Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 24^th March 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 24^th 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 Friday 1^st May 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.

Continued extraction of ball clay and proposed extraction of sand and ball clay from Povington Pit, Creech, Wareham to cease by 30th September 2036 with final restoration of the whole site to take place before 30th September 2037.

The Case Officer presented the application with the aid of plans and aerial photographs, outlining the site, proposal and relevant policies. Members were advised that the application sought retrospective permission for continued ball clay extraction, an extension to extract ball clay and sand, and a comprehensive restoration and aftercare scheme secured over 30 years through a Section 106 agreement. 

It was noted that the previous permission had lapsed in September 2024. The proposal would maintain extraction levels of 40,000 tonnes of ball clay per annum and introduce up to 60,000 tonnes of sand, with agreed HGV routes and restrictions. Significant weight was given to the national importance of Povington ball clay, with no alternative source available. 

The proposal would result in some habitat loss; however, mitigation and enhancement measures, including a five-year establishment period and 30-year management, would deliver long-term ecological benefits secured through a LEMP. While the potential loss of three veteran trees was acknowledged as regrettable, officers considered that exceptional circumstances applied and suitable compensation would be secured. 

Landscape harm during extraction was recognised but considered acceptable subject to mitigation, restoration and the provision of a Landscape Enhancement Fund. Transport impacts, including HGV movements, were controlled and deemed not unacceptable. Impacts relating to noise, dust, lighting and the built environment were acceptable or capable of being controlled by condition. 

Hydrological, flood risk and water quality impacts were assessed as negligible to minor, with no adverse impact on nearby sensitive habitats. In heritage terms, any harm to designated assets, including Creech Grange and its Registered Park and Garden, was concluded to be less than substantial. Archaeological impacts would be mitigated through a programme of investigation secured by condition. 

Overall, officers advised that, without the proposed mitigation, the development would conflict with policy; however, the submitted package of measures rendered the proposal acceptable. The public benefits, including the strategic importance of the mineral, outweighed identified harms. The officer’s recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and a completion of a S106 agreement.  

Public Participation 

Mr Grant Scott addressed the Committee in support of the application, outlining the national importance of Ball Clay as a rare mineral of significant value to the UK economy, particularly in the production of high-quality ceramics, and its role in supporting sustainable development and infrastructure such as the modernisation of the national grid; he noted that Dorset’s Ball Clay was located within environmentally sensitive areas requiring careful management. Mr Scott highlighted that the industry supported hundreds of local jobs with employment expected to continue for at least the next decade and advised that extensive consultation had resulted in a sustainable proposal, concluding that the working relationship between the operator and Council officers was amongst the most constructive he had observed. 

Members questions and comments 

• Members raised the importance of water retention and emphasised the need to fully consider hydrology within the proposal 

• Members queried the proposed transport system, in particular the level and management of traffic movements  

• Concern was expressed regarding the protection of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

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.