Agenda and minutes

Agreed that Councillor Richard Rendell be appointed Chair of the Planning Committee for the municipal year 2023/24.

Councillor Lady Dulcie Atkins was nominated for Vice Chair.

Councillor Cheryl Raynor was nominated for Vice Chair.

Following a vote it was agreed that Councillor Lady Dulcie Atkins be appointed Vice Chair of the Planning Committee for the municipal year 2023/24.

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

Councillor Amos declared an Other Significant Interest on Item A (22/00762/FULMAJ) as his property adjoined the site and 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 Kay declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest on Item A (22/00762/FULMAJ) as she was the ward and county councillor.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 26 April 2023 (already circulated by email).

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on the 26 April 2023 were approved as a correct record.

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

The committee noted the Schedule of Appeals lodged and decided between 15 April 2023 and 15 May 2023. The Chair invited any Member requiring any further details or clarification on the appeal 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) (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 158 dwellings with associated access, parking, landscaping, public open space and infrastructure.

Councillor Amos left the room.

The application was before members for determination for a second time after being deferred at a previous meeting to allow for further consideration of the layout, highway impacts and education matters by both Lancashire County Council (LCC) and the applicant.

A site visit 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. An updated response from Lancashire County Council was requested regarding school places. They have confirmed that an education contribution was not required in regards to this development. There had also been some amendments to the conditions after receiving one additional plan.

The Planning Development Manager confirmed that after further inspection of the submitted levels and sections plan, the levels could be incorrectly shown. Following the site visit and looking at additional photos, he explained that the existing levels gradually slope away from the rear gardens which is contrary to the sections plan. The Planning Development Manager proposed to update the conditionswith an amendment to condition 2 and the addition of 2 additional conditions.

The Planning Development Manager introduced the application. He stated that the site is a residential housing allocation under Policy SA1/3 of the Wyre Local Plan for a minimum of 153 dwellings.

With regards to the revised layout plan, the Planning Development Manager clarified that the application was reduced from 160 dwellings to 158. He explained that the properties had been moved further away from the boundary to improve the relationship with adjacent existing properties located on Bluebell Close. The amended layout exceeded the Council's usual requirements for separation and interface distances and was considered to avoid any harmful overlooking, overbearing or overshadowing impacts.

In relation to highway matters, the Planning Development Manager explained that LCC Highways were satisfied that the scope of Travel Plan (TP) and Transport Assessment (TA) was sufficient for the purposes of the application and likely impacts. They had also confirmed that the TA covered trip rates, committed developments and the growth of traffic over future years, which was in line with LCC Highways expectations for a TA. LCC Highways had also confirmed that the parking provision would meet with the parking standards set out in the Wyre Local Plan and would avoid any significant on-street parking issues.

The Planning Development Manager mentioned that because the application was reduced from 160 dwellings to 158, the number of affordable housing units had reduced from 48 to 47. He highlighted that the changes in numbers were policy compliant and equated to 30% and therefore would meet the requirements of Policy HP3.

With regard to the pumping station, the Planning Development Manager explained that the applicant had confirmed that direct access from a turning head was required, and the facility should be installed at the same level of the existing ground. The applicant had advised that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item PA.7

Erection of 1 dwelling (C3) with detached garage and orchard, and new access.

Councillor Amos returned to the room.

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

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

The Planning Development Manager introduced the report. The application proposed sought full planning consent for the erection of 1 dwelling (use class C3), with a vehicular access onto Cabus Nook Lane. He highlighted that the site was located in the countryside, outside of a settlement boundary and that the development would be contrary to the Development Plan in relation to the development strategy and countryside location, with particular conflict with Policies SP1 and SP4.

Kevin Taylor, the applicant, spoke against the officer recommendation.

Tim Brown, acting as the agent, spoke against the officer recommendation.

Councillors raised the following questions/concerns over:

·         Infill policy

·         Is the application harmful

·         No objection from the Parish Council

·         Outside the settlement boundary

The Head of Planning and Regeneration responded to the questions and concerns raised by members. In relation to the infill policy, the Wyre Local Plan did not include such a policy and decisions should have been taken in accordance with the Wyre Local Plan unless material considerations indicated otherwise. He reiterated that the development would cause harm to policies SP1 and SP4 of the Wyre Local Plan and referred to the assessments in the officer report.

Following discussion and a proposal by Councillor Lady Atkins, seconded by Councillor Stirzaker, it was resolved to refuse the application for the following reason:

The proposal, for a market dwelling and associated development, by reason of the location of the application site outside a defined settlement boundary, would introduce an inappropriate form of development in the countryside. The development would not constitute an acceptable form of development with particular regard to its countryside location. Relevant material considerations had been considered, but did not outweigh this inappropriate development in the countryside and conflicted with the development plan. Therefore, the development was contrary to Policies SP1 and SP4 of the Wyre Local Plan Partial Update (2011-2031) and the provisions of the NPPF.