Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor C Allen, Cook, Cope, Flemming and Hollick with the following substitutions authorised in accordance with council procedure rule 10:

Councillor Hodgkins for Councillor Flemming

Councillor O’Shea for Councillor Cook

Councillor Simmons for Councillor Allen

Councillor Williams for Councillor Cope.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 27 August.

It was moved by Councillor S Gibbens, seconded by Councillor C Gibbens and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 27 August be confirmed as a correct record.

Councillor O’Shea declared a pecuniary interest in application 24/00753/HOU as the applicant and stated he would leave the meeting during consideration of the item.

To report progress on any decisions delegated at the previous meeting.

Members were updated on decisions delegated at the previous meeting.

Application for change use of industrial unit (class B2) to gymnastics club (class E).

Late items received after publication of main agenda:

Consultations:-

Since the committee extract was uploaded on 12/09/2024, we have received an additional 26 comments. The additional comments made the additional points, on top of the existing points raised within the existing committee report:

1)        The Gymnastics club improves social skills amongst children

2)        The club would be an asset to the community

3)        Exceptions to Policy need to be made when considering such a community asset

4)        The unit would be keeping the business in a local area

5)        This is the best unit Josh has found, and it is ideal for the gymnastics use

6)        The new unit could provide improved security for users.

Appraisal:-

1)        Letter from Wards estate agents received on 20 September 2024.

2)        Additional information submitted by the applicant on 1 September 2024.

BullGnG Gymnastics – Units considered 2019 – 2024

Stapleton Garage Unit - Not Suitable for Current Operations – April 2024

The Stapleton Garage unit was considered too far for our existing customer base. It is located next to a petrol station, presenting multiple health and safety concerns. Additionally, the landlord had already rented part of the unit for furniture storage and leased the back area as a lorry yard, further reducing the available space.

The price per square foot was misrepresented at £12.00, and with the partially rented portions, the landlord was seeking between £4,000 to £4,500 per month for approximately 3,000 sq ft. This made the unit financially unviable, especially given its distance from Desford, where most of our customers are located.

January 2024

This location also had this unit for rent earlier in the year that I considered this was set as an MOT garage and the landlord wanted the same business in it.

I also considered the sheds at the back of this unit; however, they were unsuitable for gymnastics activities. Back in September 2021, I also made initial enquiries about taking on the unit but at the time he was looking to lease the whole area which wasn’t a feasible option for our Gym Club financially.

30 May 2022 – Enquiry for Sparkenhoe Works Unit, Desford Road, Kirby Muxloe, Leicester, LE9 2BF

18^th November 2021 I initially enquired with the planning team at Hinckley and Bosworth council about this unit for change of use. I then decided it wasn’t the right time to pursue this further.

On 30 May 2022, seeing that the unit was still available,  I made inquiries about the Sparkenhoe Works unit with Michelle Smalley, the property owner. Although the unit had been vacant for some time and owned by the Sparkenhoe company, little to no work had been done on it for several years. There was over £30,000 required just for new lighting, along with many other expenses needed to make the space suitable for a gymnastics club.

At £60,000 per annum, the rent was too high  ...  view the full agenda text for item 179.

Application for change of use of industrial unit (class B2) to gymnastics club (class E).

The applicant spoke on this item.

Notwithstanding the officer’s recommendation that permission be refused, some members felt that the proposed use supported the health and wellbeing of young people and was a suitable use for the building, evidenced by a similar use on the same industrial estate. It was moved by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Moore that permission be granted with the conditions delegated to the Head of Planning but to include a condition tying the use to this applicant only to prevent a permanent change of use. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED –

(i)            Permission be granted subject to conditions;

(ii)          Determination of appropriate conditions be delegated to the Head of Planning, to include a condition restricting the change of use to this applicant only.

Application for erection of four golf holiday lodges and associated works (resubmission of 24/00027/FUL).

Late items received after publication of main agenda:

Additional landscaping plan received on 23 September 2024.

Application for erection of four golf holiday lodges and associated works – resubmission of 24/00027/FUL.

The applicant spoke on this item.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Allen and unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            Permission be granted subject to conditions contained in the officer’s report;

(ii)          Authority be granted to the Head of Planning to determine the final detail of the conditions.

Application for demolition of the existing Mulberry Farm buildings, retention of Mulberry Farmhouse and proposed erection of 25 residential units with associated parking facilities, amenity space, landscaping, village green, pond and paddock.

Late items received after publication of main agenda:

Consultations:-

1)        The description of development still refers to the ‘pond’ which has subsequently been removed from the proposal in place of an alternative drainage solution as agreed with the LLFA and other consultees.

The new description should therefore read:

“Demolition of the existing Mulberry Farm buildings, retention of Mulberry Farmhouse and proposed erection of 25no. residential units with associated parking facilities, amenity space, landscaping, village green, drainage and paddock”

2)        Additional comments received from Stoke Golding Parish Council on 20 September 2024:

Recommendation:-

Condition to be added to planning application 22/00661/FUL – If Members are minded to approve the proposal.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 3, Schedule 2, Part 2, Class A of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015 (as amended) or any Order revoking and re-enacting that Order, no gates, walls, fences or other means of enclosure (except for those approved by this permission) shall be erected within the curtilage of the building/dwellings unless planning permission has first been granted by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: To safeguard the external appearance of the development and preserve the significance of the conservation area and registered battlefield to accord with Policies DM10, DM11 and DM12 of the adopted Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (2016) and the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Application for demolition of the existing Mulberry Farm buildings, retention of Mulberry farmhouse and proposed erection of 25 residential units with associated parking facilities, amenity space, landscaping, village green, pond and paddock.

The agent and a representative of the parish council spoke on this application.

Members were dissatisfied with the house type and lack of affordable housing proposed for the site and it was moved by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor O’Shea that the application be deferred for further discussion with the applicant. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – the application be refused for further consideration of house type and provision of affordable housing.

Application for wooden cattery.

Application for wooden cattery.

Three objectors and the applicant spoke on this item.

Notwithstanding the officer’s recommendation that permission be granted, members felt that the impact on neighbours and the character of the area would be contrary to policy DM10 of the site allocations and development management policies DPD. It was moved by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Allen that permission be refused. Upon being put to the vote, six members voted for the motion and six voted against the motion to refuse. The chair therefore exercised her right to a casting vote and voted for the motion to refuse. The motion was therefore CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – permission be refused due to the impact of the proposed cattery on neighbours and upon the character of the area, contrary to policy DM10 of the site allocations and development management policies DPD.

Application for approval of reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout, scale) of application 21/00096/OUT) for residential development of up to 55 dwellings (outline – access only).

This application was deferred at the meeting on 27 August. As such, in accordance with the council’s constitution, no public speaking will be permitted.

Application for approval of reserved matters (appearance, landscaping, layout, scale) of outline application 21/00096/OUT) for residential development of up to 55 dwellings (outline – access only).

The ward councillor spoke on this application.

Councillor S Gibbens proposed that the application be approved in accordance with the officer’s recommendation. In the absence of a seconder, the motion was not pursued.

Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor O’Shea, proposed that the application be deferred to allow for further discussion on adoption of roads and the maintenance agreement. Upon further discussion, the motion was withdrawn.

Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor O’Shea, proposed that the decision be delegated to the Head of Planning to grant consent subject to requesting the roads be built to adoptable standards and every effort be made to get the roads adopted, and requesting that street lighting be installed. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            The decision be delegated to the Head of Planning following discussions in relation to building the roads to an adoptable standard and installation of street lights;

(ii)          Should the application be approved, agreement of conditions be delegated to the Head of Planning.

Change of use and conversion of commercial / offices (class E) to short term let serviced apartments (class C1 – hotels). New accessible ramps, installation of signage, parking and alteration to property.

This application was deferred at the meeting on 27 August. As such, in accordance with the council’s constitution, no public speaking will be permitted.

Application for change of use and conversion of commercial / offices (class E) to short term let serviced apartments (class C1 – hotels). New accessible ramps, installation of signage, parking and alteration to the property.

It was moved by Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report;

(ii)          Authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to determine the final detail of the conditions.

Having declared a pecuniary interest in the following item, Councillor O’Shea left the meeting at 8.35pm.

Application for demolition of conservatory, erection of single storey rear extension and associated works.

Application for demolition of conservatory, erection of single storey rear extension and associated works.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor S Gibbens and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the officer’s report;

(ii)          Authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to determine the final detail of the conditions.

Councillor O’Shea returned to the meeting at 8.36pm.

Application for installation of roof mounting solar PV panels.

Application for installation of roof mounting solar PV panels.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Allen and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Prior approval be granted;

(ii)          Authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to determine the final detail of planning conditions.

Application for outline planning permission for residential development of up to ten bungalows (some matters reserved except for scale and access).

Outline application for residential development of up to ten bungalows (some matters reserved except for scale and access).

It was moved by Councillor Bray and seconded by Councillor Allen that permission be granted. Upon further discussion, Councillor Allen proposed an amendment that a note to applicant be added to request that the roads be built to adoptable standard, street lighting be installed, and an application be submitted to Leicestershire County Council for parking restrictions within 20m of the junction. The amendment was agreed by the mover of the original motion, with an additional note to applicant to reiterate that the preference was for single storey dwellings. Upon being put to the vote, the motion as amended was CARRIED and it was unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            Permission be granted subject to:

a)    A section 106 agreement as set out in the report;

b)    The conditions contained in the officer’s report

c)    A note to applicant be added in relation to:

1.    Building of roads to an adoptable standard

2.    Installation of street lighting

3.    Submission of an application for a traffic regulation order to regulate parking near the site entrance

4.    The preference for single storey dwellings.

(ii)          Authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to determine the final detail of the planning conditions;

(iii)         Authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to finalise the terms of the section 106 agreement including trigger points and claw back periods.

To report on progress relating to various appeals.

Members were updated on appeals. It was agreed that a written report would be provided.