Agenda and minutes

Members will disclose any pecuniary and any other significant interests they may have in relation to the matters under consideration.

Councillor Kay declared that she had facilitated a community meeting to supply residents with the site plans. She said that she had not commented at the meeting and she had not predetermined herself. She also told the committee that she was the ward and county councillor.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 07 December 2022 (already circulated by email).

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on the 7 December 2022 were approved as a correct record.

The Schedule of Appeals lodged and decided between 15 November 2022 – 15 December 2022, is attached.

The committee noted the Schedule of Appeals lodged and decided between 15 November – 15 December 2022, as set out on pages 3-8 of the agenda pack. Any member requiring any further details or clarification on any appeal was invited to contact the relevant case officer.

Background Papers:

In preparing the reports on this agenda the following documents have been used:

1.            The Wyre Borough Local Plan (2011-2031)

2.            Draft Revised Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan

3.            Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan

4.            Statements of Government Policy/guidance (NPPF, NPPG, Ministerial Statements etc.)

5.            Supplementary Planning Guidance and evidence base documents specifically referred to in the reports

6.            The application file (as per the number at the head of each report)

7.            The forms, plans, committee reports and decisions as appropriate for the historic applications specifically referred to in the reports

8.            Any additional information specifically referred to in each report.

These background documents are available on line, or for inspection by a written request to Planning Services, Civic Centre, Breck Road, Poulton-le-Fylde, FY6 7PU.

Reports of the Head of Planning Services on planning applications to be determined at this meeting:

Erection of 160 dwellings with associated access, parking, landscaping, public open space and infrastructure.

The application was before members for determination as the application site fell within an allocated site in the Wyre Local Plan and was of strategic importance. The application had also been called in by Councillor Kay.

A site visit occurred to enable members to understand the site context beyond the plans submitted and site photographs taken by the case officer.

An update sheet was published on the council’s website, the information only having become available after the original agenda was published. The committee considered the update sheet, which contained an additional consultation response from Natural England with no objections, and a policy update with the emerging Partial Local Plan which was to be approved at Full Council on the 26 January 2023; it also contained amendments to condition 2 (approved plans) following a colour layout plan and sectional drawing being provided.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration gave a verbal update to the committee prior to the presentation on the application. He informed the meeting that within the hour prior to the start of the meeting, the Education Authority (Lancashire County Council) had amended their financial contribution requirements from £0 to £247,530. He therefore recommended to the committee that they approved the application with the amended requirements for the Section 106 agreement that would result in consequential changes to the officer report at paragraphs 6.3, 9.31 and 12.1.

The Planning Development Manager introduced the application. He stated that the site had been identified within the Local Plan for housing development of a minimum of 153 dwellings. He addressed many of the concerns raised by councillors and residents during the consultation period. He also explained the proposed drainage plan for the site, specifically the pumping station and addressed the concerns raised by residents’ objections. He reiterated the financial contributions proposed to be secured through planning obligations, with Green Infrastructure (GI - £55,929), contributions towards health services (£97,915) and contributions towards highways (£162,000) and education (£247,530).

The Chair asked for clarification on the dwelling allocation for the site as part of the Local Plan. The Planning Development Manager clarified that the 153 dwellings proposed in the Local Plan was a minimum capacity figure, with an increase being acceptable as long as other considerations were met.

The Chair opened the public speaking portion of the meeting.

Kevin Barker spoke in objection to the application.

Wayne Weight spoke in objection to the application.

Sheryl Corcoran spoke in objection to the application.

Trudi Daniels spoke in objection to the application.

Owing to the exceptional nature of the item, the Chair moved to allow Councillor E Ellison, ward councillor for Bourne ward and adjoining ward councillor for the application, to speak at the meeting. She read out an objection letter from Thornton Action Group.

John Matthews, the Design Manager for Eccleston Homes, spoke in favour of the application.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration addressed the points raised during the public speaking item.

In relation to the pumping station, there were approved plans for this submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item PA.44