Planning Committee Minutes 2026

Cherry Willingham Parish Council

Minutes of Cherry Willingham Parish Council’s Planning Committee held on Tuesday 9th December 2025 at 19:00 in the Millenium Hall

Present: Cllr. Bates, Cllr. Houghton, Cllr. Moore, Cllr D Pitchford, Dr. Ian Lacy, Steve Kemp. Also present District Councillor Maureen Palmer.

1. To note and record apologies and absences

Cllr Burge, Cllr Shaw

2. To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and consider any requests for dispensations in relation to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or other interests as outlined in the Council’s Code of Conduct.

None received.

3. To receive the notes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 9th December 2025 and agree for them to be signed as a true record.

Unanimously so agreed.

4. To discuss and resolve any responses to the below planning application (prev. item 5)

Planning Application: WL/2026/00034 for proposed single storey rear extension, 12 Minster Drive. No objections or comments, although it was hoped that it would not set a precedent for future applications especially as there is mention of proportion of garden space built on in the revised NP.

5. Update since the last Neighbourhood Plan Working Group meeting on 14th January 2026 (prev. item 4)

. IL reported that he had made an amendment to Policy H2 regarding  development in neighbouring parishes. This includes guidance on how to respond to such development. Number of sides (pages) now 92. Only a small difference in price for printing. Front page – CWPC logo to go in bottom right of page. Pictures stress it is still a rural community. One picture to be replaced with one taken by Cllr Palmer of cottages on High Street (she will send to Clerk). Following SK’s amendments to the policies the committee is now ready to go with version 6. The policies should now pass the planners with clear criteria and not being too ‘definate’ or ‘absolute’. They show strategy rather than prohibitions. They are tied more closely to the local plan and planning issues have been separated from operational issues. Operational issues are now incorporated in the text, for example regarding renewable energy. The policies are now enabling and not defensive. Got rid of some duplication (H3). SK had a better way of organising the community amenities, now being more logical. Footpaths now included in the green spaces and not with roads and transport. The list of changes which SK has drawn up indicates that we have not changed the overall nature of the NP. Nev Brown may be able to give us a better idea of whether we will have to go to referendum as he was heavily involved with the approval process of the last one, although SK thinks we probably will not have to. But would the plan have more weight if it had to go through that process?

The papers SK drew up ahead of this meeting were introduced, some of which will need to go in the NP.

The Schedule picks up more substantive alterations, i.e. to policies. This document should help to guide people through the consultation process. SK will draft on online comment form designed to show the differences in policies, again helping residents through the process. 

These documents to be forwarded to NB for advice on how best to use them. The schedule to be included in the email to go to councillors. The Addendum is for the next stage.

Once the consultation stage is underway the revised plan will be submitted to WLDC. At this examination stage an inspector will be appointed/chosen who will make sure it is sound in procedural terms, checking the wording is consistent with the expectations of the planning system. After the consultation, any changes agreed will be made and then it will go for more formal consultation.

The strategic environmental screening report is still to be done. Will this be significant enough to require an environmental or habitat assessment? These have been covered by the local plan. 

Next full Council meeting is 16th February, so draft 6 to be sent out asap to all councillors asking for comments by 13th Feb. Separate pdf of the cover also to go. IL to send with final modifications to clerk asking her to send out on 4th. Comments also welcome on the night, but helpful if the committee has sight of any comments prior to the meeting. Once any amendments made and passed by the Council the revised NP can be submitted for public consultation. 

NB will be asked for a list of appropriate consultees. Printing will take 10-12 working days. Advertising copy for Cherry News by the 10th of the month. Public consultation will begin mid-March with the statutory six week period finishing at the end of April. Advertising will be in Cherry News, on noticeboards, on the Website and on the Council Facebook page. Paper copies will be available in the Library and in Millenium Hall.

30 copies will be printed. A public meeting will be held in the Vine from 7pm on 30th March, RH to book. Drop-in sessions can be held on Wednesdays and Fridays, 10-12 am, 2-4pm and 7-9 evening. Cherry Willingham PC Annual Meeting is on 6th May.

The next working group meeting will be on Tuesday 17th February to discuss the full Council response. 

Following completion of the public consultation period it would be hoped that any necessary changes can be incorporated within a 4 week period.  District Councillor Palmer reminded the meeting that on the 11th May would be held the annual meeting of WLDC which might throw up a change of Chairman and in 2025 no meeting of full WLDC was held in June. Should like it to go to their full council as more publicity for Cherry Willingham.

SK can create a QR code from the URL which will help public to locate the draft.

6. Any matter for report and notice of items to be included in the next agenda

Some discussion re offer of benches from the Viking Way. Must be the recycled type. Already a memorial bench on Green Lane. Other locations suggested included the sharp bend on Green Lane facing West and on the Parish boundary on the Eastern side where the Viking Way crosses it.

7. To confirm the date of the next meeting

Tuesday 28th April at 19:00 Millenium Hall

Next working group meeting 17th February at 19:00 Millenium Hall

Meeting closed 20:30