To receive Report No. 15/2021 from the Strategic Director for Places.

Report No. 162/2020 was received from the Strategic Director for Places.

It was noted that Item 2 had been pulled from the agenda to get additional comments from the Lead Local Flood Authority in relation to drainage issues on the site.

The Chairman noted that Mrs Harvey and Mr Blanksby would be unable to take part or vote on application 2020/0891/FUL due to not being in attendance when it was previously taken by the Planning and Licensing Committee in November 2020.

Item 1 – 2020/0891/FUL – Barrowden Village Hall, Wakerley Road, Barrowden

(Parish: Barrowden; Ward: Ketton)

Mr Justin Johnson, Development Manager, addressed the Committee and gave an executive summary of the application, recommending approval.

During discussion the following points were noted:

      i.        Mr Woodley raised concern that there appeared to be a small fire exit at the side of the building for the consulting rooms and that it may not be disability friendly with its size. Mr Johnson stated that no concerns were raised, but Building Regulations would need to sign off on it before it was built and would check whilst the development was being built.

    ii.        Mr Oxley raised concern that there was not a smoking shelter in the plans and felt if there was a shelter it could minimise impact on neighbouring properties.

   iii.        Mr Baines felt that the application was inconsistent with the neighbourhood plan, and that the design, scale and materials to be used for the development were not appropriate. Mr Johnson stated that the neighbourhood plan was down to interpretation, and that the neighbourhood plan stated that modern designs would be supported if of the highest quality. Mr Johnson noted that officers felt this would be met.

Mr Baines proposed that the application be refused on grounds of innapropriate scale, design and use of materials. This was seconded.

A recorded vote took place and the votes cast were as follows:

As the vote was a tie, the chairman had the casting vote and voted against the proposal. The proposal was defeated.

Mr Cross proposed that the application be approved in accordance with officer recommendations. This was seconded.

A recorded vote took place and the votes cast were as follows:

As the vote was a tie, the chairman had the casting vote and voted against the proposal. The proposal was defeated.

Mr Begy asked for clarification as to if the needs of a village and wider public benefit it may create would be a material planning consideration. Mr Johnson confirmed that they were material planning considerations.

Mr Begy proposed that the application be approved in accordance with officer recommendations. This was seconded.

A recorded vote took place and the votes cast were as follows:

RESOLVED

That application 2020/0891/FUL be APPROVED in accordance with officer recommendations.

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Item 3 – 2020/1205/FUL – 134A, Braunston Road, Oakham

(Parish: Oakham; Ward: Oakham South)

Mr Johnson addressed the Committee and gave an executive summary of the application, recommending approval.

It was proposed that the application be approved in accordance with officer recommendations. This was seconded.

A recorded vote took place. The vote was unanimous.

RESOLVED

That application 2020/1205/FUL be APPROVED in accordance with officer recommendations.

That the Committee APPROVED application 2020/1200/FUL in accordance with officer recommendations.