Agenda and minutes

To provide the opportunity for the Chairman to commence proceedings and make any necessary introductions.

The Chairman explained that, whilst it had been intend to hold the meeting in person for the first time since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, in the light of the increasing Covid-19 case rates and the projected increases through August and into September, in consultation with group leaders, the Chief Executive had exercised his emergency powers to revert to informal virtual meetings.

Accordingly, for this meeting - where a decision was required - it was delegated to the most appropriate officer to make the decision, having listened to and taken into account the views expressed by the wider Committee membership. Arrangements were in place on that basis.

The Chairman also took the opportunity to explain how the meeting would take place, the way this would be done and the reason for this. She explained the protocols and processes to be followed and that doing so give gave the Council the ability to continue to fulfil its obligation of delivering the planning function and determining applications.

The Chairman also took the opportunity – on behalf of the Committee - to welcome Councillor Mike Barron to the Committee and to thank Councillor Brian Heatley for his valued contribution whilst he had served on the Committee.

As this would be the last meeting for both Colin Graham and Mike Potter she also extended sincere thanks to them for their valued contributions and advice in the past and wished them both well and for every success for the future.

To receive any apologies for absence

No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests 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.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 April 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of 7 April 2021 were noted and acknowledged.

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 - i.e. by 10.00 am on Monday 26 July 2021. 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 - 6/2019/0639 ­­- for up to 15 residential dwellings, site re-profiling and associated infrastructure, with all matters reserved apart from vehicular access from West Lane at Land North of West Lane, Stoborough, Wareham

The Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement considers that the concerns raised by the Parish Council warrant the application being considered by the planning committee.

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 effect it would have on residential amenity and the character the area, including the Dorset AONB and taking into account the policies against which this application was being assessed, with consideration also being given to the Arne Neighbourhood Plan.

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

properties would 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 and screening and its setting within that part of Stoborough and the wider landscape - including the AONB the nearby heathland and its proximity to the River Frome.

Officers showed the development’s relationship with other adjacent residential

development 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. Views into the site and around it were shown, which provided a satisfactory understanding of all that was necessary. As part of the scheme, a footway would be provided linking the development to the village

How the relationship between the proposal and the provisions of the Local

Plan; the NPPF and the Arne NP were applied and what considerations needed to be given to each were explained, as well as the weight to be given to each.

In summary, officers planning assessment adjudged that the overall design of

the development was considered to be largely acceptable, with all,

significant, planning matters having been appropriately, or adequately,

addressed. Having assessed the material considerations these

were seen to be acceptable and sufficiently compliant with national and local

planning, so the recommendation being made by officers to approve the application was based on this.

The Committee were notified of the written submission received – from the agent of the applicant - and officers read this direct to the Committee – 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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 198.

To consider a report by the Executive Director of Place.

The Committee considered a report by the Director of Place which explained that, following the advertising of proposed implementation of parking restrictions in Pony Drive in Upton, objections had been received to the proposals. Consequently, the Committee was now being asked to give consideration to those objections and decide whether the proposals should be implemented as advertised. The waiting restrictions on Pony Drive, Upton were seen to be necessary as a result of unregulated parking that was causing congestion and safety issues.

With the aid of a visual presentation, officers explained the reasoning behind the need to impose the waiting restrictions and the basis on which the objections received had been made. Photographs and plans were shown to the Committee by way of illustration. These showed where the proposals would be situated, the character of the roads and their setting within the town in that Pony Drive lead to a residential area, situated opposite a free car park that was used predominantly for walkers using Upton Country Park, there being another pay and display car park in an easterly direction approximately three hundred metres from Pony Drive.

What was being proposed was designed to improve the safety situation and congestion being caused by unregulated parking on or near the junction of Pony Drive and Poole Road.

Objections received considered that the new proposals would serve to disenfranchise those residents who wished to, or needed to, park on street or visitors to them and the inconvenient this would cause.

When the public consultation completed, those objections raised enabled Dorset Council to consider a revised proposal which could well better accommodate residents and visitors – this being ‘No Waiting Between the Hours Of 9.00am and 5:00pm’  The views of Lytchett Minster & Upton Town Council and Local Councillors were sought on this. However, they

confirmed their decision to continue to support the original proposal.

Two of the local Ward Members for Lytchett Matravers and Upton – Councillors Alex Brenton and Bill Pipe - supported the proposals, as did the Town Council, as mentioned previously

Officers acknowledged that whilst the changes would not necessarily be universally welcomed, on balance, they were considered to be beneficial and, on that basis, were now being recommended for approval as advertised.

Notwithstanding the objections received, the wider community had seemingly accepted the proposals, so they were now being recommended to be implemented on that basis.

Of some consideration was that the Upton House, BCP managed car park had recently started charging for its use that this had seemingly coincided with and exacerbated the issues being seen on Pony Drive, with displaced parking needs being met there instead. It was felt that the Upton House car park could be better utilised with improved signage, its proximity to the house and in being more convenient.

The implementation of a ‘No Waiting at any Time’ restriction along sections of Pony Drive would address the issue of inconsiderate and potentially dangerous parking whilst improving access at junctions for large vehicles including refuse  ...  view the full minutes text for item 199.

To receive and consider, as necessary, a summary of recent planning appeal decisions.

A planning appeals summary was presented to Committee for its information and consideration.

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.