Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chairman, Councillor Toni Coombs, the Vice- Chairman, Councillor Shane Bartlett, assumed the Chairmanship of the meeting.

He appointed Councillor Robin Cook as Vice-Chairman for the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Toni Coombs (Chairman), Mike Barron, Mike Dyer and Julie Robinson.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or personal interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct.  In making their decision 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.

Cllr Bill Trite – being one of the two Ward Members for minute 268 - decided to speak as part of the Committee, so as to be able to vote on that item accordingly.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2022 were agreed as a true record.

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 Monday 4 April 2022.

Please refer to Guide to Public Speaking at Planning Committee attached.

Representations by the public to the Committee on individual planning applications are detailed within their respective minute. There were no questions, petitions or deputations received on other items on this occasion.

To consider the applications listed below for planning permission:-

5a) 6/2021/0314 - Demolition of former school, buildings & structures. Erection of 90 dwellings & the formation of a new vehicular access from Northbrook Road at the Purbeck Centre (former Grammar School), Northbrook Road, Swanage.

5b) 3/19/2378/FUL - Change of Use and Conversion of Four Existing Agricultural Buildings to form 9 Dwellinghouses, Works and Alterations to other Outbuildings and Associated Landscaping and Demolition of Redundant Buildings as amended by plans rec'd 17/7/20 to revise window sizes and positions on Unit D; show provisions for refuse collection and add a parking space and plans rec’d 4/1/22 to propose access via the existing road to the south only (and not to the west via the existing agricultural track) at Grange Farm, Colehill, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4HX.

5c) 3/21/1277/FUL - Change of use and conversion of existing redundant agricultural building into 2 no 4 bedroom dwellings at Bedborough Farm, Uddens Drive, Colehill, Wimborne, BH21 7BQ

6/2021/0314 - Demolition of former school, buildings & structures. Erection of 90 dwellings & the formation of a new vehicular access from Northbrook Road at the Purbeck Centre (former Grammar School), Northbrook Road, Swanage.

The Committee considered application 6/2021/0314 for the demolition of the former school, buildings and structures and the erection of 90 dwellings and the formation of a new vehicular access from Northbrook Road at the Purbeck Centre (former Grammar School), Northbrook Road, Swanage.

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.

The planning history of the site was drawn to the Committee’s attention, with the site history being explained. Members were informed that the northern part of the site had received planning permission at appeal for 52 houses and could be enacted and that the southern part of the site had outline planning permission for 39 houses, with the possibility of a reserved matters application being submitted, allowing the application to enact this permission.

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 detached, semi-detached, terraced and apartment block properties were designed, along with their ground floor plans and elevations; how it would look; proposed street scenes; the materials to be used; how utility services would be provided and accommodated and by whom, including what waste management provision there would be; drainage and water management considerations; access and highway considerations; open space and SANG arrangements; the means of landscaping, screening and tree cover, and its setting within that part of Swanage and the wider landscape – particularly within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

What affordable housing would be available – 30 units – was mentioned, as well as how this proportion compared to that being proposed for the northern and southern application sites respectively. Whilst the affordable housing provision would meet the need in the area, as this number was below the 50% threshold, vacant building credit was being applied, which housing officers were satisfied with.

Officers showed the development’s relationship with other adjacent residential development – including that Compass Point development being built on the western side of Northbrook Road, and the Little Birds preschool and St.Mary’s Primary School - 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 and to properties in the adjoining neighbourhood. Views into the site and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 268.

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.