15 homes and changing rooms at Land adjacent to Hawthorne Gardens, Goxhill

What was proposed

The application sought 15 dwellings, public open space and community changing rooms on land accessed through the development to the south-east.

“Education: A contribution towards secondary education only will be eligible on all dwellings except the Over 55s units. Currently, the secondary education contribution in Goxhill is £6,181 per dwelling: 9 units x £6,181= £55,629. Recreation: No financial leisure contribution will be requested due to the provision of the community changing facilities on land adjacent to the proposed site.”

“The existing public right of way across the northern boundary of the site, which connects North End and Chapel Street through the site and recreational field, will be retained, with a new connection being provided to connect to the proposed development. The footpath will connect through a proposed area of public open space that will also contain a dry attenuation pond.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 0.99-hectare site lay outside Goxhill’s settlement boundary, beside housing, playing fields and a public right of way, within flood zone 1.

“CONSTRAINTS • Part of the proposal is on land allocated as R1. • A public right of way (PROW) runs within the northern boundary of the site and connects Chapel Street through the site and recreational field linking to North End to the north- east of the site. • The site is outside the settlement limits • The site is within flood zone 1. • There is a tree preservation order (TPO) to north-east of the site.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions and site history

Earlier permissions allowed 85 homes to the south, while the site itself had no relevant planning history.

“STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT No statement of community involvement has been submitted by the applicant. Public consultation has been undertaken, and comments have been considered and addressed, as part of the application process. RELEVANT PLANNING HISTORY No relevant history for the site.”

“…approximately 0.99ha in size, outside but adjoining the settlement boundary of Goxhill as defined in the adopted Housing and Employment Land Allocations DPD. For planning purposes, therefore, the site is within the open countryside. The site is an area of flat open land, with existing residential development to the north and west.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two objectors raised concerns about housing need, infrastructure, drainage, highways, changing rooms and trees, while the applicant’s representative supported the community facilities.

What members debated

Members focused on Anglian Water’s drainage objection and whether sewage waste could be managed safely at the site.

“The Chairman read out a letter that had been received from Councillor R Hannigan, North Lincolnshire Council Ferry Ward Member, who shared his concerns regarding drainage and sewage waste at the site. Members heard that Anglian Water were so concerned about the drainage issues that they had installed monitoring devices at pinch points to monitor the issue.”

“Councillor M Grant informed members that Anglian Water had made a commitment to resolve the sewage issues at the site in the future.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Councillor C Ross proposed refusal, Councillor J Davison seconded it, and the motion was carried.

“It was then proposed by Councillor C Ross and seconded by Councillor J Davison –”

“That planning permission be refused for the following reason –”

Minutes

Why permission was refused

Permission was refused because insufficient information showed that suitable surface water and foul drainage could be achieved without risks to pollution, health or flooding.

“That insufficient information had been provided to demonstrate that a suitable surface water and foul drainage strategy can be achieved for the site. It was also unclear as to whether a suitable connection can be made to the existing network: more information was required to satisfy the council and Anglian Water that a solution for surface water and foul drainage can be achieved at the site so as not to pose a risk to pollution, human health or flooding in the area.”

Minutes