PTC 2023 Minutes

The Minutes of the Planning & Transport Committee meeting held on Tuesday 14th November 2023 at 7.00pm at the Institute. 

Present: Councillors Denman, Dilks, Rose, Shinkins-Hoppe, Smith and Stevens. 
The Minutes were taken by the Assistant Clerk Louise Brown.

64.24 To receive apologies of absence.
Apologies were received from Cllr Bowell and Cllr Gilbert.

65.24 To receive declarations of interest, if any.
Cllr Denman declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 68.24 on employment grounds.

66.24 To agree the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 17th October 2023.
PTC 2023 Minutes – Deeping St James Parish Council (lincolnshire.gov.uk)
The Minutes were agreed as a true representative and signed.

67.24 To receive reports from the Clerk. 
An appendix (2) was shared advising Councillors of the details below.

There is a change in access to planning applications online.  
Appendix 3 explained to the Councillors how to use the new SKDC Planning online system.

Application S23/1813 with a short deadline was discussed at Full Council:
S23/1813
Applicant: Mr B Fallows
Proposal: Demolish existing detached single storey garage/utility room and construct
new detached utility room with storage to loft space,
increase width of existing dropped kerb access
Location: 125 Eastgate, Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, PE6 8RB,
App Type: Householder
DSJPC – Objected

Application No: S23/1815.
Applicant: The Clerk.
Proposal: Two new bus shelters.
Location: Street Record , Brewton Drive/Linchfield Road, Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, PE6 8GR.
App Type: Full Planning Permission.
DSJPC – Noted.

Application S23/1877 with a short deadline, was sent out to all Councillors for thoughts via email:
S23/1877
Applicant: Iris Philips
Proposal: Section 211 notice to reduce 1 x Ash tree in the rear garden to previous
points, 2-4m, raise by 2-3m.
Location: 9 Church Street, Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, PE6 8HF,
App Type: Trees in CA - Section 211 Notice
DSJPC - No objections.

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe has written a response for Lincolnshire County Council, with reference to the Baston Gravel Extraction, Case PL/0070/23.  
Please see appendix 4 for information.
Cllr Denman has advised that he has also completed a report to send to LCC with regards to the ecological aspects.  Unfortunately, the deadline of the 12 November has passed, however, the clerk has sent it in anyway in the hopes it is read by the relevant officer.

S23/1248 & S23/1249 The Deepings Library.  There is public speaking at the Planning Committee in Grantham on the 8th November 2023, regarding the full planning permission.  Councillors are not required to attend as our supportive response has been sent.

68.24 Review of Deepings Neighbourhood Plan and Prospective Design Code Work.
Cllr Smith provided an appendix detailing information regarding progress of the Deepings Neighbourhood Plan (DNP) and a review of improving the influence on the design of new developments.  On the Design Code, please see Appendix 5 for information.

The Neighbourhood Plan Team have been working with AECOM on the design code for the Deepings.  District Councillor Dilks welcomes this.
There are plans to present a display for the residents of the Deepings at the Christmas Fayre to get the information out to all and meet criteria of consulting the public.  The consultation will continue to review of the Neighbourhood Plan, with the aim of keeping the plan current and accurate.

On 2nd November 2023, there was a very useful meeting held between the Neighbourhood Plan Team, including representatives of both Deeping St James Parish Council, Market Deeping Town Council and members of SKDC Planning Department detailing:
How major planning applications are addressed
Neighbourhood Plan Group as a Consultee
Local Plan Progress and involvement of DNP Group
Local Plan to advance new sites in addition to present ones (TBC)
Planning Enforcement protocols involving the Parish
New Planning IT System
Warnings regarding Freedom of Information requests and Parishes
The Deepings are considered an example of good practice as the DNP team is proactive with planning issues.  Notes of this meeting are available from Councillor Smith.

On 6th November 2023, there was a meeting with Allison Homes regarding the potential 680-housing site for Linchfield Road/Towngate East.  Various things were discussed such as key constraints, retirement living, developing a masterplan, presented as a hybrid application.  Councillors discussed the need to monitor this planning development.  Notes of this meeting are available from Councillor Smith.

69.24 To receive an update regarding the Brewton Drive/Streton Gardens playpark and attenuation pond. ENF23/0238

Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe raised concerns about the state of the playground and attenuation pond and whether they would meet RoSPA standards.  Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe has been in contact with the Site Manager and arrangements have been made by the Manager to have the provisions checked.
SKDC Enforcement have been monitoring the site.
Councillor Shinkins-Hoppe and Dist. Cllr Dilks are to confer.

70.24 To receive and consider the following Planning Applications and put forward recommendations to the next Council Meeting, or make decisions in accordance with the Committee’s delegated powers:
SKDC Planning Applications System

S23/1462.
Applicant: Mr Mark Kirkby.
Proposal: Retrospective listed building application for urgent roof works.
Location: Caterpillar Day Nursery, 100 Bridge Street, Deeping St James, Lincolnshire,
PE6 8EH.
App Type: Listed Building Consent.

DSJPC - Support this planning application under delegated powers.

71.24 To report the outcome of previous Planning Applications:
SKDC Planning Applications System

Application No: S23/1889.
Proposal: British Telecommunications Plc intends to install fixed line broadband electronic communications apparatus.
Location: 40 Wade Park Avenue Market Deeping Lincolnshire.
SKDC – No objections.
DSJPC – Not consulted.

Application No: S23/1638.
Applicant: Mr K Sweeney.
Proposal: Supply and install 72 No PV solar panels with a maximum output of 29.16 kWp.
Location: Linchfield County Primary School Crowson Way Deeping St James Lincolnshire PE6 8EY.
Decision/Date Details not required - 19th October 2023.
SKDC – Permitted development.
DSJPC – Not consulted.

Application No: S23/1835.
Proposal: Proposed Telecommunications base station upgrade.
Location: Linchfield Motors Linchfield Road Deeping.
I refer to your Part 16 Telecoms Notification received on 4th October 2023.
SKDC - This authority has no objection to the proposal.
DSJPC – Not consulted.

Application No: S23/1661.
Applicant: Khela.
Proposal: Addition of two new rooflights to front elevation.
Location: 98A Bridge Street Deeping St James Lincolnshire PE6 8HA.
Decision/Date 3rd November 2023.
SKDC – Grants Planning Permission.
DSJPC – No objections.

72.24 To agree the date of the next meeting.
Tuesday 12th December 2023 at 7pm.

Meeting closed 7:59pm.

Appendix 3 - How to search for a Planning Application

Appendix 4 - Comments for Objection to Gravel Extraction Baston

Objection to Planning Application PL/0070/23  Cemex UK Operations Ltd.  The Extraction of sand, gravel and aggregate at Thetford Farm, Baston.

Effects on wildlife and the natural environment

1. The proposed extraction site is close to the SSSI at Thurlby Slipe Nature Reserve where over 210 species of plants are supported – some of which are classed as rare.  It also supports over 109 species of birds and 23 varieties of butterflies.  Concerns exist that the noise and dust from the extraction will affect this protected site.

2. The proposed site is also close to the Baston Fen Nature Reserve – another SSS1 – where Cranes have been nesting.  This site must be protected and again concerns exist that the noise and dust will disturb these birds who have only returned very recently after an absence of some 400 years. 

3. There is a plan over the next 25-50 years for the South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project to restore to wetlands,  an area of up to 800 ha between Baston, Thurlby and Deeping Fen.  It is intended that these will form part of a wider proposed for wetland restoration across large areas of the East Midlands.  This project will have many benefits for those local communities including employment, opportunities for educational, leisure and recreational facilities.  The planned gravel extraction will destroy the very land this project is working to restore.

Effects on Highways and Communities

1. The A15 is already a very busy road with heavy traffic at certain times of day.  A substantial increase in traffic – particularly gravel lorries joining the A15 at a busy junction, could give rise to more accidents if suitable traffic control is not installed.

2. The A15 is the only bus route linking Bourne and the villages to the Deepings.  School buses and standard service buses are dropping off and collecting passengers along this busy route.  The addition of a number of heavy lorries could cause considerable difficulties for those using public transport.

3. There are a number of businesses along the A15 near to where the proposed quarry is proposed.  Access to businesses such as Waterside Garden Centre, the two BP garages, the Caravan storage facility and the public house at Langtoft will be affected by the additional heavy traffic.

4. Surrounding villages will be affected by the deterioration in local roads, spilt gravel on roundabouts giving rise to concern for those travelling on two wheels.  Air pollution can also be an issue due to the increased traffic and the close proximity of the proposed site to the primary school in Baston and local housing.  

5. The area around Baston, Langton, West Deeping and Market Deeping has been heavily quarried for a number of years.  As a result, there are vast areas of open water which have been left unmanaged by the Quarry owners.  There is no public access and indeed no community benefit at all.

6. Section 8 of the NPPF Para 93c states that planning policy should guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs.  This is an agricultural area, providing food not just for local people but crops which help feed the nation.  Loss of agricultural land which cannot be returned to its original state does not only affect this community, but all people.  The close proximity of this proposed site to schools and houses will have a negative economic impact.  This is purely a commercial venture which will have the opposite impact on those involved in the extraction – but the effect on this community will be enormous over many years.

Deeping St James Parish Council therefore wish to object to the proposal and feel that the protection of a health community and its wildlife must take priority.

If the application is granted permission, please ensure that all possible benefits are made conditional so the community does benefit in as many ways as possible including grants from the applicants 'community fund.