Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from Councillor David Morgan.

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 10 February 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2021 were confirmed - with the exception of minute 173 - which the Committee – instigated by Councillor Bill Trite, one of the Ward Members for the application - considered needed revising to better reflect the decision made and what reasoning there was for this. Consequently, Minute 173 would be revised and resubmitted for acceptance and confirmation at the next meeting.

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 an outline application - 6/2019/0656 - for development on a rural exception site for 8 dwellings (6 affordable & 2 open market) together with details of access - with all other matters reserved - at Crack Lane, Langton Matravers.

Consideration of the application had been deferred on 10 February 2021 to allow officers time to consider of the latest results of the Housing Delivery Test and implications of this on Housing Land Supply. The application was now being considered on that basis.

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; 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 benefits it would bring and the effect it would have on residential amenity and the character the area.

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 and how they were to 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; the means of landscaping, screening and tree cover, and its setting within that part of Langton Matravers and the wider landscape – particularly within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and what considerations needed to be made and criteria to be met for such a development being outlined.

Officers showed the development’s relationship with other adjacent residential

development and how the buildings would be 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 were shown, which provided a satisfactory understanding of all that was necessary.

How the relationship between the provisions of the Local Plan and the NPPF  were  applied  and what considerations needed to be given to each were explained as well as the weight to be given to each, As each proposal must be determined on its merits in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicated otherwise, how this was to be applied in practice and what this meant for this application was explained.

Officers took the opportunity to emphasise how their assessment had been made and their reasoning for coming to that view, this being that on 19 January 2021, the Housing Delivery Test: 2020 measurement results were published with the Purbeck Local Plan area being found to have delivered only 74% of the total number of homes required. Therefore, in accordance with National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) footnote 7, it was adjudged that the Purbeck housing policies were out of date. Accordingly, as housing policies were the most important  ...  view the full minutes text for item 180.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning.

The Committee considered application 6/2020/0154 to erect of three dwellings and associated parking at land at Priests Road, Swanage.

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. The presentation focused on not only what the development entailed and its detailed design, but what benefits it would bring and the effect it would have on residential amenity and the character the area.

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 and how they were to 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; 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) and what considerations needed to be given and criteria met for such a development being outlined.

Officers showed the development’s relationship with other adjacent residential

development and how the buildings would be 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 -  a triangular parcel of land - and around it were shown, which provided a satisfactory understanding of all that was necessary.

In coming to their balanced judgement, officers considered that as the Purbeck area had not provided the necessary housing delivery over the past three years, current housing policies were out of date and there was a presumption in favour of sustainable development as set out in paragraph 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework. The development would not result in harm to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty nor any other protected area. The development was considered to be acceptable in principle, of an appropriate scale, size and design and the impact on neighbouring amenity, highway safety and drainage are also considered to be acceptable.

Whilst the proposal was seen to result in an adverse impact arising from the loss of green infrastructure and loss of potential for tree planting improvements, this was not adjudged to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of the development when assessed against the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework taken as a whole. In these circumstances, and in accordance with the provisions of thn NPPF paragraph 11, approval was being recommended.

The Committee were notified of a written submission received and officers read these direct to the Committee.

Formal consultation had seen Swanage Town Council object on the grounds that there would be a loss of important historic green space, adverse Impact on nature conservation interests and biodiversity opportunities, was contrary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 181.

To consider the outcomes of recent planning appeals.

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.