Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Dorchester, DT1 1XJ. View directions
Contact: Elaine Tibble 01305 224202 - Email: elaine.tibble@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2022. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2022 were
confirmed and signed. |
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Declarations of Interest To disclose any pecuniary,
other registrable or non-registrable interests 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. Minutes: No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made
at the meeting. |
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The winning and working of limestone through the lateral extension to Swanworth Quarry, retention of processing plant and existing infrastructure, importation of inert waste material for restoration purposes, and continued production and sale of recycled aggregates. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Planning Consultant presented the report for the winning and
working of limestone through the lateral extension to Swanworth Quarry,
retention of processing plant and existing infrastructure, importation of inert
waste material for restoration purposes, and continued production and sale of
recycled aggregates. The site was allocated in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and Dorset
Mineral Sites Plan 2019 2019 for the
supply of crushed rock. The slide presentation showed views from the Purbeck Way and a photo
montage of how the proposed new bridge would look once constructed. The
committee were given details of the phasing of the restoration of the site and
where the restoration materials would be stored. Due to the delay in restoration mitigation
proposals were in place to support the ecological network which over time would
also provide a biodiversity net gain. The final restoration proposals involved
reinstatement of the site to original levels to conserve the strong landscape
and historic character of the area, and would be
managed for a
30 year period. The application was recommended for approval subject to
conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement. Oral representation was received from Mr Martin Rowell in
objection to the application, his concerns focussed on the affect on the AONB
and local residents together with the impact of increased traffic movements. Oral representation was received from Ms Lauren Davis, Mr
John Suttle and Cllr Cherry Brooks, Ward Member, in support of the application. The Planning Consultant was given the opportunity to respond
to the speakers’ comments and the Committee members were invited to put forward
any questions for clarification. Cllr Brenton proposed a site visit as she felt it was
difficult to picture the topography from the presentation slides. The Head of Planning re-emphasised that the Planning
Inspector had agreed the need for crushed rock in the location was substantial
and that principle had become part of the Local Plan, which in turn had been
through the test process and approved.
In response to member questions and to the proposal for a site visit he
reminded the Committee that the allocation of the site in the Local Plan had
been made on the basis of the landscape impacts being mitigated and
compensation had been allocated for this.
Members would need to be very clear on the scope they wanted to look at
if they went on a site visit. At this stage there was a short adjournment while the
Planning Officers uploaded some additional images from the landscape visual
assessment, after which Cllr Brenton withdrew her proposal for a site visit. In response to a question relating to the water table, the
Head of Planning advised that this was a matter for the Environment Agency to
monitor, however members requested an informative note added to ensure the
water was checked and not contaminated. Taking into account the site was allocated in the Local
Plan, the benefits of the extension and the robust environmental mitigation
proposals the members were supportive of the recommendation. Proposed ... view the full minutes text for item 65. |
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Application No: P/FUL/2022/02429 - Land at Galton Manor Farm Dorset DT2 8BZ Minutes: The Lead Project Officer presented the application for the
Installation of ground mounted photovoltaic solar farm & associated
landscaping, hydrological & biodiversity enhancements. The project was to cover a 40 year period and would produce
a 30 megawatt solar farm. Slides and aerial views highlighted the access route, the
proximity of the application site to the surrounding area and other solar farms
in the locality. The area to the south of the application site was an AONB
with key rights of way, with the aid of an ariel view the historic aspects of
the environment and the wildlife sites were pointed out. The site layout would be made up of 5 blocks of panels and
the Lead Project Officer indicated the locations of the invertors and
substation. 2.4m deer fencing was
proposed with gaps to accommodate any badgers. Members attention was also drawn to a proposed wetland area
and pond detail, and the submitted Landscape Strategy. Members were provided with photos looking towards the site
from nearby footpaths and roads. Indicative slides portrayed the predicted
future views of the solar farm, in combination with the approved North Fossil
Farm application, from the Chaldon Ridge bridleway in one, ten and twenty
years’ time, having regard to both summer and winter views. Members were advised that the photomontages provided,
although useful, were simply an artist’s impression based upon predicted growth
rates and that concern had been raised by the AONB Team that they represented
an overly optimistic prediction. Members were therefore advised to view the
photomontages with this understanding. The main planning issues were highlighted, with particular
reference to the individual and cumulative harm to the AONB, the biodiversity
benefits and the green energy benefits. The proposed mitigation measures and
details of an agreed compensation package were discussed. Consideration of the
impact on historic features, amongst other material planning considerations was
also highlighted, and the recommendation was to grant subject to conditions and
the amendment to condition 6 (P.161) Oral representation in support of the application was
received from Ms Fiona Bowles, Mr Hugo House and Cllr Nick Ireland, Ward
Member. Members were invited to ask technical questions prior to
debating the application. In response to a question regarding security and vandal
proofing the site, members were advised that the site was very rural and there
was some security fencing proposed, however an informative note regarding
fencing could be added to the conditions if required. There would be some cumulative impact to the area, but the
benefits were considered to outweigh the harm. Proposed by Cllr Clayton, seconded by Cllr Bolwell. Decision on Recommendation A: that Authority be
delegated to the Head of Planning or Service Manager for Development Management
and Enforcement to grant planning permission subject to the conditions outlined
in the appendix to these minutes, including the update to condition 6,
completion of a satisfactory planning obligation (legal agreement) and an informative
regarding fencing of the transformers and substation: and Decision on Recommendation B: REFUSE permission for the reason set out below ... view the full minutes text for item 66. |
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Urgent items 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. Minutes: No urgent items |
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Exempt Business 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. Minutes: No exempt business
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Appeals Report for Information Only Additional documents: |
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Appendices - Decision Sheets Additional documents: |