Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 25^th November 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 25^th November 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 Friday 20^th March 2026

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.

The construction and operation of an anaerobic digestion facility, ancillary infrastructure, landscaping and vehicular access between the site and the public highway

The Case Officer presented the application with a visual presentation, including site plans and aerial photographs, identifying the location and summarising the proposal and relevant planning policies. Members were informed that Wessex Farm and the main operational area were situated north of the A30, and that a new access road was proposed to the west of the existing access to avoid residential dwellings and the farm complex.

Key planning constraints were outlined, noting that the site was near several listed buildings, with the Motcombe Conservation Area located to the north. An explanation of the proposed anaerobic digester facility was provided, accompanied by site photographs from multiple viewpoints and illustrations of the site layout, elevations, and feedstock building. A breakdown of the proposed feedstock and predicted annual energy production was presented. Landscape considerations were summarised, with visualisations showing that while initial landscape and visual harm was expected, this would not be significant by year 15 due to robust proposed planting. In relation to heritage, seven nearby listed buildings were identified, and members were advised of predicted impacts and mitigation through landscaping.

Highways matters were addressed, with the new access expected to generate 32 daily vehicle movements, increasing to 69 during the harvest period. The development would result in no more than a 1.31% increase in vehicle movements (calculated on increase to the existing AM peak hour traffic) on the A30 Sherborne Causeway, and the widened entrance and passing places were considered to improve highway safety for residents and Wessex Farm. The ecological assessment confirmed the site had no designations and consisted of arable land. Impacts on neighbouring amenity were outlined, and members were advised that the proposal would be carbon neutral and aligned with Dorset Council’s climate and ecological emergency objectives. Protection of trees would be secured through an Arboricultural Method Statement. The recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to conditions set out in Section 16 of the officer’s report.

Public Participation

Cllr A Hollingshead spoke in objection, noting the Town Council’s opposition and concerns about the site’s position on the slope of Shaftesbury. He highlighted the lack of an acoustic barrier, raised issues with the Transport Plan, and expressed concern about visual impacts from Castle Hill, stating that the development would detract from the landscape. While acknowledging supporting documents and officer advice, he maintained that a large industrial facility would harm community infrastructure and residents’ quality of life, urging the Committee to refuse the application if any doubt remained.

Mrs K Tippins explained that she lived at Long Cross beside the A30, close to the proposed site. She asked Members to refuse the application, stating that it represented a 6‑hectare industrial‑scale waste facility rather than farm diversification. She considered the applicant’s assumptions on existing HGV movements to be unsupported and said the development would introduce new heavy traffic onto a hazardous section of the A30. She also raised concerns about odour, noting that anaerobic digestion was inherently odorous and that no evidence had been provided to show  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

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.