Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Ballard declared an Other Significant Interest on Item A (21/01477/FULMAJ) as he felt his participation may give rise to the perception of a conflict of interest and/or was likely to prejudice his judgement, therefore he left the room before the item was being discussed and had no involvement in the decision making.

Councillor Orme declared an Other Significant Interest on Item B (22/01306/FUL) in that he is a Councillor of Preesall Town Council where he had not taken part in deliberations on this application. He did not consider that this gave rise to a perception of a conflict of interest and/or was likely to prejudice his judgement, nor did it amount to an issue of pre-determination and bias and therefore he stayed in the meeting and spoke and voted upon the item.

Councillor Moon declared an Other Significant Interest on Item B (22/01306/FUL) as he had been contacted by the residents nearby. He did not consider that this gave rise to a perception of a conflict of interest and/or was likely to prejudice his judgement, nor did it amount to an issue of pre-determination and bias and therefore he stayed in the meeting and spoke and voted upon the item.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 05 April 2023 (already circulated by email).

The minutes for the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 5 April 2023 were confirmed as a correct record by those who were in attendance.

The Schedule of Appeals lodged and decided between 15 March 2023 – 15 April 2023, is attached.

The committee noted the Schedule of Appeals lodged and decided between 15 March 2023 and 15 April 2023. The Chairman invited any Member requiring any further details or clarification on the appeal to contact the relevant case officer.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration highlighted that with regards to application 14/00241/ENF, there was a statutory challenge.

Background Papers:

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

1.            The Wyre Borough Local Plan (2011-2031) (incorporating partial update of 2022)

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 13 No. affordable dwellings.

Councillor Ballard left the room.

The application was before members for determination as similar schemes at this site had previously been considered by the Planning Committee in April 2018 and February 2020.

A site visit had occurred to enable members to understand the proposal beyond the plans submitted and the 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 additional consultee responses which were acknowledged by officers.

The Planning Development Manager introduced the report. He highlighted that the site was within the settlement boundary. The application sought full permission for the erection of 13 affordable dwellings to be served by a new access off the access road to the Fleetwood Training Ground.

Councillors raised the following questions/concerns over:

·         Drainage strategy

·         Affordable to buy dwellings instead of affordable to rent

·         Residents

·         Traffic

·         Resident permit parking only

·         Solar panels

·         Allotments

The Planning Development Manager clarified that solar panels were not proposed within the application. However, from 15 June 2023 building regulations legislation will require that new development meets revised energy efficiency standards.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration responded to the questions and concerns raised by members. In relation to “residents only” permits or other traffic restrictions, he explained that it was up to the Highway Authority for a traffic regulation order.

The Chair asked the Head of Planning and Regeneration to contact LCC Highways and ask for them to consider a residents parking scheme to alleviate any problems with traffic from Poolfoot Farm Training Complex.

The Planning Development Manager clarified that it was a desire in 2014 for the development to include 23 allotments. The layout for application (21/01477/FULMAJ) was just a pedestrian access through the site and would not prevent access to land to the west of the site from being developed as an allotment (as approved under a separate application). The delivery of an allotment was a separate proposal to application (21/01477/FULMAJ).

Councillor Orme proposed the recommendation to approve the application to the committee, and Councillor Amos seconded the proposal. It was resolved to approve the application subject to the conditions set out below and subject to a section 106 legal agreement to secure onsite affordable housing and to secure an appropriate financial contribution towards green infrastructure and healthcare, and that the Head of Planning and Regeneration be authorised to issue planning permission upon satisfactory completion of the S106 agreement.

Conditions:

1.         The development must be begun before the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

Reason: This condition is required to be imposed pursuant to Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.         The development shall be carried out, except where modified by the conditions to this permission, in accordance with the Planning Application received by the Local Planning Authority on  ...  view the full minutes text for item PA.67

Part single storey and two storey front extension, with altered car parking layout to include additional parking.

Councillor Ballard returned to the room.

The application was brought before members for consideration at the request of Councillor Paul Moon.

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

The Planning Development Manager introduced the report. He highlighted that the site was within the settlement boundary. The application proposed was a front extension - part single-storey, part two-storey.

He clarified that there was a reconfiguration of parking to accommodate the extension. With reference to the loss of a tree to the west of the site, the application acknowledged that in condition four.

John Macphee, on behalf of the medical centre as the practice manager, spoke in favour of the application.

Councillors Ballard and Lady D Atkins asked questions of the speaker.

The Chair explained that he brought this to the committee due to neighbourhood concerns and praised the process of the application in responding to neighbour concerns and resulting in a revised application. He ended the public speaking portion of the meeting and opened up the members’ debate.

Councillor Ballard mentioned that the tree to be removed should not be removed during the nesting seasons.

Councillor Le Marinel highlighted the importance of solar panels for the environment.

Councillor Orme reiterated what the Chair had said earlier and applauded the process of the revised plan. He had one concern over the accessibility for all to the top floor.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration responded to the questions and concerns raised by members. In relation to solar panels, he clarified that there was no policy requirement within the local plan. He explained that energy efficiency is subject to another regulatory regime, as is accessible use, and commented on permitted development rights regarding retrofitting. He referred to the proposed conditions relating to a tree protection plan and landscaping respectively.

The Chair proposed the recommendation to approve the application to the committee, and Councillor Orme seconded the proposal. It was resolved to approve the application and grant full planning consent subject to the conditions set out below.

Conditions:

1.         The development must be begun before the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

Reason: This condition is required to be imposed pursuant to Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.         The development shall be carried out, except where modified by the conditions to this permission, in accordance with the Planning Application received by the Local Planning Authority on 22.12.22 including the following plans/documents:

- Location plan 6473-E00

- Proposed site plan 6473 P01 REV B

- Proposed ground floor site plan 6473 P02 REV B

- Proposed floor plans 6473 P03 REV B

- Proposed elevations 6473 P04 REV B

The development shall be retained hereafter in accordance with this detail.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and so that the Local Planning Authority shall  ...  view the full minutes text for item PA.68

Change of use of a dwelling (C3) to a childrens home (C2) for up to 1 child aged 8-18, cared for by up to three carers in the daytime and two carers overnight.

The application was brought before members for consideration at the request of Councillor Lady Atkins.

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

The Planning Officer introduced the report. She highlighted that the property was located within the Countryside as identified in the Wyre Local Plan (2011-2031). The application was for the proposed change of use from residential dwelling (Use Class C3) to children's care home (Use Class C2) for the care of one child between the age of 8-18 and up to three carers in the daytime with two carers overnight.

Susan White spoke in objection to the application.

Louise Jackson, on behalf of Cabus Parish Council, spoke in objection to the application.

The Chair ended the public speaking portion of the meeting and opened up the members’ debate.

Councillors raised the following questions/concerns over:

·         Shift patterns

·         Traffic

·         Services or facilities

·         Paths and street lighting

·         Private vehicles

·         Safeguarding concerns for children

·         Applications were from companies outside the area

·         Not catering for young people on the Lancashire system

·         Original plan was for more children

The Chair reminded the committee to focus on the proposed change of use from residential dwelling to children's care home.

The Head of Planning and Regeneration clarified that the highway authority had no objections. He also explained that the conditions proposed would limit the use to one child and that internal arrangements were not the subject of planning control. He highlighted that the committee should be concerned with the sustainability considerations between the lawful C3 existing use and the proposed C2 use, focusing on the difference.

He explained that there was a document in the application provided by the applicant with information about the individual child, the need for care and support, and why they wanted this location but emphasised that this was not a personal application.

Councillor Ballard proposed the recommendation to approve the application to the committee, and Councillor Moon seconded the proposal. It was resolved to approve the application and grant planning permission subject to the conditions set out below.

Conditions:

1.         The development must be begun before the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

            Reason: This condition is required to be imposed pursuant to Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.         The development shall be carried out, except where modified by the conditions to this permission, in accordance with the Planning Application received by the Local Planning Authority on 06.12.2022 including the following plans/documents:

            - Site Location Plan (received 15.03.2023)

            - Site Layout Plan ref.ML/SW/6209 (received 15.03.2023)

            - Proposed Floor Plans (received 19.01.2023)

            The development shall be retained hereafter in accordance with this detail.

            Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and so that the Local Planning Authority shall be satisfied as to the details.

3.         The premises shall be used for a children's residential  ...  view the full minutes text for item PA.69