Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registerable or personal interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Councillor David Bolwell declared that he had predetermined application P/FUL/2021/00148 - West Rivers House, 13 West Allington, Bridport, DT6 5BJ as Chairman of the Bridport Town Council Planning Committee that approved the application and also as the person with delegated authority to approve the latest Town Council consultation response.  He declared that he would not take part in the debate or vote, but would speak in his capacity as the Ward Member on this application.

Cllr Kelvin Clayton declared that he had predetermined application P/FUL/2021/00148 - West Rivers House, 13 West Allington, Bridport, DT6 5BJ as he had taken part in the debate and vote on this application when it was considered by Bridport Town Council Planning Committee.  He would not take part in the debate or vote on this application.

Cllr Sarah Williams declared that she had not taken part in the debate or vote when application P/FUL/2021/00148 - West Rivers House, 13 West Allington, Bridport, DT6 5BJ had been considered by Bridport Town Council Planning Committee and would therefore take part in consideration of this application.

A written question was received concerning application WD/D/20/001703 - Land Adjacent to Buckland House, Buckland House Lane, Buckland Ripers DT3 4FT that was considered by the committee in January 2021.  The question was read out at the meeting and is attached to these minutes.

The Area Manager, Western & Southern Team apologised that there had been an error in issuing the decision and that one of the conditions had been omitted. She outlined some of the options available to correct this error including modification of the planning permission that came with a compensation right.  She would advise both the Chairman and Mr Perrott, who had provided the written submission if it was necessary to modify the planning permission.

To consider the applications listed below for planning permission

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

The Chairman announced that at the Council Annual Meeting on 4 May 2021 it was agreed that all council meetings that were not executive in nature would continue to be held virtually from 7 May 2021 until such time as social distancing requirements were removed. Where a decision was required, the committee would express a ‘minded to’ decision in respect of recommendations set out in officer reports with decisions taken by an officer under delegated authority immediately after the committee had voted on an application.

He further stated that applications 4a, 4b and 4c had been deferred to the meeting on 8 July 2021.

Use of land as a year round holiday park.

This application was deferred to the meeting on 8 July 2021.

This application was deferred to the meeting on 8 July 2021.

Formation of stepped access from street to front door and fit iron railings on existing stone wall.

This application was deferred to the meeting on 8 July 2021.

Conversion of existing 4no. flats into 8no. flats.

Cllrs Dave Bolwell and Kelvin Clayton did not take part in the debate or vote on this application.

The Committee considered an application by Dorset Council for the conversion of 4 flats into 8 flats.

The Lead Project Officer presented the application and update sheet circulated to the committee prior to the meeting that contained comments made by Bridport Town Council, including a replacement condition 4.

Cllr David Bolwell addressed the committee as the Ward Member, having reviewed the application on behalf of Bridport Town Council under delegated authority.   He noted the small size of the rooms, the question of land ownership of the parking area and that the development did not comply with the Neighbourhood Plan.  Despite these factors he considered the application to be acceptable on balance.

In response to questions of a technical nature from the committee, the following was confirmed:-

• that a response was awaited from Dorset Council regarding land ownership;
• the national technical standard for a 1 bed unit was 37sq metres total floor area and that Homes England occasionally funded studio apartments that were smaller than 37sq metres on an exception basis;
• with regard to flood risk, that the application did not increase the floor space or the nature of residential use on the first and second floors and that no objection had been received from the flood risk management team or Environment Agency;
• that the environmental performance of the building would be in accordance with the existing development plan; and
• the existing external staircase to access the 2 units at the western end of the building would be assessed in line with building regulations, including a secondary means of exit if necessary.

The Lead Project Officer highlighted that the smallest of the proposed units was under 22sq metres which was clearly under the prescribed technical standard.  However, the applicant had responded that the units were designed to meet a specific need for emergency and short term use. The layout would also be easy to modify in future, if necessary.

The committee was supportive of the application and replacement condition 4.  Members considered that accepting the small size of the studio flats should be an exceptional circumstance due to their intended use. 

Proposed by Cllr Kate Wheller, proposed by Cllr Paul Kimber

The Committee was minded to allow the application. 

The Head of Planning having considered the officer’s presentation and having taken into account the views of the committee made the following decision under delegated authority.

Decision of the Head of Planning: That the application be approved subject to the conditions (including replacement condition 4) outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman 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 recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.