Planning Committee – 5 May 2010

Chair: Councillor Collinson
Venue: The Council Chamber, Pittwood House, Scunthorpe
Time: 2pm

AGENDA

  1. Substitutions
  2. Declarations of Personal and Personal and Prejudicial Interests, significant contact with applicants, objectors or third parties (Lobbying) and Whipping Arrangements (if any)
  3. To take the minutes of the meeting held on 7 April 2010 as a correct record and authorise the chair to sign
  4. Applications deferred from previous meeting for site visits
  5. Planning and other applications for determination by the committee
  6. Enforcement Update
  • Interim planning policy relating to climate change and energy – Consultation in relation to new buildings
  • Any other items, which the chair decides are urgent, by reasons of special circumstances, which must be specified.

Note: All reports are by the Head of Planning unless otherwise stated.

Minutes

PRESENT: Councillor Collinson (in the chair).

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

Councillors Cawsey, Smith, Regan and Stewart attended the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b).

The committee met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

1239 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS, SIGNIFICANT CONTACT WITH APPLICANTS OR THIRD PARTIES (LOBBYING) AND WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY)

The following members declared personal interests:

Members
Minute
Applications
Nature of Interest
Cllr B Briggs 1242 (iv) 10/0181 Knew the applicant
Cllr Grant 1242 (v) 10/0199 Lived close to the site
Cllr C Sherwood 1241 (iv) 09/1303 Knew the objector
Cllr N Sherwood 1242 (viii) 10/0282 Knew the applicant
Cllr Wardle 1241 (i) 10/0068 Knew the applicant
Cllr Wardle 1242 (viii) 10/0282 Knew the applicant

The following members declared that they had been lobbied:

Member
Minute
Application/Item
Cllr N Sherwood 1242 (ii) 10/0075

1240 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held on 7 April, 2010, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.

1241 (78) APPLICATIONS DEFERRED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING – In accordance with the decisions at the previous meeting, members had undertaken site visits on the morning of the meeting. The Head of Planning submitted reports and updated them orally where appropriate. Other officers attending gave advice and answered members’ questions as requested.

(i) 10/0068 by Keigar Homes Ltd for the demolition of an existing dwelling and erection of two 5/6 bedroomed dwellings at 22 Top Road, Winterton.

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

The applicant stated that there was currently a large detached house on the site which was in a state of disrepair. The development would be in keeping with its surroundings and would be no bigger than the existing house. There was adequate car parking and turning provision on the site. Existing trees on the site would be protected and bat and bird boxes would be provided. Soakaways would be provided for surface water. The design and layout of the scheme had been amended in line with officers’ requests.

The objector was concerned at the height of the proposed dwellings which she believed would tower over her property. The dwellings would be closer to her property than the existing house. The development would be out of character with its surroundings. She was concerned that the applicants owned a large area of land to the rear lf the site that they would wish to develop. Twelve lime trees had been felled prior to the application being submitted.

Councillors Cawsey and Smith, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b) spoke on the application.

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

(ii) 07/1633 by Mr and Mrs K Button for the erection of 3 detached dwellings, a pair of semi-detached dwellings and conversion of part of an existing joinery workshop into 2 dwellings, together with an access road, parking and garages and parking areas to cater for the development on land adjacent to and to the rear of 43 West Street, Winterton.

Prior to consideration of this application an objector addressed the committee. She was concerned at the potential visual impact of the proposal which she considered to be too high a density. It would lead to a loss of the view of the church from West Street. The development would lead to an increase in road traffic with potential for accidents, congestion, noise and pollution close to a school and a nursery. The roots of mature trees adjoining the site could be damaged by the construction work. Leaves from these trees would fall on the converted outbuilding leading to potential complaints from the new residents who might also complain about bell ringing. There were already a number of empty properties in Winterton.

Councillors Cawsey and Smith, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b) spoke on the application.

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

(iii) 07/1634 by Mr and Mrs K Button for Listed Building Consent to demolish storage sheds and brick workshops (re-submission of PA/2006/1718) on land adjacent to 43 West Street, Winterton.

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

(iv) 09/1303 by Mr A Borrill for the erection of a detached dwelling with integral garage together with associated parking and access (re-submission of PA/2009/0923) on land adjacent to Windy Gyle, Town Hill Drive, Broughton.

Prior to consideration of this application the applicant addressed the committee. He stated that the scheme had been designed sympathetically so as not to cause loss of light or privacy to neighbours. He referred to the issue of an easement and indicated that he would work with Anglian Water to resolve this.

Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report, subject to an additional condition requiring a Construction Method Statement to be submitted.

1242 (79) 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 submitted reports and updated them orally where appropriate. Other officers attending gave advice and answered members’ questions as requested.

(i) 09/1349 by Mr and Mrs Deer for the erection of a detached two-bedroom bungalow at The Pines, North End Goxhill.

Prior to consideration of this application one of the applicants addressed the committee. She stated that the development was needed for her husband who was unwell and needed facilities on the ground floor. The existing building on the site had been occupied as a family home for many decades and had never flooded. The proposed development would not add to current parking problems. It would not lead to a loss of privacy for neighbouring properties.

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

(ii) 10/0075 by Green Frog Power Ltd for the erection of an embedded generating plant with associated works at YEDL sub-station compound, Kettleby Lane, Wrawby.

Prior to consideration of this application an objector and a representative of the applicants addressed the committee.

The objector believed that the proposed development would severely impact on the views of local residents over the Wolds. As Kettleby Lane was a single track lane there was a potential hazard from vehicles delivering fuel. The generator would create a noise nuisance.

The applicant stated that the generator was required as back up for the grid. The longest period that back up had been required had been 126 hours, in the previous year the figure was 48 hours.. The company would be happy to accept a condition requiring it to operate in accordance with its contract with the National Grid.

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

(iii) 10/0180 by Kingham Catering Co. Ltd. for the change of use of a dwelling to a hotel at The Rectory, High Street, Wroot.

Prior to consideration of this application a representative of the applicants addressed the committee. She said that the neighbours supported the use of a shared access. The building would be screened by existing trees. There had been no complaints of noise or disturbance. The development would create employment.

Councillor Stewart, attending the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Procedure Rule 1.37 (b) spoke on the application.

Moved by Councillor Eckhardt and seconded by Councillor England –

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

Motion Lost

Moved by Councillor Grant and seconded by Councillor B Briggs –

That permission be refused in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report.

Motion Lost

Moved by Councillor England and seconded by Councillor Eckardt –

That permission be granted subject to standard conditions and conditions relating to access and egress arrangements and parking. The reason for the decision is that the development will benefit the local economy, will constitute diversification and will be the best use of the site.

Motion Carried

(iv) 10/0181 by Mr B Dodd for the erection of a replacement dwelling on land adjacent to Selwyn Motors, Saxon Lane, Belton.

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

The objector stated that the design did not take into account the proximity to the adjacent dwelling. It would be impossible to build without accessing his own property. Construction would disrupt traffic. It would be possible to build on another part of the applicant’s extensive landholding.

The applicant’s agent stated that the objector’s house was 80 metres from the proposed dwelling. There was more than enough space to enable building work to take place.

Moved by Councillor Grant and seconded by Councillor B Briggs –

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

Motion Lost

(the voting being equal the Chair used his second and casting vote against the motion)

Moved by Councillor B Briggs and seconded by Councillor Wardle –

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

Motion Carried

(v) 10/0199 by T-Mobile (UK) Ltd for the retention of a 28 metre slim lattice temporary telecommunications mast and associated equipment at Lebus Furniture Ltd., Dunlop Way, Scunthorpe.

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

The objector was concerned that the mast had been erected less than ten metres from his factory and could potentially fall onto it. It should be moved to a more suitable site on the applicant’s land.

The applicant’s representative stated that the application was for a temporary permission for no more than 6 months. A permanent solution had been agreed after that period. There were numerous such masts elsewhere in the country, none of which had ever toppled.

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

(vi) 10/0204 by Miss V Thornton for the replacement of existing wooden windows and doors with new UPVC windows and doors at 31 Main Street, Saxby-all-Saints.

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

(vii) 10/0232 by Mr D Wall for advertisement consent to erect a sign at north-west corner, access road to Woodlands Farm, Belton.

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

(viii) 10/0282 by Mr G Simon for the erection of two dwellings and domestic garages including means of access and the demolition of an existing garage with all matters reserved at The Garage, 16 Main Street, Horkstow.

Moved by Councillor Grant and seconded by Councillor N Sherwood –

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

Motion Lost

Moved by Councillor N Sherwood and seconded by Councillor C Sherwood –

That permission be granted subject to standard conditions and conditions requested by the Highways team. The reasons for granting permission are that the development will improve the street scene and that Horkstow is a hamlet and not in open countryside.

Motion Carried

(ix) 10/0301 by Mr D Snowden for the erection of a detached dwelling and domestic garage (re-submission of PA/2009/1520) at 70 Doncaster Road, Westwoodside, Haxey.

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

The objector had concerns regarding drainage and the size of the development. Neighbouring properties had flooded in the past. The proposal was a three-storey house and garage on the site of a 2-bedroomed bungalow.

The applicant stated that the proposal had been designed to be in keeping with its surroundings. There was an extant permission for 3 apartments on the site. The current proposal would lead to fewer vehicle movements than the 3 apartments.

Resolved – That permission be granted in accordance with the recommendation contained in the report, subject to an additional condition requiring the protection of a horse chestnut tree on the site.

1243 (80) 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.

1244 (81) INTERIM PLANNING POLICY RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENERGY CONSULTATION IN RELATION TO NEW BUILDINGS – Further to Minute 1143, the Service Director Highways and Planning submitted a report seeking approval, following consultation, to adopt a development control policy (i) requiring all new housing sites above 10 dwellings built within North Lincolnshire to comply with the Code for Sustainable Homes level 3 and above on a sliding scale, and (ii) requiring all industrial and commercial premises greater than 1000m2 to provide 20% of their expected energy demand from on site renewable energy.

The development of these policies was a key part of the council’s adopted Climate Change Action Plan and the Local Area Agreement.

The council had signed the Nottingham Declaration on Climate Change in 2003 and had subsequently adopted a Climate Change Action Plan in March 2007. The Plan tasked the Planning Authority with delivery of sustainable houses against a sliding scale of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

The committee had approved a consultation process to be carried out on the introduction of an interim development control policy relating to climate change and on site renewable energy production. The responses received were mostly favourable and supported the policy in full and these were summarised as an appendix to the report.

Resolved – That consideration of this matter be deferred and a more detailed report be submitted to a future meeting.