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IRTHLINGBOROUGH TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE VIRTUAL MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE HELD ON TUESDAY 26TH JANUARY 2021 AT 7 P.M. USING ZOOM

PRESENT: Councillors C Cross (joined 7.02), D Gater, H Khandwala, R Powell, A Short and A Winkle

ALSO PRESENT: Alan Mayes

AGENDA

52.APOLOGIES – TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCES RECEIVED IN ADVANCE OF THE MEETING.

Councillor T Walton – Prior Commitment

RESOLVE PLN/01(21)/49 – that Councillor T Walton’s apology be accepted

53.DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST AND OTHER INTERESTS AND THE NATURE OF THOSE INTERESTS RELATING TO ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

No declarations were made.

54.MINUTES – TO APPROVE AND SIGN AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 8TH DECEMBER 2020.

RESOLVE PLN/01(21)/50 – that the Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting Tuesday 8th December 2020 be approved and signed as a correct record of proceedings

55.MATTERS ARISING – TO NOTE ANY MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 8TH DECEMBER 2020 (UNLESS COVERED BELOW)

Nothing was raised.

56.PLANNING APPLICATIONS - TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS:

A) EN/20/01587/FUL – DEMOLITION OF EXISTING BUILDING AND ERECTION OF 8 DWELLINGS INCLUDING LANDSCAPING, FORMATION OF VEHICULAR ACCESSES TO HIGHWAYS AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT 102 NENE VIEW IRTHLINGBOROUGH NN9 5SG (PP- 09293170)

Chairman: ______

Date: ______

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Co-opted member David Maddock had sent his apologies and submitted some comments in regard to this application which the Clerk read to members.

Alan Mayes had emailed his comments in regard to this application to members before the meeting.

Members discussed the various elements of the proposal at length along with comments by other consultees and the public.

RESOLVE PLN/01(21)/51 - that a response of OBJECTION on the following grounds

Protection of the Irthlingborough Conservation area

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), sections 127b), c) and d) promotes developments which are visually attractive, with good architecture and layout and effective landscaping. These developments should be sympathetic to the local character and history including the surrounding built environment and landscaping and establish a sense of place. Sections 195/196 requires that weight is given to either substantial or less than substantial harm to heritage assets.

It is considered that the proposed development fails to consider the above NPPF requirements for the reasons outlined below:

The development site is within the Irthlingborough Conservation area, which is a statutory historic asset. St. Peter’s church that stands opposite, is a grade I listed building, and this development will have an adverse impact on the setting and aspect of the Church as well as having a harmful impact on the Conservation area itself. The proposed wide-open frontages and increased road width will adversely impact the approach to St. Peter’s, along Nene View altering the character and view of the road. The houses in Nene View are 19th century non-statutory heritage assets, the aspect of these will be adversely impacted by the planned development. The current building is set behind an attractive 19th century stone wall, although this has been modified, it is still considered a heritage asset. The loss of this stone wall will significantly change the character of the conservation area. The proposal goes against Policy 2 of the Joint Core Strategy which states that the development should: • Conserve and enhance

• Complement through scale, form, design and materials

• Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of the development

This development does not meet these criteria, it would have a detrimental impact on the conservation area and heritage assets.

Highways:

The National Planning Policy Framework, section 109, allows for developments to be refused on Highways Safety grounds. It is strongly felt that although this development is seen to be acceptable from the Highways study, no mention has been made of the main access to the church for weddings and funerals. Vehicles are required to park at the Church entrance for these purposes.

Chairman: ______

Date: ______

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Nene View is a very narrow road with a right-angled bend onto the road from Church Street, which restricts access. The proposed 8 dwellings would increase traffic flow and parking issues and is considered to be a danger to traffic and pedestrians alike.

Current building and historic value:

The building has some historical significance relating to the shoe industry, with prior use as the works canteen for the shoe factory. Above the door is an “Express Works” stone plaque which was laid as a foundation stone by the oldest employee at the time, these historic items form part of the town’s heritage. If the development were to be granted planning permission the Town Council would like to see this preserved and incorporated in to one of the houses as was done in the nearby Church Street development.

Environmental issues and conservation:

The area forms part of the wildlife corridor towards the , this development will have a detrimental impact to the current wildlife that can be seen in this vicinity, with loss of natural habitat. The former use of this area as a shoe factory could mean that the land is contaminated.

Flooding/Drainage Issues:

The area is subject to flooding/drainage issues.

Employment land:

The historic use of this land has been for employment purposes, this will be a loss of potential employment land within the Town. In conclusion the Town Council OBJECT to the proposal. It is felt that it does nothing to enhance the conservation area or the historic character of the setting opposite St. Peter’s Church. The site is too small for eight houses and the associated parking, it increases the danger to vehicles and pedestrians on a very narrow road and contravenes the NPPF and Joint Core Strategy. should be submitted against planning application 20/01587/FUL

B) EN/20/01666/FUL - PROPOSED FIRST FLOOR EXTENSION WITH FLAT ROOF BALCONY, AND REAR DORMER TO EXISTING LOFT CONVERSION. AT 5 CLARKE CLOSE IRTHLINGBOROUGH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NN9 5XD (PP-09344603)

RESOLVE PLN/01(21)/52 - that a response of NO OBJECTION providing the neighbouring property to the rear is satisfied the obscure glass on the balcony maintains their privacy should be submitted against planning application 20/01666/FUL

C) EN/20/01531/FUL - EXTENSION OF EXISTING BUILDING ON SITE WITH THE RETENTION OF EXISTING TAKEAWAY UNIT AND THE CREATION OF FIVE CAR-FREE RESIDENTIAL UNITS (2 STUDIO FLATS, 2 ONE BED FLAT AND 1 TWO BED FLAT) WITH ANCILLARY CYCLE, WASTE AND RECYCLING STORAGE SPACES AT 5A STATION ROAD IRTHLINGBOROUGH WELLINGBOROUGH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NN9 5UQ

Members raised concerns about this proposal. It was considered overdevelopment. Members felt it wasn’t in keeping with the Conservation Area. It doesn’t provide any parking facilities at all for either the proposed new flats or customers/employees of the existing take away who currently use the Chairman: ______

Date: ______

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land for collection/deliveries. The lack of parking led to concerns regarding highway safety, with delivery vehicles having to park in front of the property.

RESOLVE PLN/01(21)/53 - that a response of OBJECTION on the following grounds:

Conservation Area

Not in keeping with the Conservation Area within which the development falls – Policy 8 North Northamptonshire Joint Care Strategy refers – developments should integrate well

Highway Safety

Currently customers and delivery drivers of the take away use the land proposed for development to park/operate from. The location of the take away just metres from the busy Memorial Roundabout junction Station Road, Church Street, High Street and Road would mean delivery drivers parking on the road which would impact on Highway Safety. – Section 109 NPPF – Developments maybe refused on grounds of Highway Safety refers.

Residents Parking

The application provides no resident parking, the Town Council consider this unacceptable as there is no policy in place for “car-free residential units”, therefore owners could have cars and would be either parking them on the road causing Highways issues or in the Town Centre car park. This is not compliant with Northamptonshire Parking Standards. The Town Council have recently purchased additional car parking land following a public consultation as residents have complained that the current car park is always overflowing. This could potentially mean further residents parking for long periods of time in this car park which would negate the purchase of additional car parking space which is intended for town centre business users.

Overdevelopment

It is considered the size of the proposed extension is out of scale with surrounding buildings should be submitted against planning application 20/01531/FUL

D) EN/20/01624/FUL - DEMOLITION OF EXISTING BUILDING ON EASTERN BOUNDARY WITH RETENTION OF SIDE ELEVATION UP TO 2.1M TO BE RETAINED AS BOUNDARY WALL AND ERECTION OF NORTHERN BOUNDARY FENCE TO MATCH THAT AT SITE ENTRANCE (PALADIN FENCING) AT WHITWORTHS SITE WELLINGBOROUGH ROAD IRTHLINGBOROUGH WELLINGBOROUGH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NN9 5RF (PP-09324055)

Members had no objection to the application. However, they were aware that residents whose properties backed onto the eastern boundary had concerns over privacy and noise pollution if the demolition of the building bordering their properties were to be granted. It was felt that retaining a higher section of the side elevation would go someway to reducing their concerns.

RESOLVE PLN/01(21)/54 - that a response of NO OBJECTION but they would like to see a higher section of the side elevation on the Eastern Boundary being retained to improve privacy and reduce noise pollution to neighbouring properties should be submitted against planning application 20/01624/FUL

Chairman: ______

Date: ______

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E) EN/20/01655/FUL - 2-STOREY 2-BEDROOM DWELLING INCLUDING ACCESS, PARKING AND AMENITY SPACE (RESUBMISSION 20/00151/FUL) AT 8 HAYWAY IRTHLINGBOROUGH WELLINGBOROUGH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NN9 5QP (PP-09310011)

RESOLVE PLN/01(21)/55 - that a response of NO OBJECTION should be submitted against planning application 20/01655/FUL

F) EN/20/01648/FUL - ERECTION OF TIMBER GARDEN HOUSE AT 60 DRAYTON ROAD IRTHLINGBOROUGH WELLINGBOROUGH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NN9 5TB (PP-09336422)

The application was unclear on the usage of the proposed timber garden house. It was noted from the plans that all services were to be connected and the building was to be insulated, this could therefore be intended as a permanent or occasional residence.

RESOLVE PLN/01(21)/56 - that a response of NO OBJECTION should be submitted against planning application 20/01648/FUL

Date of next meeting – 9th February 2021 7pm to be held virtually on zoom

There being no further business the meeting closed at 7.32pm

Chairman: ______

Date: ______