Documents
Agenda
Meeting Details
MeetingDetails
Members are invited to a Meeting of the Planning Committee North
to be held in the Conference Room, Riverside, Lowestoft
on Tuesday, 14 April 2026 at 2.00pm
This meeting will be broadcast to the public via the East Suffolk YouTube Channel at https://youtube.com/live/jeLW6C_IILg?feature=share
To register to speak at this meeting please complete the
Online form
Open To The Public
1
Apologies for Absence and Substitutions
1
There were no apologies for absence received.
2
Declarations of Interest
Members and Officers are invited to make any declarations of interests, and the nature of that interest, that they may have in relation to items on the Agenda and are also reminded to make any declarations at any stage during the Meeting if it becomes apparent that this may be required when a particular item or issue is considered.
2
Councillor Ashton declared an interest in agenda items 6 and 7 as Cabinet Member for Assets and recused himself from those items.
Councillor Beavan declared an interest in agenda item 8 as Cabinet Member for Housing and recused himself from that item.
3
Declarations of Lobbying and Responses to Lobbying
To receive any Declarations of Lobbying in respect of any item on the agenda and also declarations of any response to that lobbying.
3
There were no declarations of lobbying made.
To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2026.
4
On the proposition of Councillor Plummer seconded by Councillor Gee, it was
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2026 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
Report of the Head of Planning and Building Control
5
The Committee received report ES/2776 of the Head of Planning and Building Control which provided a summary of the status of all outstanding enforcement cases for East Suffolk Council where enforcement action had been sanctioned under delegated confirmed powers up until 26 March 2026.
The Enforcement Planner gave one update relating to item C3. It had been given an extension of time as planning and listed building consent applications had been received. These applications had been refused on the 26 March 2026, therefore the next steps were currently being agreed and communicated to the landowner.
Councillor Ashton noted that there had been a planning application for the property in item A4. He asked whether the Enforcement matters would be resolved prior to the planning application being progressed. The Enforcement Planner confirmed they were aware of the planning application and were currently considering whether the outstanding matters could be incorporated into the new scheme or if they would be kept separate. There had been no decision currently as the application was relatively new.
On the proposition of Councillor Plummer, seconded by Councillor Hammond, it was
RESOLVED
That the outstanding enforcement matters up to 26th March 2026 be noted.
Report of the Head of Planning and Building Control
6
Councillor Ashton left the meeting at this point, having recused himself for agenda items 6 and 7.
The Committee received report ES/2777 which related to application DC/25/4727/FUL. The application sought planning permission for the installation of domestic water service, bin and battery external compound layouts and acoustic fencing to the rear of the Leiston Leisure Centre and proposed solar panels to existing roof. The application was referred to Planning Committee North in accordance with East Suffolk Council’s Scheme of delegation as East Suffolk Council was the landowner. There had been no objections from statutory consultees or comment from the ward member.
The planner presented an overview of the application to the Committee, showing the site location plan and aerial view, photographs of the site and existing and proposed block plans, elevations and 3D block plans. This covered all aspects of the application, the proposed solar panels, the air source heat pump, the acoustic fencing and ancillary structures and the proposed battery and bin compound.
The application was recommended for approval subject to the conditions in the Officer’s report.
Councillor Hammond asked the Planner to confirm that the protective barriers were there for safety reasons due to the heavy batteries and the potential fire risk. The Planner confirmed that was correct, they were in place as it was a car park and the barriers would prevent any accidents from vehicles running into them occurring.
There were no further questions.
On the proposal of Councillor Ashdown, seconded by Councillor Hammond.
It was
RESOLVED
That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:
Conditions:
1. Time Limit
2. Plans
3. Removal upon cessation of use
Report of the Head of Planning and Building Control
7
The Committee received report ES/2778 which related to application DC/25/4786/FUL. The application sought planning permission for the installation of a rear compound comprising Air Source Heat Pumps and associated equipment, and the installation of solar arrays to the existing roof. This was intended to replace the existing gas-fired boilers as part of the decarbonisation strategy and drive towards Net Zero carbon emissions. The application was referred to Planning Committee North in accordance with East Suffolk Council’s Scheme of delegation as East Suffolk Council was the landowner.
The Senior Planner presented an overview of the application to the Committee, using a mix of photographs, plans and 3D visuals to show the site in context.
The application was recommended for approval subject to the conditions outlined in the report.
Councillor Plummer noted the similarities between this application and application DC/25/4727/FUL and the slight variance in conditions, wondering whether they needed to be matched up. The Senior Planner noted that this application had the air source heat pumps, and the limited noise impact assessment had been pointed out by Environmental Protection resulting in the required validation report. The Senior Planner confirmed that the solar panel removal condition could be added.
On the proposition of Councillor Pitchers, seconded by Councillor Ashdown it was
RESOLVED
That planning permission be approved subject to the following conditions.
Conditions (summarised):
1. Time Limit
2. Approved Plans
3. Works to be completed in accordance with noise report including mitigation installed prior to first use
4. A Noise Validation report is submitted prior to first use.
Report of the Head of Planning and Building Control
8
Councillor Ashton returned to the meeting.
Councillor Beavan recused himself for this item.
The Committee received report ES/2779 which related to application DC/26/0110/FUL. The application sought planning permission for the installation of a step lift and concrete platform adjacent to the rear door of 18 June Avenue, Lowestoft, NR32 2RR. The proposal would provide improved accessibility to the property and was not considered to result in any adverse impacts to the character and appearance of the area. The application was referred to Planning Committee North as the application had been submitted by an employee of East Suffolk Council. The application complied with policy and was recommended for approval.
The Committee received a presentation from the planner. A series of slides were shared showing the site location plan, aerial photograph and site photographs. The block plan and existing and proposed ground floor plans were shown, along with the proposed elevations, highlighting no adverse impact on neighbouring residents.
The application was recommended for approval subject to the condition outlined in the Officer’s report.
On the proposition of Councillor Ashdown, seconded by Councillor Gee it was
RESOLVED
That the application be approved, subject to the following conditions:
Conditions:
1. 3 Year Time Limit
2. Approved Plans
Report of the Head of Planning and Building Control
9
The Committee received report ES/2780 which related to application DC/26/0512/FUL. The application sought planning permission for the demolition of the existing porch and construction of a two storey side extension against the northeast face of the existing dwelling and various exterior alterations to the existing upper storey and roof. The application was referred to Planning Committee North as East Suffolk Council had an interest in the land, due to ownership of part of the application site. The application complied with policy and was recommended for approval.
A presentation was given by the planner, showing an aerial photograph and various site photographs. The proposed block plan was shared highlighting the location of the two storey side extension along with existing and proposed elevations and existing and proposed ground floor plans.
The application was recommended for approval, subject to the conditions in the Officer’s report.
On the proposal of Councillor Hammond, seconded by Councillor Gee it was
RESOLVED
That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:
Conditions:
1. Time Limit
2. Approved Plans
Exempt/Confidential
There are no Exempt or Confidential items for this Agenda.
Attendance
Declarations of Interests
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No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.
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Visitors
Officers present: Pip Alder (Democratic Services Officer), Daniel Bailes (Trainee Planner), Scarlett Bailey (Assistant Planner (Development Management)), Joe Blackmore (Planning Manager (Development Management)), Katy Cassidy (Democratic Services Officer), Nick Clow (Planner), Matt Gee (Senior Planner), Mia Glass (Enforcement Planner), Steve Milligan (Principal Planner (Development Management))