Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from David Taylor and Matthew Hall.

To receive any declarations of interest

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

Cllr Mary Penfold declared a non-pecuniary interest in application number WD/D/19/000872 – Barton Farm Development Site because as a former district councillor she had previous involvement in this application.  Cllr Penfold withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the item.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2019 were confirmed and signed.

There will be no opportunity for Members of the public to speak on a planning application unless proper notification is given to Democratic Services no later than two clear working days before the meeting in accordance with the Guide to Public Speaking at Planning Committee.

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.

To consider the applications listed below for planning permission

Members considered written reports submitted on planning applications as set out below.

Erection of 66 dwellings and associated works.

Cllr Penfold left the meeting for this item.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the outline application for the erection of 66 dwellings and associated works. Members were shown a site location plan and advised that the principle of residential development had been agreed at an outline stage and that the proposal would result in less than substantial harm to the nearby Grade II listed barn.  This harm would be outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal, in terms of the provision of dwellings, including affordable homes.

The design of the dwellings had been improved through negotiation and the principle buildings fronting towards the listed building would employ natural stone to their exterior elevations.

The Planning team had received an objection from Sherborne Town Council which had now been addressed.

The applicant’s Biodiversity Mitigation and Enhancement Plan had not yet been agreed by the Dorset Natural Environment Team but this was expected shortly.  As such, the Area Lead proposed an amendment to the recommendation to account for this and allow changes to Condition 12

The Planning team had received one objection from Sherborne Town Council which had now been addressed.

The Senior Planning Officer proposed an amendment to the recommendation to be subject to comments being received from the Dorset Natural Development teams on the bio diversity mitigation plan and to condition12 being updated, all of the following conditions remained.

Mr Christopher Perfect, resident of Barton Farm spoke objecting to the application. Mr Perfect advised members he was a homeowner at Barton Farm, in Phase 1 of the development which was built 3 years ago. He strongly objected to application in that the proposed 2 storey property at unit 33 was immediately opposite his property.  It would be 12.5 metres from his property in respect of full height windows and balconies and views and light would be compromised, in effect his property would be completely overlooked and therefore urged the Committee to refuse permission.

As Cllr Matthew Hall was unable to attend the meeting, Cllr Jon Andrews read out a statement from him objecting to the application.  His comments included that whilst he welcomed the number of affordable homes he felt the spread across the phase was inadequate.  He had issues with the proposed tree planting, the current infrastructure not being sufficient, obstruction of views and loss of light for existing properties, the narrow road network and the sustainability of the site. He would like to see a condition in place that required the developer to use one are of open space for a toddler’s play area.

Suzanne Knowles speaking on behalf of the applicant, highlighted that 23 units would be affordable.   She advised that they had worked with the Local Authority in respect of this proposed development and had also worked closely with the design officer and with the Sherborne Conservation Team. Additional information regarding flooding and drainage was highlighted. Highways officers had not raised any objections. Whilst there had been several concerns regarding existing green spaces there had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 81.

Variation of conditions 2 & 3 of reference APP/F1230/C/07/2056624 to allow activities (excluding clay pigeon shooting) to take place on four days per week (excluding Sundays) plus a variation of hours of operation to 8am - 18.30pm between 1st April - 30th September in any calendar year.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the proposal which sought the variation of 2 conditions attached to the planning permission that was granted on appeal to allow the change of use of the agricultural land to use for leisure purposes.

A comparison between the existing and proposed use of the site was highlighted to members. No statutory noise complaints had been received from residents.

An update sheet circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting provided an update on the comments that had been received from Affpuddle and Briantspuddle Parish Council.

A statement from Affpuddle and Briantspuddle Parish Council was read out by the Vice-Chairman which highlighted their objections to the application.  The Chairman allowed this as there had been some confusion around the use of an incorrect email address which had resulted in the Parish Council not receiving the notice of when the item was being presented to committee in a timely way which had led to members of the Parish Council not being able to attend.

Mr Pitman, the Applicant, advised members he had lived in Tolpuddle for 30 years and had been working with the local community for the past 10 years.  The existing use of the land was primarily on a Saturday.  The additional 2 days requested would be used to target new groups to the site. There was no significant change to the original application and no significant noise or disturbance complaints had been received. Sound was not an issue as had been stated. The Highways Officer had no issue with any potential increase in traffic.  Mr Pitman commented that he hoped to attract new diverse groups to the area and would embellish local employment and revenue if accepted.

In response to a question about ‘blind driving’, the Senior Planning Officer advised this was when the driver was blindfolded and the passenger directed them, a form of team building exercise.

Comments from members are detailed below:-

·        Would be good for the local area, would bring people in and help the local economy.

·       Suggest a notice or something similar to encourage better litter collection.  A condition could be inserted to address this.

·       Members supported an amendment to ensure a register was kept of the days of operation, to ensure the business operated no more than 4 days each week.

·       Need to attract businesses to the countryside highlighted.

·       Did the catering van sell alcohol?  Was currently just food, but would be a matter for Licensing should this be required.

·       Discussion about the noise assessment and when this was carried out.  Possibly not carried out at the busiest times but then guidelines would have been referred to.

Proposed: Cllr Carole Jones

Seconded: Cllr Les Fry

All members voted in favour of the application.

Decision: That the application be approved subject to the amended conditions outlined in the appendix attached to these minutes.

Erect 4No. dwellings and create new vehicular and pedestrian access (demolish existing garages).

The Planning Officer introduced the outline application for the erection of 4 No.2 storey dwellings, in the form of 2 semi-detached units.  The existing permission for 4no. chalet style dwellings with amenity space and car parking was highlighted.to members.

The previously approved application was accompanied by an approved Biodiversity Mitigation and Enhancement Plan and officers advised that a new certificate had since come through and would be updated.

Cllr Mackay from Blandford St Mary Parish Council spoke objecting to the proposal and highlighted that access to the properties 9 and10 were solely form Pigeon Close, whilst the access road at the back serviced Knights Close.  The Parish Council considered the application to be an overdevelopment of the site.

Mr Mckeon, speaking in support of the application and on behalf of the Applicant, highlighted the positive impact on an underused site and noted that the proposed development was within settlement boundary.

Comments from members are detailed below:-

·         Concern raised about the inundation of sewers.  Members were advised that Wessex Water had not raised any objections but felt this could be dealt with by an additional condition.

·         In respect of Biodiversity and landscaping, it was not clear in the report how much tree planting was planned but could there be more?  The Planning Officer referred members to Condition 4 and advised this would be taken into account.

·         With regards to the height of dwellings in respect of other properties, the Planning Officer advised that there was a condition included that related to this.

·         Members did not believe the application represented overdevelopment of the site.

Proposed: Cllr Belinda Ridout

Seconded: Cllr Les Fry

All members voted in favour of the application.

Decision: That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix attached to these minutes.

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 of business.