Agenda item

The Planning Team Leader:

1. described the details of the application to the property at 21 Hawkshead Grove, Lincoln, proposing a change of use of existing ground floor utility room to veterinary clinic for the treatment of injured racing greyhounds (Use Class E) (Retrospective);

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

·         Policy LP26 Design and Amenity

·         National Planning Policy Framework

3. advised of the main issues to be considered as part of the application to assess the proposal with regards to:

·         Impact on Residential Amenity

·         Impact on Visual Amenity

·         Impact on Highway Safety

4. outlined the responses made to the consultation exercise;

5. referred to the update sheet which contained additional responses received in respect of the proposed development;

6. concluded that the activity generated by the business was considered to be at a level that was acceptable, subject to conditions which would limit the impact on the residential amenities of neighbouring dwellings.  The proposal was considered to be appropriate for its location and would not adversely harm visual amenity or the residential amenities of nearby occupants in accordance with Policy LP26 of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan.

The Committee discussed the content of the report and the following questions and comments were put forward:

·         Comment: Support was given to limiting the maximum number of dogs to three at the premises at any one time.

·         Answer: The proposal had been looked at in some detail and compared with other business use, such as hairdressing.  The proposed business use required permission owing to its nature and conditions were proposed to control the scale of the use, which should reassure local residents.

·         Comment: Any breaches in the conditions should be reported to the planning department for enforcement.

RESOLVED that the application planning permission be approved subject to the following conditions:

01) The development must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of this permission.

Reason: As required by Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

02) With the exception of the detailed matters referred to by the conditions of this consent, the development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the drawings listed within Table A below. The works shall be carried out in accordance with the details shown on the approved plans and in any other approved documents forming part of the application.

Reason: To ensure the development proceeds in accordance with the approved plans.

03) The land or premises to which this permission relates shall be for the treatment of injured racing greyhounds only and for no other purpose within the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (or in any provision equivalent to that Class in any statutory instrument revoking and re-enacting that Order with or without modification).

Reason: In order to protect residential amenity.

04) The permission shall ensure for the benefit of Mr Gabriel Freiria-Celis only and shall not ensure for the benefit of the land.

Reason: The site would not normally be considered appropriate for this development but personal permission is being granted due to special circumstances put forward in the application.

05) The business hereby approved shall be for the treatment of greyhounds only and for no other animals.

Reason: In order to protect residential amenity.

06) There shall be a maximum of 3 dogs in relation to the business at the premises at any one time.

Reason: In order to protect residential amenity.

07) The treatment of the dogs through the use hereby approved shall only take place within the room indicated on the submitted drawing (Drawing No. FREIRIA 03).

            Reason: In order to protect residential amenity.

NOTE: At this point in the proceedings, Councillor Rebecca Longbottom left the meeting for the duration of Minute 5(i).