFERRED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING – In accordance with the decision at a previous meeting, members had undertaken a site visit on the morning of the meeting. The Head of Planning submitted a report and updated it orally.

(i) 10/1317 by Brinkley Homes for the erection of nine apartments on land north of The Gables, Belton Road, Epworth.

Prior to consideration of this application an objector and the applicant addressed the committee.

The objector referred to a refusal of a previous application on the site. She stated that the present application was not significantly smaller in scale than the earlier proposal and would overlook neighbouring properties, in particular from balconies and first floor windows. It would be too close to number 25. It would lead to a loss of amenity for neighbours. Car parking provision would be inadequate.

The applicant stated that the roof height adjacent to “Blue Gates” had been reduced. There were now no windows that would overlook neighbouring properties. The windows previously proposed on the third floor had now been removed. Adequate car parking would be provided.

Resolved – (a) That the committee is mindful to grant permission for the development; (b) that the Head of Planning be authorised to grant permission subject to the completion of a formal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 providing for an off-site commuted sum to upgrade play facilities within Epworth; (c) that if the obligation is not completed by 9 August 2011 the Head of Planning be authorised to refuse the application on the grounds of failure to provide a contribution to public open space, contrary to policies H10 and SPG 10 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan, and (d) that the permission so granted be subject to the conditions contained in the report.

(Note: the voting being equal on the above matter the Chair used his second and casting vote in favour of the motion).

1322  (51) MAJOR PLANNING APPLICATION – The Head of Planning submitted a eport incorporating a schedule containing details of a major application for determination by the committee including summaries of policy context, representations arising from consultation and publicity and assessment of the applications. The Head of Planning updated the report orally where appropriate. Other officers attending gave advice and answered members’ questions as requested.

(i)  08/0338 by Keigar Homes Ltd for outline permission to erect 60 dwellings on land off Island Carr Road, Brigg.

Prior to consideration of this application an objector and the applicant addressed the committee.

The objector was concerned that the site was in a flood zone and also referred to potential access and egress issues.

The applicant stated that the site was allocated for housing in the North Lincolnshire Local Plan. It was a brownfield site and would help to meet the council’s targets for the development of such sites. Discussions had taken place with the environment agency over a long period of time and that organisation was now happy with the proposal. The development would improve the river defences. The site was very close to the town centre.

Councillor Waltham, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b) addressed the committee.

Resolved – (a) That the committee is mindful to grant permission for the development; (b) that the Head of Planning be authorised to grant permission subject to the completion of a formal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 providing for a commuted sum to secure improvements to the nearby Almond Grove play area and for education purposes; (c) that if the obligation is not completed by 9 October 2011 the Head of Planning be authorised to refuse the application on the grounds of non-compliance with Policy H10 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan and (d) that the permission so granted be subject to the conditions contained in the  report.

1323  (52) PLANNING AND OTHER APPLICATIONS – The Head of Planning submitted a report incorporating a schedule containing details of applications for determination by the committee including summaries of policy context, representations arising from consultation and publicity and assessment of the applications. The Head of Planning updated the reports orally where appropriate. Other officers attending gave advice and answered members’ questions as requested.

(i) 10/1371 by Mr A Turnbull for the erection of two 10kw vertical axis wind turbines at Prospect House, access tracks between Glebe Farm and Prospect House Farm, Barnetby-le-Wold.

Prior to consideration of this application a representative of the applicant addressed the committee. He stated that the turbines would be lower and less intrusive than most turbines and would not be heard more than thirty metres away.

Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.

(ii) 10/1445 by Mr M Bhangu for the conversion of a building into three apartments at 26 Cornwall Road, Scunthorpe.

Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.

(iii) 10/1446 by Mrs V Hall for the retention of a timber sectional garage at 14 Rookery Croft, Epworth.

Moved by Councillor B Briggs and seconded by Councillor Whiteley –

That permission be refused on the grounds that the development is detrimental to the visual amenity of the area due to its character and materials.

Moved by Councillor England and seconded by Councillor Eckhardt  as an amendment –

That consideration of this application be deferred until a future meeting and that members visit the site prior to that meeting

Amendment Lost
Motion Carried

(iv) 10/1462 by Mr and Mrs P Cannell for the making of alterations, erection of a garage and front boundary wall and alteration of an existing vehicular access at Mildenbergh House, Barrow Road, Goxhill.

Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.

(v) 10/1463 by Mr D Evans for the change of use from grass field to garden at Southwind Lodge, Low Hall Road, East Lound, Haxey.

Prior to consideration of this application, the applicant’s agent addressed the committee. He stated that the development would be a minor and insignificant change to the field boundary. The area was currently infested with weeds and thistles. It was proposed to plant a traditional hedgerow on the new boundary. The straighter boundary would improve the management of the field.

Resolved – That permission be granted subject to a condition requiring details of the proposed boundary treatment to be submitted.

(vi) 10/1464 by Mr S Watson for the change of use from grass field to garden at Ashdene, Low Hall Road, East Lound, Haxey.

Resolved – That permission be granted subject to a condition requiring details of the proposed boundary treatment to be submitted.

(vii) 10/1498 by Lincoln Gardens Primary School for the erection of a new classroom at Lincoln Gardens Primary School, Lincoln Gardens, Scunthorpe.

Prior to consideration of this application an objector and the applicants’ agent addressed the committee.

The objector stated that he had no objection in principle to an extension to the school. However he considered the siting to be inappropriate being too close to residential properties. The development would lead to a loss of views for neighbours. There was adequate room within the school grounds for a more suitable site.

The agent stated that the development would meet a need for additional classroom space. The area had previously been used for storage. The building would be 21 metres from the nearest bungalow.

Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.

(viii) 10/1518 by Mr B Brinkley for consent to fell a horse chestnut tree (T3) protected by Tree Preservation (Land off King Edward Street, Belton) Order 1998.

Resolved – That consent be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.

(ix) 11/0054 by Waste Recycling Group for minor material amendment to application WD/2010/0635 to amend site layout, elevations and hours of operation on land at the junction of Normanby Road and Ramsden Road, Flixborough.

Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.

(x) 11/0066 by Mr J Braddish for the erection of a replacement dwelling and detached garage at South View, Main Street, Cadney.

Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.

1324  (53) ENFORCEMENT UPDATE – The Head of Planning submitted a schedule giving details of progress in respect of matters on which he had taken enforcement action under delegated authority.

Resolved – That the report be noted.

1325  (54) REASON FOR REFUSAL OF WF/2010/1242 – FLIXBOROUGH WINDFARM – Further to Minute 1314(i), the Head of Planning submitted a report inviting members to agree a reason for refusal of this application.

Prior to consideration of this matter two objectors addressed the committee.

The first objector asked the committee to add an additional reason relating to the effect on the health of a child with autism living close to the site. The child’s sensory processing was significantly affected by the condition and he was obsessed with spinning objects and upset by low level noise. However, he was not prepared to release confidential medical records into the public realm at this time. The objector stated that they had shown the case officer the relevant documents and the case officer confirmed this.

The second objector supported the reason put forward by officers but believed that other factors were also relevant and referred to policies DS21, DS11, RD2 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan and SPG13.

1326  EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC – Resolved – That the public be excluded from the meeting for the remainder of the consideration of this item (Minute 1325 refers)on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The Head of Planning and the Service Director Legal and Democratic gave updates and advice to members.

Resolved – That the matter be adjourned further to enable the Head of Planning to prepare a report for the next meeting, so that the committee may consider  information relating to a third party .

The public were invited back into the meeting to be informed of the decision.

1327  (55) MANUAL FOR STREETS – A GUIDE FOR NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – The Head of Planning submitted a report notifying members of the production of this document with a view to undertaking a consultation exercise prior to adoption by the council as a planning guidance document.

Manual for Streets had been produced by central government in 2007 and recognised an important shift in thinking on urban design issues.

The manual aimed to assist in the creation of streets that:

• helped build and strengthen the communities they serve;
• met the needs of all users by embodying the principles of inclusive design;
• formed part of a well-connected network;
• were attractive and have their own distinctive identity;
• were cost-effective to construct and maintain; and
• were safe.

Manual for Streets emphasised the importance of streets for social interaction and community cohesion. Also of great importance was the role of planners as place makers and the role of different local authority professionals in the process of creating and maintaining new residential development. The document “Manual for Streets – A Guide for North Lincolnshire” was intended to be available for all professionals involved in the development process and would be available on the council’s web site.

Resolved – (a) That a full public consultation exercise be undertaken with regard to the appended document with parish councils, planning agents, developers and any other interested bodies or organisations, as well as individuals, and (b) that the results be reported back to the committee at a later date.