Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Planning.

Decision

(a)       That the updated Dorset Heathland Planning Framework 2020-2025 Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), with any updates, and the SPD be implemented from 1 April 2020;

(b)       That the Service Manager for Spatial Planning and the Portfolio Holder for Planning,  be delegated authority to sign off and make changes as a result of the Cabinet meeting of 3 March 2020 and Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Council (BCP).

Reason for the Decision

(i)         Due to different report deadlines the SPD is still to be agreed by BCP Council.

(ii)        To ensure the Council maintains a planning framework for mitigating impact of new residential, tourist accommodation and equestrian development on Dorset Heathland.  The document once adopted will have significant weight in decision making, when determining relevant planning applications.  It will enable the Council, as Competent Authority under the Habitats Regulations, in combination with the appropriate assessments at planning application stage, the certainly that the impact of development can be mitigated avoiding an adverse effect upon Dorset Heathland.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning advised Cabinet that the council was obliged to meet Habitat Regulations requirements around protected habitats and species. Dorset Heathlands were part of a network of European, internationally and nationally protected heathlands focussed in the south-east of Dorset Council and adjoining Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

The Dorset Heathland Framework 2020-2025 Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (Appendix 1) provided the mitigation strategy to support planning policies in extant Local Plans that protect the designated areas. Members were further advised that without a renewed SPD providing a mitigation strategy it would not be possible to demonstrate that impact on heathlands from new development that can be avoided or mitigated. This could result in the council not being able to grant planning permission in a zone 5km around protected heathlands in the south-east of the council area.

Decision

(a)       That the updated Dorset Heathland Planning Framework 2020-2025 Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), with any updates, and the SPD be implemented from 1 April 2020;

(b)       That the Service Manager for Spatial Planning and the Portfolio Holder for Planning,  be delegated authority to sign off and make changes as a result of the Cabinet meeting of 3 March 2020 and Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch Council (BCP).

Reason for the Decision

(i)         Due to different report deadlines the SPD is still to be agreed by BCP Council.

(ii)        To ensure the Council maintains a planning framework for mitigating impact of new residential, tourist accommodation and equestrian development on Dorset Heathland.  The document once adopted will have significant weight in decision making, when determining relevant planning applications.  It will enable the Council, as Competent Authority under the Habitats Regulations, in combination with the appropriate assessments at planning application stage, the certainly that the impact of development can be mitigated avoiding an adverse effect upon Dorset Heathland.