Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 May 2019 were confirmed and signed.

To receive any declarations of interest.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

Cllr Sarah Williams declared a non-disclosable pecuniary interest in Minute Numbers 14 and 16 due to her previous role as Chairman of Bridport Town Council Planning Committee when the applications had been considered.  She stated that she did not have a predetermination and would therefore remain present during the debate and vote on these items.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Representations by the public to the Committee on individual planning applications are detailed below.  There were no questions, petitions or deputations received on other items on this occasion.

To consider the applications below for planning permission

Members considered written reports submitted on planning applications as set out below.

Outline application for a mixed use development comprising: up to 500 dwellings, including affordable housing; up to 8 ha of employment land (to include a new hotel, residential care home, car show rooms and other employment land); land for a new primary school; a new local centre; public open spaces, new accesses and roads, and associated infrastructure.

The outline application for a mixed use development for up to 500 dwellings, up to 8ha employment land, land for a new primary school, a new local centre, public open spaces, new accesses and road and associated infrastructure was presented by the Senior Planning Officer. The two duplicate applications were necessary due to the cross boundary location of the application site on the former Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and West Dorset District Council areas.

The application had been the subject of a site visit on the morning of the meeting.

The Development Manager outlined the revised recommendation and conditions provided in the update sheet circulated to members and included in the presentation.  She explained that these were largely related to clarifications and typographical alterations and that full details would be submitted as reserved matters.

The Chairman read aloud a letter by Dr Guy Dickenson, from the West Dorset Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), who was unable to attend the meeting.  The letter referred to development in the AONB, the National Planning Policy Framework, viability, the need for the various commercial uses, lack of correlation between the number of homes and people on the housing register and environmentally friendly buildings.

Oral representation was received from Cllr Graham Brant, on behalf of Bincombe Parish Council, who highlighted concerns in relation to the sufficiency of landscaping around the site boundaries, the impact of increased numbers of vehicles on the A354 and the use of Bincombe Lane and the hamlet as a rat run. 

Oral representation was received from Cllr Roland Tarr, Dorset Councillor - Winterborne and Broadmayne Ward, who drew attention to the world famous archaeology and tumuli on the site which was an important element of tourism, contravention of the NPPF and infringement of the development on the coastal path.

Mr Richard Boother, the Agent, addressed the Committee in support of the application.

In response to speaker comments, the Senior Planning Officer advised that landscaping along a small element of the application was less than the desired depth, however, there had been no objection by the AONB team and there were no buildings situated in the more elevated part of the site.  Advanced planting had been included in the conditions and reflected the importance of phasing of the development.

The Development Manager highlighted paragraph 172 of the NPPF, which although strong in offering protection and limiting development, did not mean that there could be no development on the AONB.  The impacts on the environment and landscape, local economy and the need for housing had been carefully considered through the Local Plan process, and the AONB carefully considered in bringing this application forward. An outline planning application was part of the normal planning process and it was not expected to have the full detail at this stage, as this would be considered under reserved matters and fully publicised and consulted upon. 

Members asked how the impact of additional traffic from 500 homes would be mitigated, in particular with regard to:-

·      the use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Erect 19 custom build houses and flats to form enlarged co-housing neighbourhood.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application to erect 19 houses and flats to form an enlarged cohousing neighbourhood.  The scheme design was a continuation of Phase 1 of this development, outside of the development boundary in the AONB.  A previous application in November 2018 had been delegated, but issues of land ownership had arisen in the process of drawing up the Section 106 Agreement.

Key Planning Matters were highlighted including the principle of development, impact on the AONB, affordable housing, highways, flood risk and draining.  The whole site would be comprised of affordable housing due to the nature of the community.  35% affordable housing had been secured via a Section 106 Agreement, which had been necessary due to the slightly different definitions of affordable housing contained in the Local Plan and in the lettings policy of Bridport Co-Housing.

Oral representation was received from Monica King, a member of Bridport Co-Housing, in support of the scheme.  She also clarified that charging points for vehicles were included in the development.

The Committee welcomed this scheme.

Proposed by Cllr Kate Wheller, seconded by Cllr Susan Cocking.

Decision: That the application be granted, subject to a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) dated 20 June 2019 to secure 35% affordable housing, and the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

Two storey extension and new detached double garage.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application for a two storey extension and new detached double garage. During the course of the application an East facing window on the first floor was removed as it allowed the most direct views towards the roof lights and garden at the neighbouring property, West Side.

Oral objection was received from Dr C Wright and Mrs M Wright, the owners of West Side, raising concerns in relation to the topographical impact, design, size and proximity of the proposal which would lead to a loss of amenity and privacy.   

Mr G Pickett, the Applicant and Mr E Holloway, the Agent both addressed the committee in support of the application.

The Senior Planning Officer explained that possible views from the first floor windows of the proposed extension towards the roof lights on the neighbouring property did not represent a significant change from the existing arrangement of buildings and would not be seriously detrimental to warrant refusal.  Following discussion, this view was accepted by the Committee.

Proposed by Cllr K Wheller, seconded by Cllr D Shortell.

Decision: That the application be granted subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

Cllr Louie O'Leary left the meeting at this juncture.

Erection of 9 Flats and 1 Maisonette together with parking.

The Senor Planning Officer presented the application, advising of a change to the description of the application to "Demolition of the existing building and erection of 9 flats and 1 maisonette with parking".

A previous permission for 10 affordable flats in 2009 had been granted but not implemented.  A viability assessment for this scheme had been considered by the District Valuer and was not considered viable for affordable housing. It was recognised that the allocation of 6 parking spaces was below the parking standard guidelines, however, this had been mitigated by the close proximity to public transport links and range of nearby facilities. 

Members highlighted the potential impact of the parking allocation on congestion in the nearby streets and cul-de-sac.

The Highways Officer explained that this should be viewed in the context of highway safety and the sustainability of the location meaning that residents did not have to own a car to live there.  Double yellow lines were implemented to prevent unsafe parking practices and, whilst this could be considered under highway legislation, an objection to this application could not be recommended on highways grounds. 

Proposed by Cllr Susan Cocking, seconded by Cllr Nick Ireland.

Decision: That the application be granted subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

A vote to continue the meeting was taken in accordance with Part 2, Paragraph 8.1 of the Council's Constitution as the meeting had been ongoing for a period of 3 hours.

Decision:

That the meeting be extended for a further period to allow the business of the meeting to be concluded.

Erect two linked single storey buildings to form office and welfare facilities for use ancillary to operation of existing highways depot.

The Development Management Team Manager presented an application to erect 2 linked single storey buildings to form office and welfare facilities for use ancillary to operations of an existing highways depot.  The site was overlooked by 2 residential properties, 38a and 38b South Mill Lane, which were 8m and 5m respectively from the proposed building on the other side of a hedge. An amended condition 8 in relation to flooding had been included in the Update Sheet.

Objections had been received from 38a and 38b South Mill Lane relating to proximity to the WCs and shower rooms, loss of light, increased noise and dust and intensification of use of the yard.

Officers considered that the existing hedge served to mitigate the visual impact and there were also conditions requiring all windows facing the residential properties to be non-opening and obscured glaze.

Members noted that the hedge appeared sparse in the photographs, particularly as it was to be used as a screen between the homes and the new building and they asked whether it could be improved.

Officers considered that this could be achieved under existing conditions in relation to hedgerow protection.

Proposed by Cllr D Gray, seconded by Cllr Nick Ireland.

Decision: That the application be granted subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.