MINUTES OF THE LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 17th AUGUST 2021
Present Councillor S. Crew (SC) (in the chair)
Councillors: J Baskett (JB), M. Bellwood (MB), L. Cooney (LMC), D. Ford (DF), D.J.E. Hall (DJEH), D. Hobson (DH), G. Horton (GEH), A. Leonard (AL), Mrs. S.E. Locking (SEL), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (JMS), J. Simmons (JS), F.W.P. Treanor (FWPT) and Mrs. P.F. Watson (PFW).
Councillors not present: Mrs. E. Ballard (EB), A. Cox (AC), H. Filer (HF) J. Garrett (JG), D. Jackman (DJ),
K. Norman (KN) and D.E. Wing (DEW).
The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips and the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. M.C. Vincent were also present.
Public Forum
· Cllr. Mrs. JMS reported on a number of personnel changes at ELDC including the change of Monitoring Officer to one from South Holland DC. She reported that work on the new ELDC Hub at Horncastle had started. Cllr. Mrs. JMS understood that there were currently discussions between Magna Vitae and a Louth school regarding taking over the London Road sports facilities/land (some of the land which belongs to LTC). Lastly, she confirmed that there were rising numbers of cases of Covid in the area and that testing kits would be available at Cadwell Superbikes and at the Markets (amongst many places), but was concerned that 16-18 year olds were not electing to have the vaccine.
· Cllr. LMC voiced her concerns regarding the amount of rubbish and broken glass at Springside and that fly tipping had appeared to increase in the Trinity area. It was suggested that Cllr. LMC write to ELDC as an LTC ward councillor to highlight the issues.
· Cllr. Mrs. PFW wanted to know if protocol had changed regarding complaints about road traffic signage as LCC were instructing members of the public to bring their concerns to town/parish councils instead of LCC Councillors? She considered that it was wasting residents’ time.
As Cllr. KN was not at the meeting it was RESOLVED that Cllr. Mrs SEL act as assistant to the Chair for the meeting.
P18. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: Mrs. EB, HF, JG, KN and DEW.
P19. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest were made:
a. Cllr. Mrs. JMS – items 4, 5 and 6, as a member of ELDC and PA 11 (as member of HH Trust).
b. Cllr. AL – items 4, 5 and 6, as a member of ELDC, PA 8 as known to him and PA 11 (as member of HH Trust).
c. Cllr. DJEH – items 4, 5 and 6, as a member of ELDC and its Planning Committee.
P20. Minutes
It was RESOLVED that the notes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 20th July 2021 be approved as the Minutes.
P21. Applications received by the Local Planning Authority
a. The Committee considered all planning applications received, including those listed on the schedule (PA/Schedule 08-17-21) and RESOLVED as follows:
i. N/105/01419/21 – 27 Market Place – objected to this application on the grounds that the design is not in keeping with the conservation area. The Council is not against the principle of covering the windows but feels that any covering must be used to promote the area, showcasing the town or district and not the individual premises.
ii. N/105/01361/21 – 32 St Mary’s Lane – objected to this application on the grounds of garden grabbing, very poor access drive, no indication of whether the required rights of way permissions are in place, no arboreal report, no ecological report, two properties are overintensive, neighbour comments suggest that trees will be damaged by developing this site, the Civic Trust strongly object, there is no historical assessment, the proposals will have a poor visual impact and the Council is concerned about access for emergency services and the safety of residents.
iii. N/159/00281/21 – Thorpe Hall – strongly objected to this application on the grounds that this application is totally inappropriate for a Grade II* listed property. The gardens were laid down in 1906 by Gertrude Jekyll the famous and celebrated garden designer, the rest is a “Deer Park” of renown. This is one of the most important houses in Louth. It is very close to the roundabout in a 60mph speed limit so could have very poor access problems. The Civic Trust strongly object. There has been no historical assessment. The Environment Agency and the Council are concerned that there are no drainage plans . It can be seen that the land drains downhill towards the river Lud, details of the proposed drainage scheme are a necessity. The property is in the AONB and within the curtilage of the Gertrude Jekyll gardens. The Council is not against progress but feel that this sort of venture needs to be good quality and has got to be the right development in the right place. The Council wants the town to flourish, nothing stays the same, everything changes but it is looking after its heritage for the generations to come. Thorpe Hall has been in existence since the 1600’s and it is really important that it is ensured that it be there for future generations and the grounds are integral to the house and history of the site.
iv. N/105/01641/21 – 73 Eastgate – objected to this application on the grounds that the proposals are not in keeping with this period shop front in the Conservation Area.
v. All other applications were supported.
b. It was RESOLVED to ratify comments of support made by the Planning Working Group under delegated powers regarding proposals to upgrade telecommunications systems at Radcom Ltd., Louth, Cell No. CTIL_106900-39-TEF 71128 but the Town Clerk reported that all the changes required could be carried out under the permitted regulations anyway.
P22. Planning Correspondence
The Committee noted the following planning correspondence:
a. ELDC Planning Decisions
i. Approved – N/105/ 01018/21 – Planning Permission – 134 Horncastle Road – LTC Supported
ii. Approved – N/105/00704/21 – Planning Permission – Land off Kenwick Gardens – LTC Objected
iii. Refused – N/105/02041/20 – Planning Permission – Hallam’s Close, Julian Bower – LTC Objected
iv. Approved – N/105/01205/21 – Planning Permission – Aygarth House, Legbourne Road – LTC Supported
v. Approved – N/105/01280/21 – Planning Permission – 3 Trinity Lane – LTC Supported
vi. Approved – N105/01245/21 – Planning Permission – 137 Eastgate – LTC Supported
vii. Approved – N/105/01261/21 – Listed Building Consent – 137 Eastgate – LTC Supported.
viii. Approved – N/105/01202/21 – Planning Permission – 101 Horncastle Road – LTC Supported
ix. Approved – N/105/01243/21 – Planning Permission – Pocklington Renault, Northolme Road – LTC Supported
b. Enforcement
i. 31 Stewton Lane – Erection of garage without planning permission – enforcement notice issued
ii. 20 Aswell Street – Unauthorised Advertisement – No breach found
iii. 38 Alexander Drive, derelict land adjacent – Ref site now made secure
iv. 14 Wesgate Louth – Breach of planning new resolved
P23. Proposed Works to Trees Protected by a Tree Preservation Order
It was RESOLVED to support the following proposed Tree Works:
a. Location: Riverdale, Love Lane – Proposals: T1, T2, T3 – Holly – Reduce in height from 9m to 8m and spread from 4m to 3m. T4, T5, T6 – Conifer – Reduce in height from 12m to 10m and spread from 5m to 3.5m. T7 – Silver Birch – Reduce in height from 8m to 7m and spread from 4m to 3m. T8 – Silver Birch – Reduce in height from 10m to 8m and spread from 5m to 4m.
P24. Riparian Network Questionnaire
It was RESOLVED that Louth Town Council should register its wish to complete the questionnaire.
P25. Next Meeting
The Committee noted that the date of the next scheduled Planning Committee meeting was 14th September 2021.
The Meeting Closed at 8:24pm.