Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 27^th January 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 27^th January 2025 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 Wednesday 12^th March 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.

This report considers representations received to the Dorset Council (Part of Footpath 11, Compton Abbas) Public Path Diversion Order 2024, whether or not to submit it to the Secretary of State for confirmation and the stance that the Council should take if submitted.

The Case Officer presented a visual presentation, including plans and photographs, to identify the site and explain the proposal and relevant legislation to members. The Case Officer focused on the proposed footpath diversion and the current route of Footpath 11 to be diverted. The proposed route required clearing of some vegetation and the presentation included different viewpoints from across and beyond the end of the runway on the current and proposed routes. Although not part of the proposal, the applicant also committed to replacing stiles with kissing gates at both the southern and northern ends. As part of the proposal the barbed wire fence along the first section and the stile onto the airfield would be removed. The panoramic views from both the current and proposed routes were compared, with the new route offering a slightly more expansive view. There were no objections from the initial consultees, however after the Order was published Dorset Council received one objection from the Parish Council. The order-making legal tests were summarized by the Case Officer, however, due to the objection, the council could not confirm the order itself and, if the Committee approved the recommendation, it would be sent to the Secretary of State for determination and that the Council supports confirmation of the Order. The diversion aimed to increase safety for users of the airfield, providing excellent sightlines for landing and departing aircraft, despite being a longer route and therefore is not substantially less convenient, is an enjoyable route and, as the proposal affects only the applicants land, officers consider that the legal tests for confirming the order have been met..

Public Participation

Mr Hammond introduced himself and noted that the original submission and response to objections was detailed. He emphasized the importance of a deep understanding of aviation requirements in the context of the proposal and was happy to support the case officer if there were any further queries.

Members questions and comments

• Members thanked the officer for his detailed report.
• Clarification regarding sufficient runway area for take-off.
• Cllr Took queried how much further the proposed diverted route was to the existing footpath.

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  submit the Public Path Order to the Secretary of State and that the Council supports confirming the Order, as recommended, was proposed by Cllr David Taylor, and seconded by Cllr Belinda Bawden.

Decision:  Submit the Public Path Order for the diversion of part of footpath 11, Compton Abbas, to the Secretary of State and that the Council supports confirming the Order, per the officer recommendation.

Install ground-mounted solar panel photovoltaic solar arrays, substation, inverter stations, transformer stations, security fencing, gates and CCTV; form vehicular access, internal access track, landscaping and other ancillary infrastructure (with variation of Condition No. 2 of Planning Permission No. P/FUL/2021/01018 to extend the operational period of the site from 35 years to 40 years).

The Case Officer presented a visual overview, including plans and aerial photographs, to identify the site and explain the proposal, alongside relevant planning policies. The proposal had previously been brought before the committee in July 2023, and this return was necessary as the officer recommendation contradicted the Mappowder Parish Council's stance. The key change was the proposed rewording of condition 2, extending the reference from 35 to 40 years, with no other amendments. The site context within Dorset was reviewed, including the approved site plan, elevations for the solar arrays, and the substation area. Ancillary structures were also considered as part of the development.

The main planning considerations highlighted included the principle of extending the development by an additional 5 years, and the environmental effects, particularly regarding visual and landscape impacts, flood risks and ecology. Public benefits were noted, including the extension of permanent jobs and the generation of additional power to support homes, assisting the council's aim to be carbon neutral by 2040. Similar solar farms for a 40-year period have been granted planning permission. The environmental effects also considered flood risks and visual impacts, with localized visual effects along the footpath passing through the site and photomontages from the nearby bridleway. The site was within the setting of the Dorset National Landscape. In terms of visual and landscape impact it would remain challenging to fully mitigate the impact.

Biodiversity considerations included a requirement to review the landscape and ecological landscape management plan after 5 years of operation and thereafter every 5 years. A slightly reworded condition (Condition 5) was proposed to address extend the lifetime compliance period of the Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP) to align with the proposed variation of condition 2. Highway and transport colleagues raised no objections, and there were no additional effects on residential amenity. No harm to heritage assets was identified, and the site was covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) that included all trees, with none proposed for removal on the site. The LEMP also included management for veteran trees. The overall public benefits of the proposal were considered substantial and would outweigh any adverse impacts on the local landscape and the setting of the Dorset National Landscape. The recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to conditions set out in the officer report.

Public Participation

Mr Brian, representing ‘Save Hardy’s Vale’, spoke in objection to the proposal. He stated that in 2021, the applicant assured the council that the solar development would not have caused harm to the landscape. However, Mr Brian argued that it would cause prolonged harm that could never be fully mitigated in a designated area, which was highly sensitive to solar development. Mr Brian pointed out that the applicant had previously claimed flooding was not an issue and that it was unnecessary to calculate the existing greenfield runoff rates. He emphasized that, in light of recent developments, comprehensive pre-commencement drainage conditions were now necessary. He referred back to the 2023 committee, Mr Brian noted that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

The construction and operation of an Anaerobic Digestion and Combined Heat and Power Plant and associated infrastructure including a new site access road at Rainbarrow Farm (Site 1) and underground service corridor linking to a new Combined Heat and Power engine in existing Engine House (Site 2) at Poundbury to supply Poundbury with renewable heat and power (Revised proposal) (Changes to proposed plant, infrastructure and land profiling at Rainbarrow Farm (Site 1)) and as varied by 1/D/2011/2113 to include repositioning of flare and CHP container, and additional equipment to include standby generator, switch gear, back up boiler, DMT Membrane Plant, transformer, 3 tank propane store and new gas pipeline to site boundary, to enable the majority of the gas produced by the Anaerobic Digester Plant to be fed directly into the public gas supply network at the pressure regulating station adjacent Monkeys Jump Roundabout (with variation of conditions 27 and 28 of planning permission 1/D/2011/2113 to regularise the existing development by increasing traffic levels, annual feedstock throughput and feedstocks).

The Case Officer provided members with the following update;

• Amendment to the wording of condition 2 on page 117 of the officer report.
• Amendment to the wording on page 2 of the update sheet which was circulated to members in advance of the meeting.

The Case Officer presented a visual overview, including plans and aerial photographs, to identify the site and explain the proposal, along with the relevant planning policies. The site context and access were discussed, noting that the site was within the Dorset National Landscape and included public rights of way. Site photographs were shown, highlighting the storage of feedstock, access, storage clamps, fermenter, and digestate store. The original application was approved in 2011, with an amended approval shown on a 2011 site plan and a 2017 approval for a fourth storage clamp. Figures depicting vehicle movements were provided, including observed movements in 2023 and predicted future vehicle movements, particularly peak HGV daily trips. The location of existing feedstock source sites was also presented.

No highways objection was raised due to the short distance between the site access and the main road network. Extracts from the submitted Delivery and Servicing Plan where presented, including the route between Winterborne Steepleton and Martinstown being identified as restricted. A condition was proposed to secure and log vehicular movements, which would require the applicant to make the log available to the planning authority with seven days' notice. The distance to the closest neighbouring property was also considered. The recommendation was for approval of the retrospective application, with the site already in operation.

Public Participation

Mr D Saunders, spoke as the planning agent for the application. He stated that the applicant had been supplying renewable gas for homes and CO2 to the drinks industry for over a decade, contributing millions of pounds to the local authority. He emphasized that the applicant aimed to regularize operations and ensure compliance, while continuing to produce green gas and effectively utilizing waste. Mr Saunders noted that the transport statement indicated no adverse effects on highway safety or residential amenity and highlighted that organic fertilizers would be supplied to other local farms. He concluded by outlining the numerous benefits the site offers and hoped the committee would support the officer recommendation.

Mr L Scarth, represented Winterborne St. Martin Parish Council, expressed concerns about the planning application. He highlighted that the expansion of the facility would further impact the designated National Landscape (formerly an A.O.N.B.), and traffic problems between Monkeys Jump and the Rainbarrow entrance had worsened in recent years. He pointed out the risk of accidents caused by McDonald's customers parking on the highway, forcing drivers to face fast oncoming traffic. Any increase in work vehicles would exacerbate these issues, causing further delays and potentially compromising the newly reintroduced bus service. Mr Scarth also noted errors in the Entran Report, such as trip numbers for the busy autumn period and the potential for changes in feedstock supply routes, which could give the developer unrestricted freedom to route vehicles  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

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.