07-11-23 PLAN MINS

 

MINUTES OF THE LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE

HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH

ON TUESDAY 11^th JULY 2023

 

Councillor Mrs. S. Crew (SC) (in the chair).

 

Present

Councillors:       Mrs. E. Ballard (EB), M. Barnes (MB), J. Baskett (JB), L. M. Cooney (LMC), J. Drake (JD), H. Filer (HF), L. Frost (LF), D. Hobson (DH), G. E. Horton (GEH), M. Lamb (ML), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (JMS), Mrs. K. Parsons (KP), J. Simmons (JS), P. Starsmore (PS).

 

Councillors not present: Mrs. P. F. Watson (PFW) and Mrs. E. Ballard (EB).

 

The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant Miss S. Chitauro and 11 members of the public were also present.

7. Councillor EB arrived at 7.17pm.

 

Members of the public spoke in the public forum as follows:

• One member of the public spoke regarding the proposals for a new Morrisons store, stating that they had been present during an online public consultation held by Morrisons. They believed that the plans are largely detrimental to the area, particularly visually.  They worried that the agreement residents have with Morrisons regarding their usage of the current Morrisons car park will no longer be upheld.  They also stated that they found the cladding proposed for the supermarket to be unattractive.
• A lady also voiced concerns over parking, stating that in 2018 Morrisons had fined people for parking in her own property along Orme Lane.
• A man stated that he had asked the transport department for designated resident parking along the road of Eastgate, or whether they would consider lowering the limit of cars allowed to park along the road but was told by the department that they could not do this. He raised concerns about pedestrianisation and said that the roundabout proposed for the supermarket were not a good idea.  He also stated that he was worried about Priory Lane becoming a ‘rat run’.
• A representative of Morrisons stated that Morrisons had launched a consultation website and leaflet about the proposals for a new and improved store. They had also written to the District and Town Council about their plans.  He stated that Morrisons had written to every property in the area and held an online meeting with residents to discuss the plans, an application for which will be submitted in the coming days.  The representative confirmed that Morrisons own the property adjacent to the store, No. 160, and that they had commissioned cleaning of the garden and a structural survey of the building to be conducted.
• A woman mirrored previously mentioned comments, and said she felt strongly about No. 160 Eastgate and was devastated about the state of the property given David Robinson’s contributions to Louth.

 

• Apologies for Absence
  Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Mrs. PFW and Mrs. EB, who sent apologies that she would be late.

• Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
  The following declarations of interest were made:
  1. DH – PA6 as an acquaintance of the applicant.
  2. Mrs. JMS, DH and GEH – Items 4, 5, 6 and 7 as members of ELDC.
• Minutes
  It was RESOLVED that the notes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 20^th June 2023 should be amended to add Cllrs. JS and PS in attendance and the removal of one sentence in P18.

 

• Applications received by the Local Planning Authority
  The Committee considered all planning applications received, including those listed in the schedule (PA/Schedule 07-11-23) and RESOLVED as follows:

1. N/105/00213/23 – 00213/23 – To object again, reiterating its comments of 12th June and 21st February as follows: Traffic Generation, Access and Highway Safety. Eastfield Road is a vital road into and out of the Town Centre. It is already extremely busy, it is very narrow in places due to parked cars along its length at all times of the day and any increase in regular users, especially those accessing or exiting onto it regularly will inevitably have a detrimental effect on infrastructure that already struggles to cope and on the safety of residents, general users and pedestrians.  Vitality and Viability of Town Centres.  Louth Town Council believes that the existing building has a wealth of historical importance having been a private school, factory and home of former two times Mayor, Robert Norfolk in its past. The building features in many articles and exhibits produced by Louth Museum. The Town Council strongly believes that the front façade which is three-storeys high and originates from the 19^th Century holds substantial architectural and historic significance and should be saved at all costs. It contributes to the character, social, environmental and cultural value of the town and benefits the economy in the form of tourism. Demolition of such historic assets can have severe detrimental effects and as such the Town Council would implore ELDC to ensure that the front façade is retained at the very least.  Louth Town Council note that comments dated 1st June, support and enhance LTC’s previous comments confirming that the “primary architectural elevation is intact. The building is not unsafe. It is likely that the repairs can be achieved without demolition.” Thus, the economic argument forming the largest part of the applicant’s case could be disregarded.
2. N/105/01181/23 – To object on the grounds of: Vitality and Viability of Town Centre. Councillors were concerned that this edge of town development would draw residents away from the Town Centre to shop and relax, thereby causing businesses and shops to close in the Town Centre.  The Council also did not feel that visitors to the Northfields site from outside of the Town’s boundary would venture into town as well as visit the site.  All would visit the site and then go home.  The Council felt an S.106 agreement was required and that part of these monies should provide a free shuttle bus from the Northfields site into the Town Centre and back.  District Councillors were asked to ensure that the town received some help from S.106 monies in this case.  Traffic generation / Access and highway safety.  Councillors were concerned about the increase in traffic that these proposals would generate both at the junction of Grimsby Road and North Holme Road (an already very difficult junction to traverse) and at an already small, very busy and dangerous roundabout (Northfields).  The Council felt this would have a serious effect on the safety of both drivers and pedestrians in the area.  The Council is also concerned about proposals for pedestrian and cycle access over the bypass, a very busy trunk road.  It does not feel that this would be safe.  There are have been at least 3 accidents and a number of deaths just up from the roundabout in the last few months.  The Council felt that such issues needed to be addressed and mitigated before permission considered.  Design and appearance.
3. To support all other applications.

• Planning Correspondence
  The Committee noted the following planning correspondence:
  1. ELDC Planning Decisions
     1. ELDC Approved – N/105/00851/23 – Listed Building Consent – 1 Market Place, Louth – LTC Supported.
     2. ELDC Approved – N/105/00882/23 – Planning Permission – Units 5-6 Meridian Centre, Louth – LTC Supported.

• ELDC Approved – N/105/00571/23 – Planning Permission – 31 St. Mary’s Lane, Louth – LTC Supported.

1. ELDC Approved – N/105/00630/23 – Planning Permission – 6 Waterside, Louth – LTC Supported
2. ELDC Approved – N/105/00855/23 – Listed Building Consent – 24 Mercer Row, Louth – LTC Supported.
3. ELDC Approved – N/105/00991/23 – Listed Building Consent – 13 Market Place, Louth – LTC Supported.

1. Temporary Traffic Restrictions
   1. ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR RESTRICTION: LCC
      REASON FOR RESTRICTION: Emergency – Bridge repairs
      LOCATION AND NATURE OF RESTRICTION: Emergency Road Closure Order in place on Bridge Street (Between Westgate and Cisterngate)
      PERIOD OF RESTRICTION: 25/06/2023 – 06/07/2023 (Closure to be removed at weekends) (Restrictions to be implemented for 10 days as and when required during this period, signage will be displayed on site in advance).
   2. ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR RESTRICTION: LCC
      REASON FOR RESTRICTION: Emergency – Carriageway repairs
      LOCATION AND NATURE OF RESTRICTION: Emergency Road Closure Order in place on Nichol Hill
      PERIOD OF RESTRICTION: 14/06/2023 – 04/07/2023 (Restrictions to be implemented for 9 days as and when required during this period, signage will be displayed on site in advance).

• ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR RESTRICTION: DTSM Ltd.
  REASON FOR RESTRICTION: Emergency – Public safety during school event.
  LOCATION AND NATURE OF RESTRICTION: Emergency Road Closure Order in place on Crowtree Lane (Between Edward Street and Irish Hill).
  PERIOD OF RESTRICTION: 06/07/2023 16:00 to 21:00 (Restrictions to be implemented for 1 day as and when required during this period, signage will be displayed on site).

1. Enforcement
   1. Westville, Irish Hill, Louth, LN11 9YL – Please note that a full investigation into a potential breach of planning control caused by untidy land and building at the aforementioned address.
   2. 18 – 20 Westgate, Louth, LN11 9YH – Please note that a full investigation into a potential breach of planning control by unauthorised works to grade II listed building, including replacement brick work below ground floor window and two replacement doors will be taking place at the aforementioned address.

 

• Proposed Works to Trees
  It was RESOLVED that the Committee had no comment to make on the following proposed tree work:
  1. Location: 8 St. Mary’s Park. Proposal: A1 – Ash, Beech, Birch, Cedar, Chestnut, Elm, Fir, Oak, Sycamore – T1 and T2 on plan (Sycamore) – Fell. Reasons: A1 – To allow more room for adjacent Chestnut.
• Tree Preservation Order
  It was noted that a Tree Preservation Order had been made by ELDC on a Holm Oak. This order had taken effect on 22^nd June and would last for 6 months or indefinitely if it were confirmed by ELDC.  The Committee RESOLVED to support the Tree Preservation Order.
• Highways Maintenance Works – Newbridge Hill, Louth
  The Committee noted that night-time works only between the hours of 10pm and 6pm would commence between 10^th August and 26^th August on Newbridge Hill.

• Morrisons
  The Planning Committee received an update for proposals for a ‘new and improved’ Morrisons store for Louth and RESOLVED to invite representatives of Morrisons to attend the next scheduled Planning Meeting on the 8^th August 2023 to discuss their proposal.

• Shop Signage Survey
  It was noted by the Committee that the Civic Trust had sent a shop signage survey to ELDC Planning Department and the Conservation Officer. It was RESOLVED to support the Civic Trust’s efforts in this area.

• Next Meeting
  It was noted that the date of the next scheduled Planning Committee meeting was 8^th August 2023.

 

 

 

The Meeting Closed at 8.10pm

 

 

 

 

Signed_______________________ (Chairman)                Dated_________________________