Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies were received from Councillor Paul Bell, Councillor Jonathan Ekins and Councillor Lora Lawman, Councillor Philip Irwin attended as a Substitute for Councillor Paul Bell.

The Chair invited those who wished to do so to declare interests in respect of items on the agenda.

There were no declarations received.

RESOLVED:-

That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 15 December 2021, be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

Sub-division of land associated with no. 10 and a proposed 2 storey 3 bed 4 person dwellinghouse

Recommendation: Grant

The Committee considered an application for a sub-division of land associated with no 10 and a proposed 2 storey 3 bed 4 person dwellinghouse at 10 Howard Road, Wollaston.

The Senior Development Management Officer presented the report which detailed the proposal, description of the site, the planning history, relevant planning policies, outcome of consultations and an assessment of the proposal, providing full and comprehensive details.

The Committee considered the planning application report and noted additional information included in the Committee update report.

It was recommended that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Requests to address the meeting had been received from two objectors, Samantha Wornast and Chantelle Wornast-Humphreys. Under the Rules of Procedure for Speaking at the Planning Committee, the Chair used his discretion and accepted the request prior to the meeting for the second objector to address the Committee. Councillor John Mitchell, representing Wollaston Parish Council also requested to speak. The Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions of clarification.

The objectors, Samantha Wornast and Chantelle Wornast-Humphreys raised the following principal comments:

(i)            Strongly disagreed with the Parking Beat Survey in relation to 58 car parking spaces;

(ii)          Howard Road was the main road through the village;

(iii)         There could be up to 4 additional cars parked on an already busy road if the planning application was approved;

(iv)         Vehicles already struggle to pass through the road and vehicles are often heard beeping in the evenings as they are unable to get through;

(v)          No provision for any car parking now the side of 10 Howard Road is being allocated for a new house;

(vi)         There are blind bends on both corners of Howard Road;

(vii)        Some cars park fully on the path which is dangerous for pedestrians.

Councillor John Mitchell, representing Wollaston Parish Council raised the following principal comments:

(i)            Wollaston Parish Council object to the planning application;

(ii)          Others in the village are equally concerned;

(iii)         Wollaston has many Victorian streets and many issues are brought to the Parish Council in relation to parking and this proposal in Howard Road would aggravate the parking situation further;

(iv)         Wollaston Parish Council considered the Parking Beat Survey to be misleading and unreliable in relation to the 58 car parking spaces and the survey took no account of weekend parking. The Parish Council felt the survey should be scrutinised;

(v)          People park on both sides of the road which is unsafe;

(vi)         Policy had been ignored in relation to the Wollaston Neighbourhood Plan.

(vii)        Wollaston Parish Council requested a site visit.

The Chair then invited the Committee to determine the application.

During the debate, several members spoke with concern in relation to the Parking Beat Survey and the comments made by the speakers. Another member considered this application, if approved, would have an unacceptable impact on highway safety. A member advised that we cannot tell people where to park and appreciated this was an issue which brings an element of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

L shaped detached pigeon loft and shed located in rear garden (retrospective)

Recommendation: Grant

The Committee considered an application for an L shaped detached pigeon loft and shed located in rear garden (retrospective) at 25 Croyland Road, Wellingborough.

The Senior Development Management Officer presented the report which detailed the proposal, description of the site, the planning history, relevant planning policies, outcome of consultations and an assessment of the proposal, providing full and comprehensive details.

The Committee considered the planning application report.

It was recommended that planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in the report.

A request to address the meeting had been received from Russell Bradsford, as a supporter. The Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions of clarification.

Russell Bradsford, as a supporter, addressed the Committee and raised the following principal comments:

(i)            He was alarmed to read the objections submitted by a Councillor in the planning application report;

(ii)          The pigeon loft would be clean, and no vermin would be tolerated as this would be eradicated;

(iii)         In relation to noise, pigeons are silent after sunset;

(iv)         The speaker advised that pigeons live in their lofts and do not mix with feral pigeons;

(v)          There would be no risk from contamination as the pigeons are vaccinated against virus.

The Chair then invited the Committee to determine the application.

A member raised a query as to what would be done if rats became a problem. The Senior Development Management Officer responded that she had visited the site and the feed for the pigeons was located inside the loft, off the floor, therefore no food would be externally exposed. The officer confirmed that the Environmental Heath Team had raised no objections and she added that these are proper racing pigeons in a controlled environment.

It was proposed by Councillor King Lawal and seconded by Councillor Ken Harrington that planning permission be granted.

On being put to the vote, the motion for approval was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED:-

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions (and reasons) numbered 1 and 2 in the report.

RESOLVED:-

That the Appeal Information be noted.

RESOLVED:-

That the Delegated Officers’ report be noted.

(a)  22 Fullwell Road, Bozeat;

(b)  32 New Street, Earls Barton (including costs decision notice);

(c)  Land adjacent 15 Arthur Street, Wellingborough.

RESOLVED:-

That the Planning Appeal Decision Letters be noted.