Agenda and draft minutes

To receive as a correct record the Minutes of meeting held on 16^th February 2026 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of 16^th February 2026 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

There were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Councillors of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Councillors are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Councillors should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Councillors are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

Councillor Martin Bottoms declared an interest in agenda items A6 25/00770/LB and A7 25/01347/ADV (both at) The Platform, Marine Road, Central Morecambe. The reason being that he had previous involvement with the applications through his role as Cabinet portfolio holder. Consequently, Councillor Bottoms would recuse himself from the meeting for the duration of consideration of these items.

Councillors John Hanson and Sandra Thornberry both declared an interest in agenda items A6 25/00770/LB and A7 25/01347/ADV (both at) The Platform, Marine Road, Central Morecambe. The reason being that they were members of the group Friends of the Platform. Both Councillors Hanson and Thornberry stated that they would be viewing the applications fairly and with an open mind.

There were no other declarations of interest.

Outline application for the demolition of existing buildings and the erection of up to 250 dwellings with an associated new access, infrastructure and football club car/coach park.

A site visit was held in respect of this application on 9^th February 2026 by Councillors Louise Belcher, Dave Brookes, Keith Budden, Alan Greenwell, John Livermore, Catherine Potter, Sandra Thornberry, Sue Tyldesley and Paul Tynan. In attendance was Planning Applications Manager Jennifer Rehman.

Under the scheme of public participation, Neil Wakeman (of Carnforth Rangers FC) spoke against the application. Peter Tooher (Nexus Planning) spoke in favour of the application.

It was proposed by Councillor Dave Brookes, and seconded by Councillor Louise Belcher, contrary to the officer’s recommendation in the report:

“That the application be refused on the following grounds:

The proposal would cause unacceptable biodiversity harm through the substantial loss of the site’s Biological Heritage Site, including valued priority habitats, invertebrate assemblages, and extensive woodland. These habitats contribute significantly to local green and blue infrastructure. The mitigation offered is unconvincing and fails to show that these losses would be adequately compensated. The development therefore conflicts with policies DM29, DM43, DM44, DM45, EN7, SP8 and SG11 of the Local Plan, and the environmental harm is judged to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the scheme’s benefits.”

Upon being put to the vote, 10 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with 4 against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.

Resolved:

That the application be refused on the following grounds:

The proposal would cause unacceptable biodiversity harm through the substantial loss of the site’s Biological Heritage Site, including valued priority habitats, invertebrate assemblages, and extensive woodland. These habitats contribute significantly to local green and blue infrastructure. The mitigation offered is unconvincing and fails to show that these losses would be adequately compensated. The development therefore conflicts with policies DM29, DM43, DM44, DM45, EN7, SP8 and SG11 of the Local Plan, and the environmental harm is judged to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the scheme’s benefits.

Listed building application for the installation of external branded signage, external redecoration and installation of a vinyl cover on the internal existing glass ceiling.

It was proposed by Councillor Dave Brookes and seconded by Councillor John Hanson:

“That the application be approved subject to the conditions in the Committee Report.”

Upon being put to the vote, 13 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and noabstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

1.     Standard Listed Building Timescale.

2.     Amended Plans and Details.

3.     Details of Paint Colour, Paint Type and Precise Areas to be Painted.

Advertisement application for the display of 2 hanging signs, 3 freestanding signs, window poster holders and window graphics.

It was proposed by Councillor John Hanson and seconded by Councillor Robert Redfern:

“That the application be approved subject to the conditions in the Committee Report.”

Upon being put to the vote, 13 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.

Resolved:

That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:

1.     Standard Advertisement Timescale.

2.     Amended Plans.

3.     Advertisement Standard Condition 1 (landowner permission).

4.     Advertisement Standard Condition 2 (public safety).

5.     Advertisement Standard Condition 3 (maintenance).

6.     Advertisement Standard Condition 4 (structure maintenance).

7.     Advertisement Standard Condition 5 (site restoration).

The Service Manager – Development Management submitted a quarterly report on the performances of both the Planning Enforcement Team and the Applications Team, and answered questions from members.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Members noted their appreciation of the progress being made.

The Chief Officer - Planning and Climate Change submitted a Schedule of Planning Applications dealt with under the Scheme of Delegation of Planning Functions to Officers.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Updates relevant to any application due to be considered at this meeting have been published here on 19^th March 2026 as an additional document to this agenda.

An updates report had been published on 19^th March 2026.