Agenda and minutes

The Planning Committee Chair had submitted his apology for absence for this meeting, the Planning Committee Vice-Chair took the Chair for the duration of the Planning Committee meeting.

The Chair informed the Committee that the Council was undertaking an audio recording of the meeting and that it was being live streamed.

Councillors L Dales and K Melton declared an other registrable interest for any relevant items, as they were appointed representatives on the Trent Valley Internal Drainage Board.

Councillor Harris declared an other registrable interest regarding Agenda Item No. 6 – St Stephens, Fosse Road, Brough, Newark, NG23 7QE (24/01603/FUL) and No. 7 - St Stephens, Fosse Road, Brough, Newark, NG23 7QE (24/01603/LBC) as he was a Member of the Diocese Board of Finance who own the building.  He confirmed that he would leave the meeting when the two applications were being considered.

Councillor Saddington declared a personal interest regarding Agenda Item No. 5 – Land to the West of Main Street, Kelham (23/01837/FULM(MAJOR)) as she was known to the applicant and family for many years and had nothing to do with the application.

The minutes from the meeting held on 5 December 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Site Visit: 1.40pm

The Committee considered the report of the Business Manager – Planning Development, which sought the proposed ground mounted photo voltaic solar farm and battery energy storage system with associated equipment, infrastructure, grid connection and ancillary work.

A site visit had taken place prior to commencement of the Planning Committee, on the grounds that there were particular site factors which were significant in terms of the weight attached to them relative to other factors if they would be difficult to assess in the absence of a site inspection.

Members considered the presentation from the Business Manager – Planning Development, which included photographs and plans of the proposed development.

A Schedule of Communication was circulated prior to the meeting which detailed correspondence received following publication of the agenda from the local residents and the applicant.

Mrs K Green, local resident, spoke against the application.

Mr  J Cooke, agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Members considered the application, and it was commented that the site visit showed the dangerous position of the access onto the site as the road speed was 50mph. The road had bends which prevented good visibility splays, which would be problematic with traffic turning into the site.  It was reported that there had recently been a fatal accident on that stretch of road.  Reference was made to a similar application in Derbyshire, which had been refused due to 55% of BEST and most versatile land.  The application affected 92% on this land.  It was considered that the cumulative impact from two other approved applications at Staythorpe and Averham, which were not yet in situ. It was considered that these three sites taken together represented a large area of land for industrial use in a rural area and change of landscape for the area.

It was further commented that the application sacrificed Grade 2 agricultural land, 92% BMV land which was significant, andwhich currently had the potential for food production, which was considered as important as green energy production.  It was felt that the loss was not outweighed by the benefit and the Planning Committee was seeing an increase in 49.9 megawatts applications.

A Member commented that given the current climate with not much sun or wind questioned whether this form of green energy was adequate given that the main source of energy was from gas.  The impact on Kelham bridge through the increase in construction vehicles was raised.  Flooding was also raised regarding Averham which was believed to have been caused by removal of soil on the Southern Relief Road, it was questioned whether the change of use may cause further problems. The loss of this green field site for dog walkers was also raised, the only place to walk was along the heavily used A617.  A Member commented on the cumulative impact and the industrialisation of the landscape in the area.The impact on heritage assets was also raised and the impact on the listed Kelham Hall and church and two areas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 100.

Site Visit: 2.05pm

The Committee considered the report of the Business Manager – Planning Development, which sought the change of use from a place of worship to a dwelling with a single storey side extension. 

A site visit had taken place prior to commencement of the Planning Committee, on the grounds that the impact of the proposed development was difficult to visualise.

Members considered the presentation from the Business Manager – Planning Development, which included photographs and plans of the proposed development.

The Business Manager – Planning Development read out a number of amendments to the ecology conditions contained within the report as follows:

-        Condition 15 to include additional wording for photographic evidence of the installed boxes and any other approved enhancements to be submitted to, and approved by, the Local Planning Authority.

-        Condition 19 to be amended to “No removal of hedgerows, trees or shrubs shall take place between 1st March and 31st August inclusive, unless a competent ecologist has undertaken a careful, detailed check of vegetation for active birds’ nests immediately before the vegetation is cleared and provided written confirmation that no birds will be harmed and/or that there are appropriate measures in place to protect nesting bird interest on site. Any such written confirmation should be submitted to the Local Planning Authority.”

-        Condition 22 to be amended to: “No work of any type involving the existing roof structure (including the belfry) shall in any circumstances commence unless the Local Planning Authority has been provided with, a confirmed receipt of either: A copy of a licence issued by Natural England, pursuant to Regulation 53 of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 authorizing the approved works to proceed; or a statement in writing from Natural England to the effect that it does not consider that the approved development requires a licence.”

-        Condition 23 amended: “The development shall be carried out in accordance with the bat mitigation strategy contained within the Bat Survey Report Revision B dated September 2024 by LM Ecology, or any amended version required by Natural England for the purpose of granting a European Protected Species Mitigation Licence, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The compensatory bat roost required as part of the mitigation strategy shall be provided prior to first occupation of the dwelling hereby approved and shall thereafter be retained for the lifetime of the development.”

-        Added to the informative note for BNG: “The Biodiversity Gain Plan should be submitted via the Planning Portal, as an application for approval of details reserved by condition following grant of planning permission. If the onsite habitat includes irreplaceable habitat (within the meaning of the Biodiversity Gain Requirements (Irreplaceable Habitat) Regulations 2024) there are additional requirements for the content and approval of Biodiversity Gain Plans.”

Mr  M Cooper, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Members considered the application and commented that there would be a high degree of harm to the listed building. The scope of changes to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

Site Visit: 2.05pm

The Committee considered the report of the Business Manager – Planning Development, which sought the internal and external alterations to facilitate use of former place of worship as a dwelling.

Members considered the presentation from the Business Manager – Planning Development, which included photographs and plans of the proposed development.

The Business Manager – Planning Development reminded Members that listed building consent works required consideration of section 16 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990.

Members considered the application acceptable.

AGREED          (unanimously) that Planning Permission be approved subject to the                         conditions contained within the report.

Councillor P Harris returned to the meeting at this point.

The Committee considered the report of the Director of Planning & Growth, which provided an update on the implication of the updated National Planning Policy Framework and highlighted the standing advice that Planning Policy was providing in relation to housing proposals.

The Chair indicated that the meeting duration had expired therefore a motion was moved by the Chair and seconded by Councillor Dales to continue the meeting for a further hour.

AGREED          that the report and the standing advice provided by Planning Policy be                         noted.

AGREED           that the report be noted.

AGREED           that the report be noted.