30 holiday lodges at Land Adjacent Sanctuary Croft Lane Croft

What was proposed

The application sought 30 holiday lodges around a commercial fishing lake, with access roads, parking, landscaping, cycle and waste facilities.

“Planning Permission is sought for a change of use of land for the siting of holiday lodges, erection of a cycle store, excavation of land to provide a commercial fishing pond with the construction of a vehicular access, access gates, internal access roads and bin store.”

“The proposal was originally submitted for 33 holiday lodges but amended during consideration to seek permission for the siting of 30no. holiday lodges with decking positioned around a commercial fishing lake which would be excavated centrally within the site. 7no. fishing pegs would be positioned around the lake.”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered that landscaping, relocated lodges, cycle provision, the fishing facility and proposed conditions addressed policy, landscape, access, amenity and flood concerns.

“Taking the above into account, it is considered that, although not yet in existence, the proposal would provide an accepted tourism facility as part of the scheme and with the cycle provision offering an alternative method of transport to nearby sustainable settlements, the principle of development is accepted and those particular concerns for the 2019 application have been addressed.”

“The three lodges previously sited south of the internal access road have now been relocated elsewhere within the site. A laurel hedge which is to be planted and maintained and retained at a height of 2 metres is also proposed south of the internal access road. The density of the landscaping on the bund has also increased. As a result of these changes, the separation distance from the southern boundary of Oakridge House to the nearest lodge is approx. 45 metres.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish council and ward councillor objected, while highways, police, heritage, ecology, drainage and environmental consultees raised no objection or provided advice and conditions.

“CROFT PARISH COUNCIL – Objects on the grounds of road being too narrow even with proposed passing point, too many caravans in the nearby area, unsuitability of road for the delivering of caravans, impact on the local infrastructure, concerns with drainage and potential flooding, adversely impacting local wildlife, impacts on peace and privacy of neighbour’s properties.”

“LCC AS HIGHWAYS AND Lead Local Flood AUTHORITY – No objection subject to conditions to ensure a Construction Management Plan, Passing Place constructed prior to occupation, accesses constructed to the required specification.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application and a resident spoke against it; members asked neither speaker any questions.

What members discussed

Members discussed why earlier access concerns had changed and noted the amended scheme and its compliance with relevant policies.

“- A Member requested some clarification on why access concerns raised in 2019 were no longer considered. The Development Management Lead Officer explained that the laws had not changed, but the site circumstances had. Appeal decisions had influenced officers’ approach to connectivity and distance from local settlements. He further advised Members that the Highway Authority had not raised an objection to the current proposal.”

“- Members noted that the applicant had implemented all requested amendments and were satisfied that the application complied with all relevant all policies.”

Minutes

The vote

Approval in line with the officer recommendation was carried by 10 votes to 1, with 1 abstention.

“Following which, the application was Proposed and Seconded for approval in line with officer recommendation.”

“Upon being put to the vote, the proposal for approval in line with officer recommendation was carried.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The committee approved the application for the proposed development, subject to conditions governing construction, access, landscaping, lodges, ecology, drainage, occupation and flood safety.

“That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:”

“In pursuance of its powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the East Lindsey District Council grants permission for the carrying out of the development referred to in Part I hereof in accordance with the application and plans submitted subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes

Main approval conditions

The conditions limit the site to 30 lodges, require a one-way access system and passing place, protect neighbours and wildlife, and restrict lodges to holiday use.

“Notwithstanding the submitted details, prior to the siting of any of the lodges hereby permitted, the final design and external colour of the lodges shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. Only the lodges as approved shall be provided on the site.”

“The holiday lodges hereby permitted shall be occupied for holiday purposes only and shall not be occupied as a person's sole or main place of residence. The owners/operators of the site shall maintain an up-to-date register of the names of all occupiers of the accommodation on site, and of their main home addresses, and shall make this information available to the Local Planning Authority upon request.”

Minutes