Issue - meetings

To consider a recommendation from the Cabinet meeting held on 25 June 2019.

In presenting the plan the Portfolio Holder for Planning advised that it was essential that the council had an up-to-date statutory policy framework for considering planning applications for waste development. The council also needed to comply with the requirements of the statutory/consequential orders concerning shaping Dorset Council which required a council-wide local plan by 2024.

Members were reminded that the plan was submitted to the Secretary of State in March 2018 and the Planning Inspector’s report had considered the plan to be legally compliant and sound.

Some members opposed the plan and others expressed concerns regarding the assumption of business as usual in respect of not reducing the current volumes of waste. There were also concerns around the site facilities being fit for purpose. 

In response the Portfolio Holder advised that the plan had been 6 years in the making and that the adoption of the plan would provide Dorset Council with an up-to-date policy framework. He stated that it was essential for a plan to accord with the latest national policies. It  would provide the council with greater certainty in securing acceptable development that provides for Dorset’s waste needs in a manner that was consistent with the Waste Plan. 

It was proposed by Cllr D Walsh and seconded by Cllr B Trite

Decision

That Council: -

(a)                   Adopts the Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset Waste Plan      subject to the inclusion of the main modifications that are appended to the Inspector’s Report;

(b)       Confirms that the formal adoption date will begin two weeks from the date at which both BCP Council and Dorset Council have resolved to adopt the plan;

(c)        Delegates to the Lead Member for Planning, after consultation with the Executive Director for Place:

(i)   Any additional (non-material) modifications to the Plan which were the subject of consultation, together with any other additional modifications which benefit the clarity of the Plan;

(ii)  Authority to expedite any technical/procedural matters associated with adoption of the plan, including those connected with Dorset Council’s role as the Competent Authority on matters relating to the Habitats Regulations Assessment 1 of the Plan.  

To consider a report by the Cabinet Member for Planning.

Recommended

That Council:

1. adopts the Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset Waste Plan subject to the inclusion of the main modifications that are appended to the Inspector’s Report;

2. confirms that the formal adoption date will begin two weeks from the date at which both BCP Council and Dorset Council have resolved to adopt the plan;

3. delegates to the Lead Member for Planning, after consultation with the Executive Director for Place:

a. any additional (non-material) modifications to the Plan which were the subject of consultation, together with any other additional modifications which benefit the clarity of the Plan;

b. authority to expedite any technical/procedural matters associated with adoption of the plan, including those connected with Dorset Council’s role as the Competent Authority on matters relating the Habitats Regulations Assessment1 of the Plan.

Reasons for Decisions

1. To ensure Dorset Council had an up-to-date statutory policy framework for

considering planning applications for waste development.

2. To comply with the requirements of the statutory/consequential orders concerning Shaping Dorset Council which required a council-wide local plan by 2024.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Planning proposing the adoption of the Waste Plan for the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and Dorset areas.  The draft document was submitted to the Secretary of State in March 2018 and an independent examination into the Plan’s soundness held in June 2018.  The Inspector’s report concluded that, subject to the inclusion of some modifications that did not significantly alter the thrust of the document, the Plan was legally compliant and sound.  This now needed to be adopted by both Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and would provide an up-to-date statutory planning framework for waste matters up to 2033 across the whole County.  Particular attention was drawn to the significant amount of work and engagement which had gone into the development of this Plan. 

Members welcomed the report and expressed their support for the Plan.

Recommended

That Council:

1. adopts the Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset Waste Plan subject to the inclusion of the main modifications that are appended to the Inspector’s Report;

2. confirms that the formal adoption date will begin two weeks from the date at which both BCP Council and Dorset Council have resolved to adopt the plan;

3. delegates to the Lead Member for Planning, after consultation with the Executive Director for Place:

a. any additional (non-material) modifications to the Plan which were the subject of consultation, together with any other additional modifications which benefit the clarity of the Plan;

b. authority to expedite any technical/procedural matters associated with adoption of the plan, including those connected with Dorset Council’s role as the Competent Authority on matters relating the Habitats Regulations Assessment1 of the Plan.

Reasons for Decisions

1. To ensure Dorset Council had an up-to-date statutory policy framework for

considering planning applications for waste development.

2. To comply with the requirements of the statutory/consequential orders concerning Shaping Dorset Council which required a council-wide local plan by 2024.