Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2022 were confirmed and signed.

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.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

Construction of an energy recovery facility with ancillary

buildings and works including administrative facilities,

gatehouse and weighbridge, parking and circulation

areas, cable routes to ship berths and existing off-site

electrical sub-station, with site access through Portland

Port from Castletown.

This application had been subject to a site visit by the committee members prior to the date of the committee meeting.

The Head of Planning introduced the application for the Construction of an energy recovery facility with ancillary buildings and works including administrative facilities, gatehouse and weighbridge, parking and circulation areas, cable routes to ship berths and existing off-site electrical sub-station, with site access through Portland Port from Castletown. 

A presentation in respect of the policy context and strategic overview

was presented by the Service Manager for Spatial Planning, highlighting considerations from various policies and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) relevant to the application.  A recent appeal decision in Wiltshire and the reasons the inspector allowed the appeal was also presented to the Committee together with an update of Habitats Regulations and the need for an Environment Agency Appropriate Assessment should members decide to approve the application.

Following the above introductions, the Minerals and Waste Planning Manager presented the report to the committee.  This included the details of the proposal, buildings and the proposed energy generation.  Members were shown details of the proposed site layout, proposed images, elevations and treatment in terms of a mesh printed with scenic images on the outside of the building.  Vehicle movements were estimated at 40 each way maximum, assuming no ship movements and their proposed travel routes were explained.

The Key Planning Issues and policies were detailed as part of the Minerals and Waste Planning Managers presentation, all of which were detailed within the Officer’s report.  These included the effect of the proposal on heritage and landscape.

The report and conclusion was summarised by the Head of Planning, these included the benefits of the proposal to the port and local area.

On balance it was considered that the benefits did not outweigh the harm.

However, if members were to approve the application a framework had been drawn up with the applicants for the conditions and heads of terms which would need to be finalised with a S106 agreement.

Comfort Break 10.25 to 10.45

Oral representation in objection to the application was received from the following members of Stop Portland Waste Incinerator Campaign: Paul Cottrell, Tony Dobbs, Paula Klaentschi, Diane Fowler, Barry Walsh, Cllr Jon Orrell and Eleanor Fitzgeorge-Parker. 

The objections voiced related to the location of the proposal, the energy issues and alternatives, design comparison with industry norms, the socio-economic impact, local wind and weather and the consequential impact on residents, the climate and ecological emergency, health and wellbeing impacts for local people and the value of the location balanced against the harm to the AONB, Jurassic Coast and wildlife.

Oral representation in objection to the application was received from the following members of The Portland Association: Debbie Tulett, Helena Berry, Jonathan Tweedle, Steve Christmas, Laura Baldwin, Hilary Breakwell and Catherine Bennett.  Their concerns focused on lack of need for the application, heritage assets, landscape, natural heritage, biodiversity, onshore power, waste management and traffic congestion.

11:54 In accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

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.