Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs M J Overton MBE.

Councillor I G Fleetwood requested that it be noted that in relation to agenda item 5.1 he was also a member of West Lindsey District Council and was Leader of the Opposition.  However, he confirmed he had not discussed this with anyone.

Councillor TJ N Smith requested that it be noted in relation to agenda item 5.1 that he was also a member of West Lindsey District Council, and a member of the Planning Committee.  He also confirmed that he had not discussed the application with anyone.  He also stated that he had not discussed this application with his employer, as registered on his DPI form.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Planning and Regulation Committee held on 5 June 2023be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

A report was received which invited the Committee to consider an objection to proposed waiting restrictions on Roman Bank at its junction with Brancaster Drive in Skegness.

The Programme Leader – Traffic introduced the report and shared a presentation which detailed the areas under consideration.

It was noted that one resident had objected as the proposed restrictions extended across their property frontage and driveway.  The issues raised were considered and the scheme had been revised via a minor modification so the extent of the restrictions were reduced as shown in Appendix C to the report.

On a motion proposed by Councillor T R Ashton, and seconded by Councillor P A Skinner, it was:

RESOLVED (unanimous)

That the minor modification as indicated in Appendix C of the report be approved and the objection to the revised scheme be overruled so that the Order, as advertised, may be introduced.

A report was received which invited the Committee to consider a request for an extension to the existing 30mph speed limit on the A1500, to the west of the village centre of Sturton by Stow.  Investigations had indicated that this location may be considered a ‘Borderline Case’, as defined in the Council’s speed limit policy.

The Programme Leader - Traffic introduced the report and shared a presentation which detailed the area under consideration.

On a motion proposed by Councillor I G Fleetwood, seconded by Councillor P A Skinner, it was:

RESOLVED

That the 30mph speed limit extension as proposed be approved so that the necessary consultation process to bring it into effect may be pursued.

A report was received which invited the Committee to consider an extension of the 30mph limit on the B1191 through Woodhall Spa to replace the existing 40mph limit.  Investigations had indicated that this site may be considered a ‘Borderline Case’, as defined within the Council’s Speed Limit Policy.

The Programme Leader – Traffic introduced a report and presentation which detailed the area under consideration.

Members discussed the proposal, and it was commented that there had been a substantial amount of building work along that road, it was also highlighted that there were long term plans for a number of housing developments along this road which would increase pressure on the Mill Lane junction.  The 30mph limit would be very important for ensuring the safety of existing and future residents.

On a motion proposed by Councillor I G Fleetwood, seconded by Councillor T R Ashton it was:

RESOLVED (unanimous)

That the 30mph speed limit extension as proposed be approved so that the necessary consultation process to bring it into effect may be pursued.

Consideration was given to a report which outlined an application by Gate Burton Solar for a Development Consent Order for install solar PV panels to generate 530MW, on site battery storage with 500MW/h capacity and associated infrastructure including access provision and an underground 7.5km 400kV electrical connections to the National Grid Substation at Cottam Power Station.

The Head of Planning advised that councillors had received presentations over the past 12 months from a number of developers who were bringing forward applications under the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) regime prior to the projects being formally submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. 

The Head of Planning also advised that the Executive Councillor for Economic Development, Environment and Planning had requested that the Committee should be made aware that an objection had been made to the Mallard Pass Solar Project, and due to the timescales set by the Planning Inspectorate it had not been possible to bring a report to the Planning and Regulation Committee to gather formal comments on the project and the Local Impact Report. 

The Committee was reminded that the Council was not the decision maker on this application, and its role was to submit a Local Impact Assessment.  The report presented to this meeting also set out the background in terms of the process.  

Mr James Hartley-Bond spoke on behalf of the applicant and made the following points:

·       Thanks were extended to the officers for their effort, diligence and professionalism when working with us throughout the preparation of the DCO application for the Gate Burton Energy Park and for the presentation of a broadly fair Local Impact Report. 

·       It was pleasing that there are a number of areas where the positive impacts were recognised, notably the significant amount of clean, renewable energy created which would power over 150,000 homes per annum and reducing CO2 emissions by 8.5 million tonnes.

·       This also delivered one of the lowest cost forms of electricity generation thereby making a contribution to everyone’s bills.

·       The project as proposed would also deliver an estimated biodiversity net again of 70% for area based habitats, 37% hedgerows and 14% for river habitats. 

·       It was also noted that there were opportunities for employment and additional spend in the area, particularly during the construction phase.

·       There were a number of areas where only neutral impacts or no issues were identified, which included highways, flooding, fire and rescue, minerals, cultural heritage.  The Gate Burton project team had worked hard to reduce impacts and have removed solar panels to provide buffers around historic assets, water courses, properties and to reduce ecological landscape and visual impacts.

·       As commented in the report, there was a continued dialogue with the council to explore a reduction in the vegetation removal around accesses where it was hoped that an agreement could be reached.

·       It was encouraging that the Local Impact Report only identified a limited number of areas of concern. 

·       Regarding the use of agricultural land, whilst it represents a long term use, it would be reversible,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.