Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and provided information on the arrangements for the meeting.  In addition, he reported that agenda item 6 would be brought forward on the agenda and dealt with after the standard items.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registerable or personal interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Public speaking has been suspended for virtual committee meetings during the Covid-19 crisis and public participation will be dealt with through written submissions only.

Members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area, may submit up to two questions or a statement of up to a maximum of 450 words.  All submissions must be sent electronically to elaine.tibble@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk  by the deadline set out below.  When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for and include your name, address and contact details.  Questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

Questions will be read out by an officer of the council and a response given by the appropriate officer at the meeting.  All questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  The deadline for submission of the full text of a question or statement is 8.30am on Wednesday 7 July 2021.

There were no questions or statements from members of the public or local organisations.

Report to inform Members of two recent appeal decisions at Guppys Yard, St Leonards and Former Windmill Stables, Portland.

The committee was notified of appeal decisions which could need to be taken into account as a material consideration in the committee’s future decisions.  A presentation was provided by the Lead Project Officer (Minerals and Waste) to provide an overview of the issues in each case.

In response to a question, the Lead Project Officer provided an overview of the enforcement options that were available to the council.

The Chairman thanked officers for their work in this area.

To consider planning application WD/D/19/000451 for the winning and working of sand and gravel from a new extraction area at Chard Junction Quarry. The proposal also includes the provision of a haul road and the retention of the existing mineral processing facilities. The report recommends approval to the application subject to conditions and the completion of a S106 agreement

The Chairman made the following statement with regard to the agenda item:

“The decision has been made to defer the consideration of Planning Application WD/D/19/000451 – Westford Park Farm - Extension to Chard Junction Quarry, Thorncombe until the 6^th September 2021.

It has come to light that Tatworth and Forton Parish Council may not have been consulted on the application. Although the Parish Council were notified, it appears that the email address used may not have been up to date. As a result the Parish Council may not have had an opportunity to consider the application and make a representation. It is not considered reasonable to expect the Parish Council to prepare a response before the Strategic Planning Committee on Monday 12^th July, particularly given the complex nature of the proposed development. As a result, the Parish Council will be given time to consider the application which is now proposed to be presented to the Strategic Planning Committee on 6^th September 2021.”

To consider Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council's consultation on the proposed development of an energy recovery facility and reconfiguration of the site at Eco Sustainable Solutions, Parley, north of Bournemouth.

The committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer (Minerals and Waste) which sought support for the Dorset Council response to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council regarding the planning application consultation on the proposed development of an energy recovery facility, with reconfiguration of the site, at Eco Sustainable Solutions, Parley.

The committee considered the proposed response and points were discussed in the following areas:

·            Detail provided of the further information that the council was seeking

·            The response was based on the information currently available.  It was hoped that further consultation would be undertaken by BCP Council when additional information was available

·            It was thought that European regulations and law would still be in place for energy recovery facilities.  In addition, the facility would be regulated by the Environment Agency

·            Concern around the ecological impact was noted and assurance sought that human health issues had been fully considered and addressed.  Further information would be provided following the meeting.

It was proposed by B Ridout seconded by S Jespersen

‘Minded to’ Decision

That Dorset Council responds to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Councill regarding the planning application consultation on the proposed development of an energy recovery facility, with reconfiguration of the site, at Eco Sustainable Solutions, Parley, as per the response attached at Appendix 3 to the report, which concludes that:

‘The Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset Waste Plan identifies a clear need for non-hazardous waste management capacity. The application provides for 60,000tpa of residual waste management capacity, making a contribution towards this need. The proposal is on a site allocated in the Waste Plan and generally in principle therefore can be considered acceptable.

However, the Waste Plan makes clear that the proposals on the allocated site will only be acceptable if it can be demonstrated that there will be no adverse effects on the integrity of European sites. The application as it stands does not provide sufficient information with regards to possible effects on European sites and therefore does not fully accord with the allocation and other policies in the Waste Plan.

The detail of the application is also considered insufficient with regards to landscape impacts and aerodrome safeguarding.

As a result, Dorset Council is not satisfied that the Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment carried out for the proposed development provides robust evidence that all impacts, including impacts on Dorset’s environment and interests, have been identified and can and will be appropriately mitigated. Therefore Dorset Council objects to the detail of the proposed development, recommends that further information is sought as outlined in this response and asks Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council to ensure that further robust assessment is undertaken, and consulted on, to ensure impacts are properly understood and appropriately mitigated. Dorset Council considers that as it stands it is not possible to determine that the proposal is in accordance with the adopted Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset Waste Plan.’

The Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement, having heard the debate, confirmed the ‘minded to’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There was no exempt business.