The Planning Committee of Boston Borough Council was scheduled to consider three planning applications, including the relocation of a listed monument and alterations to public open space, as well as a report on recent planning appeal decisions.

Relocation and Renovation of the 5 Lamps Listed Monument

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for Listed Building Consent for the relocation and renovation of the 5 Lamps listed monument, located at Crown House, Lincoln Lane, Boston, PE21 8SJ. The proposal involves moving the monument from its current site north of Liqourpond Street to a new public realm scheme in Rosegarth Street. The report pack indicated that the monument, a Grade II listed structure, was not in its original location and its current siting did not contribute to its significance. The proposed new location is within the Rosegarth Square redevelopment area, which is adjacent to the Boston Conservation Area and within the setting of Grade I Listed St Botolph's Church. Concerns were raised by the BBC Conservation Officer and Historic England regarding potential harm during refurbishment and the need for further information on materials and methods. The report pack noted that an indicative interpretation board had been submitted to provide context for the monument's history in its new location.

Modifications to Public Open Space at Rosegarth Street

An application under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 was scheduled for consideration regarding the public open space at Rosegarth Street, Boston, PE21 8QU. This application sought to vary conditions of a previous planning permission (B/24/0377) related to plans, the design of the Wave installation, a management and maintenance plan, and hard and soft landscaping. The proposal also included the siting of the 5 Lamps listed building within this area. The report pack indicated that the revised design for The Wave would be reduced in height and feature a single arch instead of two, with changes to materials and permeability. Minor amendments to landscaping were proposed to accommodate the 5 Lamps monument, necessitating changes to tree planting. The report pack also highlighted that the site is adjacent to the Boston Conservation Area and within the setting of St Botolph's Church. A Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)¹ was also a consideration, with the revised proposal showing a reduction in habitat units compared to the previously approved plan, requiring a new gain plan to be submitted.

Variation of Conditions for Housing Development at Land North of Tytton Lane East

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application under Section 73 for the variation of conditions on a major planning permission (B/22/0393) for housing development at Land North of Tytton Lane East, Wyberton, Boston, PE21 7TD. This site is a housing allocation within the South East Lincolnshire Local Plan (SELLP)². The application sought to make external design changes to four approved house types, affecting 23 plots, and importantly, to remove all financial contributions previously secured under a Section 106 agreement. These contributions included affordable housing, education, and health contributions. A viability appraisal was submitted to demonstrate that the scheme was unviable with these contributions. The report pack noted objections from Lincolnshire County Council regarding education and infrastructure provision, and from the NHS regarding health contributions. The report pack also highlighted that Boston Borough Council can no longer demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, which impacts the weight given to restrictive local plan policies.

Planning Appeal Decisions

A report was scheduled to be presented to the committee detailing planning appeal decisions received since the previous report in October 2024. The report aimed to advise members of the outcomes and highlight any key decisions or themes that might influence future practice or decision-making. It was noted that there had been 11 appeals since the last report, comprising 10 planning decision appeals and one enforcement notice appeal. Of these, eight appeals were dismissed, two were allowed, and an enforcement notice was upheld. The report detailed specific appeal decisions, including those relating to housing development in countryside locations, the impact on character and appearance of areas, flood risk, and heritage matters.