Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Martin, substituted by Councillor Newcombe.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Capewell and Councillor Bird.

Councillor Freeman and Councillor Williamson declared an interest in item 5 as they are members of the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2024 were confirmed.

The Committee received and considered the report and addendum report from the Planning Officer.

The Planning Officer reported that the application is for the proposed conversion and change of use of agricultural storage barn to a new 4-bedroom residential dwelling with retrospective external alterations and associated works, access and boundary treatments. It was added that this application relates to an agricultural building located on the edge of the settlement of Fleggburgh, outside of the development limits.

The Planning Officer reported that this application for a proposed conversion of an existing agricultural barn to a dwelling house follows a previous prior approval for a residential conversion, where works have commenced. It was added that the prior approval under class Q was originally granted under reference 06/20/0533/PAD, which was approved on the 11 December 2020.

The Planning Officer reported that no objections were made, subject to conditions, and that this application was brought to the attention of the Committee as there is a policy conflict with the adopted Local Plan due to the site being located outside of the settlement boundary. It was added that the policy states that the site should be of heritage landscape value and the criteria states that curtilage should be complimentary to the scale of the existing buildings. Furthermore, there is a policy conflict in relation to the loss of agricultural land and there is a conflict with the neighbourhood plan due to the loss of Grade 1 agricultural land.

The Planning Officer reported that there is a proposed area of land on the site designated to biodiversity in addition to proposed hedging along the northern boundary to minimise the impact on the setting, which would also reduce the size of the residential curtilage.

The Planning Officer reported that, as works had lawfully commenced under the previous permissions, it is unlikely that the site would be returned to agricultural use and there is consideration that the completion of the works would enhance the setting of the area.

The Planning Officer reported that the recommendation is that application 06/24/0125/F be APPROVED subject to the conditions listed in the published Agenda Report (to be modified as necessary) and with the following amendments:

1. At the proposed Condition 1, include reference to:
   • the updated site location plan; and,
   • indicative site layout and landscaping plan
2. At proposed Condition 6, substitute the first sentence of the proposed condition with the following sentence:

“There shall be no occupation of the dwelling hereby permitted until the full details of a landscaping plan and biodiversity enhancement scheme have first been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, the details of which shall be based on the layout shown in the indicative site layout and landscaping plan ref [XXXXX] received on [XXXX] date.”

Councillor Williamson asked in relation to the proposed hedging on the northern boundary of the site and whether this would match the existing hedging on the neighbouring fields. The Planning Officer clarified that the precise details are yet to be agreed, however it would be likely that the hedging could be a continuation of that surrounding the neighbouring field.

Councillor Galer asked in relation to the cladding on the exterior of the building and whether a particular material has been specified. The Planning Officer clarified that the application specified shiplap timber cladding as the exterior material. Councillor Galer asked whether there are any conditions prevent PVC being used instead of the shiplap timber cladding. The Interim Head of Planning explained that there is a condition that limits the permission to what was submitted on the application form and if a change of material was required, a separate permission would need to be granted. The Planning Officer added that the application confirms the use of black shiplap timber cladding and therefore the conditions secure the use of this material.

The Chair stated that there were no objections from the Parish Council and the amendments to include hedging to the northern boundary would improve the area. It was added that this is a relatively small section of Grade 1 listed agricultural land.

Councillor Freeman stated that he was pleased to see the effort to include biodiversity within this application and asked whether this will be included in future planning applications. The Interim Head of Planning explained that legislation is being introduced that will require a certain level of biodiversity and therefore future planning applications will see more consideration given to this matter. It was added that the Borough’s Design Code requires working through a checklist of questions including considerations for the street scene and landscaping which would have an impact on promotion biodiversity on future sites.

Councillor Williamson stated that it is positive to renovate a redundant building and the proposed shiplap timber cladding is a sustainable material. Councillor Williamson reported that he was pleased to support the application.

Proposer: Councillor Freeman

Seconder: Councillor Williamson

Following a unanimous vote it was RESOLVED:-

That application 06/24/0125/F be approved as per the recommendation and conditions as set out in the Agenda Report and supporting addendum report.

The Committee received and considered the report and addendum report from the Planning Officer.

The Planning Officer reported that this application was for various emergency works that are a part of the first stage of a longer-term programme to fully restore the building and therefore some of the works are only proposed on a temporary basis until additional funding is secured.

 The proposed works within this application are as follows:

• To replace storm damaged copper sheet roof covering on the Small Hall roof with fully adhered bitumen felt to match the main hall;
• To make good the south side gutter, strap down the clock tower roof turret and screw fix the bottom edge of copper sheets on the four largest turret roofs;
• To take down defective and loose gutters on the Turrets, carefully set aside the decorative copper roof vent/cowl;
• To remove grey boarding on the east Gable of the Small Hall roof and replace with WPB ply and bitumen felt; and
• To wrap 15 of the existing balusters around the building with geo textile fabric and waterproof tape.

The Planning Officer reported that this is a connected application as the site is owned by the Council and it has been brought to the attention of the Committee as the proposal site consists of the Grade II Listed Gorleston Pavilion Theatre. It was noted that the proposed works require listed building consent only and does not require full planning permission.

The Planning Officer reported that the Conservation Officer confirmed that the copper on the existing roof to the Small Hall has a lifetime of 100 years and there is currently not enough funding to replace the roofing with copper. Therefore, the proposal is to replace the existing material and replace it with bitumen felt on a temporary bases until funding can be secured. It was added that the copper on the turrets would be screwed down to secure it in place, as well as introducing 3 metre galvanised straps to fix the turret with the clock tower and remove the guttering on the turrets that has been damaged by the copper.

The Planning Officer reported that the recommendation is that application 06/24/0088/LB should be APPROVED subject to the conditions listed in the published Agenda Report and supporting addendum report.

Councillor Boyd asked in relation to the condition highlighting the 5-year time period to secure funding to replace the copper and what would happen if the funding was not secured with the temporary bitumen still in place. The Planning Officer stated that the felt would only be in place for 5 years then replaced with copper and that officers would secure the details of this replacement prior to the 5-year deadline. Councillor Boyd stated that this would be an expensive job to undertake. The Interim Head of Planning stated that this application seeks to make this Listed Building safe on a temporary basis, with the view that details will be obtained as to how to return the building to its former glory. It was explained that if there is a breach because of a lack of funding there would be a scenario of looking at further interest and officers would take into consideration if there were any clear, proactive steps to secure funding. The Interim Head of Planning stated that conditions are worded so that action can be taken if necessary, however discretion can be used when it comes to enforcement.

Councillor Mogford suggested that Goodyear rubber be considered as an alternative to the bitumen felt as it has a 50-year guarantee and can sit under copper, which would be beneficial if the funding for the copper was not secured within 5 years.

The Chair stated that weather proofing the building is a matter of urgency and that the 5-year timeframe would allow a more permanent solution to be found in order to make the building weatherproof for the foreseeable future with a positive view of securing the funding for a new copper roof.

Councillor Galer asked in relation to the consent for the temporary use of bitumen felt and whether this will be used in all instances across the exterior roof to replace the copper. The Planning Officer explained that the copper would only be removed from the Small Hall roof with the intention to bring back the copper as soon as practicable to protect the heritage of the Listed Building.

Councillor Galer requested clarification on whether there is a trigger that would alert the Planning Team that the 5-year time frame for securing the copper funding and developing a permanent solution was coming to an end. The Interim Head of Planning explained that the Planning Team do not proactively monitor developments, however legislation is evolving within the Levelling Up Scheme and it is possible that within 5 years there may be provision for these kinds of triggers and allow for necessary enforcement. It was added that as the Council owns this Listed Building, officers will likely be aware of developments in funding and any issues that arise that may require additional repairs.

Councillor Williamson stated that these emergency works would be a positive step in ensuring the safety of this Listed Building and thanked the trustees of the building for bringing these issues to the Council’s attention. It was added that the Council have a responsibility to protect this Grade II Listed Building as it is important to the Pier Plain and Gorleston conservation areas. Councillor Williamson stated that he fully supports the application and commented that the Preservation Trust would be forthcoming with advice in regard to securing funding for a replacement copper roof if needed.

The Chair stated that it is important to push forward with this application and repair the Gorleston Pavilion due to its significance in the area’s heritage.

Proposer: Councillor Williamson

Seconder: Councillor Boyd

Following a unanimous vote it was RESOLVED:-

That application 06/24/0088/LB be approved as per the recommendation and conditions as set out in the Agenda Report and supporting addendum report.

The Chair notified the Committee that there is a need for two Development Management meeting in July as there are several applications coming forward that will need to be dealt with, therefore an additional meeting will be scheduled for 31st July 2024.

The Chair stated that the Corporate Services Manager is organising training with the LGA that will provide the Committee with the opportunity to have substitutes at Development Management meetings.

The Chair explained that this meeting would be the last for the Interim Head of Planning, Mr A Chrusciack, and thanked him for his work in the department and at the Development Management Committee meetings.