Agenda item

Erection of Harbourmaster and Fishermans Store.

The Committee considered a Dorset Council application for the erection of a Harbourmaster and fisherman's store.

 

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application that included a location plan, site plan, aerial photo and photos of the yard in relation to the surrounding buildings as well as separation from the properties in Ozone Terrace by the road.

 

The proposed building was just inside the Conservation Area boundary that included Ozone Terrace.  Comments had been received from the Conservation Officer in relation to the impact of the proposal on the surrounding area.

 

Materials had been changed to natural slate, cedarwood boarding, Portland stone plinth, timber side doors and metal roller shutter doors in order to house equipment such as the JCB.

 

The key planning points were highlighted including:-

 

·        within DDB

·         need for Harbour Master - economy

·         support for fisherman and leisure

·         visual impact

·         impact on listed building and Conservation Area

·         neighbouring amenity

 

It was considered that the application was in the public interest as providing storage for the Harbour Master, fishermen and visitors. 

 

There were no impacts on neighbouring amenity in terms of loss of outlook or light and the Committee was reminded that protection of views towards the harbour was not a material planning consideration.

 

Three written representations were received in objection to the application that were read out at the meeting and are attached as an appendix to these minutes. 

 

In response to the comments, the Senior Planning Officer stated that no objection had been received from the Town Council and that locating the store on limited nearby land in the ownership of the Harbour Authority could be more prominent and harmful to that proposed.  Furthermore, there was separation of the proposed building (which would be lower in height) from Ozone Terrace by the gardens of the dwellings, a brick wall, public toilets and electricity sub-station.

 

The Highways Officer outlined the reasons why there had been no objection on highways grounds, highlighting that pedestrians already used Ozone Terrace, a public right of way, due to the presence of the public toilets in the vicinity.

 

Prior to commencement of the debate by the Committee, Councillor David Shortell proposed that Councillor Louie O'Leary be elected as Vice-Chairman for the remainder of the meeting which was seconded by Councillor Jean Dunseith.

 

Decison: That Councillor Louie O'Leary be elected as Vice-Chairman for the remainder of the meeting.

 

Returning to the debate, Councillor Kelvin Clayton highlighted the concerns of the Conservation Officer set against the need for the building.  He asked whether a full options appraisal had been undertaken for alternative sites and the extent to which those sites been appraised.

 

Members were informed that the report relied upon additional information that the applicant had provided in response to comments by the Conservation Officer which essentially prohibited alternative sites on the grounds of unsuitability and the costs involved.  It seemed logical to put a store on a site that was ordinarily used for storage purposes as being the most cost effective and practical option.

 

Other members of the committee were mindful that the right facilities were needed for a commercial working harbour to be viable and for expensive equipment to be stored and that this was an available site in the Dorset Council's ownership.

 

A question was also asked in relation to noise, but it was felt that an indoor storage facility would be quieter.

 

Proposed by Councillor Kate Wheller, seconded by Councillor John Worth.

 

Decision

That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

 

Councillors Jean Dunseith and Nick Ireland did not take part in the vote on this application as they had been unable to listen to the whole of the officer presentation of the application due to technical difficulties.