To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2023.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bowes and Martin.

Councillor Brame was in attendance as substitute for Councillor Bowes.

The duties to register, disclose and not to participate for the entire consideration of the matter, in respect of any matter in which a Member has a disclosable pecuniary interest are set out in Chapter 7 of the Localism Act 2011.  Members are also required to withdraw from the meeting as stated in the Standing Orders of this Council.

Councillor Plummer declared a personal & prejudicial interest in Agenda item 10(f) Mattishall and left the room whilst this item was being discussed.

Members were reminded that the next Planning Committee meeting on Tuesday, 18 April 2023 would be held at the Carnegie Rooms in Thetford.

One Member was still required for the Chairman’s Panel meeting on 26 April 2023, and the Panel meeting on 22 March 2023 would now be starting at 9.30am instead of 10am.

To consider any requests from Ward Members, officers or applicants to defer an application included in this agenda, so as to save any unnecessary waiting by members of the public attending for such applications.

The following applications were deferred to allow further consideration of the reports:

Agenda item 10(c): Litcham: land at Wellingham Road and Weasenham Road: Reference: 3OB/2002/0011/OB

Agenda item 10(d): Litcham: Land off Wellingham Road: Reference: 3PL/2022/0340/D

Agenda item 10(e): Litcham: Land off Weasenham Road: Reference: 3PL/2022/0371/D

All applications would be brought back to the Planning Committee at a later date.

To note whether the Chairman proposes to accept any item as urgent business, pursuant to Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

None.

To receive an update. 

Rebecca Collins, the Head of Development Management, provided Members with an update on the Local Plan.

The Examination into the single policy partial update of the Local Plan, Policy INF03, would be taking place between Tuesday, 18 April and Thursday, 20 April 2023 at the Dereham Memorial Hall.  The Programme Officer, Nikki Clarke, an Independent Officer, would be acting as the contact for any person who had an interest in the Examination and her contact details could be found on the Council’s website https://www.breckland.gov.uk/planning-policy/examination-library.

With regard to the full update, the Issues & Options consultation had started on 10 March and would continue until 19 May 2023, and was an important part of the Local Plan process as the community was asked how they would like to tackle a range of issues and proposed options for the future development of the district.  The consultation did not identify potential sites or draft policy wording.  Further details could be found on the Council’s website and the commonplace community engagement platform https://brecklandlocalplan.commonplace.is/.

The Council had recently appointed two community engagement specialists to work with the Planning Team throughout the issues and options consultation process.

Further evidence was being commissioned on housing and economic development needs, gypsy & traveller and travelling show people needs and flood risk.

If Members had any questions they would be directed to Simon Wood, the Director of Planning & Building Control for a response.

Formal objection to serving of TPO 2022 No. 10

Formal objection to the serving of Tree Preservation Order (TPO) 2022 No. 10, Banham.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Richard Fisher, Tree & Countryside Officer.

Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the report in light of prevailing policies and guidance.

Representations were made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings:

Supporter:                               Mr R Plom

Objector:                                 Mr O Ashford

DECISION: Members voted unanimously to confirm the Order. 

The Tree Preservation Order 2022 No. 10 was confirmed as recommended.

To consider applications deferred at previous meetings including some, but not all, of those shown on the attached Schedule of Deferred Applications.

A building to provide residential accommodation for a site manager/caretaker, private drive and hardstanding’s together with associated facilities including an office, guest parking, laundry facilities, garage and stores essential for the management, maintenance, security and general upkeep of the holiday accommodation located at Settle.

This application was deferred from the Planning Committee meeting held on 17 January 2023 for a site visit to take place which has been undertaken.

This application had been deferred at the Planning Committee meeting on 17 January 2023 for a site visit which had since been undertaken.

The guidance that the Solicitor to the Council had previously given Committee in respect of voting when a site visit had taken place was acknowledged and clarified where required.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Matthew Blackie, Senior Development Management Planner.

Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance.

Representations were made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings.

Applicant’s Agent:                              Mr Phil Cowen (Cowen Consulting)

Shropham Parish Council:                 Cllr David Napier (Chairman), in support

Applicants:                                         Mr & Mrs Moorfoot      

DECISION: Members voted 8 x 0 + 2 abstentions against the Officer’s recommendation of refusal.

REASON(S): Members felt that the proposals were in general conformity with Policy HOU13 of the Breckland Local Plan and there were other material planning considerations that weighed in favour of the development including the sustainable building technics/proposals, the self-build development and security matters. 

DECISION: Approved, subject to delegated authority being given to Officers to impose suitable conditions.

To consider the Schedule of Planning Applications:

Variation of Conditions 3, 15, 16 & 17 on 3PL/2022/0669/VAR - Amendments to the wording of Condition 3 (Approved Drawings and Documents); Condition 15 (flood and ecological works to the River Tud); and Condition 16 (Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)); Condition 17 (Ecological Management Plan (EMP)).

Variation of Conditions 3, 15, 16 & 17 on 3PL/2022/0669/VAR - Amendments to the wording of Condition 3 (Approved Drawings and Documents); Condition 15 (flood and ecological works to the River Tud); and Condition 16 (Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP)); Condition 17 (Ecological Management Plan (EMP)).

Consideration was given to the report presented by Chris Hobson, Principal Development Management Planner.

Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance.

Representations were made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings.

Applicants Agent:                                Terry Harper (Lanpro)

Dereham Town Council:                     Tony Needham

Ward Representative:                        Councillor Philip Morton (spoke against the application)

DECISION: Members voted 6 x 4 for approval in support of the Officer’s recommendation subject to the imposition of conditions as listed in the report.

Outline planning application for development of a maximum of 89 dwellings and associated infrastructure (all matters reserved).

Outline planning application for development of a maximum of 89 dwellings and associated infrastructure (all matters reserved).

Consideration was given to the report presented by Chris Hobson, Principal Development Management Planner.

Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance.

Representations were made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings.

Applicants Agent:                                Terry Harper (Lanpro)

Dereham Town Council:                     Tony Needham

Ward Representative:                        Councillor Philip Morton (spoke against the application)

DECISION: The vote was tied, 5 x votes in support of the application and 5 x votes against.  The Chairman then used his casting vote and voted in support of the Officer’s recommendation of approval; subject to:

1.    the conditions as listed in the report;

2.    an additional condition as set out in the supplementary agenda (see page 78 of the agenda pack);

3.    amended ecology conditions to reflect the Council’s Ecologist’s recommended conditions;

4.    no objections being raised by Natural England and National Highways (formerly Highways England); and

5.       delegated authority be given to Officers to complete a S106 Agreement to secure the planning obligations and mitigations measures as set out in the report.

3PL/2018/0694/O & 3PL/2018/0698/O Planning Obligations - The reduction of the Affordable Housing Provision from 40% (6 dwellings) to 12.5% (2 dwellings).

This application was deferred (see Minute No. 26/23 above).

Reserved matters application for erection of 8 dwellings following outline permission 3PL/2018/0698/O and discharge of Planning Obligation - Affordable Housing Part 1 Condition 1.1.1 & 1.1.2 of 3PL/2018/0698/O.

This application was deferred (see Minute No. 26/23 above).

Reserved Matters application for erection of 8 dwellings following outline permission 3PL/2018/0694/O and discharge of Planning Obligation - Affordable Housing Part 1 Condition 1.1.1 & 1.1.2 of 3PL/2018/0694/O.

This application was deferred (see Minute No. 26/23 above).

Conversion to chalet bungalow, dormers to front & rear and extensions to front & rear.

Conversion to a chalet bungalow, dormers to front and rear and extensions to front and rear.

Councillor Plummer declared a personal & prejudicial interest in Agenda item 10(f) Mattishall and left the room whilst this item was being discussed.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Lisa O’Donovan, Senior Development Management Planner.

Members considered the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance.

A representation was made in respect of the application in accordance with the Council’s scheme of public speaking at Planning Committee meetings.

Objector:                                 Suzanne Askair

DECISION: Members voted 8 x 1 for approval in support of the Officer’s recommendation subject to the conditions as listed in the report.

Members are requested to raise any questions at least two working days before the meeting to allow information to be provided to the Committee.

Noted.

For information.

Noted.