Committee Minutes 1 April 2021 - 31 March 2022

Ruskington Parish Council

Minutes of a Planning Committee meeting held on Tuesday 26 October 2021 at the Winchelsea centre, 11 High Street North, Ruskington, NG34 9DY at 6.30pm.

There were 10 members of the public present.

Public Session: Cllr Cunningham (outgoing chairman) welcomed the delegates and members of the public and introduced himself. All members of the public were attending with concerns over the inclusion in the draft review of the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan of a plot of land on Leasingham Lane. Cllr Cunningham gave a brief outline of the Local Plan and how the Council has responded. Cllr Cunningham and D/Cllr Wright answered questions, advised on what constituted material planning concerns and the agencies that would be invited to respond, including LCC Highways and Anglian Water.  Cllr Cunningham reiterated that the Parish Council had no authority over planning but also worked to support the views of the residents when these were known. The latest response from the Council was shared on the screen and can be seen below.

When all questions had been answered, the public were invited to stay for the rest of the meeting, but all chose to leave.

1. Election of Chairman for the Planning Committee.

Cllr Conway nominated Cllr Cunningham.

Action: The Committee RESOLVED to elect Cllr Cunningham as the Chairman for Planning for the rest of the municipal year. Proposed by Cllr Conway, seconded by Cllr White and approved unanimously.

2. Apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received from Cllr Trolley and their valid reason for absence was known.

Action: The Committee RESOLVED to accept Cllr Trolleys valid reason for absence. Proposed by Cllr White, seconded by Cllr Cunningham and approved unanimously.

3.  To receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011- being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests.

None were declared at this time.

4. Election of Vice-chairman for the Planning Committee.

This was deferred until the next meeting.

5.  To consider the following planning applications: -

   5.1.  Planning Application Reference: 21/1283/HOUS

Proposal:  Erection of a single storey front, side, and rear extension

Location:   20 Moor Park Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9AJ

Action: The Committee unanimously RESOLVED that Ruskington Parish Council supports this application.

   5.2. Planning Application Reference: 21/1415/FUL

Proposal:  Proposed boiler room

Location:   34 Station Road Ruskington Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 9DA

Action: The Committee unanimously RESOLVED that Ruskington Parish Council supports the application in principal but requests that the building, type of boiler, installation and materials used are designed to reduce noise levels to a degree that will not affect the well-being of immediate residents.

   5.3. Application Reference: 21/1236/HOUS Notification of Receipt of Amended Plans

Proposal:  Proposed erection of a new garage

Location:   13 West Gate Ruskington Sleaford

Comments to be returned to NKDC by 31st October 2021

Action: The Committee unanimously RESOLVED that Ruskington Parish Council supports this application.

6. Applications APPROVED by NKDC in October 2021.  For information only.

   6.1. Application Reference: 21/1125/FUL

Proposal: Erection of single storey ground floor extension with first floor dormer and balcony to rear and creation of off-street parking area.

Location: The Ducklings 22 High Street South Ruskington

   6.2. Application Reference: 21/1174/HOUS

Proposal: Proposed 7.0x8.0m garage to the front of the existing bungalow

Location: 60A Rectory Road Ruskington Sleaford

   6.3. Application Reference: 21/1251/HOUS

Proposal: Erection of single storey rear extension (Retrospective)

Location: 35 Tomlinson Way, Ruskington, Sleaford

The Clerk advised that another Notification of Decision (Approval) had been received from NKDC:

Application reference: 21/1251/HOUS

Proposal: Erection of single storey rear extension (Retrospective)

Location: 35 Tomlinson way, Ruskington, Sleaford

7. To consider correspondence regarding the Draft Central Lincolnshire Local Plan and possible development on land on Leasingham Lane.

The Clerk had responded to the correspondent and provided the response sent by the Council regarding the plot of land on Leasingham lane.  This matter had also been dealt with during the public session and there was no further information to add.

8. To consider bus shelters for bus stops in Ruskington. (Funding from LCC can be applied for.)

Examples from suppliers were circulated prior to the meeting.

Action: The Committee unanimously RESOLVED to ask Council to consider if bus shelters should be provided, if so what type, design, and materials should be used.  Council had agreed at the meeting held on 28 September that the Planning Committee could research the funding available from LCC.

The meeting ended at 6.50pm.

RPC response to the review of the draft Central Lincolnshire Local Plan:

"Draft Central Lincolnshire Local Plan

Ruskington Parish Council (RPC) has supported the concept of additional housing in Ruskington from the inception of the project to the Local Plan adopted in 2017. It was understood that a review across the planning criteria was an agenda item. The allocation of sites in 2017 was understood and relevant comments submitted to encompass council's considerations.

The Draft Plan in respect of housing on Site Reference NK/RUSK/008, old reference CL962, is not supported and RPC is, quite simply, astounded that a site in Leasingham lane is submitted for consideration. The previous plan was rejected by NKDC and, moreover, given significant highway concerns, also by Lincolnshire County Council. The highway area providing access and exit from Leasingham Lane to Rectory Road and Lincoln Road has not been subject to development to enable safe provision for pedestrians and wheeled transport. The daily use by a considerable number of HGV's, often with a trailer, are unable to access Rectory Road from Lincoln Road and vice versa without crossing the centre of the road. The access from Rectory Road to Leasingham line is a blind corner and other road users are not identified until the corner is accessed. In essence, the highway in and out of Leasingham Lane is a major concern for road safety. 

RPC notes that the site has pylons and the plan states that the number of dwellings will be reduced from 56. Why is the relevant number not advised? RPC further notes that the need for highway improvement is required, a matter addressed above, but not confined to access and exit to Leasingham Lane, but also the width of the road.

In summary, RPC does not support the allocation of site NK/RUSK/008.