At the Meeting of Firsby Group Parish Council held at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 19 June 2024 in Little Steeping Village Hall.
Present: Mr R. Kidd, who took the Chair;
Mr R. Heane; Mr C. Moore; Mrs S. Wilford; Mr G. Holmes; Miss H. Smithson-Whitehead; Mrs C. Brewer; Mr S. Roachford; Mr A. Brewer; Mr R. Currie and LCC Cllr Mrs W. Bowkett
Apologies were received from Mr R. Harman and ELDC Cllr Mr S. Dennis.
1. Co-option of Firsby Parish Councillor
It was agreed unanimously to co-opt Mr Andrew Brewer as a Firsby Parish Councillor.
2. Co-option of Great Steeping Parish Councillor
It was agreed unanimously to co-opt Mr Russell Currie as a Great Steeping Parish Councillor.
3. Minutes of the last Meeting
An amendment to the first paragraph of Item 4 Matters arising should read:
"Miss Smithson Whitehead stated that the underground cabling for Eastern Green Links 3 & 4 will go to the substation at Bilsby which coincides with the proposed National Grid Pylon route. The National Grid pylon route is to take the electricity from the new off shore wind farms and not the EG3 & 4 electricity. Hopefully the EG3 & 4 electricity will go underground to Bicker/Walpole but if the National Grid pylons are approved it will be possible to put a parallel line of pylons in without requesting planning permission. Also the Labour Party if in government intend to change the planning rules so local planning permission of the National Grid east coast pylon route, and any others in the country, will not be required as it will be granted by the government."
With this amendment inserted it was agreed that these be signed as a correct record of the proceedings.
4. Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
Miss Smithson Whitehead stated that the hedge on the blind bend by Slates Farm, Irby has now been cut back.
Mrs Wilford stated that Eastern Green 3 & 4 are now carrying out environmental surveys in Little Steeping.
Mrs Wilford also stated that in relation to the 2 plots of land in Little Steeping that are requiring registering with the Land Registry, the smaller plot of land will still be let to the current renter. The larger plot of land will be left to grass land.
Cllr Bowkett stated that she is trying to bring forward the resurfacing of the final part of Aerodrome Road.
5. County Councillor's Report
Cllr Bowkett gave the following report:
The Council is in purdah at the moment awaiting the general election. Cllr Bowkett also stated that the Section 19 reports are being concluded at the moment and will be going out to householders. The reports will be looked at with the view to seeing if anything can be done to alleviate the problem in the future. But most will simply say that it was surface water that caused the problems.
Cllr Bowkett stated that the proposed development in Spilsby is still a concern and the Parish Council should put their concerns and objections on the website.
A discussion regarding the dredging of the River Steeping took place. Cllr Bowkett stated that it is hoped that the River Steeping will be chosen by the LDB for their maintenance. The monies they have put in for they are still waiting to receive.
Mr Holmes asked is Cllr Bowkett could ask highways to do some repairs to Burgh Lane, Irby. There are so many potholes and uneven surfaces on that stretch of road.
Mrs Brewer asked whether many residents were applying for the compensation scheme following the storms and whether it is still open for applications. Cllr Bowkett stated that it was.
6. Correspondence
a) Email received from the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind Community Liaison Group giving details of the next meeting at the Coronation Hall, Wainfleet on Tuesday 2 July from 7pm until 8pm.
b) Emails received from LCC regarding a Lincolnshire's public rights of way network survey. The email to be sent to Councillors to take part in the survey.
c) Email received from Mrs Wilford regarding the GRS3 Ings Lane, Level Crossing. A questionnaire was sent for completion.
d) Email received from John Guillian, Level Crossing Manager, Network Rail attaching copies of the a leaflet and Farmers Booklet.
e). Email received from National Grid - Eastern Green link 3 & 4 giving rescheduled dates for the meeting on Wednesday 10 July between 2pm to 7pm in Burgh le Marsh Village hall.
f). Email received from ELDC regarding applications for additional areas for inclusion in Public Space Protection Orders. No action taken.
7. Plans
Amended Application No S/051/00114/24 by Bicker Fen Solar Limited for a Section 73 Application to vary Condition 2 (Approved Plans) imposed on Section 73 approval reference S/051/00287/22 which was to vary conditions 1 (Full Planning Permission), 2 (Approval Plans), 8 (Flood Risk Assessment), 9 (Habitat Survey, Ecological Impact Assessment & Badger Report), 10 (Landscaping), 11 (Biodiversity Management Plan), 12 (Vehicular Access), 13 (Archaeological Works), 14 (Archaeological watching brief) and 15 (Archaeological Findings) previously imposed on planning permission ref. no. S/051/00772/17 for installation of a Solar array with associated infrastructure (works already commenced) at Land at Manor Farm, Wainfleet Road, Irby in the Marsh. The general consensus of the Village of Irby in the Marsh is that the CCTV poles should be restricted to the height of 2.4m as approved in the original planning application. Firsby Parish Councillors object to the amended application for the following reasons. It is our view that the applicant can remain within the planning height restriction of 2.4m by adding more poles and cameras at this height. Our objection is, and always has been, against the height of the poles, not the number of poles. Their reason for not doing so is purely financial. As such it is our suggestion that they accept the added cost and stay within the planning height restriction. The applicants suggestion of keeping 4m poles and some 3m poles does not stop the negative impact on the landscape. Our previous objections still stand.
Application No S/064/00356/24 by Mr A Counchman for Planning Permission - Erection of 2 no. detached dormer bungalows at Tugela, Firsby Road, Great Steeping. The Parish Council object to the 2 properties proposed to be built behind the housing line on the B1195 between Great Steeping and Firsby. Sustainability is an issue as there are no facilities in that area. The proposed properties would not be in keeping with the rest of the properties in that line.
Application No S/051/00821/24 By Mr & Mrs Foulstone for Planning Permission - Change of use of and alterations to the existing stable block to provide a dwelling at the Stables, Beldings Close, Firsby. It was agreed to support this application.
Application No S/051/00854/24 by Mr J Hough for Planning Permission - Erection of a bungalow with the constriction of vehicular access at Bridgewood, Fendyke Road, Firsby. This will be the third application Mr. J. Hough has applied for. The first application S051/01314/23 was removed, the second application S/051/02201/23 rejected and now Mr. Hough has applied for an Eco Bungalow.
We had a meeting with Mr. Hough on Tuesday 11th of June where we discussed Mr Hough’s application and his plan. On arrival Mr Hough was advised that Mr. S. Roachford would not be casting his vote regarding this application due to being a neighbour.
We feel as Firsby parish we must object to this application.
Reason for Refusal.
- Mr. Hough still hasn’t erected the fence at the back of his plot between the railway lines and his land, this was one of the terms agreed to on purchasing the plot and had to be complete in a certain timeframe.
- In Application S/051/02201/23 Mr. Hough said that he wasn’t living on the land, on meeting last week Mr Hough stated that he has been living there for around 18 months. When asked where Mr Hough was disposing of his waste his response was that he disposes of his general waste at friend’s caravan park nearby, his water waste runs onto the land and he uses a neighbour's toilet but in the same meeting this changed to he has a bio toilet in the caravan.
- We asked Mr. Hough about the Eco Dwelling that he is hoping to build. The first question was what materials he was planning to use for this eco dwelling, his response was a concrete base with metal rods and cement blocks? (In paragraph 3.2 in the application it states the eco dwelling aims to meet the objectives set out in NPPF paragraph 84E). When asked if he had any guidelines that he needs to follow to achieve this build Mr Hough’s response was that he didn’t but will supply this information. Second question was about how he was going to fund this, Mr. Hough’s response was he has resources from a Third party? One of our concerns with this is in this application he says that he cannot afford to buy any property in this area but in his first application S/051/01314/23 he applied to have four lodges to be built on his land (how was he going to afford this). Whereas this application see section 3 3.1 Mr Hough claims this eco dwelling “the design is of exceptional quality, in that it is truly outstanding, reflecting the highest standards in architecture, and would help to raise standards of design more generally in rural areas and would significantly enhance it’s immediate setting, and be sensitive to the defining characteristics of the local area” but keeps referring to the budget and being cost dependant.
- There is a village statement that no new buildings would be granted in Old Firsby, we feel if the eco dwelling was granted that this would open the doors to anyone with a plot of land or buying land and applying to build in Old Firsby.
- Mr. Hough says his ultimate goal is to live on his land, so he will keep on applying to the council until he has approval.
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Extension to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation at Topos Farm, Great Steeping Road, Monksthorpe.
Full Planning Permission has been granted on conditions - Construction of a gravel track and hardstanding area at The Old Wheelwrights, 45 Station Road, Firsby.
Tree Preservation Order No EZY/0065/24/TPA by Mr Richard Sheller for T5 - Ash (T1 on plan) Remove due to failure to go into leaf. Fungus present. Dropping dead wood. Two branches close to failure overhanging the lane at Ash Meadow, Ings Lane, Little Steeping. It was agreed to support this application and would like to see a replacement native tree planted.
8. Highways
It was agreed to report the following matters:
Ings Lane, Bratoft going towards Cowcroft Drain by Fern Cottage needs repairing.
The dip in the carriageway on Mill Lane, Great Steeping by the bridge needs filling in.
9. Review of Policies
All polices are up to date. No further action taken.
10. Any Other Business
Mrs Wilford asked for an update on Planning Application S/104/02641/21. The Clerk stated that a chasing email was sent on 6/6/24.
Mrs Wilford also asked for an update on the restoration of the Little Steeping Telephone Box. Mr Heane stated that is still being repaired. Glass has been ordered and the box is being cleaned. He was chase up the matter.
Mrs Wilford stated that regarding the email from John Guillian, Network Rail wanted Mrs Wilford to sign a document regarding training for the use of the level crossing. Mrs Wilford refused to sign the document. A nominated person for contact was also requested by Network Rail but this was not given. Mrs Wilford stated that she has the code and combination lock to use the level crossing. There are cameras recording any use of the level crossing. Nobody knows who owns the land on the other side of the level crossing but it was always used as a green. The Village Hall are authorised users of the land and should keep a log when they cross over and use it. Villagers are not permitted to use the land.
10. Accounts
It was agreed to pass the following accounts for payment:
Little Steeping Village Hall for use of room £24
Clerk's 3 month honorarium £625.