Agenda item

Erect retail development comprising five units (Use Classes A1, A3 and A5) with associated car parking, servicing arrangements, landscaping and groundworks.

The Committee considered an application to erect a retail development comprising five units (Use Classes A1, A3 and A5) with associated car parking, servicing arrangements, landscaping and groundworks.

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application with the site being a key employment allocation site within the Weymouth Defined Development Boundary (DDB) and part of the wider Mount Pleasant Business Park with the proposed access off of Souter Way. The key planning matters were outlined including the principle of development, residential amenity, visual amenity, highway safety and biodiversity.

An update sheet circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting included amendments to conditions 4, 7 and 8.

A number of written representations were received that are attached to these minutes.

Cllr Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council - Littlemoor & Preston Ward, addressed the Committee to explain the reasons why the aspiration to retain the site for key employment use had failed and why this scheme was now favourable. 

Cllr David Gray, Dorset Council - Radipole, objected to the application referring to extant and emerging Local Plan policies in relation to employment land, the failure of the impact assessment to comply with test conditions and comments made by the Council's Economic Development Officer against the application.

Cllr Peter Barrow, Dorset Council - Radipole, drew attention to deprivation and the reliance of the local economy on low wage jobs, the comments by the Economic Development Officer, the impact of the development on the town centre and the need to create demand for high skilled jobs in the area.

The Senior Planning Officer responded to comments made during the public participation in relation to the loss of an employment site, noise, car parking, odours, lighting, fast food outlets and impact on the town centre. Members were further informed that the development would not add to peak time traffic movements and that the funding resulting from the development would improve the cycle network between Mercery Road and Radipole Park Drive.

In response to technical questions raised, the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the sequential test had concluded that there were no suitable locations for the retail elements of the scheme within the town centre; that there was no delivery restriction time for units 7/8 which were located furthest away from residential properties; and that Souter Way, the private access road, would not be adopted by the Highways Authority.

Some Members wholly supported the arguments for this application, including the lack of alternative space in the town centre or a local skilled workforce and no interest in the site.  They also acknowledged the need for investment and permanent jobs, the ability of the development to attract visitors to the area and avoid the need for local residents to drive greater distances to visit these stores elsewhere.

Other members felt conflicted having heard arguments for and against the application. Comment was made on the reliance of the scheme on car use. 

On this point, it was noted that the site was located near to the Weymouth park & ride facility and also served by public transport, although it was acknowledged that car use would be the most appropriate option in some circumstances.

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

Decision:

(A)   That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to grant, subject to consultation with the Secretary of State to understand if they intend to issue a direction under section 77 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 in respect of this application, the completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) to secure a sustainable transport contribution of £144,042.02 and subject to planning conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

(B)  That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to refuse permission for the reasons set out below if the Secretary of State does not wish to call in the application but 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 ensure provision of a financial contribution for sustainable transport. Hence the scheme is contrary to paragraph 110 of the National Planning Policy Framework and COM7 of the West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan 2015.