Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Tim Cook, Les Fry, Stella Jones and Emma Parker.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registerable or non-registerable 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.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 14^th June 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 June 2022 were confirmed and would be signed as soon as was practicable.

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.

The deadline for notifying a request to speak is 8.30am on Friday 8^th July.

Please refer to the Guidance for speaking at the Area Planning Committee for further information.

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.

Change of use of the first and second floors from offices (use class E(g)) to a house in multiple occupation.

The Committee considered application P/FUL/2022/0106 for the change of use of the first and second floors from offices (use class E(g)) to a house in multiple occupation at Barnack Chambers, 9-9A West Street, Blandford Forum DT11 7AW

With the aid of a visual presentation, and taking account the detail in the report, officers provided context of what the main proposals, principles and planning issues of the development were; how these were to be progressed; and what this entailed, taking into account the policies against which this application was being assessed.

Plans and photographs – interior and exterior - provided an illustration of how the conversion was to look – including its design and dimensions; access and parking considerations; building regulations and licencing requirements; how space would be used; what facilities there were and how these would be accessed; and the development’s setting within that part of the Conservation Area of Blandford.

Officers showed the development’s relationship with other adjacent residential

and commercial development, with the characteristics of the site area being shown. Views around the development site were shown, which provided a satisfactory understanding of all that was necessary.

Officers confirmed the conversion would contribute towards much needed accommodation of this type identified within the town and although situated within the retail are of the town centre, the ground floor retail was not affected by the proposal. What assessment had been made in the officers coming to their recommendation were drawn to the attention of the Committee, with the proposal being considered to be acceptable by officers.

Matthew Holmes, agent, considered the conversion to be sustainable and appropriate which had been considered acceptable in principle in the neighbourhood plan and would meet an identified demand for this type of development.

Blandford Forum Town Council had objected to the application on the grounds that, whilst welcoming residential development above retail, did not believe that the proposals were sustainable, particularly in terms of the dimensions of the units. They referred to the regulations for such premises and those standards to be met.  They also raised concerns in relation to fire safety.

Having heard what was said, officers responded to some of the pertinent issues raised, being confident that each one could be addressed by the provisions of the application.

Officers clarified the differentiation between regulations and requirements for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO’s) and dwellings/flats and that this planning application was being considered on the basis of the former. Seemingly, the basis of the Town Council’s objection was on the latter. The case officer considered therefore that the proposal did comply with the Regulations’ standards and that the development was therefore not considered to be cramped and unsustainable. Regarding fire safety, officers confirmed this would be a matter for Building Regulations.

The opportunity was then given for members to ask questions of the presentation and what they had heard, in seeking clarification of aspects so

as to have a better understanding in coming to a decision.

Some important points raised, some of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 111.

Develop land by the erection of up to 115 no. dwellings, form vehicular access from New Road and Lodden Lakes Phase 1, form public open space. (Outline application to determine access) (reserved matters application to determine appearance, landscaping, layout & scale following the grant of outline planning permission P/OUT/2020/00495)

The Committee considered application P/RES/2022/00263 for the development of land to the south east of Lodden Lakes New Road Gillingham  by the erection of up to 115 no. dwellings, form vehicular access from New Road and Lodden Lakes Phase 1, form public open space. (Outline application to determine access) (reserved matters application to determine appearance, landscaping, layout & scale following the grant of outline planning permission P/OUT/2020/00495) P/RES/2022/00263.

With the aid of a visual presentation, and taking account the detail in the report, officers provided context of what the main proposals, principles and planning issues of the development were; how these were to be progressed; how the development would contribute to meeting housing needs; and what this entailed. The presentation focused on not only what the development entailed and its detailed design, but what effect it would have on residential amenity and the character the area, taking into account the policies against which this application was being assessed.

Plans and photographs provided an illustration of the location, orientation,

dimensions – form, bulk, size and mass - and appearance of the development

and of the individual properties, with examples being given of how typical

properties would be designed, along with their ground floor plans; how it

would look; proposed street scenes; the materials to be used; access and

highway considerations; environmental considerations; drainage and water management considerations, the means of landscaping, screening and open space provision and its setting within that part of Gillingham and the wider landscape. Flooding and affordable housing issues were all given particular consideration.

Officers showed the development’s relationship with other adjacent residential

development and how the buildings were designed to be in keeping with the

characteristics of the established local environment. The characteristics and

topography of the site was shown and its relationship with the highway

network. Views into the site and around it was shown, which provided a satisfactory understanding of all that was necessary.

In summary, the officer’s assessment considered the acceptability of the proposal in relation to the Development Plan, and this formed the basis of the recommendation being made.

Simon Fife, agent, considered the application to be consistent with the Masterplan and would bring the benefit of 21 affordable homes, open space and environmental enhancements. Modifications had taken place to address issues that had been raised and what was now being proposed was designed to meet the needs of Gillingham.

The opportunity was then given for members to ask questions of the

presentation and what they had heard, in seeking clarification of aspects so

as to have a better understanding in coming to a decision.

Some important points raised were and which they considered still required clarification were :-

·        what prospect there was of installing additional electricity charging points and the delivery of other such environmental enhancements

·        what was the status of the bridge mentioned in the report and did it have a bearing on this application

·        that condition 4 - covering landscaping and trees – should be amended to allow  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112.

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 items of urgent business to consider.

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 was no exempt business to be considered.