Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

(a)           That the content of the report and the Interim Guidance and Position Statement (appendix 1) Sustainability Checklist (Appendix 2) and Listing Buildings: what you can do for climate change (Appendix 3) be considered and approved.

(b)           That the three documents in the appendices for consultation, as well as a related amendment to the Local List (Appendix 4), be agreed.

(c)           That agreement to any minor changes that were considered necessary prior to the consultation starting, be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning to approve.

(d)           That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning in consultation with the Executive Director for Place to consider the consultation responses and agree final wording of the documents listed in Recommendation (a) above.

Reason for the decision

To enable efforts to be taken to address the climate emergency when new buildings were proposed and to assist with decision-making for renewable energy proposals. The Interim Guidance and Position Statement and Sustainability Checklist would give clarity to developers as to the expectations of Dorset Council when considering development proposals.

The Listed Buildings document would provide guidance for owners of listed buildings when considering energy efficiency works. Consultation enables the documents to be adjusted to reflect issues raised and therefore for weight to be given to it when making planning decisions. Should significant changes to any of the documents be considered necessary as a result of the consultation, councillors would be given the opportunity to consider revised versions prior to their use in planning decisions.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning presented the report aiming to clarify the approach to considering climate change in planning decision making. He also highlighted that the report and appendices had been considered, supported, and welcomed by the Place and Resources Overview Committee at its meeting on 9 February 2023.

In presenting the recommendations, the Portfolio Holder proposed an amendment to recommendation 4, “that authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning in consultation with the Executive Director for Place to consider the consultation responses and agree final wording of the documents listed in the recommendation”.

In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder for Planning confirmed that provision of training for town and parish councils was likely to take place after Easter.

The recommendation with the amendment was seconded by Cllr P Wharf

 Decision

(a)                    That the content of the report and the Interim Guidance and Position Statement (appendix 1) Sustainability Checklist (Appendix 2) and Listing Buildings: what you can do for climate change (Appendix 3) be considered and approved.

(b)                    That the three documents in the appendices for consultation, as well as a related amendment to the Local List (Appendix 4), be agreed.

(c)                    That agreement to any minor changes that were considered necessary prior to the consultation starting, be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning to approve.

(d)                    That authority be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Planning in consultation with the Executive Director for Place to consider the consultation responses and agree final wording of the documents listed in Recommendation (a) above.

Reason for the decision

To enable efforts to be taken to address the climate emergency when new buildings were proposed and to assist with decision-making for renewable energy proposals. The Interim Guidance and Position Statement and Sustainability Checklist would give clarity to developers as to the expectations of Dorset Council when considering development proposals.

The Listed Buildings document would provide guidance for owners of listed buildings when considering energy efficiency works. Consultation enables the documents to be adjusted to reflect issues raised and therefore for weight to be given to it when making planning decisions. Should significant changes to any of the documents be considered necessary as a result of the consultation, councillors would be given the opportunity to consider revised versions prior to their use in planning decisions.

To consider a report of the Senior Planning Officer.

The committee received and considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer, which set out an Interim Guidance and Position Statement that had been prepared to assist in decision making for planning applications.  The position statement provided commentary on the weight that could be given to climate change in decision making.  In addition, a sustainability checklist had been prepared for completion by applicants to ensure that all relevant matters were considered.  The report also presented a document, ‘Listed Buildings – what you can do for climate change’.

The committee considered the issues arising from the reports and comments were made in the following areas:

Interim Guidance and Position Statement and Sustainability Checklist

·       Councillors welcomed the guidance and checklist which would assist both applicants and planning committee members

·       Training requirements were discussed, and it was noted that training would be provided for councillors and officers.  Briefings would also be provided for town and parish councils and agents and there would be a public consultation

·       Viability issues were considered

·       The documents provided guidance ahead of the Council adopting a new Local Plan

·       Links to neighbourhood plans were discussed

·       Issues around sustainable travel were raised.

At this point in the meeting, it was proposed by S Jespersen seconded by A Alford and agreed by the committee, that the meeting continue beyond the 3-hour limit as set out in the Constitution.

Listed Buildings Guidance

·       The checklist and guidance were welcomed, and it was felt that the information was presented in a positive way

·       It was suggested that a welcome document could be produced for people buying or considering the purchase of a listed building

·       Reference was made to the use of thatch, and it was noted that further consideration was required.

Recommendation to Cabinet (28 March 2023)

1.    That the Interim Guidance and Position Statement, Sustainability Checklist and Listed Buildings – what you can do for climate change documents be agreed for the purpose of a six-week consultation

2.    That the Portfolio Holder for Planning be given delegated authority, after considering the results of this consultation, to approve use of the documents (Appendix 1, Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 to the report) to aid decision making on planning applications.