Agenda and minutes

Apologies noted (see above).

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2023 as an accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 14 June 2023 were confirmed and signed as an accurate record.

All Members are invited to declare at this point any interests they have in items appearing on this agenda, including the nature of those interests.

Councillor Mark Crane declared a non-pecuniary in item 5 as he had visited the site to discuss the project in his previous role as Leader of Selby District Council.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice (including the text of the question/statement) to Gina Mulderrig of Democratic Services (contact details at the foot of page 1) by midday on 7 July 2023. Each speaker should limit themselves to 3 minutes on any item. Members of the public who have given notice will be invited to speak:-

·       At this point in the meeting if their questions/statements relate to matter which are not otherwise on the Agenda (subject to an overall time limit of 30 minutes).

·       When the relevant Agenda item is being considered if they wish to speak on a matter which is on the Agenda for this meeting.

If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chairman who will instruct anyone who may be taking a recording to cease while you speak.

The representative of the Corporate Director – Community Development Services stated that, other than those that had indicated that they wished to speak in relation to the applications below, there were no questions or statements from members of the public.

Planning Applications

The Committee considered reports of the Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services relating to applications for planning permission.  During the meeting, Officers referred to additional information and representations which had been received.

Except where an alternative condition was contained in the report or an amendment made by the Committee, the conditions as set out in the report and the appropriate time limit conditions were to be attached in accordance with the relevant provisions of Section 91 and 92 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

In considering the report(s) of the Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services, regard had been paid to the policies of the relevant development plan, the National Planning Policy Framework and all other material planning considerations.  Where the Committee deferred consideration or refused planning permission the reasons for that decision are as shown in the report or as set out below. 

Where the Committee granted planning permission in accordance with the recommendation in a report this was because the proposal is in accordance with the development plan, the National Planning Policy Framework or other material considerations as set out in the report unless otherwise specified below.  Where the Committee granted planning permission contrary to the recommendation in the report the reasons for doing so and the conditions to be attached are set out below.

Report of the Assistant Director - Planning – Community Development Services

Considered :-

The Assistant Director Planning – Community Development Services sought determination of a full planning application for the erection of a new village hall and car parking for the Parish of Womersley on a parcel of recreational open space off Cow Lane, Womersley.

Jennifer Teal of Womersley Parish Council spoke in support of the application.

Councillor John McCartney, Division Member for Osgoldcross, spoke in favour of the application.

A representative of the applicant, the Womersley Village Hall Committee, Gina Milne spoke in favour of the application.

During consideration of the above application, the Committee discussed the following issues :-

·       The role of Sport England as a Statutory Consultee, how their past objections had been overcome, their recent objection submitted after publication of the report regarding the proposed footpath and the possibility and cost of alternatives.

·       Condition 21 in the report and the need for agreed opening times for the venue and how this would be decided and controlled.

·       Whether the proposed parking allocation was sufficient for the facility and alternative options.

·       Whether the need for a village hall in Womersley and the resultant local amenity and promotion of social cohesion and other considerations constitute ‘very special circumstances’ which would allow the proposed development on Green Belt.

·       Accessibility to the site from the footpath and alternatives available.

The decision :-

That planning permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions detailed in the Committee report with amendment to condition 21 (opening hours) as set out below and provided that the receipt of the outstanding consultations from Yorkshire Water, the Environment Agency and Sport England indicate that there are no objections and no new material planning issues to be considered.

Voting Record

A vote was taken and the motion was declared carried with 5 for and 1 against.

Amended Conditions and Consultations

Condition 21: To specify opening hours of 8am to 10pm.

Re-consultation: Sport England raised an objection to the latest iteration of the amended plans following the publication of the report.

Sport England stated that it would review this position if the applicant:

• Omitted the proposed footpath.
• Amended the location of the proposed footpath so that was directly against the boundary of the playing field and submitted a plan to show how the proposed footpath will not impact on the ability for the playing field to be marked out with a range of pitches.

Note: Councillor Crane, having declared a non-pecuniary interest, remained in the meeting and took part in the discussion and voting on the above application.

Any other items which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

There were no urgent items of business.

Wednesday, 9 August 2023 at 2.00pm.

Wednesday 9 August 2023 – Civic Centre, Selby