Agenda item

The Planning Team Leader:

a.    described the application site, the former Ermine West Methodist Church located on Trelawney Crescent, having been unused for some time

b.    advised that the application before Planning Committee proposed the demolition of the building pending the redevelopment of the site for residential purposes

c.    reported that the application was brought to Planning Committee for consideration on the basis that it was made in the name of the City of Lincoln Council

d.    stated that there were no relevant policies that addressed the specifics of this application for demolition, although the site was situated predominantly in a residential area

e.    advised that consultations were carried out in accordance with the Statement of Community Involvement, adopted May 2014 and that there had been no public responses received

f.     advised members that the only issue to be considered as part of the application was to take account of the method of demolition and the manner in which the site would be left after demolition

g.    concluded that the means of demolition would be via a conventional contractor, this was not a large building and the site would then be laid to grass.

Members discussed the content of the report in further detail. Concerns were raised in relation to this application to demolish a structure without determination of an approved scheme for the site going forward. It was suggested that the building should remain in situ until agreed use of the site was decided, then demolished all in one go as part of a future planning application.

The Planning Team Leader confirmed the remit of Planning Committee today to consider only the application before them which was to demolish the building to then be laid to grass.

The Planning Manager noted members comments relating to opinion that there would likely be a lesser impact on residents resulting from demolition of the structure and redevelopment of the site being carried out all in one go.

Members expressed concern regarding the potential for this area to be used as a car park or that instances of anti-social behaviour could take place if laid to grass and not fenced off.

Members referred to opinions in the community that the area was a church site and queried whether the reasoning behind the demolition of the current building was to allow for time to lapse before consideration to be made for the site to be utilised for residential purposes.

The Chair confirmed that the only issue for consideration this evening was the method of demolition and the condition the site would be left in afterwards.

Members requested and received confirmation that there was already a good play area in existence adjacent to the site which was well used, and hopefully would help alleviate any additional anti-social behaviour problems.

The Planning Manager confirmed that he would feedback all comments and concerns made tonight by members to housing officers. This was a City of Lincoln Council planning application which could be capable of influence. He would report back to members by e mail following these discussions.

RESOLVED that prior approval for demolition works be granted, subject to the following condition:

·         The works hereby approved shall only be undertaken between the hours of 7.30am and 6.00pm Monday to Friday, 7.30am to 1.00pm on Saturday and not at all on a Sunday or Bank Holiday.