05-06-25 PLAN MINS

MINUTES OF THE LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 6th MAY 2025

Councillor P. Starsmore (PS) (in the chair).

Present Councillors: Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), J. Baskett (JB), L.M. Cooney (LMC), J. Drake (JD), H. Filer (HF), D. Hobson (DH), G.E. Horton (GEH), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), D. Moore (DM), Mrs. K. Parsons (Mrs. KP), Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW).

Councillors not present: M. Barnes (MB), D.E. Wing (DEW).

The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. S. Chitauro-Adlard and Mr. E. Clark from Louth Town Football Club were also present.

P143. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. DEW.

P144. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest were made:
a. Cllr. LMC – PA1 as an acquaintance of the applicant.
b. Cllrs. DH, GEH and Mrs. JMS – items 5, 6 and 7 as members of East Lindsey District Council (ELDC).
c. Cllr. Mrs. JMS – item 8a as an acquaintance of the owner.

P145. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 15th April 2025 be approved as the minutes.

P146. Refused Application for 3G Pitch at Wood Lane / Alternative Arrangements
The Committee received a short presentation from Louth Town Football Club’s Mr. E. Clark, who appealed to the Council for support in progressing alternative arrangements for a 3G pitch in Louth, after the refusal of the application for a 3G pitch at Wood Lane. Mr. Clark felt that Louth was in desperate need of a 3G pitch to accommodate the popularity of football in the town, which was a sentiment shared by most Councillors. After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Mayor Elect, Cllr. DH, and Deputy Mayor Elect, Cllr. Mrs. KP, should arrange to attend meetings to assist in progressing alternative arrangements for a 3G pitch in Louth, reporting back to the Town Council, who would also invite Mr. Perry, an ELDC Officer, and Mr. Marsh, an ELDC Councillor, to a future meeting discuss the matter further.

P147. Applications received by the Local Planning Authority
The Committee considered all planning applications received, including those listed in the schedule (PA/Schedule 05-06-25) and it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED as follows:
a. 00398/25/FUL – to object on the grounds that the proposed location is not appropriate for a dining facility. The site also presents parking and traffic issues, as this is a busy part of the Industrial Estate and parking here is somewhat limited, particularly during daytime hours. Additionally, the scope of the business moves away from the type of business that the Industrial Estate was designed for and this business should be located within the town centre to maintain its vitality and viability.
b. 00396/25/FUL – to object on the grounds that the plans for the application were considered confusing and unclear. Relevant previous planning applications had been refused both in the first instance and after an appeal.
c. To support all other applications.

NB: Cllr. Mrs. PFW left the room at 7.40pm during discussion of PA1 and PA2 and therefore did not vote on those Planning Applications. She re-entered the room at 7.44pm.
P148. Planning Correspondence
The Committee noted the following planning correspondence:
a. ELDC Planning Decisions
i. ELDC refused – N/105/01731/24 – Planning Permission – 184 Eastgate, LN11 9AG – LTC objected 10/12/24.
ii. ELDC approved – N/105/00043/25 – Planning Permission – Westville, Irish Hill, LN11 9YL – LTC objected 25/02/25.
iii. ELDC refused – N/105/01111/24 – Planning Permission – Wood Lane Playing Field, Louth – LTC objected 25/03/25.
iv. ELDC approved – 00302/25/FUL – Planning Permission – 180 Eastgate, LN11 9AG – LTC – LTC supported 25/03/25.
v. ELDC approved – N/105/00219/25 – Planning Permission – Honda UK Racing, LN11 0WD – LTC supported 25/03/25.
b. Temporary Traffic Restrictions
i. Organisation Responsible for Restriction: Anglian Water
Reason for Restriction: Meter exchange.
Nature and Location of Restriction: Road Closure Order – Church Street (between Newmarket and a point 40m North).
Period of Restriction: 14/05/25 – 15/05/25 (restrictions to be implemented for 2 days as and when required during this period. Signage will be displayed on site in advance).
ii. Organisation Responsible for Restriction: Direct Traffic Management
Reason for Restriction: Foul and surface water connections.
Nature and Location of Restriction: Road Closure Order – Monks Dyke (between Almond Crescent and Millgood Close).
Period of Restriction: 26/05/25 – 30/05/25 (restrictions to be implemented for 5 days as and when required during this period. Signage will be displayed on site in advance).
c. Enforcement
i. Location: 1 Freer Gardens, Louth, LN11 8AW. Nature of Investigation: Untidy land. The matter is due to be fully investigated by an enforcement officer, who will aim to visit the location within 18 working days to establish whether of breach of planning control has taken place
d. Committee
i. N/105/01545/24 – 139 Eastgate, LN11 9QQ – the following application is due to be presented to the ELDC Planning Committee Meeting on 8th May 2025.

P149. Advertisement Consent Appeal
The Committee noted that Wildstone Estates Ltd., had appealed against ELDC’s refusal for 1no. internally illuminated digital poster sign at 152-154 Eastgate (N/105/01928/24). All previous comments were forwarded by ELDC to the Planning Inspector. After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Committee wished to stand by and reiterate their previous comments in objection.

P150. Proposed Work to Trees
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to support the following work to trees:
a. Location: The Wheatsheaf Inn, Westgate. Proposals: T1 – Sycamore – Canopy reduction from 18m to 15m high and 18m to 12m wide. Removal of small stem growing from the base. Raise canopy to 5m. T2 – Elder – Remove to ground level. T3 – Sycamore – Remove and grind out stump. Reasons: T1 – to let more light into garden, reduce honey dew drip and open up view onto tennis courts. T3 – To let more light into garden, reduce honey dew drip, lifting of slabs inside garden, lifting of carpark tarmac and would like to renew damaged fence.
b. Location: Elm Cottage, Stainesway. Proposals: G1 – Group consisting of Horse Chestnut, Sycamore, Oak, Beech, Lime, Ash, Willow, Walnut, Evergreen Oak, Bind Cherry and Mixed Evergreens – T1 on plan (Holm Oak) reduce encroachment to the south by up to 2m to suitable growth points and round into the sides and top to retain aesthetics. Reasons: G1 – Tree has a heavy lean to the south, works are to reduce the weight to the south to help balance the tree and mitigate the risk of future failure.

P151. Next Meeting
It was noted that the next scheduled Planning Committee meeting would take place on 3rd June 2025.

The Meeting Closed at 8.05pm.

Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________