Agenda and minutes

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Items
No. Item

116.

Apologies/replacement members

Minutes:

No apologies were received.

 

The Chief Executive reported that having received a notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, he had appointed Councillor B Adams as replacement member of the Committee in place of Councillor T M Trollope-Bellew for this meeting only.

 

117.

Declarations of Members' Interests

(Councillors are reminded that there is no need to declare an

interest if it has already been recorded on the register of

disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) or notified to the Monitoring

Officer in accordance with the regulations. However, Councillors

declaring interests must state what the DPI is and accordingly not

speak or vote on the item)

Minutes:

Councillor W S Webb requested that a note should be made in the minutes that he had not attended the site visit in connection with minute 124 and therefore would not take part in the discussion or voting thereon.

118.

Minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 4 November 2013 pdf icon PDF 374 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

119.

Minutes of site visits by the Committee to proposed anaerobic digester sites at Stixwould, Langrick and Sibsey; a working anaerobic site at Wrangle and the Carlton Centre to view enforcement issues held on 25 November 2013

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

120.

Minutes of a site visit by the Committee to The Drift held on 28 November 2013

Additional documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes be agreed as a true and accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

121.

Traffic items

122.

Proposed Pavement Café Licence - Market Place, Grantham pdf icon PDF 400 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Brian Thompson presented a report which considered two objections received to a proposal to place a pavement café on Market Place in Grantham Town Centre.

 

The Market Place area had been subject to an environmental improvement scheme which had created large paved areas within it intended to encourage a pavement café culture.  Two objections from residents had been received,

However none had been submitted by the statutory consultees and for this reason, Officers were recommending the application for approval.

 

During consideration of the application it was noted that the pavement café area would extend six metres from the shop front.  This would leave an additional eight metres of pavement for pedestrians.  Ideally, a pavement café should leave a minimum of two metres of free pavement.

 

On a motion by Councillor D Brailsford and seconded by Councillor Mrs H N J Powell, it was –

 

RESOLVED (unanimous)

 

That a pavement licence be granted for the reasons detailed in the report.

123.

Proposed Taxi Ranks - Gladstone Street & Parnell Street, Gainsborough pdf icon PDF 384 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Alan Aistrup presented a report regarding an application for the introduction of two taxi ranks in Parnell Street and Gladstone Street, Gainsborough.  The application had first been considered at a meeting of this Committee on 28 November 2011, however following a period of monitoring the application this report sought to reach a resolution.

 

During consideration of the application, the following points were noted:

 

·    There was a lack of taxi ranks in Gainsborough, yet West Lindsey District Council were granting more taxi licences;

·    No congestion was forseen by locating the taxi ranks at these locations.

 

On a motion by Councillor I G Fleetwood and seconded by Councillor C L Strange, it was -

 

RESOLVED (unanimous)

 

That the recommendations, as listed in the report, be approved.

 

 

 

 

 

124.

Tennyson Street, Gainsborough - Proposed Waiting Restrictions pdf icon PDF 378 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Alan Aistrup presented a report which detailed the objections received to proposed waiting restrictions on Tennyson Street, Gainsborough.

 

During discussion of the item it was noted that –

 

·       Applying double yellow lines would allow traffic wardens to enforce the       waiting restriction rather than the police;

·      Spital Terrace was a well used and busy road, and Tennyson Street was close to the town centre and as such had a considerable amount of traffic;

·      The application of double yellow lines measuring 10 metres from the junction would comply with the Highway Code.

 

On a motion by Councillor I G Fleetwood, seconded by Councillor H N J Powell, it was –

 

RESOLVED (unanimous)

 

That the objections be overruled and the Order be implemented.

 

125.

Denton to Skillington, The Drift/Viking Way - Proposed Prohibition of Driving Order pdf icon PDF 399 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Brian Thompson updated the Committee on progress since approval had been given to consult to permanently prohibit all motorised vehicles from using the length of road, known as The Drift, for all of the year rather than the seasonal closure which was currently in place.

 

At the last meeting a decision on the order had been deferred pending a site visit which took place on 28 November 2013.

 

There were two feasible options for the Committee to consider:

 

a)    To implement a total ban on all motorised vehicles (including motorcycles);

b)    To allow the use by motorcycles, which would satisfy some of the objections and remove the need to implement onerous access constraints.

 

During discussion of the item, the following points were noted:

 

·     When the visit took place, the site was not at its worst;

·     Discussions with the police had revealed that they would support a total ban on vehicles and, once in place, they would be responsible for enforcing the Order;

·     The ban would exclude horse drawn carriages and any barrier erected would prohibit motorised vehicles but allow carriages access;

·     The protection of the Site of Special Scientific Interest was the responsibility of the Council;

·     The Council was signed up to the National Biodiversity Strategy: a strategy for wildlife and eco-systems;

·     A total ban would still allow farmers to cross the site or travel along it in order to access adjacent land.

 

The Chairman reminded Members that only those who were present at the site visit could vote on this item.

 

On a motion by Councillor H N J Powell and seconded by Councillor I F Fleetwood it was –

 

RESOLVED (9 votes for and 6 abstentions)

 

That a total ban for all motorised vehicles, including motorcyles, be implemented.

126.

Traffic Regulation Orders and Petitions Received pdf icon PDF 58 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received a report from the Executive Director for Communities on the position of all current Traffic Regulation Orders and petitions received.

 

RESOLVED (unanimous)

 

That the report on Traffic Regulation Orders be noted and that the petitions be received.

 

127.

County Matter Planning Applications pdf icon PDF 50 KB

Additional documents:

128.

Supplementary Report - For a proposed Anaerobic Digestion Plant at Grange Farm, Fen Road, Toynton St Peter, Spilsby - R.H-J (Farms) Ltd (Agent: Robert Doughty Consultancy Ltd) - (E)S186/1583/13 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

This application, for a proposed Anaerobic Digestion Plant, was last considered at the Planning and Regulation Committee on 4 November 2013 where decision was deferred pending a site visit which took place on 25 November 2013. 

 

The application was recommended for approval with additional conditions as set out in the report. 

 

Alistair Hall-Jones addressed the Committee on behalf of the applicant, and the following points were noted:

 

·   A constant stream of waste and slurry was retrieved from farming pigs in the vicinity.  This waste was applied to the land however it released methane, a potent greenhouse gas;

·   An anaerobic digester would enable the methane to be captured and used to create power.  The waste, (which after processing would be less smelly) could then be applied to the land;

·   The application was viewed positively by the Parish Council and local residents;

·   The tanks would only be 1.7metres above the ground.

 

Some Members had concerns regarding traffic movements to and from the farm, however planning officers confirmed that this issue was covered by Condition 4.

 

On a motion by Councillor I G Fleetwood and seconded by Councillor D M Hunter-Clarke it was –

 

RESOLVED (8 votes for and 7 abstentions)

 

That permission be granted subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

 

129.

For a 500kW anaerobic digestion plant and for the change of use of a barn to an education centre at Reeds Beck Farm, Reeds Beck, Stixwould - Woodland Estates Ltd (Agent - Robert Doughty Consultancy Ltd) - (E)S170/1988/13 pdf icon PDF 290 KB

Minutes:

This application for a 500kW anaerobic digestion plant and for the change of use of a barn to an education centre had been considered at a previous meeting of the Committee but decision had been deferred pending a site visit which took place on 25 November 2013.

 

Since the submission of the report further information had been received as follows:-

 

Applicant – owns and manages over 1200 acres of arable farmland on that estate.  The maize would be grown on the estate following the norms of crop rotation for best yield

The bulk of the farm estate is situated off roads which would be used to deliver the maize to site.  This is no different from the routes used when harvesting crop and delivering it to the grain storage facilities, and would represent an increase in the amount of arm traffic.

There are a variety of locations within a five mile radius that could be used to provide the chicken litter and we will enter into a formal agreement if planning is successful.

 

Local Residents – further comments have been received from local residents whose comments are already captured in the report.  The comments are as follows (summarised):-

·         Question why cattle manure is being removed from the site and does not appear to be included in the proposal but chicken manure would be imported to the site

·         Consider that too much of an assumption is made regarding the prevailing wind direction from the South-West and contend that on many occasions the wind will blow from other directions.

·         Do not consider the application meets the criteria of the relevant policies of the development plan nor the National Planning Policy Framework.  In particular draw out the locational criteria that it must be sited on a site used as an intensive livestock unit.

·         Also concerned that the site will be illuminated and fear the impact this would cause.

·         Have viewed the Committee Report and wish to object to this recommendation as the relevant traffic data has not been properly addressed.

·         Calculated potential traffic movements associated with importing 11,000 tons of maize to the site to be one trailer every 20 minutes for up to 12 hours per day, 7 days per week, plus movements to educational centre and 9,000 tonnes of digestate to be removed during planting season.

·         Concerned that traffic data for the proposed development and current movements have not been forthcoming from the applicant.  Note that the farm and fields have been rented out for some time and consequently conclude the applicant is operating a property rental business and not an operational farm which is why the traffic data for the farm is not available.

 

To date the necessary highway data to assess the application against relevant policies has not been provided and therefore the application is invalid.

 

Head of Planning Response – the applicant has not suggested that the anaerobic digestive plant is in connection with intensive livestock units and lack of compliance with this locational element of policy WLP11  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

130.

For a 499kW anaerobic digestion plant at Laburnum House, Main Road, Langrick - Wildmore Renewables Limited - (E)S96/2043/13 pdf icon PDF 194 KB

Minutes:

This application had been considered at a previous meeting of the Committee but had been deferred pending a site visit, which took place on 25 November 2013.

 

Since the submission of the report further information had been received as follows:-

 

The applicant had provided a revised Flood Risk Assessment to address the issues of the Environment Agency to confirm a 600 mm freeboard allowance above existing site levels.

 

East Lindsey District Council would undertake an odour assessment to examine the impact which were expected to be relatively low due to the location of feed stocks.  It was recommended that a condition to acquire an updated odour management scheme be attached to the permission. 

 

Josef Balodis representing the application addressed the Committee and the following was noted:

 

·   He thanked the Committee for visiting the site;

·   A two-stage anaerobic tank separated the processes therefore releasing methane and was complimentary to the current farming process;

·   Material that would usually go to waste would be processed to produce power and natural fertiliser;

·   No objections had been received from the consultees.

 

Overall Members were satisfied with the application, the management of the site and the location for the development.

 

On a motion proposed by Councillor W S Webb and seconded by Councillor D C Hoyes it was –

 

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

 

That permission be granted subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

 

131.

To extract 2.25 million tonnes of sand and gravel from land forming an extension to the Baston No 2 Quarry off Langtoft Outgang Road, Langtoft - Hanson Quarry Products Europe Ltd (Agent: Hanson Aggregates) - S50/0123/11 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

Neil McBride stated that 39.8 hectares would be worked over nine years.  If permission was granted, the development would not have any negative impacts subject to the completion of a Section 106 Planning Agreement and appropriate conditions.

 

Upon the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to provided £56,000 for the improvement of the Cross Road south of Langtoft Outgang Road, a routing agreement, extension of archaeological works, the restoration of the plant site area and a requirement for maintenance of the clay seals and long-term water management, conditional planning permission be granted.

 

On a motion by Councillor D Brailsford, seconded by Councillor C L Strange, it was

 

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

 

That subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106 Agreement planning permission be granted subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

132.

County Council Planning Applications

133.

For a North Sea Observatory and Cafe at Chapel Point, Chapel St Leonards - (E)N31/1987/13 pdf icon PDF 234 KB

Minutes:

Peter Fender, representing the applicant addressed the Committee and the following points were noted:

 

·   The view from Chapel Point were good, making this a very suitable site for the development;

·   The design had taken its inspiration from local beach huts;

·   Zinc had been chosen for the cladding and the building would have large windows, solar panels, public toilets, a café and an art space for local artists to display their work.

 

In answer to a question, the applicant confirmed that the observatory would be built on piles slightly behind the existing sea defences, to allow for elevation of the defences if required.

 

Members were full of enthusiasm for the development and its modern design and felt it would provide a nice façade to the coastline.

 

Issues were raised regarding the conservation of sand-dunes, however this would be covered by a condition.

 

On a motion by Councillor I G Fleetwood and seconded by Councillor D Brailsford, it was

 

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

 

That permission be granted subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

 

 
 
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