Agenda and minutes

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Councillors Melanie Coleman, Kirk Harrison and Lora Lawman.  Councillors Tim Allebone and Michael Tye attended as substitutes.

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

The following informal site visits were declared:

·           31 Montague Street, Rushden (NE/23/00267/FUL) – Councillors Bert Jackson and Michael Tye.

·           Bungalow, A6 Irthlingborough Bypass, Irthlingborough (NE/21/01799/FUL) – Councillor Bert Jackson.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Area Planning Committee (Thrapston) held on 10 May 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Area Planning Committee (Wellingborough) held on 24 May 2023 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.

The Committee considered an application for the construction of a shed/workshop at the end of the garden.

The Principal Development Management Officerpresented 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.

A request to address the meeting had been received from Alex Greengrass, the applicant and the Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

Mr Greengrass addressed the Committee and advised that he had now reduced the height of the building from the previous application, which now meant there was a lower roof line and therefore no loss of daylight for surrounding gardens.  He would not be using the building in a commercial capacity so would not be using it during unsocial hours.

The Chair invited the Committee to determine the application.

During debate on the application, the following points were made:

(i)            This was a similar application to the previous one, where the principle of development had been established at appeal.  The previous refusal reasons had now appeared to be addressed.

(ii)          It was noted that there was now a lower roof line for the development, and it was suggested that it should be conditioned that the ground levels be approved by the Planning Authority.

It was proposed by Councillor Andy Mercer and seconded by Councillor Tim Allebone that planning permission be granted, subject to the conditions set out in the report and an additional condition relating to the finished ground levels.

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) in the report and an additional condition relating to the finished ground levels.

The Committee considered an application for the construction of a garden centre and plant nursery with associated parking and formation of a dedicated right turn junction on the A6.

The Principal Development Management Officerpresented 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 Councillor John Farrar, Irthlingborough Town Council; Councillor Dorothy Maxwell, the Ward Member and Sam Bosworth, the applicant and the Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions for clarification.

Councillor Dorothy Maxwell addressed the Committee and fully welcomed the proposed development.  It would help the economy in Irthlingborough and create employment and also complement existing developments.  It would also help the local schools.  It would support the regeneration of Irthlingborough, and a business of this type would be a massive benefit to the local area.

Councillor John Farrar addressed the Committee and stated that the development would bring greater diversity to the town.  The Town Council would ask that if any S106 was generated that it be split between the town’s three schools for sustainability/environment issues.

Mr Bosworth addressed the Committee and stated that he was the third generation of his family to run the business.  It was a family run business with supportive staff.  Garden centres were unique businesses and plants would be the central core business.  Growth was restricted at the current site and they had looked to relocate a number of years ago.  The new development would be positive to the economy of the local area.  There would also be a range of job opportunities.  There were currently 70 employees and it was envisaged to grow, especially in catering.  He welcomed the positive recommendation.

The Chair invited the Committee to determine the application.

During debate on the application, the following points were made:

(i)            In response to a question as to whether an additional condition was required in case there was any evidence of reptiles on the site, officers confirmed that if there were any reptiles, they would be protected by other legislation and an additional condition was not needed.

(ii)          There was no reference in the conditions for the drainage system to be maintained in perpetuity.  Officers advised that an additional sentence could be added to condition 10.

(iii)         A number of the conditions in the report were duplicated.  Officers undertook to remove any duplicated conditions.

(iv)         In relation to condition 31, it did not mention that fire suppression systems should be maintained and tested.  Officers undertook to add that systems should be maintained and tested at scheduled intervals.

(v)          All of the existing boundary hedges should be retained as they had considerable value.  Officers undertook to make it clear about what the Council’s expectations would be as an informative.

(vi)         No mention was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

There were no Delegated Officers report.

The Chair thanked members, officers and the public for their attendance and closed the meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.15pm.