Decision details

To approve application P/RM/2021/00630 subject to conditions.

The application relates to land off Cattistock Road, Maiden Newton, Dorchester, DT2 0AG. This is a reserved matters application dealing with site appearance, landscaping, scale and layout in relation to outline approval WD/D/16/001598.

This decision was taken by myself, in my role as nominated officer, during the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee meeting on 6 January 2022. The decision was taken under arrangements which were put in place following the full Council meeting held on 4 May 2021. At this full Council meeting, it was agreed that all Council meetings that are not executive in nature would continue to be held virtually, with committee members expressing a ‘minded to’ decision, and with specific officers (including service managers) being authorised to exercise delegated powers to make decisions in light of the ‘minded to’ decisions expressed by members. These arrangements were subsequently extended by decision notices issued by the Chief Executive on 22 July 2021 and 4 October 2021.

This application was considered by the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee on 6 January 2022. Following an officer presentation, representations, questions and debate, the committee resolved that is was ‘minded to’ approve the application, subject to conditions (as amended on an update sheet). I concur with the committee’s ‘minded to’ resolution, and in my view the application should be approved, for the reasons set out in the officer’s report for the application.

The reasons for this decision are summarised in the officer’s report as follows:

The principle of 9 dwellings on this site was established by the outline permission. This reserved matter application provides a scheme that would add a characterful development to this part of the conservation area whilst also helping to address the councils 5-year housing land supply. Regarding the three threads of sustainable development, from an economic viewpoint construction of the scheme would provide employment, and after occupation the residents are likely to help support local village shops and facilities through spending. From a social perspective, residents may contribute to supporting local community facilities in the village, and the affordable housing financial contribution from the scheme would help support affordable housing. In environmental terms the scheme has an appropriate layout, design and materials and is considered appropriate for the conservation area. The scheme is considered in accordance with the policies of the West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland Local Plan 2015 and in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework.

The alternative option would be to refuse the planning application, contrary to the ‘minded to’ resolution of the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee. The report to full Council on 4 May 2021, which introduced the ‘minded to’ arrangements, sets out that “an officer should only make a decision contrary to the ‘minded to’ view of members for clear and compelling reasons and if the decision cannot reasonably be deferred until a time when it can be made by Councillors”. In this case, I consider that planning permission should be granted for the reasons set out in the officer’s report and I am not aware of any clear and compelling reasons to differ from the committee’s ‘minded to’ resolution. The alternative option of refusing the application contrary to the committee’s ‘minded-to’ resolution would not be appropriate in this case.

No declarations of interest were made by any of the committee members who took part in the debate.