04-15-25 PLAN MINS

MINUTES OF THE LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL PLANNING COMMITTEE
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 15th APRIL 2025
Councillor P. Starsmore (PS) (in the chair).

Present Councillors: J. Baskett (JB), L.M. Cooney (LMC), J. Drake (JD), D. Hobson (DH), G.E. Horton (GEH), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), Mrs. K. Parsons (Mrs. KP).

Councillors not present: Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), M. Barnes (MB), H. Filer (HF), Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW), D.E. Wing (DEW).

The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips and the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. S. Chitauro-Adlard were also present.

Public Forum
• Cllr. Mrs JMS shared concerns over the access to the Ticklepenny Lock attenuation pond, which she felt created a safety hazard, and the on-road parking at Mount Pleasant, which was preventing blue light vehicles from attending emergencies along the street.
• Cllr. LMC told the meeting that she had been stopped by a gentleman who had also shared concerns about on-road parking at Lacey Gardens during school hours, which had stopped emergency services and residents from using the road.
• Cllr. JB informed the meeting that Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) were to fill in an area of the road at Watts Lane.

P136. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Mrs. EB, HF and Mrs. PFW.

P137. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest were made:
a. Cllr. DH – items 4, 5 and 6 as a member of East Lindsey District Council (ELDC).
b. Cllr. GEH – items 4, 5 and 6 as a member of ELDC.
c. Cllr. Mrs. JMS – items 4, 5 and 6 as a member of ELDC.

P138. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 25th March 2025 be approved as the minutes.

P139. Applications received by the Local Planning Authority
The Committee considered all planning applications received, including those listed in the schedule (PA/Schedule 04-15-25) and it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED as follows:
a. 00364/25/FUL – to support with the condition that there should be a biodiversity net gain to its approval and it must have adequate parking to service the needs of its staff and users. The Council is very concerned about the amount of cars parking on street on the Industrial Estate and wonders if ELDC/LCC could look to double yellow line the roads and install a new pay and display car park on the Industrial Estate to solve the congestion problem on the roads?
b. 00401/25/OUT – to support with the proviso that great care be taken to ensure that the ancient hedgerows on the site and which line Stewton Lane are protected and not damaged in any way during the build. If any are to be removed for the development, the amount must be minimised. The Council was pleased to note that the planting of new hedgerows was proposed which should help to increase biodiversity in the area. The Council were also concerned about flooding and wish to see proper flood mitigation measures put in place.
c. 00264/25/RVC – to object on the grounds that it does not believe that the original permission conditions are being adhered to, see comments submitted on the portal by the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service, which the Council would reiterate. In addition, the Council believes that better landscaping is required on the edge of/in an AONB and that further measures are required to ensure that a 10% increase in biodiversity net gain is achieved.
d. To support all other applications.
P140. Planning Correspondence
The Committee noted the following planning correspondence:
a. ELDC Planning Decisions
i. ELDC approved – N/105/01750/24 – Listed Building Consent – 14 Mercer Row, LN11 9JQ – LTC objected 25/02/25.
ii. ELDC approved – N/105/01915/24 – Section 73 Application – 10 Southlands Avenue, LN11 8EW – LTC supported 25/02/25.
iii. ELDC approved – N/105/00222/25 – Section 73 Application – Land at 76A Eastgate, Louth – LTC supported 25/02/25.
iv. ELDC approved – N/105/00074/25 – Planning Permission – The Beeches, 37 St. Mary’s Lane, LN11 0DU – LTC supported 25/03/25
b. Temporary Traffic Restrictions
i. Organisation Responsible for Restriction: Bostock Scaffolding Services Ltd
Reason for Restriction: Scaffolding at Masons for renovation.
Nature and Location of Restriction: Road closure Order – Butcher Lane.
Period of Restriction: 20/04/25 – 17/05/25 (restrictions to be implemented for 28 days as and when required during this period. Signage will be displayed on site in advance).
ii. Organisation Responsible for Restriction: Louth Town Council
Reason for Restriction: Emergency – tree felling.
Nature and Location of Restriction: Emergency Road Closure Order – Crowtree Lane (closed West of Little Crowtree Lane).
Period of Restriction: 02/04/25 – 04/04/25 (restrictions to be implemented for 3 days as and when required during this period. Signage will be displayed on site in advance).
iii. Organisation Responsible for Restriction: Anglian Water
Reason for Restriction: Emergency – repair water leak.
Nature and Location of Restriction: Emergency Road Closure Order – Watts Lane (between 30m and 80m Southwest of Mount Pleasant Avenue).
Period of Restriction: 01/04/25 – 07/04/25 (restrictions to be implemented for 7 days as and when required during this period. Signage will be displayed on site in advance).
iv. Organisation Responsible for Restriction: Network Plus
Reason for Restriction: Gas mains replacement.
Nature and Location of Restriction: Road Closure Order – Mayfield Crescent.
Period of Restriction: 05/05/25 – 19/05/25 (restrictions to be implemented for 10 days as and when required during this period. Signage will be displayed on site in advance).

P141. Proposed Work to Trees
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to support the following work to trees in the Conservation Area:
a. Location: Boulevard Care Ltd., The Rowans, 266 Eastgate. Proposals: T1 – Conifer – Remove. T2 – Sycamore – Remove. T3 – Sycamore – Remove. T4 – To represent any other tree overhanging the boundary – Crown lift as necessary up to 4m. Reasons: T1, T2, T3 and T4 – Obstructing neighbouring properties.

P142. Bollards on corner of Eastgate and Cannon Street
The Committee discussed LCC’s recent installation of the above and, after discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Town Clerk would contact LCC to share the Council’s dismay at the bollards, which had been placed without consultation of the Town Council, after several members of the Council had received a number of complaints from the public, particularly from those in wheelchairs and mobility scooters, those less able bodied and those pushing prams who were struggling to navigate around and between the bollards. Whilst the Council was in agreement that something needed to be done to protect the building on the corner, it felt that the current measures were unsuitable and suggested a review of the bollards in consultation with the Town Council. In addition, the Council felt that better signage was needed to direct lorries and larger vehicles through the town centre or to indicate a maximum weight restriction for vehicles, due to Louth’s medieval street plan and narrow roads and pavements. The Council also acknowledged that the on-street parking of blue badge holders on Little Eastgate was contributing towards problems in the area and requested to LCC that on-street parking be reviewed in collaboration with the Town Council.

P143. Next Meeting
It was noted that the next scheduled Planning Committee meeting would take place on 6th May 2025.

The Meeting Closed at 7.51pm.

Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________