I am a committee member of Fenland District Council Planning Committee, and publish these observations in the general interest of transparency on Council matters.
I did not attend the meeting myself and another WTC supplied the observations.
Whittlesey Town Council are a consultee on planning applications.
Decisions are taken into account at the Planning Authority – Fenland District Council.
P30/2024. Update from Will Hodgson, Louise Simmonds from BDW and Andrew Hodgson from Pegasus Group regarding Land North of March Road, Coates.
Louise not present.
Brief update. Progressing. BDW have pre-app discussions with FDC.
Archaeological investigations complete. + Drainage assessments.
Not putting in application at this time. Still in discussions. Waiting for new local plan. Waiting for new head of planning. Education contributions key – no resolution. Working with education consultant, CCC & FDC.
County have no funds for £13m school – places needed before houses! Return in 3-4 months time.
P29/2024. Public Forum (Time allowed 15 Minutes)
Stephen Goldspink: F/YR24/0145/) (Three Horseshoes). Villagers shocked to learn of planning. No for sale board. Only community facility. Landmark of historical interest. Residents Assosc. set up to oppose and register as ACV. Submitted with FDC.
75 /(20% of village) joined to oppose the plan.
NPPF recognises importance of village pubs. Summary produced and circulated.
Much made of unviability – but can’t be viable when people don’t know when it’s open.
F/YR24/0145/O – Erect up to 5 x dwellings (outline application with matters committed in respect of access) involving the demolition of existing Public House at The Three Horseshoes 344 March Road Turves Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE7 2DN
Coates and Eastrea Ward: BNW, BW
Previous Application: F/YR19/0895/F (Erect 2 dwellings).
Principle of Development
The site lies adjacent to residential and commercial development and on an access currently serving a residential property. As such, the site is considered to lie within the settlement of Turves.
Policy LP3 of the FLP identifies Turves as a ‘small village’ whereby development will be considered on its own merits but will normally be of a very limited nature and normally be limited in scale to residential infilling or a small business opportunity.
Policy LP12 (Part A) supports development which contributes to the sustainability of the settlement and does not harm the wide, open character of the countryside and satisfies all of criteria (a) to (k) covering matters such as; relationship and scale to the settlement and
neighbouring settlements, retention and respect of; natural boundaries, ecology and biodiversity features, and exposure to identified risks.
As such, the principle of the development is supported.
BUT: Emerging Fenland Local Plan: part of the site (plot 5) is OUTSIDE the Settlement Boundary (LP1) shown on Inset Map 23 (Aug 2022) – does not rule out development, but is a consideration.
NPPF (92 c) “guard against the unnecessary loss of valued facilities and services, particularly where this would reduce the community’s ability to meet its day-to-day needs.”
FLP LP6: “Retaining community facilities
Proposals that would lead to the loss of community facilities (e.g. public houses, village shops, community halls, post offices) will only be permitted if:
1) it can be demonstrated that the retention of the facility is no longer financially viable and an appropriate marketing exercise has been carried out, and it can be demonstrated that there is a lack of community need for the facility, or
2) an alternative facility is provided. “Appropriate Marketing” – Offered for sale through Daveyco since Feb 2020. Some interest & viewing, but no takers. No local knowledge of the sale. Since planning application a lot of local interest in retaining the Community Facility. Need to decide if level of marketing has been “appropriate”.
Asset of Community Value” – moves being taken to register as ACV. Once listed, if an Asset of Community Value comes up for sale, the community have an opportunity to make a bid to purchase the asset. Initially there will be a period in which communities can express an intention to bid for an asset, this is followed by a period during which communities can prepare their bid. The owner cannot dispose of the asset during this time.
This does NOT prevent planning permission – Planning Authority (FDC) can decide if it is a “Material Consideration”.
65 public comments. 50 object, 15 support. Objections are overwhelmingly about loss of Community Space, together with complaints about erratic opening affecting perceived viability. Several hand-written letters of support on same heading, appearance of solicited support, rather than spontaneous.
FDC officers discussing 10/04, at committee 01/05.
BNW proposes refusal until more appropriate marketing is carried out. – agreed.
