Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26^th November 2024.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Tuesday 26^th November 2024 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.

Members of the public wishing to speak to the Committee on a planning application should notify the Democratic Services Officer listed on the front of this agenda. This must be done no later than two clear working days before the meeting. Please refer to the Guide to Public Speaking at Planning Committee.  Guide to Public Speaking at Planning Committee

The deadline for notifying a request to speak is 8.30am on Thursday 23^rd January 2025.

Representations by the public to the Committee on individual planning applications are detailed below. There were no questions, petitions or deputations received on other items on this occasion.

Development of a waste management centre for the bulking and transfer of waste and recyclables, comprising a covered waste transfer station, with waste storage, sprinkler tank and pump house, and a split-level household recycling centre with vehicle unloading bays and partially covered central yard, a dedicated 're-use centre', WEEE storage building, office building, staff parking area, weighbridge and associated landscaping. Formation of new access from A350 (with variation of condition 3 of planning permission P/VOC/2022/06369 to allow archaeological and certain construction works to proceed concurrently).

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Case Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning policies to members. The existing waste management infrastructure did not adequately meet the demands of the Blandford residents, prompting for the application to be put fourth for the proposed site located across the road from Lidl on the A350. The greenfield site would have incorporated a long interior access road designed to improve accessibility and operational efficiency. Following the granting of permission in 2022, a variation to condition archaeology 3 was now proposed. The Case Officer felt that it was crucial to note that no construction could commence on the site until all archaeological assessments and necessary work had been completed. The previous approved condition failed to deliver the required standards, leading to the proposal of a revised condition that allowed for modifications to ensure compliance. Comments from the senior archaeologist further substantiated the need for the adjustments, highlighting the importance of adhering to archaeological protocols. The Officer’s recommendation was to grant the application.

Public Participation

There was no public participation.

Members questions and comments

• Clarification as to which area would be released for archaeological works.
• Cllr Northam sought clarification to paragraph 134 of the officer report as it didn’t concur with the officer comments regarding Dorset Council being the applicant.
• Cllr Rideout queried where the results of the archaeological dig would have been published and whether they would be available to the wider public.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to GRANT the waste management centre as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Spencer Flower, and seconded by Cllr Toni Coombs.

Decision: Grant the application as per the officer recommendation.

Installation of a Battery Energy Storage System of up to 49.9MW, associated infrastructure and enclosing compound, together with access and landscaping works.

The Case Officer provided members with the following update;

• An update sheet had been circulated to members ahead of the meeting.
• Revised drawings.
• Briefing note from applicant.
• Additional representatives had been received.
• Revised planning conditions: Condition 2; approved drawings. Condition 7: water tanks and Condition 9; hard and soft landscaping.

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Case Officer identified the site, which was located between Southill and Chickerell, and explained the proposal and relevant planning policies to members. Members were informed of the planning considerations including site boundaries, proximity to residential properties, and its current use for horse grazing. The site was characterized by several constraints, including surface water flood risk, public rights of way, a mineral safeguarding area, and the presence of a national grid overhead line. Photographs from the southern boundary of the site provided a clear perspective looking towards the site.

The previous planning application, was refused in March 2024 due to concerns related to fire safety, contamination, single vehicular access and ack of vehicle passing places. The current planning application was a revised scheme to address the reasons for refusing the earlier application.. Key changes in the proposed layout included a reduction in power capacity, the introduction of a secondary emergency access route, and a well-considered landscaping plan featuring wildflowers and shrub planting that aligned with existing features. The overall design aimed to provide a well-contained environment that offered significant amenity benefits. Significant attention had been given to drainage strategies developed in collaboration with the council’s flood risk management team. . Additionally, the initiative incorporated renewable and low-carbon technologies, targeting electricity storage that could support approximately 19,500 households across Dorset—representing 8.7% of local demand. The key planning issues favourably supported the principle of development, aligning with national planning practice guidance and NFCC standards for health and safety. The Officer’s recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to conditions set out in the officer report.

Public Participation

Mr Fannon spoke in objection to the proposal. He questioned the absence of credible test data, emphasizing that safety couldn't be assumed without real-life evidence. He highlighted that containers burn for days and felt that BES facilities belong far from communities. The applicant's promise of minimal energy supply—only 1.7 watts per home—seemed inadequate. With the threat of toxic smoke looming. He hoped the committee would consider the safety of residents and refuse the proposal.

Kay Kelsall felt that the application failed to meet fire chief requirements for two distinct access points. The report acknowledged that the secondary eastern route merged with the primary route, undermining safety. While the applicant cited prevailing northern winds, real-life examples reveal the risks posed by smoke and toxins from fires, not the flames themselves. There’s no substantiated evidence of an effective fire response to mitigate these concerns. Ms Kelsall felt that the proposal was unacceptable and urged members to refuse.

John Perrot also spoke in objection to the proposal. He felt that the concerns regarding the FRS were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

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 are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There was no exempt business.