Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Steve Butler and Mervyn Jeffery.

There were no declarations by members of disclosable pecuniary interests under the Code of Conduct.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2016 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2016 were confirmed and signed.

Public Speaking

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1).

Public Statements

There were no public statements received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

Petitions

There were no petitions received at the meeting in accordance with the County Council’s Petition Scheme.

To consider a report by the Head of Economy (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Economy on planning application WD/D/16/001217 for a variation of Condition 2 of planning permission WD/D/14/

00368 to allow for the continued used of the temporary gypsy transit site at Piddlehinton for up to three years, including August 2016, for siting 25 caravans for 6 months a year between March and August inclusive and for this permission to end in August 2019.

Officers explained the reasoning for the continued use of the transit site, why it was needed and how it would be used. The site had been operational for the previous two years, with the current permission due to lapse in August 2016. Whilst the development was located on an elevated site in the countryside, it formed part of the Piddlehinton Camp and was adjacent the Piddlehinton Enterprise Park.

The Committee were informed why a further temporary consent was being sought,  this being needed until the Dorset wide Gypsy and Travellers Site Development Plan Document (DPD), being prepared jointly between Dorset’s district, borough and unitary councils, had been able to identify and allocate permanent facilities in Dorset. Officers emphasised the complexities and practicalities associated with the development of this DPD.

Arrangements for the site to be managed were in place and had worked well when used without causing and significant adverse impacts. The availability of the site had also already proved to be beneficial in enabling the effective management of unauthorised encampments elsewhere. Officers confirmed that the proposed development was in general accordance with the existing Development Plan. Through the work on the Gypsy and Traveller DPD, Dorset was trying to meet its obligation to identify suitable facilities and accommodate future need. The absence of identified sites would be a material consideration when looking at other sites. Accordingly, the public benefits of a managed site weighed heavily in favour of granting planning permission.

With the aid of a visual presentation, and having regard for the provisions of the Update Sheet, officers described the proposals and planning issues in detail, the grounds on which the planning application was being made and what it was designed to achieve: in providing a facility to accommodate the needs of those gypsies and travellers visiting Dorset during the summer months. The report and officers described the characteristics of the site; what facilities would be provided; its siting’ location and prominence - overlooking the Piddle Valley (whilst not directly being sited within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)) -, its land form and its context within the surrounding landscape and the village of Piddlehinton, adjoining business park and the permanent gypsy site. Access arrangements and how the site would be managed, and by whom, were outlined in detail, including what security arrangements were in place, this all being set out in the current Site Management Plan (SMP). 

Officers explained the significant benefits of the proposal in that, by means of this permission, it would be a controlled and managed site, with this provision enabling  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

To consider a report by the Head of Economy (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Economy on planning application WD/D/16/000832 to demolish an existing single, temporary classroom located on the boundary of the playing field, which was now dilapidated and deemed to be no longer fit for purpose, and replace it by installing a new singular modular classroom extension to the front of St Mary’s Primary School, Bradford Abbas.

With the aid of a visual presentation, and having regard for the provisions of the Update Sheet, officers described the proposals and planning issues in detail, what they would entail, the grounds on which the planning application was being made and what it was designed to achieve

Officers explained that the school was located within the Bradford Abbas Conservation Area and situated near to listed buildings. The new modular classroom would adjoin the more modern school buildings and would not detract from the character and appearance of the conservation area. The development would be further from residential properties than the existing temporary classroom and it would not result in an unreasonable loss of amenity. The development was considered to be in accordance with the Development Plan and consequently, planning permission was being recommended.

Photographs and plans were shown to the Committee by way of illustration showing the characteristics of the site, where the new facility would be situated, of what materials it was to be built and its colour scheme; its form, mass and size, its setting within the site, its relationship with neighbouring properties, the conservation area and listed buildings and its setting within the wider townscape. Comparison to the existing classroom it was replacing was also drawn to members’ attention. Officers explained that the design provided for the construction of a modern replacement to meet the needs of a modern education curriculum and satisfy all the standards and requirements of a school with primary status. The new classroom was to be timber clad and of standard design and would not increase the capacity of the school but would modernise it. Officers considered that there would be a significant improvement to the facilities the school had to offer and planning permission was recommended.

The Committee were informed that Matthew Hall, County Council member for Sherborne Rural had indicted his support for the proposal, whilst West Dorset District Council and Bradford Abbas Parish Council had raised no objections. However, an objection had been raised by a resident of a neighbouring property citing, amongst other things, the development was unnecessary, would cause a detrimental effect on his amenity by removing the baffle to noise provided by the existing classroom, visual impact would be adversely affected and that planning procedures had not been properly fulfilled.

Officers considered these concerns to be unfounded particularly as the new classroom would, at least, preserve the character and appearance of the Bradford Abbas Conservation Area and would replace the current unattractive structure. Being located closer to the existing school would mean that the site would be seen as a single entity, being well  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on Monday 24 July 2016

No questions were asked by members under Standing Order 20(2).