Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 8^th September 2025.

The draft minutes are to be published ahead of the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 8^th September 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.

Cllr Belinda Bawden declared an interest to agenda item 5, stating that she was a carbon literacy trainer for town and parish councils, co-founder of the Dorset Climate Action Network, and worked with a national organisation which supported parish councils on climate related matters. It was agreed that she would take part in the debate and vote on the item.  

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 Friday 19^th September 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.  

Retention of an existing well site for 10 years for oil production from the existing boreholes, Waddock Cross - 2 and Waddock Cross - 3, drilling of a sidetrack well, Waddock Cross - 4, and drilling of two boreholes, Waddock Cross - 5 and Waddock Cross - 6 for the appraisal and production of oil (Variation of condition 2 (Temporary Time Limit) and 3 (Restoration) of 6/2013/0001 in order to retain the wellsite for a further ten years).

The Case Officer presented the proposal using site plans, aerial photographs, and current site images, confirming that the site was not producing oil at the time. Key constraints included the proximity of Oakers Wood SSSI, ancient woodland, and listed buildings. The application sought to vary previous conditions, with the temporary duration of the permission and restoration of the site extended for a further 10 years to 2033. The site layout and phasing would be unamended, with the exception of new ecological mitigation and enhancements to be provided on-site. Relevant policies were considered, including Dorset’s Climate and Ecology Strategy and the Energising Dorset Growth Strategy, which supported the transition to green energy. While the development would have generated some greenhouse gas emissions, these were not considered significant at a county or national level. Updated ecological surveys informed mitigation and enhancement measures, including habitat features for invertebrates and reptiles.

The proposed extension until 2033 was deemed acceptable within the transitional period towards net zero by 2050. New ecological mitigation was explained, including a close boarded fence to mitigate against light spill towards the adjacent SSSI that is used by bats. The fencing was considered to preserve landscape character. Low traffic volumes, which would be similar to the original permission, were not expected to impact highway safety. Existing conditions were reviewed and retained to mitigate impacts on amenity, ecology, landscape, and groundwater. A condition relating to early cessation of hydrocarbon production operations prior to 1 June 2033 was circulated to members. The condition aimed to safeguard long-term environmental and operational concerns. The recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to conditions.

Public Participation
Mr Whipple read a statement which addressed the national policy imperative to maximise energy security and supply. He felt that the application breached planning policy. It was noted that the site in question was an oil site, not gas. Reference was made to the Climate Change Committee’s projections that oil demand would decline significantly by 2050. The application was criticised for lacking evidence of future commercial viability and for being in breach of the local mineral strategy. Mr Whipple stated that the site should have been restored over a decade ago and urged councillors to reject the application.

Mr May read a statement on behalf of Ms Finch. It was noted that the applicant had acknowledged the potential for significant greenhouse gas emissions. He highlighted the cumulative impact of such projects on climate change and referenced recent Government guidance and academic studies from the University of London. The statement criticised stated that the applicant has ignored the most current climate policy positions and urged the committee to reject the application due to its unacceptable environmental impact.

Ms Elcoate delivered a strong statement regarding the dangers of continued fossil fuel extraction, citing climate change as a global emergency and calling for local action. She stated that councillors had a responsibility to contribute positively to climate commitments by rejecting the application. She questioned the applicant’s conclusion that environmental impacts were not significant,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

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.