Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair, Councillor Caleb Tomlinson, welcomed members of the public to the meeting and introduced the committee.

The Chair paid tribute to Councillor Bill Evans, former Cabinet Member for Planning, Business Support and Regeneration, who sadly passed away in March 2022.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Barrie Yates.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

Councillor James Flannery declared a personal interest in item 7 – 5 East Square, Longton.

Councillor Jon Hesketh declared a prejudicial interest in item 7 – 5 East Square, Longton - and would leave the meeting for the duration of the item..

Councillor Chris Lomax declared a prejudicial interest in item 9 – St Aidan’s Church, 46 Station Road, Bamber Bridge – and would leave the meeting for the duration of the item.

To be approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the previous meeting of the Planning Committee, held on Thursday, 3 March 2022, be approved as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

An update will be provided at the meeting.

The Director of Planning and Development advised the committee of three appeals, which had recently been dismissed by the Planning Inspector, relating to

·       Newgate Lane, Whitestake

·       9 Wordworth Place, Walton-le-Dale

·       Lynbrook, Dob Lane, Little Hoole

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

Application approved with conditions.

Registered speaker(s): Councillor Michael Green (ward councillor) and the Agent

Address: Titan Business Park

               Leyland Test Track

               Moss Side

               Leyland

               PR26 7EW

Applicant: Providence Gate Titon Limited and Property Capital Limited

Agent: Mr Graeme Thorpe

           2 Lockside Office Park

           Lockside Road

           Preston

           PR2 2YS

Development: Hybrid application for a development of a business park/commercial buildings (Class B1), a petrol filling station (Sui Generis) and restaurant drive thru together with associated roads and landscaping, comprising of:

a)    Outline application for development of a petrol filling station and restaurant drive thru (access applied for)

b)    Reserved matters application for a development of a business park/commercial buildings (Classes B1) pursuant to the parent consent (07/2017/3361/ORM) with access road and landscaping (Lower and Upper Titan)

c)     Full application for additional access to the site from Ashton Way

The officer recommendation was proposed by Councillor James Flannery, seconded by Councillor Phil Smith and subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved with conditions.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

Application refused.

Councillor Jon Hesketh left the meeting for the duration of this item and did not take part in the vote.

Registered speaker(s): None

Address: 5 East Square

               Longton

               Lancashire

               PR4 5NL

Applicant: Mr Tom Banks

Agent: Mr Chris Weetman

           1 Reeveswood

           Eccleston

           Chorley

           PR7 5RS

Development: Erection of 1 no. detached bungalow with access off Long Croft

The officer recommendation was proposed by Councillor Phil Smith, seconded by Councillor Gareth Watson, and it was subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the application be refused on the grounds that the siting of the proposed bungalow will appear overly prominent in the street scene and as such will detract from the character and appearance of the area when viewed from Long Croft. The proposal is therefore contrary to Policy B1 and G17 of the South Ribble Local Plan.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

Application approved with conditions.

Councillor Jon Hesketh returned to the meeting.

Registered speaker(s): None

Address: Wingnut Ltd.

               Tomlinson Road

               Leyland

               Lancashire

               PR25 2DY

Applicant: CH Holdings Limited

Agent: MCK Associates

           Burnaby Villa

           48 Watling Street Road

           Fulwood

           Preston

           PR2 8BP

Development: Erection of 13 no. industrial units (for use classes B2/B8/E(C)/E (G)) with associated parking and servicing.

The officer recommendation was proposed by Councillor Caroline Moon, seconded by Councillor Jon Hesketh, and it was subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved with conditions.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

Application approved with conditions.

Councillor Chris Lomax left the meeting for the duration of this item and did not take part in the vote.

Registered speaker(s): None

Address: St Aidan’s Church

               46 Station Road

               Bamber Bridge

               Preston

               PR5 6QL

Applicant: Brownedge Christian Together Foodbank

Agent: Miss Samantha Jones

           Civic Centre

           West Paddock

           Leyland

           PR25 1DH

Development: Provision of a shipping container within the car park to house a foodbank.

The officer recommendation was proposed by Councillor James Flannery, seconded by Councillor Clare Hunter, and it was subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved with conditions.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

Application approved with conditions.

Councillor Chris Lomax returned to the meeting.

Registered speaker(s): None

Address: 51 Hough Lane

               Leyland

               Lancashire

               PR25 2SA

Applicant: Wine & Beer Co. Ltd.

Agent: Mr David Perry

           Extended Design Limited

           97 The Farthings

           Astley Village

           Chorley

           PR7 1SH

Development: Change of use to Class E(b) (Sale of food and drink for consumption (mostly) on the premises) incorporating a new shop frontage and outside seating area

The officer recommendation was proposed by Councillor Phil Smith, seconded by Councillor Will Adams, and it was subsequently

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the application be approved with conditions.

Report of the Director of Planning and Development attached.

1.     That the draft Monitoring Report be approved for publication on the Council’s website, subject to revisions requested at the meeting and

2.     that authority is delegated to the Director for Planning and Development to make minor text, layout and formatting changes prior to publication, as necessary.

The committee received a report of the Director of Planning and Development which sought approval of the draft 2020/2021 Monitoring Report for the 2015 South Ribble Local Plan, which all local authorities are required to publish on their website.

The report highlighted key achievements, such as

·       A total of 414 housing completions

·       Completion of 37 affordable dwellings

·       Retention of Green Flag status for three parks in the borough

Members requested that the report be updated prior to publication to include information on the total number of units in each local centre, to provide further detail with regards to the number of vacant units.

There was also some confusion over whether the target for affordable housing was 30 dwellings or 30%. The Director of Planning and Development advised that this monitoring report related to the South Ribble Local Plan, which had a target of 30 affordable dwellings being completed per year.

It was acknowledged that the Central Lancashire Core Strategy requests that 30% of a development be affordable houses, where applicable, and that this discrepancy would be addressed in the new Local Plan which was currently under review.

It was requested that paragraph 2.5 of the appendix be rewritten to clarify this position and that the report be recirculated to members of the committee prior to publication.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That

1.     the draft Monitoring Report be approved for publication on the Council’s website, subject to revisions requested at the meeting and

2.     authority is delegated to the Director for Planning and Development to make minor text, layout and formatting changes prior to publication, as necessary.