Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 1^st May 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 1^st May 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 Thursday 26^th June 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 an application to divert part of Footpath 46, Okeford Fitzpaine in the light of objections received and recommends that the diversion order is made on the basis that the relevant legal tests have been met.

With the aid of a visual presentation, including plans and photographs, the Case Officer identified the site and outlined the proposal to divert part of Footpath 46 at Okeford Fitzpaine. The proposed diversion, between points C and B on the plan, is accessed from current Footpath 44, tracks west following a hedge line, around a tree at Point D on the plan and continues west through a field gate at Point E and on to point B where it then joins the undiverted part of Footpath 46. Members were shown the existing route and proposed diverted route through photographs, highlighting enhancements such as repositioning water troughs to prevent puddling, adding stone chippings at point D to improve drainage and avoiding a double stile to improve accessibility. The gradient and landscape views to the north, south, and east were compared, showing the route was not substantially less convenient and was still enjoyable. It was also confirmed that there was no material impact on third-party land. The initial consultation generated six objections, including from the Parish Council; however, following revisions, only one objection remained, and the Parish Council withdrew its objection. The officer explained the legal tests and confirmed that the application met these legal tests. The officer recommended that the diversion order be made and, if unopposed, the order be confirmed by the Council. If opposed, but with similar objections to those already made, the order would be submitted to the Secretary of State without further referral to the Committee.

Public Participation

Simon Wheeler (applicant) addressed the committee to explain the reason for the proposed diversion, stating that it would enable improved livestock management. He noted ongoing issues with dog fouling and explained that aligning the footpath along the hedge line would allow for better control. He added that fencing the current route would make the fields too small for practical use. Mr. Wheeler acknowledged the reluctance to alter the existing footpath but confirmed he had consulted others and incorporated the feedback received. He stated that the proposed route was no less convenient and offered attractive views across the Blackmore Vale, making it more accessible to a wider range of users. As a small-scale farmer, he recognised that the change involved a significant cost but considered it a worthwhile investment. He also highlighted the number of wildlife-supporting schemes on the land and expressed hope that the committee would support the proposal.

Members questions and comments

• Members sought clarification on the overall distance of the proposed route and the extent of the increase compared to the existing path.
• Questions were raised regarding the route around the tree at Point D.

·       Members raised a question about the medieval village in the vicinity

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; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to GRANT as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Belinda Rideout, and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Extraction of approximately 11.5 million tonnes of sand and gravel, in phased working, together with importation of aggregates and cement, construction of a car park, internal haul road, bridged conveyor crossing, erection of a site office, aggregate processing plant, aggregate bagging plant, ready mix concrete plant, and ancillary buildings. Restoration to water bodies and agriculture and biodiversity enhancements together with public access and use of retained site office as a Visitor Centre.

The item was deferred to a future meeting due to unforeseen circumstances.

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 an update. Condition 2 (pages 161–162) had been amended to include the submission, and agreement in writing, of an annual review to the Local Planning Authority. The matter had been deferred since March 2025. The retrospective application sought to vary conditions 27 and 28, relating to highway movements and the type of feedstock. The officer also explained the nature of the anaerobic digester system.

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 2012, with an amended approval shown in 2017 for an approval for a fourth storage clamp. Condition 27 relating to traffic levels was referenced, with the original condition outlined. A table was presented to demonstrate vehicle trips per day in 2012 and 2017, reflecting the increase in feedstock on site. Data from 2023 was also provided, showing average loads per day alongside predicted calculations. 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 Abbas 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. Condition 28 detailed the types of feedstocks to be used. Reference was made to the original planning support statement, which outlined various feedstocks intended for the operation; over time, the most consistent feedstock had been identified. The recommendation was for approval of the retrospective application, noting that the site was already in operation.

Public Participation

Cllr Charles Norman spoke in objection to the proposal in his personal capacity. He stated that when originally proposed, it was believed the operation was compliant; however, previous owners had pushed the boundaries. He noted that digestate is a sterile fertiliser but expressed concerns regarding impacts on Poole Harbour. He also raised issues about movements exceeding 3,000 tonnes and the significant number of vehicle movements on the bypass over time.

Cllr Les Fry spoke in a personal capacity. Although the site was not within his ward, he expressed interest in the system and the broader aim to reduce air miles in all areas of life. He acknowledged that producing gas inevitably involves some negatives. Biodiversity concerns had been raised, but he emphasized that farmers could not be restricted in what they produce. He noted that only a few months of the year would be affected, impacting very few people. He also highlighted that the operation had been active for many years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Retain digestate lagoon and hardstanding & install proposed lagoon cover.

With the aid of a visual presentation, the Case Officer identified the site and outlined the proposal for a digestate storage lagoon, including the site plan, location, access, and relevant planning policies. Photographs showed existing site conditions. Heritage and ecological assessments found no material harm to nearby assets, including Maiden Castle, and confirmed the lagoon had no habitat value. The design included a soft cover to minimise visual impact. Vehicle movements were expected to be low, with exports limited to two sites, including Rainbarrow Farm, resulting in no highway impact. The proposal was not anticipated to increase flooding, pollution, or affect neighbouring amenity. Planning permission was granted, subject to the conditions outlined in Section 18 of the report.

Public Participation

Cllr Charles Norman noted rising tanker weights and questioned if current limits were sufficient. He was concerned tankers might have been overweight.

Cllr Les Fry expressed support for the application, noting its contribution to green energy and its benefits to the local community.

Darren Stockley (agent) addressed the Committee, stating that the proposal complied with national recommendations and related to a correctly regulated site, with a commitment to transparency. He explained that the lagoon was for water management and would store digestate, an organic fertiliser. He confirmed that the lagoon’s design would have no material impact on the highway, and drainage was expected to have a negligible effect on flood risk. He referenced relevant planning policy and stated that approving the application would support the sustainable operation of Rainbarrow Farm.

Members questions and comments

• Clarified issues regarding lighting.
• Discussed maintenance of lagoon cover and precautions to prevent overspilling.
• Thanked the agent and applicant for their cooperation.

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 GRANT as recommended, was proposed by Cllr David Taylor, and seconded by Cllr Belinda Rideout, subject to conditions set out in the officer report.

Decision: To grant for the reasons set out in Sections 16 and 17 of the officer’s report.

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 were no urgent items.

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 was no exempt business.