Agenda item

Full application for Increase number of children from 16 to 21 in connection with current child minding business (Modification of Condition 3 of H12-0598-22) and siting of log cabin in association with business at 2 School Lane, Lutton, Spalding (Report of the Lead Development Management Planner (Interim) – BBC & SHDC enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Lead Development Management Planner (Interim) upon which the above application was to be determined, including their recommendations, copies of which had previously been circulated to all members. 

Councillor Tyrrell left the room at the start of this item.

The Case Officer noted that the wording in paragraph 8.1 was incorrect and should refer to determination by the Planning Committee, not delegated authority.

Members debated the matter and fully explored the details of the application in light of prevailing policies and guidance, with the following comments being raised:

• Close attention should be paid to the concerns raised by the local MP on behalf of local residents in the vicinity of the location.
• The property should be assessed as a business as it was no longer a domestic property.
• Childcare provision within the village was desperately needed and an increase of five children did not make a large difference in relation to planning considerations.
• The negatives of the application were outweighed by the positives of the increase in childcare provision.
• Queried whether there had been any noise complaints received since the initial permission had been granted in 2022.
  • Officers responded that noise complaints had been received by the Environmental Health team, but these had been back and forth between the neighbours. No objections had been raised by Environmental Health in relation to noise.
• The size of the proposed log cabin seemed large in relation to the size of the garden, which would reduce the available safe space for children to play in.
  • Officers noted that this was not a planning consideration.
• The increase in numbers could lead to more spaces within the village hall car park being used, blocking their use by those attending the village hall.
  • Officers responded that the use of car parking at the village hall would be limited due to a staggered drop off and pick up times.
• The positioning of the log cabin was deliberately provocative to the neighbours.
• Clarification was required on condition three and whether this related to present occupants or future ones.
  • Officers clarified that it was not a personal permission, and it would tie the business to the property.
• How would staggered drop off and pick up times be enforced?
  • Officers responded that this would need to be investigated though the Enforcement team.
• Any rise in noise levels could be controlled by Environmental Health if this was to be excessive.
• Concern was raised about whether the children would be going back and forth between the house and the log cabin as this could increase the noise levels.
  • Officers confirmed that the log cabin was intended to be used for toddlers, with other children remaining in the house. Condition four restricted the hours of use to not take place in noise sensitive hours.

o    Most surrounding residents were pensioners so would be listening to the noise all day.

The full debate was not repeated here as a livestream of this Planning Committee Meeting could be viewed on South Holland District Council’s Facebook page for a limited period of time, in line with the Democratic Services Privacy Notice.

Councillor Brewis wished for his vote against the officer’s recommendation to be recorded in the minutes.

AGREED:

That permission be granted subject to the conditions outlined at section 9.0 of the report.

(Moved by Councillor Tennant, Seconded by Councillor Bingham)

Councillor Tyrrell returned to the meeting at the conclusion of this item and Councillor Bingham left before the consideration of the next item.