Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Matt Hall, Brian Heatley and Emma Parker.

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank Cllr Hall – in his absence – for the valued contribution he had made to the work of the Committee in the past, as he was standing down as a member of the Committee.

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.

Cllr Mary Penfold declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in minute 121 because she was the landowner of the application site.  Cllr Penfold withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the item.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 12^th July 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2022 were confirmed and signed.

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 26^th August 2022.

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.

Demolition of barns, form new vehicular and pedestrian access, erection of 30 No. dwellings, construct village hall with parking area and provision of wildlife area, attenuation pond and public open space.

This application was not considered at the meeting.

Demolition of existing agricultural barns and erection of 5 No. dwellings together with access, parking & landscaping.   Erection of a replacement barn.

The Committee considered application P/FUL/2022/02326 for the demolition of existing agricultural barns and erection of 5 dwellings together with access, parking & landscaping, together with the erection of a replacement barn on land and buildings north of Cutlers Close, Sydling St Nicholas

The application was being considered by Committee as the landowner of the application site was a Dorset Councillor and the Vice-Chairman of the Committee. On that basis, Cllr Mary Penfold declared a pecuniary interest and played no part in consideration of the item.

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. 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 how the development was to look – including its design, dimensions, configuration and appearance; along with its ground floor plans and elevations; the materials to be used; access and highway considerations; environmental and land management considerations; drainage, flooding and water management considerations, the means of landscaping and screening and the development’s setting within that part of Sydling St. Nicholas, its Conservation Area and the Dorset Area of Outstanding Beauty.

Officers showed the development’s relationship with other adjacent residential

development, with the characteristics and topography of the site being shown. Views into the site and around it was shown, which provided a satisfactory understanding of all that was necessary.

The planning history of the site was outlined, including mention of the reasons for refusal of a previous application.

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 unacceptable in relation to material planning considerations, as the proposed development would be in an unsustainable location, inappropriate for new residential development given that the village did not have a defined development boundary and having little in the way of public services or facilities.

Additionally, with regard to more site-specific considerations, the proposal was considered harmful to the setting of Designated Heritage Assets, namely the Sydling St Nicholas Conservation Area and 5 and 6 Waterside Lane, which were both Grade II listed buildings.

The development, by virtue of its scale, was also considered to be detrimental to the natural beauty of the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

These assessments formed the basis of the officer’s recommendation to refuse the application.

From formal consultation, Sydling St Nicholas Parish Council had opposed the application on the grounds that there was inadequate parking provision and unsafe access, the impact on the sewage system, the impact on the rural nature of the area and the lack of affordable housing provision in a village that lacked the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

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 for consideration at the meeting.

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 considered at the meeting.