Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest

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

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on ???

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2020 were confirmed and signed.

Cllr Legg wished to record that his apologies had been given for the previous two meetings due to technical issues he had encountered whilst trying to access the meetings.

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.

The deadline for speaking at this meeting is 8.30am on Tuesday 28 July 2020.

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.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning.

The Area Lead Planning Officer introduced the application to develop land by the erection of up to 26 No. dwellings, form vehicular and pedestrian access. The current proposals which sought outline permission (with only access for consideration) had been reduced by 6 dwellings from an initial proposal of up to 32 dwellings.  It was proposed that the development would be served by a single vehicular access point and pedestrian crossing from Haywards Lane.

The Officer highlighted the proposed car park and advised that the only hedgerow to be removed would be to allow access to the site.  However, if more hedgerow was removed there was a condition in place for that to be replaced.  The site was considered to be a sustainable location and the Applicant had agreed to the S106 obligations, as listed in the report. The economic, social benefits and environmental benefits were highlighted and it was felt that there were no adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the NPFF taken as a whole.

The Transport Development Liaison Manager highlighted the vehicular access to the site with the visibility splay which was suitable for a 30mph approach speed.  A transport statement had been submitted along with a technical note that had looked at the parking accumulation at the school. The impact was minimal in respect of the cars being parked on the side of the road.  Highways felt there were no significant safety issues with the application and therefore had no objections.

A number of written submissions objecting to the proposal and a statement by the applicant were read out at the meeting and are attached to these minutes.

Local Member for Child Okeford

Cllr Sherry Jespersen made reference to the link through the site to Allen close and asked for further clarity as the Parish Council were not aware this was a permitted path.  The Area Lead Planning Officer advised that the applicants believed there could be a permissive footpath, there was a faint line showing on the constraints map. Reference was made to a covenant or legal ownership that one of the neighbours had in place across the access into the site from Allen Close.  Cllr Jespersen was still unclear if members were in a position to give permission for access as no such access existed and it appeared it was unsure who owned the land the other side of the locked gate. Officers advised that the red line boundary was discrete and the number of houses would be appropriate for the site. He made reference to other sites with open boundaries and people did cross them.  A gate could be installed if it was felt this particular access was detrimental to neighbouring properties.   The Transport Development Liaison Manager advised that the footway linked to Allen Close was an indicative opportunity and the southern pedestrian link onto Haywards Lane was sufficient.

In respect of Heads of Terms, Cllr Jespersen noted that a reference was made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning.

The Area Lead Planning Officer introduced the application to erect 63 No. dwellings with garaging, parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure. (Reserved matters application (Phase1) to determine layout, scale, appearance and landscaping, following grant of Outline Planning Permission No. 2/2017/1706/VARIA).

The relevant planning history relating to this application was highlighted to members along with the key planning issues.  Recent photographs of the area were shown to members which highlighted that a number of the buildings had now been demolished. 

Following work with the Applicant, officers were now content with the design, they felt this was a highquality development.

Key planning matters were highlighted to members:-

• Flood risk
• Matters of design: Layout, Appearance, Scale
• Heritage impact
• Neighbour amenity
• Other matters raised by local Councils

The majority of the matters raised were mainly of principle and these had now been resolved.  This was a large site that needed a lot of remediation.

The Transport Development Liaison Manager highlighted that the site was accessed from the historic brewery access which was already an approved access. Onsite car parking was provided in accordance with council guidance. The proposed estate road layout had been tested for emergency and refuse vehicles to be able to pass and had been approved.  Highways had no objections to the proposals.

A statement by the applicant was read out at the meeting and is attached to these minutes.

Members comments and questions

The Chairman noted that this was a very significant development for Blandford St Mary.

Cllr Pipe enquired if there were any listed buildings status on any of the demolished or remaining buildings.   The Area Lead Planning Officer advised that whilst the development was within the Blandford conservation area but the old brewery building was not listed.

Cllr Cook asked if the non-adoption of roads caused an issue for the Authority. The Transport Development Liaison Manager advised that it was up to the applicant if they wished to offer roads for adoption it was not compulsory. Highways just approve schemes from a safety point of view.  Following a question about leasehold and freehold properties and any ground management fees, the Area Lead Planning Officer advised that the cost to remediate the site had been expensive and the applicant was working the Homes England to seek to provide some affordable housing.  Contract terms were not normally something that the Council would be involved in.

Cllr Legg was surprised to see access of off private roads and thought there were policies around this.  The Transport Development Liaison Manager was not aware of a specific policy relating to this and noted that a number of developers’ sites remained private roads and developers could not be forced to make them adopted. In response to a question about whether it could then become a gated community, the Officer advised that an application could be put forward to put up a gate but that was not being proposed with this application.

Cllr Legg highlighted that outline permission was for 180 units, therefore phases 2-4 would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

To receive an update from the Area Lead Planning Officer.

The Area Lead Planning Officer updated members on the public consultation that had now been carried out in respect of the Dorchester Article 4 Directive.  Members were shown a map which highlighted the conservation areas in Dorchester.

Cllr Fry thought this was useful in order to protect Dorchester’s heritage.

The Chairman thanked officers for undertaking the work on this.

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.