Agenda and minutes

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.

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

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2023 were confirmed and signed.

To consider the applications listed below for planning permission

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

Construction of 760 dwellings, public open space (including play space and landscape planting), allotments, an orchard, sports pitch provision, with associated changing rooms and car parking, pedestrian, cycle and vehicular links, drainage works and associated infrastructure (Reserved matters application to determine appearance, landscaping, layout and scale following the grant of Outline planning permission number WD/D/17/000986).

An appendix – Committee Report from August 2022 has been attached to this item for information only.  

This item was deferred until a later meeting due to technical reasons and was not determined at this committee meeting.

Outline application for the erection of 6 no. 3 bedroom units (all matters reserved except access).

The Development Management Team Leader presented the report for the erection of 6 no. 3 bedroom units in Chickerell. This application was originally submitted with 7 units, however it had been reduced to 6 following consultation with the Case Officer.

Members were shown the location of the site within Chickerell, as well as an aerial photograph and map highlighting the Defined Development Boundary in Chickerell. Members were also shown a site plan and indicative floor plans and elevations of the units.

The Development Management Team Leader explained that although the application site was located outside of the Defined Development Boundary in Chickerell, it was considered that this was outweighed by the wildlife biodiversity benefits.

Members were shown a map outlining the 1.3 hectares of grassland adjacent to the application site, that had been agreed to be used for conservation purposes, due to the site being a likely travel area for Great Crested Newts, a European Protected Species. Therefore, the site in question was considered to be of national and European importance. The site would no longer be used for camping purposes and enhancement features would be installed to improve the biodiversity of the site, all secured by a S106 agreement.

The Development Management Team Leader also noted that this development did extend into the boundary of the Heritage Coast, however not as significantly as other nearby developments.      

There was public representation from Ms Bruce, who spoke in support of the application as a representative of the applicant.

In response to questions from members the Development Management Team Leader informed the committee that:

·       Dorset Council do currently have a 5-year housing land supply, however, didn’t when this application was submitted.

·       There would be no public access to the land, other than for ecologists, who will monitor the site and people carrying out biodiversity mitigation.

·       All new dwellings will have to have windows agreed by condition to include soundproofing measures.

Several Councillors expressed concerns with this application being contrary to policy in the Neighbourhood Plan and felt that the habitat for Great Crested Newts was currently sufficient and the benefits of development did not outweigh the extra biodiversity measures.

Other members felt that this application was important for safeguarding this habitat for the future.

Proposed by Cllr Ireland and Seconded by Cllr Kimber.

Decision: That Delegated Authority be granted to the Head of Planning and Service Manager for Development Management & Enforcement to grant subject to a deed of variation to the S106 being completed to secure the correct GCN licensing regime and updated BP and subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes.

Erect a first floor extension to include balcony, front porch and associated landscaping works.

The Development Management Team Leader presented the application to erect a first-floor extension to include a balcony as well as a, front porch and associated works and landscaping.

The location of the site was shown within the northern area of Lyme Regis, as well as a photo of the single-storey bungalow under consideration and the surrounding properties.

Members were shown the proposed site plan, displaying the proposed elevations, roof line and floor plan of the property together with a photograph of the view from a neighbouring property, with the proposed roof line highlighted to show the extent of the application. The Development Management Team Leader explained that, a hedgerow would help to mitigate impacts on the neighbour’s amenity and that the new roofline of 5 Overton Close would be approximately the same height as the hedgerow currently.

The Development Management Team Leader noted the application site was within the Defined Development Boundary and the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as showing pictures looking towards the site from The Cobb and Hill Road to highlight the limited impact from the increased roof height. The design and visual impact on amenity were considered to be acceptable and following the reduction in the roof height by 500mm to 1.3m above the existing roof line. The impact on neighbouring amenity was also considered to be acceptable and overcame previous refusal reasons.

Public representations were received from; Mr Offord, who spoke in opposition to this application, due to the impact it would have on the neighbouring properties; Ms Nokes, the applicant, who spoke in support of the application and Cllr Bawden, who spoke as the ward member in opposition to the application.

In response to a question from one member, the Development Management Team Leader explained that the proposed height of the extended property was such that there would still be long standing views from the neighbouring property over the top of the extension, which was not considered to have an overbearing impact on neighbouring amenity.

Proposed by Cllr Ireland and seconded by Cllr Worth.

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

Retain stone boundary wall.

The Planning Officer presented the report for both applications no P/FUL/2022/07866 and P/LBC/2022/07865 for the retention of a stone boundary wall.

Members were shown the site location and photographs of the stone wall, which had been in situ since 2018 and was constructed of natural stone. The wall was located within the Conservation Area and adjacent to Upton Manor Farm House, a Grade II* listed building. 

It was explained that although no objections had been made by the Conservation Officer, they did raise issues with the panels on the wall and this was the reason the application had come to the committee for determination.

The wall was not considered to be harmful to the nearby listed buildings or the wider Conservation Area, as such the application was recommended for approval.

Public representation was heard from the ward member Cllr Alford, who spoke in support of the application.

Proposed by Cllr Ireland and seconded by Cllr Kimber.

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

Retain stone boundary wall.

Proposed by Cllr Ireland and seconded by Cllr Kimber.

Decision: That the application was granted subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes.

Erect side extension to existing fire station and creation of 2no. off street parking spaces.

The Planning Officer presented the application to erect a side extension to the Fire Station in Beaminster. It was explained that this application had come to the committee for determination because the application site was on land that was partially owned by Dorset Council.

Members were shown the location of the site within Beaminster and the boundaries of the Beaminster conservation area, which the application site was located outside of.

The site plan of the proposed extension was shown to members, and the Planning Officer explained that this would provide space for a lecture room and the current welfare facilities would be upgraded to provide separate showering facilities and an accessible toilet. 

Proposed by Cllr worth and seconded by Cllr Clayton.

Decision: That the application was granted subject to the conditions set out 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.

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.