Agenda and minutes

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.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct 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. 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 the applications listed below for planning permission

Members considered written reports submitted on planning applications as set out below.

The Committee considered application P/OUT/2021/04873 for outline application for Access and Layout to demolish a pair of semi-detached bungalows and replace with 5 x 3 bedroom dwellinghouses 97 High Street, Sturminster Marshall.

With the aid of a visual presentation, the Development Management Team Leader detailed the main proposals, principles and planning issues of the development. 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.

The planning history of the site was drawn to the Committee’s attention. Following previous refusal of the application, officers were now happy that the revised layout offered informality of street scene and would avoid the harm previously identified.

Plans and photographs gave detail of access and highway arrangements. Members were advised of the parking provision and a typo in para 15.26 of the report, which stated there would be 3 visitor car park spaces, when there were 4 proposed. This would accord with Policy KS12.  At this was an outline application, at this stage there was no provision to show the potential appearance of the houses.

A Biodiversity plan had been provided which identified the need to compensate for the loss of grassland, space for brown eared bats and other mitigation measures.  This would be dealt with via a financial planning obligation which was included in the officer recommendation to approve the application.

Oral representation was received from:-

Mr Paul Bennett in objection to the application.

Dr Marilyn Cash and Mr Neil McKeown, (the agent for the applicant) in support of the application.

Cllr Sonia Cade on behalf of Sturminster Marshall Parish Council in objection to the application.

The Development Management Team Leader was invited to respond to the comments made by the speakers, following which the committee members debated the application.  Their debate and questioning focussed around the lack of a turning head, bin storage, management of the private road, flood risks, the possible materials used for the driveway and the emerging Neighbourhood Plan.

It was felt that the application before the committee had overcome the shortcomings of the previous scheme and was in accordance with the findings of the Planning Inspectorate.

Proposed by Cllr Mike Dyer, seconded by Cllr Shane Bartlett

Decision: That the application be delegated to the Head of Planning to grant subject to conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes and the completion of a satisfactory planning obligation or Refuse if a satisfactory planning obligation was not provided.

The application was being considered by the Planning Committee as Dorset Council owned part of the site.

The Planning Officer presented the report. 

With the aid of a visual presentation, members were shown details of the site location, planning designations, and an aerial view of the site together with views from the Highway, which also detailed accesses to the site.

The new square canopy would allow fuelling for up to 8 vehicles at any one time from 4 fuel pumps.  It would be raised slightly to allow HGV and delivery lorries access but would not adversely impact the area.

The Planning Officer responded to concerns from neighbours regarding petrol sales with an additional informative note which was provided as part of the presentation.

The application was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

A written representation was read on behalf of Cllr Beryl Ezzard in support of the application.

Committee members were given the opportunity to ask questions of the Planning and Highways Officers. In relation to advisory signs for traffic turning in and out of the garage the committee was advised that this was not enforceable.  There was some member discomfort regarding the condition and age of the underground fuel storage tanks and the risk of land contamination.  In response to a question asking if a full survey could take place on the condition of the fuel storage tanks before construction started the Planning Officer advised such a request was outside of the planning process which was why the additional informative note had been added in the report

Proposed by Cllr Bill Trite, seconded by Cllr David Morgan.

Decision: that the application be granted subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes and the additional informative note.

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.