08-06-24 PLAN MINS

MINUTES OF THE LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE

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

ON TUESDAY 6^th AUGUST 2024

 

Councillor P. Starsmore (PS) (in the chair).

 

Present Councillors: Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), J. Baskett (JB), L.M. Cooney (LMC), J. Drake (JD), H. Filer (HF), D, Hobson (DH), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), J. Simmons (JS), Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW), D.E. Wing (DEW).

 

Councillors not present: M. Barnes (MB), G.E. Horton (GEH), D. Moore (DM), Mrs. K. Parsons (KP).

 

The Town Clerk Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Miss S. Chitauro, Mr. P. Gutherson, Mr. R. Varrall, Mr. J. Irvine and Ms Nikki Wheeldon from the Louth Community Arts Centre Project and 25 members of the public were also present.

Public Forum:

• One member of the public spoke regarding the 3G pitch proposal at the Meridian Leisure Centre, explaining that his biggest issue was the proposed loss of free public open space. He shared concerns that the proposed pitch would not be free to use and explained that the current field was used extensively and was a valuable space.  He expressed dismay that the plans for the new 3G field proposed to remove 14 trees, which would cause a negative impact to residents who lived close by.  He requested that the Council consider holding a public meeting regarding the proposals, and possibly give financial support.
• A second member of the public informed the meeting that car parking had been an issue on the previous planning application for the 3G pitch, which was intended to be rectified on the current application by cutting down 14 trees. He believed this conflicted with East Lindsey District Council (ELDC) policy.  He said that there was clearly a major issue with the loss of the current field as it was a social amenity.  He was apprehensive regarding the new pitch being open from 8am – 10pm 7 days and voiced concern that the current casual users of the pitch would not be able to use it anymore.  He went on to express his issues with the sound and light pollution.
• A third member of the public also expressed grave concerns regarding the materials used to make 3G pitches, believing them to be hazardous. She considered green spaces were vital to physical and mental health and that a 3G pitch would not be viable during times of intense heat or after heavy rain.
• A fourth member of the public asserted that he strongly objected to the 3G pitch, sharing that he lived close to the current playing field and that noise was already an issue. He believed the necessity of a noise monitor for the proposed pitch proved that it was in the wrong location.
• Other people, who were also Councillors, voiced their concerns with the 3G pitch application.

 

• Apologies for Absence
  Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. GEH, DM and Mrs. KP.

• Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
  The following declarations of interest were made:
  1. DH – Items 5, 6 and 7 as an ELDC Councillor.
  2. Mrs. JMS – Items 5, 6, 7 and 8 as an ELDC Councillor.
• Minutes
  It was RESOLVED that the notes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 16^th July 2024 be approved as the minutes.
• Presentation from Louth Community Arts Centre Project

The Council received a presentation from Mr. Varrall, Mr. Irvine, Ms Wheeldon and Mr. Gutherson, who were part of the Louth Community Arts Centre Project.  As the presentation contained commercially sensitive information, it was RESOLVED due to matters that were commercially sensitive (Business Plan) that the presentation should be delivered in closed session. It was RESOLVED at the close of the presentation to return to open session and it was agreed that the group would be invited back to the next scheduled meeting of the Council on 27^th August 2024 to provide evidence of the amount collected from crowd funding which it was felt would help to give some indication of the level of support that was in the community for the project, an update on the project and make a formal request, if required.

• Proposed 3G Pitch at Meridian Leisure Centre
  The Committee noted that an application had been received regarding the above. The Town Clerk told the Committee that the Planning Officer had confirmed that the Council had been granted an extension to the 29^th August to make comments, and recommended that the Council deferred discussion of the application until after it held a public meeting.  It was RESOLVED as follows:
  1. To invite Mr. Graham Marsh, Deputy Leader of ELDC and Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Leisure and Culture and Carbon Reduction, Mr. Phil Perry, Assistant Director of Leisure and Culture for ELDC and Andy Booth and Lindsey Stuart, the Planning Officers for the application.
  2. The outcomes of the meeting would be to:
     • Gather the thoughts of the local community.
     • Ascertain whether the majority of those present support or object to the application.
     • Ascertain whether there would be support for the Council to spend in the region of £30,000 of precept payers’ money for judicial review (which had been suggested as a course of action by the Save the Wood Lane group, if the application were to be approved).
  3. That the meeting would be held on Tuesday 20^th August 2024 at the London Road Sports Pavilion, Louth.
  4. That the meeting would commence at 7pm and close at 9pm at the latest in order for the venue to be vacated by 9pm.
  5. That the Deputy Mayor Cllr. DH would chair the meeting with assistance from the Mayor and Chairman of the Planning Committee.
  6. That the Council would formulate its corporate response at its next scheduled Planning meeting on 27^th August 2024.

• Applications received by the Local Planning Authority
  The Committee considered all planning applications received, including those listed in the schedule (PA/Schedule 08-06-24) and RESOLVED as follows.
  1. N/105/01095/24 – To object on the grounds due to concerns with the proposed PVC windows to the front of the property and the mixing of the original wood bay window and PVC. The Council did not feel that this would provide a cohesive aesthetic and that to allow this would be of detriment to the Conservation Area.
  2. To support all applications.
• Planning Correspondence
  The Committee noted the following planning correspondence:
  1. ELDC Planning Decisions
     24. ELDC Approved – N/105/00860/24 – Approval of Reserved Matters – 52 St. Mary’s Lane, Louth – LTC Supported 18/06/24.
     25. ELDC Approved – N/105/00828/24 – Planning Permission – 24 Queen Street, LN11 9AU – LTC Objected 18/06/24.

• ELDC Approved – N/105/00831/24 – Planning Permission – 7 Ramsgate, LN11 0NB – LTC Supported 18/06/24.

24. ELDC Approved – N/105/00886/24 – Planning Permission – 91 St. Bernard’s Avenue, LN11 8AS – LTC Supported 16/07/24.

1. Temporary Traffic Restrictions
   1. ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR RESTRICTION: Anglian Water

REASON FOR RESTRICTION: Emergency – Leaking fire hydrant.

NATURE AND LOCATION OF RESTRICTION: Emergency Road Closure Order – High Holme Road (Between Mill Lane and Hawthorn Avenue).

PERIOD OF RESTRICTION: 22/07/24 – 26/07/24 (Restrictions to be implemented for 5 days as and when required during this period.  Signage will be displayed on site in advance).

1. ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR RESTRICTION: Anglian Water
   REASON FOR RESTRICTION: New water connection.

NATURE AND LOCATION OF RESTRICTION: Road Closure Order – Northgate (Between Eastgate and a point 40m North).

PERIOD OF RESTRICTION: (Restrictions to be implemented for 2 days as and when required during this period.  Signage will be displayed on site in advance).

• ORGANISATION RESPONSIBLE FOR RESTRICTION: Anglian Water

REASON FOR RESTRICTION: Water main repairs.

NATURE AND LOCATION OF RESTRICTION: Road Closure Order – Eastgate (Between Lacey Gardens and a point 50m Southwest).

PERIOD OF RESTRICTION: (Restrictions to be implemented for 1 day as and when required during this period.  Signage will be displayed on site in advance).

1. Enforcement
   1. Location: 13 Market Place, Louth, LN11 9PB. Nature of Investigation: Removal of a window from a listed building without planning permission. The matter is due to be fully investigated by an officer, who will aim to visit the location within 18 working days to establish whether a breach of planning control has taken place.

• Bridge Street Crossing

The Committee noted that it had received details regarding this matter by email on 31^st July 2024 and it considered Bridge Street as the suggested location for a new crossing facility to be investigated by LCC.  It was RESOLVED not to support the investigation in this location.

• Yellow Lines
  After discussion, it was RESOLVED that the Town Clerk would write to LCC for clarification regarding the colour of the above which had recently been repainted throughout the town.
• Sinkhole Terminology
  After consideration, it was RESOLVED that the Council would not write to LCC to question their use of terminology regarding sinkholes.
• Local Olympic Gold Medallist Congratulations
  Following a proposal from Cllr. Mrs. PFW it was RESOLVED that the Council would send a letter of congratulations to the above.

• Next Meeting
  It was noted that the date of the next scheduled Planning Committee meeting was 27^th August 2024.

 

The Meeting Closed at 9.45pm.

 

 

 

Signed_______________________ (Chairman)                Dated_________________________