Expanded country park facilities at 7 Lakes Country Park, Wharf Road, Crowle

The site and its setting

The works would be on previously developed land within the existing country park, outside Ealand’s development limit and in a countryside location.

“PA/2018/957: Planning permission to erect extensions to link existing bars and restaurant, including demolition of existing conservatory and new fencing – approved with conditions 01/08/2018 CONSTRAINTS The proposed development is outside the development limit of Ealand, which is classed as a Rural Settlement in the North Lincolnshire Core Strategy.”

“The principle of development The site lies beyond defined development limits, within the countryside. Policy CS1 supports a vibrant countryside through, amongst other things, the promotion of tourism. Policies CS2 and CS3 restrict development in the countryside to that which is essential to its functioning which might include uses which will contribute to the sustainable development of the tourist industry.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector raised concerns about environmental harm, noise, anti-social behaviour, wider development and enforcement, while the applicant’s representative described investment and mitigation.

What members debated

Members discussed the proposal’s scale, rural character, cumulative noise, residential amenity, drainage, flooding, biodiversity and environmental effects.

“Cllr Ross stated that she agreed with Cllr Reed and Cllr Bint, stating that the proposal appeared to contravene both residential amenity and the policies cited by Cllr Reed and others. Cllr Ross stated that there did not appear to be enough information related to flood risk and drainage to reach a firm conclusion, and that there were risks to biodiversity.”

“Both Cllr C Sherwood and Cllr J Matthews also highlighted concerns about the scale of the proposal, noise, drainage and flooding, and the environmental impact, stating that the proposed developments didn’t ‘fit’ the local area.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee refused permission because the proposal would urbanise the country park, harm residential amenity, lack sufficient drainage information and inadequately safeguard the natural environment.

“The proposals, by way of the cumulative impacts, would result in increased noise and disturbance which would negatively impact the residential amenity of occupiers of surrounding residential properties. The scheme is therefore contrary to policy CS5 of the Core Strategy, DS1 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan and policies contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.”

“Insufficient information has been provided with regard to safeguarding the natural environment and existing rural nature of the country park. The proposals are therefore contrary to policy CS17 of the Core Strategy and policies contained within the National Planning Policy Framework.”

Minutes