Agenda and minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillors David Sims and Keli Watts

It was noted that Councillor Lyn Buckingham was present as a substitute for Councillor Keli Watts.

The chair asked members to declare any interests on items present on the agenda.

Councillor Kevin Watt declared a pecuniary interest on item 3.3 and notified the chair that he would vacate his position on the committee during deliberation of the item.

The Committee considered the following application for planning permission, which were set out in the Development Control Officers Report and supplemented verbally and in writing at the meeting. Four speakers attended the meeting and spoke on applications in accordance with the Right to Speak Policy. One written statement was also provided and read aloud by chair in accordance with the Right to Speak Policy.

The reports included details of applications and, where applicable, results of statutory consultations and representations which had been received from interested bodies and individuals, and the Committee reached the following decisions:-.

Members received a report about a proposal for which planning permission was being sought for a proposed engineering and enabling works to level the site. Planning permission was also being sought for proposed B2 (general industrial) employment uses with all matters reserved except access at Land Off Centrix Business Park, Napier Road, Corby, Northamptonshire for Storefield Group Limited.

The Development 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.

It was recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the committee report and subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement relating to the highways, local benefits and environmental contribution and mitigation.

Requests to address the meeting had been received from Alison Mitchell, the agent on behalf of the applicant and the Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

The agent stated that the proposed site was an allocated site for employment use and would provide significant employment opportunities for residents. It was also stated that the site was a derelict brown field site and the creation of the engineered platform would help to cap the site and minimise contamination associated at the site.

The Chair invited the Committee to determine the application

Members raised questions regarding flood risk, biodiversity net gain and the favourable requirement to ensure that secure remediation works take place in order to facilitate contaminated land.

Following debate it was proposed by Councillor Smyth and seconded by Councillor Dearing that the application be approved in line with the officer’s recommendation.

It was RESOLVED that:

It was agreed that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions and subject to the conditions set out in the committee report and subject to the completion of a Section 106 Agreement relating to the highways, local benefits and environmental contribution and mitigation.

1. Application for approval of the reserved matters shall be made to the council before the expiration of 3 years from the date of this permission. The development hereby permitted shall begin no later than the expiration of 2 years from the date of approval of the last of the reserved matters to be approved.

2. The development shall conform in all aspects with the plans and details shown in the application as listed below, unless variations are agreed by the Local Planning Authority in order to discharge other conditions attached to this decision:

-       Site Location Plan, Dwg. No.- GM10604-004, Rev-B

-       Phasing Plan - Built Development, Dwg. No.- GM10604-008, Rev-C

-       Planning, Design and Access Statement, ref: 0005, January 2021

-       Environmental Statement, ref: REP-0003 , V- V0.1A, January 2021

-       Supplementary Environmental Information-  Appendix 11.4 Dust Management Plan May 2021

-       Supplementary Environmental Information- Chapter 10: Noise

-       Non-Technical Summary, ref: REP-0003, V0.1, January 2021

-       Preliminary Investigation Report (Desk study and site reconnaissance), ref: STP3966D-P01, Revision 2, March 2019

-       Ground Investigation Report,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Members received a report about a proposal for which full planning permission was being sought for the Erection of an Entry Level Exception Site of 22 Dwellings, Associated Infrastructure and Landscaping at Land South Of

Kettering Road, Weldon for Wulff Asset Management Limited.

The Development 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.

It was recommended that planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 Legal Agreement.

Requests to address the meeting had been received from Cllr Colin Shepard, representative of Weldon Parish Council and Sam Silcoks, Agent on behalf of the applicant and the Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

Cllr Shepard raised objections to the proposed application due to the appropriateness of the proposed site in relation to the neighbouring settlement and also raised concerns regarding potential detrimental impacts the proposed application would have on neighbouring amenity.

Sam Silcocks addressed the committee and provided a brief outline for the proposed development and stated the application would provide needed affordable housing to address the local housing requirements.

The Chair invited the Committee to determine the application.

Members raised concerns regarding the historic use of the land and the potential for contaminated land which included harmful gases and odours for local residents. Concerns were also raised by members in relation to the isolated location of the proposed site in relation to local residential amenity as well as concerns regarding highways safety and sustainability.

Following debate it was proposed by Councillor Best and seconded by Councillor Watt that the application be refused contrary to the officers recommendation.

It was RESOLVED that:

It was agreed that the application be REFUSED for the following reasons:

1. The proposal is located in an unsustainable isolated location which would result in significant harm in terms of residential amenity for any future resident which cannot be outweighed by economic or social benefits that may result from the proposed development. The proposal is therefore contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework 2021 and Policies 1, 8 and 13 of the North Northamptonshire Core Spatial Strategy (2016).

2. Insufficient information has been submitted to allow a full assessment of the potential risk to the development from landfill gas of the historic landfill site which is 250m away from the application site. Due to this the proposal is contrary to Policy 8 of the North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy (2016).

3. The applicant has failed to complete a suitable S.106 Agreement to deliver the contributions required in terms of early years, primary education, secondary education, library, provision of 2m wide footpath link and details of affordable housing provision. The proposed development would be contrary to the requirements of policies 7, 10 and 30 of the North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy (2016), Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Document (2017) and the advice contained within the National  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Members received a report about a proposal for which retrospective planning permission was being sought for the Insertion of a window to first-floor side elevation of existing garage at 4 Appleton Gardens, Gretton, for Mr Fitzgerald.

The Development 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.

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

Requests to address the meeting had been received from Sarah Charlton-Collis, third party objector as well as a written statement from   Daniel Fitzgerald, the applicant and the Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

Sarah Charlton Collis addressed the committee and raised concerns as well as objections to the application in relation to privacy and overlooking issues.

Daniel Fitzgerald submitted a written statement that was read aloud to the chair which spoke in support of the application and provided context to the members in terms of use of the garage.

The Chair invited the Committee to determine the application

Members raised questions in relation to seeking an adequate compromise for all parties involved. It was heard that any changes to the transparency of the subject window may also result in a loss of light to the applicant.

Following debate it was proposed by Councillor Smyth and seconded by Councillor Best that the application be approved in line with the officer’s recommendation.

It was RESOLVED that:

It was agreed that the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions

1. The in-situ window development shall be retained in accordance with the plans and details hereby approved, unless otherwise agreed by the Local Planning Authority.

Schedule of Plans

FLOOR PLAN _ ELEVATIONS 0010/20/FA      22.02.2023

(Members voted on the officers’ recommendation to approve the application)

(Voting: For 6, Against 5)

The application was therefore

APPROVED

ITEM WITHDRAWN

Members received an update which stated that officers had reviewed the above application scheduled for the North Area Committee for the 7th June and following officer discussions, had requested that this item be withdrawn from the agenda with immediate effect.

Officers’ considered it necessary to re-assess data relating to the micro and macro need for the proposed care home and its specific use within Class 2. This was important due to the site’s location in open countryside which also included a garden centre and café. 

This delay would have also allowed for a further assessment of the Biodiversity and Landscape visual matters relevant in this case.

To conclude, Officers’ considered that further information would be required from the applicant, before the application can proceed to be considered by members.

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