Decision details

P/FUL/2023/06930

Construction of a Class E(a) retail unit for the sale of food and non-food goods, associated customer car park, cycle parking, hard and soft landscaping, infrastructure and associated works

New Look Site including areas off Chandler Close and Souter Way 

Mercery Road 

Weymouth 

DT3 5FU

Decision:

To grant planning permission for the above application, once a legal agreement has been completed to secure sustainable transport measures in the form of 10 e-bike spaces and 2-bikes.

Reason(s) for Decisions:

Application P/FUL/2023/06930 was considered by the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee on 3 October 2024. The committee resolution is recorded in the minutes of the meeting as follows:

Decision: A) That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning or the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to grant planning permission, subject to the Secretary of State notifying the authority that he does not intend to issue a direction under Section 77 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990 and completion of a legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) in a form to be agreed by the Head of Legal Services to secure: Sustainable transport measures in the form of 10 e-bike spaces and two 2-bikes. And subject to the planning conditions detailed in the appendix to these minutes. 

B) Refuse permission for the reasons set out in the appendix to these minutes if the legal agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) is not completed by 3 April 2025 (6 months from the date of committee) or such extended time as agreed by the Head of Planning.

The Secretary of State confirmed on 23 October 2024 that she had decided not to call in this application, and that the application should be determined by the local planning authority.

A Unilateral Undertaking, pursuant to Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, has been prepared to secure an appropriate financial contribution towards provision of 10 e-bike spaces and 2 e-bikes, and to provide for the E-bike scheme to operate on the applicant’s land. 

Since the planning committee meeting in October an updated version of the NPPF has been published. Officers have reviewed the development against the updated NPPF and are satisfied that it would not have led to the committee making a different decision (i.e. to refuse the application or grant with different planning conditions or planning obligations). 

As such, it is appropriate to issue the permission once the Unilateral Undertaking is completed, in line with the committee resolution.

Alternative options considered and rejected: 

There are not considered to be any reasonable alternative options, given the resolution of the planning committee.