Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Sarah Williams.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registerable or non-registrable 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.

Cllr Louie O’Leary declared an interest in item 5 on the agenda as a member of the Dorset Council Harbours Committee and liaison for the Working Harbours Association.  As his views on the harbour were well known he would not take part in the debate or vote on this item.

Cllr Paul Kimber declared that he had predetermined application WP/20/00467/OUT - The Heliport, Coode Way, Portland, DT5 1BL as he had spoken against the application before becoming a member of the Area Planning Committee.  He would therefore not take part in the debate or vote, but would speak as the Ward Member on this application.

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

Public speaking has been suspended for virtual committee meetings during the Covid-19 crisis and public participation will be dealt with through written submissions only.

Members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area, may submit up to two questions or a statement of up to a maximum of 450 words.  All submissions must be sent electronically to denise.hunt@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by the deadline set out below.  When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for and include your name, address and contact details.  Questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

Questions will be read out by an officer of the council and a response given by the appropriate Portfolio Holder or officer at the meeting.  All questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  The deadline for submission of the full text of a question or statement is 8.30am on Tuesday 2 November 2021.

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 listed below for planning permission

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

Erection of building for servicing and maintenance of helicopters and additional facilities incidental to heliport use (Outline – access, appearance, layout and scale).

The Committee considered an application for the erection of a building for servicing and maintenance of helicopters and additional facilities incidental to heliport use.

The Committee was shown an aerial photo, location plan, proposed site plan, elevations, floor and roof plans as well as photos of the site in the local context.

The key planning issues were outlined including:-       

·       Principle of development

·       Residential amenity

·       Visual amenity and setting of heritage assets

·       Biodiversity

The Senior Planning Officer outlined the amended conditions contained in the update sheet circulated to members before the meeting.  This, and the written representations subsequently read out by the Technical Support Officer are attached to these minutes.

Cllr Paul Kimber addressed the committee as the Ward Member concerning the effect of noise and fumes on nearby residential properties.

In response to technical questions, the following points were confirmed:-

·       There was no restriction on numbers of flights.

·       The proposed hangar was similar in height to nearby commercial buildings and the existing hangar.

·       The use of the hangar for servicing and maintenance of helicopters up to 4 months at a time with delivery via lorry.

·       Although this proposal would not result in additional flights, there was no restriction to numbers of flights on this site.

·       A noise report had been submitted as part of the application with no objection by Environmental Health.

The Committee noted comments that had been made with regard to noise and pollution, however, they considered that the hangar would mitigate a certain amount of noise and that the economic benefits of the proposal outweighed the impact on amenity of nearby residential properties, particularly given the long history of the site as a helicopter station.

Proposed by Cllr John Worth, seconded by Cllr Louie O’Leary.

The proposer and seconder confirmed that they were content to include the amended conditions contained in the update sheet in the recommendation.

The committee was minded to delegate authority to the Head of Planning to determine the application in line with the report recommendations.

The Head of Planning having considered the representations and 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:-

(A) That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to grant, subject to the completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to secure a financial contribution for mitigation to the recreational impact to the Chesil and the Fleet European site  and subject to planning conditions (as amended in the update sheet).

(B) That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to  refuse permission for the reasons set out below if the legal agreement is not completed within 6 months of the date of the committee resolution or such extended time as agreed by the Head of Planning.

1. In the absence of a satisfactory completed Section 106 agreement the scheme fails to secure mitigation necessary to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

Conversion of existing Manor House to 5 dwellings including extensions.  Use Stonebarrow Barn as independent dwelling (removal of condition 4 of 1/W/2002/0886 – holiday employment occupancy link); erect new dwelling and modify existing vehicular access (Amended scheme).

The committee considered an application for the conversion of an existing Manor House to 5 dwellings including extensions, the use of Stonebarrow Barn as an independent dwelling (removal of condition 4 of 1/W/2002/0886 – holiday employment occupancy link); the erection of a new dwelling and modification of the existing vehicular access (amended scheme).

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application including aerial photo, existing and proposed location / layout plans and elevations, street scenes and photos. 

The main planning issues were outlined including:-

·       Principle – sustainable location

·       Effect on visual amenity / AONB

·       Effect on heritage assets, residential amenity

·       Flood risk / drainage

·       Land stability

·       Ecology

·       Highways

He further outlined the recommendations as amended in the update sheet circulated to the committee prior to the meeting.

The update sheet and written representations subsequently read out by the Technical Support Officer are attached to these minutes.

The Senior Planning Officer responded to issues raised during public participation around the contribution for the off-site provision of affordable housing and modification of the vehicular access.  He noted the reference to removal of a Section 106 Agreement in relation to the Barn, advising that this was not a part of the consideration of this application.

Proposed by Cllr Bill Pipe, seconded by Cllr Louie O’Leary.

The proposer and seconder confirmed that they were content to include the amended conditions contained in the update sheet.

The committee was minded to delegate authority to the Head of Planning to determine the application in line with the report recommendations.

The Head of Planning having considered the representations and 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

(A): that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to approve, subject to planning conditions (as amended in the update sheet), and a planning obligation to address an affordable housing contribution of £36,228.62 and that the Head of Planning determine the application accordingly.

(B): that authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to refuse permission for the reasons set out below if the legal agreement is not completed within 6 months of the date of the committee resolution or such extended time as agreed by the Head of Planning and that the Head of Planning determine the application accordingly:

In the absence of a satisfactory and completed section 106 agreement or unilateral undertaking the scheme would make no provision for a contribution to affordable housing in the locality and as such the development is contrary to Policy HOUS1 of the West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan (2015) and the National Planning Policy Framework (2021).

Change of use from Class C2 residential institution to Class C3 residential dwelling houses and C4(a) houses in multiple occupation.

The committee considered a Dorset Council application for change of use from Class C2 residential institution to Class C3 residential dwelling houses and C4(a) houses in multiple occupation for the creation of housing for care leavers.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application including a site location plan, aerial photo, street view of the site and floor plans.

The main issues were highlighted including:-

·       Principle of development – loss of a care home use balanced by significant benefit of providing accommodation for care leavers.

·       Scale, design and impact on character – no external changes to the building.

·       Amenity – no additional impacts from overlooking, overbearing or loss of light.

·       Use is appropriate to the residential setting.

·       Highways and parking – off road parking spaces retained/ secure cycle parking to be provided.

·       Habitats – HRA screening has confirmed no likely significant effects on habitat sites.

The Committee was wholly supportive of the scheme.

Proposed by Cllr Kate Wheller (who declared a non-pecuniary interest as Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Board) and seconded by Cllr Nick Ireland.

Cllr Kate Wheller subsequently confirmed that her involvement of the project had not led her to pre-determine the application.

The committee was minded to grant the application subject to conditions.

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 outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

To consider a report by the Executive Director of Place.

The Committee considered a report concerning Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) along Custom House Quay, Weymouth.

The Cycling and Walking Officer presented the report and recommendations concerning two TROs, one for the removal of 1 hour parking and the second to allow contraflow cycling along Custom House Quay.

He explained that TROs would normally be dealt with by the Portfolio Holder, but was being considered by the Area Planning Committee due to the level of response to the public consultation.

The Trainee Engineer read the written submissions (attached to these minutes) and responses to the issues raised were provided by the Cycling and Walking Officer.

In response to technical questions the following points were confirmed:-

·       That there were limited utilities beneath the road and that the materials used would be easier and cost effective to reinstate should the road need to be dug up.

·       That the road was designated as a special area meaning that utilities would be obliged to make good the road on a like for like basis.

·       That the contraflow cycle lane had been removed from the scheme due to concerns regarding safety in the tourist location and having regard to the views of local people.

The Chairman noted that Weymouth Town Council had requested

improvements to the harbour area and had raised no objection to the proposals.

Officers were commended on their engagement with local councillors as well as the Weymouth & Portland Access Group in the development of the proposals.

The committee was supportive of the scheme.

Proposed by Cllr Nick Ireland, seconded by Cllr Paul Kimber.

Recommended: That having considered the representations received in
response to public advertisement, that the Committee is minded to recommend the approval of the proposed changes to the Traffic Regulation Order as advertised for the removal of parking.

Having considered the representations received to the public advertisement, that the Committee is minded to recommend that the Traffic Regulation Order for the contraflow cycle provision does not proceed.

Reason for Recommendation: To enable the footway widening in order to
provide a more pleasant, safer environment for non-motorised users whilst
retaining access for loading for harbour businesses. It is considered that the
benefits of the public realm enhancement scheme and dedicated loading bays for harbour businesses outweigh the inconvenience of the loss of thirty-nine free one hour on-street parking spaces

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment confirmed that he had listened to the presentation and views of the committee and would endorse its “minded to” recommendation.

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.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There was no exempt business.

Planning Committee – Update Sheet

Planning Applications