Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2018 be confirmed.

Please note that, in accordance with the Members' Code of Conduct, when declaring interests members must disclose the existence and nature of the interest, and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) or personal and/or pecuniary.

No declarations of interest were received.

The Arboricultural Officer:

a.    advised members of the reasons for proposed works to tree’s in City Council ownership and sought consent to progress the works identified as detailed at Appendix A of his report

b.    explained that Ward Councillors had been notified of the proposed works

c.    stated that in some cases it was not possible to plant a tree in the exact location and in these cases a replacement would be replanted in the vicinity.

Members queried whether a memorial picnic garden would definitely be created in Hartsholme Country Park if permission was given to the felling of trees, as there had been no written communication on this project.

The Arboricultural Officer advised that the Senior Conservation Ranger at Hartsholme Country Park had submitted a request for the trees to be felled in order to facilitate the development of a picnic garden should this request be approved. He added that he would ask that this matter to be referred to the Hartsholme Park Advisory Group.

Members referred to a Weeping Willow tree in Boultham Park which required pruning and asked which reporting mechanism should be used to inform the Arboricultural Officer regarding this type of work request.

The Arboricultural Officer highlighted that he could be contacted by telephone or e mail.

RESOLVED that the works set out in the schedule at Appendix A attached to the report be approved.

The Planning Team Leader:

1. advised members of the reasons why a temporary tree preservation order should be confirmed at the following site:

2. provided details of the individual trees to be covered by the order, and the contribution they made to the area, permission being sought by the owner of the property concerned

3. advised that following the statutory 28 day consultation period, no objections had been received to the tree preservation order

4. reported that confirmation of the tree preservation order would ensure that the trees could not be removed or worked on without the express permission of the council.

Members commented that a tree preservation order made at the request of the owner of the property had never been seen before.

The Planning Manager confirmed that this was incredibly unusual, however, it could happen.

RESOLVED that tree preservation order no 157 be confirmed without modifications and that delegated authority be granted to the Planning Manager to carry out the requisite procedures for confirmation.

The Principal Planning Officer:

a.    advised that the application proposed the change of use of 30 Portland Street from retail (Use Class A1) to a community hub space (Use Class D1) along with meeting rooms and offices

b.    reported that the building was currently vacant, located within the West Parade and Brayford Conservation Area

c.    highlighted that the application was brought before Planning Committee as the applicant was the City of Lincoln Council

d.    provided details of the policies pertaining to the application as follows:

·         Policy LP15: Community Facilities

·         Policy LP25: The Historic Environment

·         LP26: Design and Amenity

·         Policy LP33: Lincoln’s City Centre Primary Shopping Area and Central Mixed Use Area

·         National Planning Policy Framework

e.    outlined the responses made to the consultation exercise

6. advised members of the main issues to be considered as part of the application as follows

·        Visual Amenity and the Character of the Conservation Area

·        Residential Amenity

7. concluded that:

Members discussed the content of the report in further detail.

One member commented that it was a shame the premises were not being utilised for families in need of a home.

The Chair acknowledged the member’s comment although he stated this was not relevant to the planning application. The remit of members’ was to consider the application before Planning Committee this evening.

Members queried whether the proposed use of the building was as a community hub or office space.

The Planning Manager confirmed that the premises would be used as a community hub with ancillary use as offices.

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

• Time limit of the permission; and
• Development in accordance with approved plans.

The Planning Manager:

a.    advised that planning permission was sought for the conversion of an existing ground floor commercial unit to 3no. two bedroomed self- contained apartments with associated external alterations

b.    described the application property, a detached two storey building located on the south side of De Wint Avenue, formerly having been a retail unit granted permission in 2012 for storage and distribution (B8) at ground floor with residential use at first floor (C3) (2012/0846/F)

c.    reported that the property had been badly fire damaged in late 2015 and was in a state of disrepair, it had been unused since the incident and was subject to complaints from local residents about the state of the building and the surrounding site

d.    highlighted that the application was brought before Planning Committee, as the City of Lincoln Council owned the freehold of the land

e.    provided details of the policies pertaining to the application as follows:

·         National Planning Policy Framework

·         Policy LP1: A Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development

·         Policy LP26: Design and Amenity

f.     outlined the responses made to the consultation exercise

7. advised members of the main issues to be considered as part of the application as follows:

8. concluded that:

Members discussed the content of the report in further detail.

One member advised he had just one concern regarding the turning head for vehicles to park and reverse into the development, although he was still in support of the scheme.

Members queried the status of the building as the applicant was listed as Mrs H Taylor, although the City of Lincoln Council owned the freehold on the land. Was permission being sought for 3 council flats or alterations to the existing premises?

The Planning Manager highlighted that it was his understanding the City of Lincoln Council had ownership of the land. The remit of Planning Committee was to establish whether the creation of 3 residential units on the ground floor was considered to be acceptable. Members were welcome to query the status of the building with the Property Services section of the Council.

Members further queried whether the response from a local resident raising concerns regarding overlook to his property had been checked?

The Planning Manager confirmed that the Case Officer had considered the relationship between the two properties which was typical ‘window to window’ in a residential area. The upstairs flat already had authorised use as such.

RESOLVED that planning permission be granted subject to the following  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.