Agenda and minutes

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 17^th March 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2026 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. 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 10^th April 2026.

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.

Erect 11 no. affordable dwellings, modify vehicular access, form parking areas, gardens and open spaces for landscaping, storm water attenuation and biodiversity mitigation.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application for the erection of 11 affordable dwellings, including modifications to the vehicular access, the formation of parking areas, gardens and landscaped open space. The application had come to committee for determination because part of the site was on Dorset Council owned land.

The site location within Sixpenny Handley was shown, together with photographs of the site, the existing access arrangements and views from the public highway. Photographs of the surrounding area were also presented, along with a plan showing the relationship of the site to nearby heritage assets. It was confirmed that there were no designated heritage assets on or immediately adjacent to the site.

Flood risk mapping was displayed, showing some areas of surface water flood risk across the site, and it was noted that the site lay within the National Landscape. The proposed site layout was shown, demonstrating that the scheme would utilise the existing access.  The scheme would deliver 11 affordable dwellings secured through a Section 106 agreement, meeting an identified local need, with one unit designed to be wheelchair accessible. The development was assessed against Policy LN4 as an exception site for affordable housing and Policy KS2, and it was noted that the site lay within a walkable distance of local services and amenities.

Members were advised that the Council could not currently demonstrate a five‑year housing land supply and that the tilted balance therefore applied. The proposed density of approximately 27 dwellings per hectare was described as comparable with other development within the village and the housing mix was considered to align well with local needs. Elevations of the proposed dwellings were shown and the proposed materials included, brick, flint, timber cladding and natural slate roofs, which were considered appropriate materials for the area. Proposed floor plans were also presented.

A soft landscaping plan was shown, indicating appropriately sized front and rear gardens, boundary planting and landscaping throughout the site. It was explained that the scheme included sufficient parking provision. In total, 59 parking spaces were proposed, including 24 spaces to serve existing neighbouring dwellings.

The landscape impact assessment was explained, including the zone of theoretical visibility, which indicated that visibility would be limited to close proximity and elevated viewpoints only. When real‑world obstructions were taken into account, visibility would be further reduced. Photographs were shown to demonstrate views from the wider area and it was concluded that the development would be perceived as part of the existing village rather than as an isolated or intrusive addition.

In relation to the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, it was noted that three rooflights were proposed and considered acceptable. Permitted development rights would be removed to prevent additional rooflights being added in the future, and the scheme was considered to integrate with the existing built form rather than introducing a new source of lighting.

The drainage strategy was outlined, showing that the site lay within Flood Zone 1 and that the dwellings had been positioned largely outside areas of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

Carry out works and repairs to undercut training wall & replace fencing.

The Senior Conservation and Design Officer presented the application, which sought consent to carry out works and repairs to a wall and to replace sections of fencing. The application had been brought before the committee because the land was owned by Dorset Council.

A location plan was shown identifying the application site and the position of Lawn Bridge. Photographs were displayed showing the approach along the road, the bridge in its current condition and existing bollards.

The proposed works were outlined, which included the replacement of the fencing leading up to the bridge, underpinning the base of the wall, and the careful removal, consolidation and replacement of the stone parapet and coping. An elevation of the bridge was shown to illustrate the proposed repairs. It was explained that the works would require the temporary dewatering of a small section of the river in order to allow concrete to be poured into the bridge foundations.

In addressing biodiversity considerations, the Conservation and Design Officer confirmed that no protected species had been identified on the site. Appropriate mitigation measures would be implemented during construction, and it was specified that no vegetation or scrub removal would take place during the bird nesting season. Traffic management arrangements were also outlined, with a full road closure required for approximately six weeks. A diversion route was shown on a map to demonstrate how traffic would be managed during the works.

It was proposed by Cllr Fry and seconded by Cllr Pothecary that the application be granted.

Decision: That the application be granted subject to the conditions set out in the appendix 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.

There are no exempt items scheduled for this meeting.  

There was no exempt business.