Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18th August 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18th August 2025 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary, other registerable and non-registerable interests in relation to any Agenda item. See Notes below.

Councillor D Mickelburgh declared a Non-Registrable Interest in Minute No 25 by virtue of the fact that the application related to the Ward she represents.

Change of use from dwelling (Use Class C3) & agricultural land to a wellness centre (Class E) and wedding and events venue (Sui Generis) with guest sleeping accommodation and parking - Hemingford Park, Common Lane, Hemingford Abbots.

Following receipt of further information relating to the application, it was

RESOLVED

  that the application be not determined.

To consider reports by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management).

The Planning Service Manager (Development Management) submitted reports (copies of which are appended in the Minute Book) on applications for development to be determined by the Committee. Members were advised of further representations, which had been received since the reports had been prepared. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

Variation of Conditions 1 (Permitted Use), 6 (Access Time Frame and Removal of Condition 2 (5 Year Limit) of 18/00840/FUL - Legacy Park, Chatteris Road, Somersham.

(M Hargreaves, Agent, addressed the Committee on the application).

that the application be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management) to include those listed in paragraph 8 of the report now submitted.

Removal of Conditions 1 (5 Year Time Limit), 5 (Permanent Pitches), 6 (90 Days), 7 (Transient Pitches) and Variation of Condition 10 (Access) of 23/02358/FUL - Legacy Park, Chatteris Road, Somersham.

(F Adams, Applicant, addressed the Committee on the application).

that the application be approved subject to conditions to be determined by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management) to include those listed in paragraph 8 of the report now submitted.

To consider a report by the Change Programme Lead – Planning Services.

The Committee received and noted a report by Change Programme Lead – Planning Services to which was appended a detailed account of progress against the Planning Services Peer Review Action Plan. A copy of the report is appended in the Minute Book.

Members commented on the action to revise the Scheme of Delegation and the introduction of smarter ways of working. Reference also was made to the need to improve attendance by Members at meetings of the Local Plans Advisory Group.

The Committee then discussed support for Members at appeals. While it was accepted that Officers could not create reasons for refusing an application where the recommendation had been to approve it, Officers were able to provide advice. Other Planning Authorities were adopting approaches to supporting Members during appeals. It was agreed that a training session would be held on this subject.

In response to a question about backlog applications, Members were informed that significant progress had been made in this respect and that the service was on track to achieve its target. An update also was provided on staffing.

Following a further question about pre-application advice, the Committee was advised that the service was successful but some aspects of it required improvement and so it was being reviewed.

Having suggested that some of the language used in the Action Plan should be formalised, it was

RESOLVED

that the report be received and noted.

To consider a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management).

The Committee received and noted a report by the Planning Service Manager (Development Management), which contained details of three recent decisions by the Planning Inspectorate. A copy of the report is appended in the Minute Book.

RESOLVED

that the contents of the report be noted.