2026 Minutes

Welbourn Parish Council

MINUTES OF WELBOURN PARISH COUNCIL EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

HELD ON WEDNESDAY 21 AUGUST 2026

IN THE WELBOURN VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30 p.m.

PRESENT 

Not Present

Public Forum – no members of the public were present

1. Chairman’s welcome

2. Acceptance of reasons for absence

2.1 Apologies were received from Parish Cllrs. Short and Bighi and Cllrs Overton and Hagues, and Mr Daniel Bancroft – Responsible Finance Officer (RFO).

These apologies were accepted.

3. Declaration of interest in any matter on the agenda – None

4. Notes of meeting held on 8 July 2026 to be approved as minutes. Proposed by Cllr. Duxbury and seconded by Cllr. Rowbotham .

4.1 Resolved: That these be accepted as minutes of the meeting.

5. Planning Matters to discuss

5.1 Notification of Receipt of Planning Application

Planning Application Reference: 26/0927/HOUS

Proposal: Internal and external alterations to facilitate conversion of existing

outbuildings, including new openings and erection of a porch

Location: 11-13 The Green Welbourn Lincoln Lincolnshire LN5 0NJ

Resolved: The Parish Council supports this application.

5.2 Planning Application Reference 26/0575/FUL

Proposed electricity substation comprising the construction of a 400kV Air Insulated Switchgear (AIS) substation and associated works, new access off Heath Lane and access road to the substation, provision of four temporary passing places on Heath Lane, drainage, landscaping and BNG, together with overhead line works including the provision of four new towers and associated works comprising the removal of two existing overhead line towers and the termination of overhead lines using termination gantries within the substation.

Location: Land To The North Of Heath Lane Navenby LN5 0AY

Resolved:   The Parish Council objects to this application. The Parish Council feels that the substation is a "foot in the door" for much wider future energy infrastructure, noting that numerous additional projects are listed on the government TEC register. The Parish Council is concerned about the scale of development, impact on farmland and the landscape, increased infrastructure such as taller towers, and potential environmental risks linked to battery storage. The Parish Council challenges claims about local benefits, stating that while construction would create temporary jobs, the substation would be unmanned and remotely monitored once operational, resulting in little ongoing employment. The Parish Council supports alternative renewable energy approaches, particularly greater use of commercial rooftops, car parks, and other developed land, rather than large-scale development on agricultural land.

6. Portfolio Holders Updates

6.1 Cllr. Short reported via email that a) there is another water leak at the village hall which is being investigated; b) Village Hall and Playing Field Committee members object to the installation of a gate from the playing field into Moat Lane in the vicinity of the tennis court; c) the field path gate at the NE corner of the field between Field House and the new bungalow is broken.

Action Point: Parish Clerk to report this to the appropriate authority.

6.2 Cllr. Crosby advised that the resident volunteering to remove the pendulous sedge requires an 8 cubic yard skip.

Action Point: Parish Clerk to ascertain costings.

6.3 Cllr Duxbury volunteered to cut the overhanging hedge along the A607 to improve visibility week commencing 31 August 2026.

7. Agenda items for the next meeting:- works to The Beck; Lincolnshire Resilience Forum and National Flood Forum community event on 23 September 2026; electrical work at The Forge; review of Freedom of Information Request Policy; petition to improve road on A17.

Meeting Closed at 16.55

Signed ……………………………………………….  Date…………………………….

Chair

Next meeting : - Wednesday 9 September 2026 - 7.30 pm.

Copies to: Parish Councillors, County & District Councillors, Parish Council Web Site

Future Parish Council Meetings in 2026:  All meetings to commence at 7.30 pm.