Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

Decision

That Dorset Council’s comments on the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial Update – Draft Plan, as set out in this report, be sent to the Hampshire Authorities in response to the current consultation on the Draft Plan as amended by the Portfolio Holder for Planning in consultation with officers.

Reason for the decision

As neighbouring minerals and waste planning authority Dorset Council has been consulted by the Hampshire Planning Authorities on a proposed update to their Minerals and Waste Plan.  Dorset Council needed to ensure that the proposals in the Draft Plan do not prejudice its interests. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning set out the report relating to consultation on Hampshire’s Minerals and Waste Plan. It provided information about the proposed issues in the draft plan that were most relevant to Dorset Council, highlighting potential impacts on Dorset’s environment.

The Portfolio Holder acknowledged the receipt of several correspondence and statements including a letter from Simon Hoare MP expressing concerns in respect of the plan. All the questions and statements were available on the council website.

He further advised that anyone with concerns should make their objections known to Hampshire County Council as the author and decision maker of the plan.

The Portfolio Holder advised that Dorset Council did have concerns and objections to elements of the plan. These included not being satisfied that the proper Environmental Impact Assessment had been carried out, Dorset Council wanted to be assured that impacts could and would be mitigated and that the cumulative traffic impacts were addressed properly.  The Portfolio Holder assured members that previous concerns and objections not already addressed by Hampshire County Council would be included within his response.

The Portfolio Holder presented an amended recommendation which was seconded by Cllr R Bryan

Motion

“That Dorset Council’s comments on the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial Update – Draft Plan, as set out in this report, be sent to the Hampshire Authorities in response to the current consultation on the Draft Plan as amended by the Portfolio Holder for Planning in consultation with officers.”

Cllr T Coombs, spoke on behalf of the local ward members for Verwood who objected to the site, known as “Purple Haze”, being included within the proposed plan. Their objections were on the grounds of the potential impact to the environment, impact to local roads and residents that the proposed plan would have on the area.

Cllr D Tooke, spoke in objection to the plan and highlighted areas of concern in respect of the impact of the proposal on the town of Alderholt from large vehicles transporting minerals and the potential issues around planning policy.

The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment expressed his concerns for Dorset’s roads in the area, in terms of the effect the proposal would have on maintenance and costs to Dorset Council. He also suggested that the ecological impact to Dorset should be considered as part of the Council’s response.

Decision

That Dorset Council’s comments on the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Plan: Partial Update – Draft Plan, as set out in this report, be sent to the Hampshire Authorities in response to the current consultation on the Draft Plan as amended by the Portfolio Holder for Planning in consultation with officers.

Reason for the decision

As neighbouring minerals and waste planning authority Dorset Council has been consulted by the Hampshire Planning Authorities on a proposed update to their Minerals and Waste Plan.  Dorset Council needed to ensure that the proposals in the Draft Plan do not prejudice its interests.