The South Kesteven District Council Planning Committee met to discuss several planning applications, including proposals for industrial developments in Frognall, a consultation on a major grid upgrade, and various local development projects. Councillors approved the majority of applications, but refused one application for flats in Bourne due to concerns about pedestrian safety. The committee also endorsed a draft response to National Grid regarding the Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire Grid Upgrade project.

Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire Grid Upgrade Consultation

The committee endorsed a draft response to National Grid regarding the Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire Grid Upgrade stage 1 consultation, and delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Planning & Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, to issue the final response.

The Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire project includes a new 400 kV overhead line (approximately 60 km) and two new substations, one of which is planned near Corby Glen, along with upgrades to existing infrastructure. The project aims to support energy self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The council's draft response emphasised the need for any proposals affecting the district to be assessed against the relevant policies within the South Kesteven Local Plan (2020), including policies on sustainable development, landscape character, biodiversity, and the historic environment. The council also raised concerns about potential local impacts, including:

• Landscape and Visual Impact: Assessing the visual intrusion of pylons from public rights of way, residential properties, and key viewpoints.
• Impacts on Residential Amenity: Evaluating noise levels and visual impacts from the proposed infrastructure.
• Ecology and Biodiversity: Identifying and assessing the impact on local habitats and protected species, ensuring a minimum of 10% net gain in biodiversity¹.
• Impacts During the Construction Phase: Assessing temporary disruption to local communities, traffic management, and health and safety measures.
• Impacts on Heritage Assets: Implementing strategies to protect or minimise the impact on heritage assets.
• Impacts on Agricultural Land: Considering temporary and permanent impacts on agricultural land, including the loss of Best and Most Versatile (BMV) land[^3].
• Socioeconomic Impacts: Considering positive and negative impacts on the local economy.
• Climate Change and Sustainability: Evaluating the carbon emissions associated with the project and ensuring sustainable design principles.

The council requested that National Grid fully explore alternative options, including sensitive routing and undergrounding of cables, particularly in environmentally or visually sensitive areas.

Land off Hards Lane, Frognall - Applications S23/0404 and S23/0401

The committee approved two applications for developments off Hards Lane, Frognall:

• Application S23/0404: Proposed office and production building.
• Application S23/0401: Proposed industrial park at Frognall Livery, Village Streets.

Both applications were called in by Councillor Phil Dilks, Cabinet Member for Planning, due to concerns about the appearance of the area.

The developments are intended to augment existing circumstances by adding relatable development in between, and to enable a strong and well-established business to both expand close to its existing premises and to remain in the District.

The committee noted that the developments would occupy sites with an evident relationship with existing development, including shared access arrangements. The developments would not be out of the ordinary, having regard to the way earlier projects have re-characterised the south side of Hards Lane.

The committee agreed that any tension in relation to local plan policy SP5 was outweighed by the need and logic for the site adjacent to the existing operations to be used to enable expansion of the business.

Land off Burghley Street, Bourne - Application S22/2371

The committee refused application S22/2371 for the erection of twelve self-contained flats with associated hard and soft landscaping, cycle and bin storage and detached storage building at Land Off Burghley Street, Bourne.

The application was refused for the following reason:

The proposed site layout would appear cramped and contrived resulting in an unacceptable risk of conflict between vehicular access and pedestrian movements leading to a risk of safety for all users contrary to Policy DE1 of the adopted South Kesteven Local Plan.

The committee agreed that the development proposed would conflict with the development plan when taken as a whole, and material considerations are insufficient to indicate that the decisions should be otherwise than in accordance with it, including the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the Framework.

Fortescue Arms, 27 High Street, Billingborough - Application S25/0672

The committee agreed to grant planning permission for application S25/0672 for the proposed change of use of outbuildings to short term holiday accommodation at Fortescue Arms, 27 High Street, Billingborough.

The committee heard from Ari Volanakis of the Fortescue Arms Community Committee, who confirmed that the community group had undertaken a survey and found a high amount of dissatisfaction from residents with the condition of the site.

The committee was told that the Parish Council, the Fortescue Arms Community Committee and landlord were not consulted by the Applicant upon the application being submitted.

The committee was reassured that a condition was in place that the letting of the short-term holiday accommodation was tied to the operation of the pub, and that any changes of use would need to be submitted as a new application.

High Street, Grantham - Application S25/0760

The committee agreed to grant planning permission for application S25/0760 for the replacement of existing glass shop front with black painted aluminium frame and glazing at 6 High Street, Grantham.

The committee was told that the proposed shopfront is considered to result in a neutral impact upon the building, given that the current shopfront is of modern design, and that it would not further detract from the heritage significance of the building, nor further impact upon the setting of the grade I listed Angel and Royal and the conservation area.

Wyndham Park, Avenue Road, Grantham - Application S25/1268

The committee agreed to grant the Lawful Development Certificate for application S25/1268 for the use of the existing basketball court as a skate park at Wyndham Park, Avenue Road, Grantham.

The committee was told that the proposal is for the works including the installation of 10no. skate ramps, installation of a means of enclosure and resurfacing works which are considered to be works required in connection with the operation of the land in order for its use for outdoor sports or recreation, which in this instance would be a public skate park.

Canberra Crescent, Grantham - Application S25/0254

The committee agreed to grant the prior notification for application S25/0254 for a single storey rear extension at 28 Canberra Crescent, Grantham.

The committee was told that the proposed extension exceeds the limits in paragraph A.1(f) of Class A of Schedule 2 Part 1 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015, but is allowed by paragraph A.1(g) as a larger extension subject to conditions.

Land rear of Larch Close and Shaw Road, Grantham - Application S25/0992

The committee agreed to grant planning permission for application S25/0992, a Section 73 application to vary Condition 2 (Approved Plans) of planning permission S22/2308 (Erection of 21 affordable dwellings with associated access, landscaping, parking and cycle storage provision) at Land rear of Larch Close and Shaw Road, Grantham.

The committee was told that if the road was adopted, Lincolnshire County Council would be responsible for it, but that in this case, the road would be privately maintained by the Council as the developer.

Guildhall Arts Centre, St Peter's Hill, Grantham - Application S25/1158

The committee agreed to approve listed building consent for application S25/1158 to remove the bell turret from the building intact using a crane and to take it off site to a suitable joinery workshop facility to be deconstructed, assessed, repaired and then remounted on the building at a later date at Guildhall Arts Centre, St Peter's Hill, Grantham.

The committee was told that a bell was inside, however, it was silent and had no clapper or rope inside the bell.