Meeting documents

Members are required to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 and the Council’s Code of Conduct regarding disclosable pecuniary and other interests.

Check if there is an item of business on this agenda in which the member or other relevant person has a disclosable pecuniary or other disclosable interest

Check that the interest has been notified to the Monitoring Officer (in writing) and entered in the Register (if not this must be done within 28 days)

Disclose the interest at the meeting (in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct) and in the absence of dispensation to speak and/or vote, withdraw from any consideration of the item where appropriate.  If the interest is non-pecuniary you may be able to stay in the room, take part and vote.

For further advice please contact Stuart Caundle, Monitoring Officer, in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting, previously circulated.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2019 were agreed and signed as a correct record.

There were no requests for site visits.

Members of the public (and planning applicants or their representatives) are allowed to address the Committee for up to 3 minutes, either in support of, or objecting to, applications on the agenda. Notice to speak has to be given directly to the Democratic Services Department (01305 838223) by 12.00pm on the Tuesday prior to the Committee meeting. Full details of the procedure are available on request. Members of the public can indicate if they wish to reserve their right to speak at the beginning of the agenda item.

There were no representations from members of the public.

Erection of 3 dwellings

The application had been the subject of a site visit on the morning of the planning committee meeting.  The Senior Planning Officer presented the report which sought approval to erect 3 dwellings within the defined development boundary for Easton Portland.  In addition, plans and photographs were shown to the committee.

Councillor Garcia addressed the committee as the ward member.  She expressed concern that due process had not been followed in that previous representations by herself had not been referred to and that she had not been notified that the application was being brought to committee.  She read out the contents of her email to the planning department sent on 20 June 2018, where she requested that the application be called in for determination and set out her objections to the application.  She also made reference to a letter from Highways which included comments related to the turning circle and access, parking and the effect on neighbouring properties.  She asked why the application had been brought to this committee for determination at this time?

In response the Development Manager noted that the application would be brought to committee when officers had concluded their casework and they were in a position to bring the application before the committee.  The application had not been rushed onto the agenda, had been submitted some time ago and all publicity and consultation completed.

P Kimber confirmed that he was not a ward member for this application.

Mr Cowling addressed the committee as a neighbour to the proposal site.  He expressed concern with regard to the affect of the development on light levels in his house.  In addition he noted that the submitted plans did not show the garages in front of his house.  This also had an effect on light levels in his property.  He noted that if the development went ahead, he would no longer be able to access the gable wall of his house for maintenance.

Mr Burgess spoke as the agent for the application and provided some background to the site and the plans.  Local materials were to be used and Dorset County Council Highways had no objection.  In response to objections made by Portland Town Council he noted that similar examples of back land development could be seen within the area.  The site was within the development boundary and issues such as overlooking had been addressed by not including rear dormer windows and by having relatively small windows in the units.  He felt that there was a need for properties such as these on Portland and that they would be attractive to local people.  Mr Burgess requested the opportunity to speak again after any members of the public had spoken, in order to address any points raised.

Paul Simpson addressed the committee and made reference to apple trees which had been cut down, the size and length of the proposed building, the wish to keep Portland open, the access to the side of the former pub, the size of the proposed gardens,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

To consider any items of business which the Chair has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be specified in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following

items in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the

meaning of paragraphs 3 & 5 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act

1972 (as amended)

There was no exempt business.

I Bruce, on behalf of the committee, thanked officers for their work including their support to the committee.  He also expressed thanks to the Chairman and Vice-chairman of the committee for their work with the committee.  This was supported by all present.

The Development Manager thanked the committee for their work and support.