Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 31^st March 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 31^st March 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 Tuesday 29^th April 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.

Construction of Solar Farm and associated infrastructure.

The Case Officer provided members with an update to the officer’s report and presented a visual overview of the proposed solar farm development, using aerial photographs and site plans to explain the location, context, and relevant planning policies. The site is situated within the designated Green Belt, near the proposed North Farm Solar Farm and close to the National Landscape (formerly Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)).There are also some Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the wider area. The rural site, bordered by agricultural land and Remedy Oak Golf Club, accessed via Horton Road and intersected by public rights of way. A grid connection has been secured through the nearby Mannington Substation. Revised plans, submitted in December 2024, followed additional ecological surveys. The proposed development included 21 transformers (each approx. 3 meters high), solar panel arrays with inverter units, storage containers, fencing, and security cameras. The officer outlined visual impact assessments, including mitigation through planting scheme agreed with Dorset Council landscape officers. The officer presented the Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) Act and the need to ‘seek further’ to enhance the character of the National Landscape. While acknowledging the industrial appearance of solar panels could not enhance the National Landscape, the officer concluded that mitigation would conserve natural beauty and contain visual impact to the immediate site. The application was advertised publicly, and all comments were made available online.

The proposal's impact on the Green Belt was given substantial weight, while the loss of agricultural land carried moderate weight. However, the renewable energy benefits and public interest were judged to outweigh the harm. Heritage concerns were minimal, with only Horton Tower potentially affected, however resulting in no harm as presented. Historic England raised no objections, and the County Archaeologist requested conditions. The development posed no significant risks to residential amenity, trees, or biodiversity and was located in Flood Zone 1 (low flood risk). Access via Horton Road was deemed sufficient, with construction expected to last approximately 28 weeks and minimal traffic during operation. On balance, the planning officer found that very special circumstances existed and therefore planning permission was recommended, subject to conditions set out in the officer report.

Public Participation

The agent supported the officer’s recommendation for approval, noting strong backing for the proposal. She referenced the declared climate emergency and the Council’s Green Power Action Plan targeting clean energy by 2030. The proposal, capable of generating up to 30 megawatts, had secured a grid connection and was identified as a priority, deliverable scheme. She noted the 40-year operational period, after which the site would be restored, and confirmed that design and planning measures had minimised landscape impact. With no outstanding objections from consultees, she considered the proposal acceptable in terms of impact, delivering energy for thousands of homes, socioeconomic benefits, and supporting continued agricultural use.

Members questions and comments

• Clarification was sought regarding the protection status of nearby ancient woodlands and whether appropriate safeguards had been put in place.
• Queried whether existing hedgerows would be removed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

Construction of Solar Farm and associated infrastructure.

The Case Officer provided members with an update to the officer’s report and presented a visual overview to members, including site plans and aerial photographs, to identify the location and outline the proposal in the context of relevant planning policies. The site was confirmed to lie within the designated Green Belt and in close proximity to the National Landscape. Public rights of way crossed the area, and the site was near the Mannington Substation. It was surrounded by agricultural land, and site photographs were used to illustrate the rural setting. The proposed site plan detailed the rolling topography and existing vegetation, alongside proposed planting. The same type of transformer units as previously presented  were proposed, though in reduced numbers, along with equipment storage containers, security cameras, and perimeter fencing.

The application was advertised via site notices and press advertisements, and consultee responses were summarised. A landscape and visual impact assessment was presented, including viewpoints from Horton Tower. The proposed planting scheme is intended to mitigate visual impact, and the development's relationship with the National Landscape was assessed under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Two listed heritage assets were considered, Horton Tower and Heythorne Cottage; however, the Conservation Officer and Historic England raised no objections. The loss of agricultural land was noted and the proximity to residential dwellings was considered acceptable in terms of amenity. Access was proposed through the existing farm entrance, and traffic flows were illustrated. No flood risk was identified, and proposed drainage measures were deemed acceptable. There were no protected trees on site, though some hedgerow loss would occur. Biodiversity impacts were reviewed and addressed through proposed conditions. In the planning balance, the benefits of the development outweighed the identified harms, and it was recommended that planning permission be granted, subject to conditions set out in the officer report.

Public Participation

Mr Davidson objected to the proposal, describing it as a commercial venture that could set a precedent. He raised concerns over the lack of a clear grid connection plans, cumulative impact from similar developments, and insufficient assessment of visual harm to  nearby listed heritage assets. He noted that screening may take decades to mature and questioned whether a 40-year term could’ve been considered temporary. The site bordered ancient woodland, and he argued more suitable locations existed. He highlighted strong local opposition and council objections, disputing the claimed national benefits and describing the impact as overwhelming and unjustifiable.

Mr Boyd, a long-standing resident, objected to the application, stating he regularly walked the nearby footpath and opposed the proposed view. He argued that any screening would take years to become effective and believed the development offered little added value. He saw no significant local or long-term economic benefit and criticised the use of green belt land. He claimed the applicant had ceased exploring alternatives and had not adequately considered the impact. He described the proposal as a business opportunity lacking sufficient public benefit.

Mr Hardy expressed full support for renewable energy but felt the focus  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

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.