Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Councillor Andrew Appleby was also unable to attend the meeting.

There were no substitutes at the meeting.

Report No: DEV/FH/16/007

Hybrid planning application DC/14/2096/FUL - 1) Full application for the creation of new vehicular access onto Station Road, and entrance to a new primary school, 2) Outline application for up to 375 dwellings (including 112 affordable homes), and the provision of land for a new primary school, land for ecological mitigation and open space and associated infrastructure (as amended).

(Report No DEV/FH/16/007)

Hybrid planning application DC/14/2096/FUL:

1.       Full application for the creation of new vehicular access onto Station Road and entrance to a new primary school.

2.       Outline application for up to 375 dwellings (including 112 affordable homes) and the provision of land for a new primary school, land for ecological mitigation and open space and associated infrastructure (as amended).

This application was referred to the Development Control Committee as it was a proposal for a ‘major’ development.  This proposal also raised complex planning issues of national and international importance.  This application had been withdrawn at the meeting of the Committee on 2 March 2016 (a site visit had also been held on 29 February 2016) to enable appropriate consideration of a direct threat of a legal challenge which had been received from Solicitors working on behalf of Lakenheath Parish Council.

The proposals were considered to comply with the relevant policies of the National Planning  Policy Framework, but the ‘countryside’ location of the site meant that the proposed housing development conflicted with the adopted Development Plan Policies and was considered to be a departure from the extant Development Plan.

Relevant procedures pertaining to the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations and the Habitats Regulations were yet to be completed with respect to the planning application.  These matters were in-hand and would be fully completed prior to any (potential) planning permission being issued for the proposal.  The nature of these important outstanding matters would necessitate the planning application being returned to the Committee for further consideration and determination at a later date.

The planning application was reported to the Committee in advance of those matters having been fully concluded, on the basis of a request received from Suffolk County Council (February 2016).  The County Council was seeking to open a new primary school facility in the village.  The application site, which  included proposals for a primary school site, was the County Council’s ‘preferred option’ to deliver a new primary school facility at Lakenheath. 

In order to begin work, the County Council had requested Forest Heath District Council’s assistance by means of an expeditious determination of this application.  If that was not possible, the County Council had requested a steer from the Committee regarding the proposed development (ie an ‘of mind’ resolution), which if positive, would enable them to commit resources and start work in earnest in preparing a proposal for a new school on the site.  The County Council were aware that key environmental matters remained unresolved at this time.

The report did not recommend determination of the planning application at this time, given the extent and importance of matters remaining to be resolved.  The report requested the Committee considered reaching an ‘of-mind’ resolution in order to provide the County Council with the planning steer that they were seeking.  The planning application would be returned to this Committee for further consideration and determination at a later date, following the resolution of the material planning issues which remained outstanding.

The Case Officer reported  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.