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 2 December 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 December 2020 were confirmed and would be signed at the first opportunity.

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.

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 a report by the Head of Planning.

The Committee considered application 3/19/2437/RM on a proposal for a

development comprising 312 dwellings, public open space, vehicular, cycle

and pedestrian access, connections to the SANG, landscape planting and

surface water attenuation features at land west of Cranborne Road,

Wimborne Minster.

 

The application had previously been considered at the meeting in October 2020, but determination of the application had been deferred so that certain issues could be satisfactorily addressed before further consideration of any approval could be made.

 

Officers had since negotiated further with the applicant on those outstanding issues to see what could be achieved and how they might be resolved. The applicant had now responded with what officers considered to be satisfactory and acceptable revisions, based on positively accommodating those issues raised; namely:-

 

• Approach to renewable energy - photovoltaic panels now to be provided, instead of the WWHR option
• Use of chimneys / detailing – a further 27 chimneys to be added

·       Design of the Amherst Block in the south eastern corner - the Amherst block had now been relocated to the nearer the centre of the development, amongst other dwellings of a similar height and, where this had been proposed to be sited, a two storey terrace block would replace it

• Design / use / function of the Urban Square - further design detail had been provided
• Private refuse collection concerns – the issues had now been resolved, with the layout now conforming to Dorset Waste Partnership guidance
• Control of lighting on private dwellings - condition 7 applied regarding external lighting on private dwellings
• Road construction for private roads – the road construction would conform to the Highways Authority adoptable standards, as necessary
• Landscaping on the western boundary - some improvements had been made, with additional landscaping to be made where possible
•  Connectivity - pedestrian, cycle and vehicular connections had been  identified
• Water quality impacts – a statement from the Environment Agency confirmed that there were no concerns arising, particularly which would compromise the quality of the water in the River Allen.

 

On balance, following receipt of amendments made to the scheme, officers now considered the proposal accorded sufficiently with the approved Design Code and outline parameters to be deemed acceptable, with any harm caused being outweighed by much needed housing supply secured on this strategic allocated site.

 

Clarification was provided by the Chairman that whilst the officers’ report and presentation would serve to contextualise the application, the Committee’s focus should be on those issues that were the basis of the deferment and that any debate and questioning should relate solely to that.

 

So, with the aid of a visual presentation, 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. What the outline planning permission entailed and the planning history were also detailed. The presentation focused on not only what the development entailed and its detailed design, but what benefits it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning.

 

The Committee considered application 3/20/0499/FUL for the erection of a multi-use games area (MUGA) comprising synthetic surface, 3m high perimeter ball stop netting and 8 x 8m lighting columns (additional and amended documents rec'd 6/7/20) at St Ives Primary and Nursery School, Sandy Lane, St Leonards and St Ives,

 

Since the application was deferred from consideration at the September

Committee meeting, amended plans had been submitted which had repositioned the proposed MUGA 3m east of its original proposed location.

 

With the aid of a visual presentation, officers provided context of what the main proposals, principles and planning issues of the development were; how these were to be progressed; how providing such a facility would benefit the school and the community as an option for exercise, health and well being; and what this entailed  - the pitch providing the means and flexibility for the community to benefit from it throughout the year, in all conditions.

 

Plans and photographs provided an illustration of the location and appearance of the MUGA; its design and what sports it could be used for; landscaping, access and parking arrangements; its relationship with the school, local amenity and neighbouring residencies and its setting within St Leonards and St Ives and the wider landscape. It was proposed to be available for use between 9:00am and 8:30pm, Monday to Sunday. During school hours it was anticipated that the MUGA would be used by the school but, outside of those hours, it would be made available for hire by third parties, with conditions applying to ensure that use was reasonable and acceptable.

 

In accordance with the Council’s responsibility for promoting health and wellbeing and the reduction of health inequalities across the county, the potential impact of the proposal on general health and wellbeing was seen to make a positive contribution by facilitating outdoor sport and increasing opportunities for physical activity which was important for the health and well-being of communities and in providing a community asset. As the site was located within a residential area, the amenity of neighbours and third party representations had been taken into account as part of the planning

appraisal, which had adjudged that the development was acceptable in planning terms, subject to conditions.

 

In summary, officers planning assessment adjudged that the merits of the application were that it was an acceptable facility within an urban area; being able to facilitate sport throughout the year and improving sport facility provision and opportunities. Whilst the increased intensity of use of the school field and the introduction of lighting would alter the character of the area, it was considered that the harm would be limited. Only a minor change to noise levels was anticipated and the design of the MUGA would limit light spill and noise levels to appropriate levels within the residential area. The proposed management plan to be implemented by the school in relation to third party users of the MUGA would regulate what could be done and when. All this formed the basis of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning.

 

The Committee considered an application - 6/2020/0297/FUL - proposing alterations to an existing building to form an additional ground floor, one bedroomed flat and a reduction in the size of the shop unit and installation of rooflights to its south elevation to serve the shop at 86 Wareham Road, Lytchett Matravers.

 

With the aid of a visual presentation, officers provided context of what the

main proposals, principles and planning issues of the development were; how

these were to be progressed; what the proposal was designed to do; and what this entailed. The planning history of the site was described too.

 

Plans and photographs provided an illustration of the location and appearance

of the development; its internal configuration and the modifications to be made to meet the needs of the development; what other alternative retail there was in the village; access, parking and highway considerations; its relationship with local amenity and neighbouring residencies and its setting within Lytchett Matravers. The arrangements for the residential habitation of the development and its relationship with the retail space and how this could be managed was described.

 

In summary, officers planning assessment adjudged that the merits of the

application was that it was an acceptable development, of an appropriate scale, size and design and acceptable in terms of impact on the character and appearance of the local area. The impact on neighbouring amenity, highway safety, biodiversity and drainage were also considered to be acceptable. It was considered that the dwelling would make a positive contribution towards the local housing supply, with the retail area still maintaining the scope for such an asset to benefit the community, so this formed the basis of the officer’s recommendation in seeking approval of the application.

 

The Committee were notified of a written submission received and officers read this direct to the Committee – it being appended to these minutes. 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.

 

Lytchett Matravers Parish Council had objected to the application considering that with the reduction of the available retail area, this would be insufficient for viability as a shop. The occupant of the adjacent property to north had objected on the grounds of loss of privacy to their residence by what was being proposed and the need for obscure glazing to mitigate this. Officers confirmed that the objector’s concerns would be duly mitigated.

 

One of the three local Ward members, Councillor Andrew Starr, was of a similar view to the Parish Council that what was being proposed would be insufficient to meet the need of the community. One of the other local members, Councillor Alex Brenton, agreed that the site was seemingly being overdeveloped and, whilst the flat was acceptable, the size of the shop would be inadequate for any meaningful business to prosper. She considered there was still a need for a convenience store, as before, in that part of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 163.

To receive and note recent appeal summary decisions.

For its information, the Committee received a summary of recent appeals – and their outcomes - to planning decisions made by the Council.

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.

Statements and written representations

 

3/19/2437/RM - Reserved matters details for 312 dwellings, public open space, vehicular, cycle and pedestrian access, connections to the SANG, landscape planting and surface water attenuation features at land West of Cranborne Road Wimborne Minster

 

Bob Mizon

 

I am in receipt of the e-mail from Development Management about the development of land west of the Cranborne Road, north of Wimborne. As I have stated in previous communications, I am in favour of such developments on the condition that their street lighting and exterior light fittings conform to a standard that will not impinge through direct and reflected light upon the dark night skies of the Cranborne Chase AONB and International Dark Sky Reserve immediately to the north.

All such lights on this development should be of the minimum brightness for the lighting task, to rule out excessive ground reflection, not exceed a Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT) of 3000K in the inteests of the well-being of both humans and local biodiversity, and be directed exactly where needed.

May I assume that, as happens with the vast majority of street lighting in Dorset, street lights will be switched off between midnight and 5 a.m., a measure that has proved itself nationally as a great money-and energy-saving and crime reduction strategy?

Simon Ible - Statement on behalf of Bloor Homes Limited

 

As Members may recall, a decision on this planning application was deferred at the

Planning Committee on 28th October for a number of reasons. Bloor Homes wishes to thank

Members for the opportunity to further improve the proposal before Committee today.

Bloor Homes has sought to positively engage with your officers and has responded

positively to all of the suggestions and requests made. We trust you will agree that the

amendments made have considerably improved the development and will further assist to

secure a high quality form of development for Wimborne.

 

In particular, we would highlight the following changes:

• Provision of photovoltaic panels to 82 homes, supplying 10% of energy from this

renewable source in accordance with outline requirements

• Additional chimneys have been added, to provide a further positive contribution to

the street scene

• Relocation of the Amherst apartment block away from Cranborne Road , with an

enhanced, architectural led design.

• A terrace of four homes, of a bespoke design, is now proposed on the frontage of

Cranborne Road

• The design of the urban square has been improved to create an attractive and

flexible space

• The internal road layout has been amended such that no private waste collection is

now needed

• The tree belt on the western boundary is to be further reinforced, with additional tree

planting proposed

• A footpath has been added to the eastern edge of the site, improving connectivity

for pedestrians.

Furthermore:

• The Environment Agency has confirmed that the SuDS strategy is acceptable, and

will have no potential impacts on water quality in the River Allen.

• Private roads, will be constructed to adoptable standards, as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 166.