49 homes at Land At Fanthorpe Lane, Louth

What was proposed

Outline permission was sought for 49 dwellings, with means of access and landscaping to be considered.

“PROPOSAL: Outline erection of 49no. dwellings (with means of access and landscaping to be considered).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is undeveloped grassland beside Fanthorpe Lane and the A16, near homes, a car dealership, a care home and housing under construction.

“The site is located towards to the north-west edge of Louth. The application site itself comprises of undeveloped grass land, located on both sides of Fanthorpe Lane. The A16 is adjacent to the north-west side. The John Darke car dealership is to the south-east side along with the rear boundaries to dwellings which front onto Grimsby Road.”

“Fanthorpe Lane is primarily residential and is accessed via Grimsby Road. The Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape (LWNL) sits to the south of the application site with the existing housing estate in between. The existing properties located along Fanthorpe Lane are primarily single-storey bungalows on the northern side and two-storey dwellings to the south and southwest. The rear of the car dealership borders a portion of the northern side of the lane.”

Officer report

What consultees and neighbours said

The town council, education and health bodies, and neighbours raised objections, while highways, the Environment Agency and other consultees gave qualified support or no objection.

“TOWN COUNCIL – Object on the grounds of: 1) Access and Highway Safety - A restriction meaning that Fanthorpe Lane (an unadopted country lane maintained by its residents) cannot be used as an access point must be imposed. Two accesses must be provided as a single point of access poses dangerous risks if the road is blocked and emergency services require access. 2) Traffic generation. 3) Overbearing nature of the proposal. 4) Layout and density of buildings.”

“ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - Whilst have no objection to the application, the site lies within Louth Water Recycling Centre catchment and we would therefore like to highlight the following information. The evidence available to us demonstrates that the Louth Water Recycling Centre is at or near its permitted limits. Additional flows from new developments such as this could lead to the works causing pollution of the receiving watercourse.”

Officer report

Main concerns raised

Objections included the private lane, traffic, flooding, infrastructure capacity, noise, wildlife, privacy, density and the lack of affordable housing.

“ELDC HOUSING STRATEGY - Thank you for consulting the Local housing Authority on this outline application. Please see our comments below in relation to the affordable housing provision. Within the outline application 10 affordable housing units have been proposed which does not meet the requirements detailed within the Council’s Local Plan. On developments of 15 or more properties a provision of 30% affordable housing provision is required.”

“Too many dwellings proposed for the site at the end of a lane. Houses crammed in not in keeping with this edge of site and harmful impact on the countryside character. Poor water pressure in the nearby existing properties. Could create parking issues on Fanthorpe Lane. Fanthorpe Lane needs closing off before development commences. Confusion to drivers trying to access site down Fanthorpe Lane and farm opposite on the A16. Impact on wildlife.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

A planning consultant supported the application, while the town council representative and ward member addressed the committee.

How members voted

The committee approved the application in line with the officer recommendation and amended Condition 14, with eight votes for, two against and one abstention.

“Following which, the application was seconded for approval in line with officer recommendation, including the amendment to Condition 14.”

“Upon being put to the vote, the proposal for approval in line with officer recommendation including the amendment to Condition 14 was carried.”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was approved, despite no affordable housing or contributions to local health and education facilities.

“The application was recommended for approval, however due to the viability of the proposal, no affordable housing would be provided and no contributions would be made towards the local health and education facilities.”

Minutes

Controls on the development

The decision included conditions, with Condition 14 amended to clarify pedestrian, cycle and emergency access arrangements through Fanthorpe Lane.

“- A Member sought clarification regarding access via Fanthorpe Lane and whether bollards would be installed.”

“The Principal Planning Officer confirmed that retractable bollards were proposed beyond the final existing dwelling. This arrangement would permit pedestrian and cycle access while restricting general vehicular traffic and emergency vehicles would retain their access. Members were advised that Condition 14 would be amended to make these arrangements clearer.”

Minutes