Subscribe to updates
You'll receive weekly summaries about Doncaster Council every week.
If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.
Please note, emails for this council have been paused whilst we secure funding for it. We hope to begin delivering them again in the next couple of weeks. If you subscribe, you'll be notified when they resume. If you represent a council or business, or would be willing to donate a small amount to support this service, please get in touch at community@opencouncil.network.
Summary
This meeting was about deciding on a number of planning applications for sites across Doncaster. The committee also received information about recent appeals against planning decisions that had been made by the council. The committee were scheduled to be provided with a performance report about planning enforcement for the second quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.
Retrospective application for a Fear Factory
Halloween attraction at Thornhurst Manor
Officers recommended that the committee refuse planning permission for an application from Mr L Murray for the change of use of land for a caravan storage and associated infrastructure, including gates, access, hardstanding and landscaping at Land North Of Ashton Lane, Braithwell, Rotherham. The application proposed to replace part of the unauthorised carpark extension as a biodiversity enhancement area if planning permission was granted.
The officers’ report acknowledged that the development brings some economic benefit to the site and surrounding area in terms of seasonal job creation and attraction of tourists to the borough. However, they said that “nevertheless these do not amount to Very Special Circumstances that clearly outweigh the harm caused to the openness and permanence of the Green Belt by virtue of inappropriate development, nor do they clearly outweigh other harms identified from the proposal”.
The report stated that there was well-evidenced harm to trees within the woodland, which falls within the protection buffer zone of an Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland1, and to ecological assets within a Local Wildlife Site2 and Priority Habitat3 woodland.
It said that this harm cannot be fully addressed through the proposed mitigation measures submitted with the application. It concluded that “the benefits brought by the proposal do not outweigh the significant harms to Doncaster’s Green Belt and valued ecological assets at the site. The development is unacceptable in principle and conflicts with planning policy requirements in respect of Green Belt, trees and ecology.”
The report noted the receipt of 2 letters of objection and 175 of support. The objections raised concerns about the development’s impact on the Green Belt, the traffic it generates, and the damage it has caused to the woodland. Supporters of the application said that the development provides a unique social and cultural event, creates local jobs, and brings money into the borough.
The committee were informed that both Business Doncaster and Visit Doncaster fully support this application. Their representation said that the Fear Factory attraction “has successfully operated for the past few years and brought a significant number of visitors to Doncaster”. They were “aware there has been a few issues with this event in the past but these can be overcome”.
The officers’ report also noted the comments of the Council’s Ecologist. He said that the development conflicts significantly with parts of Local Plan policies 29 and 30, specifically point B(2, 3 and 4) of policy 30. The Ecologist said that “there has been an adverse impact on these receptors caused by these contraventions and damaging operations that the unauthorised activities have caused, which are also clearly visible on site”.
The committee were told that Owston Parish Council objected to the application. In its representation it said that “it seems apparent that the owners have no regard for planning as, once again, they are making a retrospective application for the above change of use of land”. It also said that “previous events have been poorly managed, with many complaints”. It concluded that “the Parish Council feel that the management of Thornhurst have no regard for the local population and will continue to do as they like”.
Application for 14 apartments at Land Off Winscar Road Lakeside Doncaster
Officers recommended that the committee grant planning permission for an application from Mr John Fairhurst for the erection of 14 apartments, with creation of new access from Winscar Road & car parking for 24 vehicles, including provision of under croft cycle store and bin store provision within the rear parking court at Land Off Winscar Road Lakeside, Doncaster.
The officers’ report concluded that “the proposal provides a landmark building within a prominent site, provides an acceptable level of amenity for existing and new residents, helps to protect and enhance the existing area and accords with all relevant development plan policies”.
The report acknowledged that further details are requested by the Council’s Drainage Team, but concluded that “given that this is a small site within an existing large, built-up residential area it is considered reasonable to require these details via drainage condition”.
The report noted that 18 letters of objection had been received. Concerns raised included overdevelopment, loss of privacy, loss of light, noise from vehicles, loss of green space, and increase in traffic.
The committee were told that the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust had objected to the application. They said that they had concerns because an ecological impact assessment had not been submitted. The report noted that “the CDC Ecologist is content with the information provided and has responded, addressing this. At the time of writing, no response has been received from YWT to the re-consultation.”
The committee also noted that the Open Space Policy Officer had objected in principle. This is because “the site is currently maintained grassland with two trees on the site perimeter” and is therefore “arguably open space”. The objection noted that the site is not designated as open space.
Planning appeals
The committee noted the outcomes of two appeals to the Planning Inspectorate against enforcement notices that had been issued by the council.
The appeal against an enforcement notice regarding an alleged unauthorised erection of a wall at 33 Scaftworth Close in Bessacarr was upheld.
The appeal against an enforcement notice regarding an alleged unauthorised erection of a large dormer extension at 17 Furnival Road, Balby was dismissed.
The committee also noted the outcome of an appeal against the refusal of planning permission for the erection of a detached bungalow at Land Rear Of 23 Oak Crescent in Thorne.
The appeal was dismissed. In his decision, the Planning Inspector, David Cross, said that the appellant had not submitted a sequential test4 to demonstrate that the site was suitable for the proposed bungalow. He noted that the site was in Flood Zone 3a, meaning that it has a high probability of flooding. He also found that the proposed dwelling would not meet the requirements of the Nationally Described Space Standard and would result in an unacceptable loss of privacy for the occupiers of a nearby dwelling.
Planning Enforcement quarterly report
The committee were scheduled to be provided with a report that detailed planning enforcement performance in the second quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.
-
Ancient woodland is defined as land that has been wooded continuously since at least 1600 AD. This includes both Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland (ASNW) and plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS). ASNW is woodland composed predominantly of native tree species that has not been planted. PAWS is woodland that has been planted on a site that was ancient woodland but was cleared at some point. You can read more about Ancient Woodland here. ↩
-
A Local Wildlife Site is a non-statutory designation used by local authorities to identify areas of land that are of significant value for wildlife. You can read more about Local Wildlife Sites here. ↩
-
Priority Habitats are habitats that are of national importance for biodiversity. They are identified by the UK Government and the devolved administrations. You can read more about Priority Habitats here. ↩
-
The sequential test is a planning policy requirement that aims to steer new development away from areas at risk of flooding. It requires developers to consider whether there are any suitable alternative sites in areas with a lower risk of flooding. ↩
Attendees
Documents
- Agenda frontsheet 10th-Dec-2024 14.00 Planning Committee agenda
- Public reports pack 10th-Dec-2024 14.00 Planning Committee reports pack
- 121124 with Appendix A other
- i5 plan 101224 report other
- i5 plan 101224 Sch 1 - 23.02430.FUL - Thornhurst Manor FINAL other
- i5 plan 101224 Sch 2 - 23-02532-FULM-Lakeside FINAL other
- i6 plan 101224 Appeal Decisions other
- i6 plan 101224 App 23 Oak Crescent other
- Pre Committee Amendments - 10th December 2024 Does not form part of the agenda. 10th-Dec-2024 14 agenda
- Pre Committee Amendments 10th December 2024