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.

Cllr Bill Trite declared that he was pre-determined for agenda item 6. It was agreed that he would not take part in the discussion or debate but would speak as the local ward member. 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25^th October 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 25^th October 2023 were confirmed and signed.  

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.  Guide to Public Speaking at Planning Committee

The deadline for notifying a request to speak is 8.30am on Monday 4^th December 2023.

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.

Demolition of dwelling and erection of four dwellings.

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and photographs, the Case Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning considerations to members with reference to relevant Development Plan policies and government guidance. Photographs of the site and its context were shown. The Case Officer informed members that the site was within character areas identified by the Purbeck District Townscape Character Appraisal Supplementary Planning Document and the Swanage Local Plan.  The site also lay within the Dorset Heathland and Poole Harbour recreation zones but could rely upon mitigation provided by Supplementary Planning Documents to avoid harm to these protected sites. Members were provided with information on the site’s planning history, particularly highlighting a previous appeal decision and previous planning applications which had been refused. The officer’s presentation identified the relationship with adjoining properties, proposed mitigation to prevent overlooking and identified that some overshadowing of neighbouring properties to the north would arise. Members were informed of the work that the applicant had done in response to previous concerns regarding the scale and materials of the proposal. Street scene plans were provided to illustrate how the development would relate to neighbouring buildings. Members were informed of the intentions for access to be provided from an unadopted road to the west and proposed conditions to secure parking areas. The officer’s recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

Public Participation

Mr J Cain spoke in objection to the application on behalf of the owners of the Grey House (25/27 De Moulham Road). He noted that the proposal had gradually reduced in size however, he considered the three-storey proposal would cause harm and represent an overbearing development. He identified harm to the wider setting and AONB and referred to the officer’s report which stated that the development was bulky in scale. He considered it would be inconsistent to judge the proposal anything but overbearing and was concerned that it was situated on a higher site. Mr Cain urged members to consider Purbeck Local Plan and Swanage Local Plan policies, NPPF guidance, and consider the long-term impacts that granting permission would have on the character of the area.

Mr A Davies spoke on behalf of the applicant. He highlighted to members the work that the applicant had done to respond to previous concerns and objections, there would be no overlooking to ‘Oceana’, and no habitable windows faced either neighbour. He commented that the Town Council had not objected to an earlier application for redevelopment on this site. He identified that the photographs in the officer’s presentation demonstrated a visual gap and contended that there was room for development on the site which would integrate into the street scene. Mr Davies referenced the AONB and informed members that the proposal contributed to the Purbeck housing supply. He hoped members would support the officer’s recommendation for approval.

The Local Ward Member addressed the committee and discussed the proposal before members. He considered the various applications had steadily changed from bad to undesirable.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

Demolition of existing single storey dwelling and erection of new single storey dwelling.

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Case Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning considerations to members. Photographs of the proposed elevation and garage with the provision of solar panels, street scenes and indicative 3D visuals to address neighbours’ concerns were presented. Members were informed that the site was within the settlement boundary and within the Ballard Down Area of Distinctive Local Character. A distinction was made between the army barracks on the eastern part of the Ballard Estate which have informed the more regimented character of that area and subsequent development of the western area in which the application site is located. A historic plan was included in the presentation showing the site’s southern garden as an open area prior to its incorporation into the curtilage. The officer provided comparisons of the existing and proposed block plan and elevations and comparisons with the previously refused plans. Visuals were provided to inform Members of the impact on views of the wider landscape and on neighbouring amenity. It wa noted that the proposal would be more visually prominent than the existing bungalow, however, no harm had been identified regarding neighbouring amenity. The officer’s recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to conditions set out in the officer’s report.

Public Participation

K Beech -  Ken Parke Planning

Ms K Beech, speaking on behalf of  Ballard Estate residents, explained that the application site is located on a prominent corner of the access road into the estate.  Due to its larger footprint, mass,  full height glazing,  and the projection of the building line south into an existing open area, the proposal would appear visually intrusive and overbearing and, negatively impact views of Ballard Down resulting in significant harm to the character of the area. She expressed concern that the extended property could become two storey in the future. Harm to residential amenity to neighbouring properties was expressed and that the the proposal didn’t comply with planning policies such as Purbeck, and Swanage Local Plan or guidance within the NPPF.

Mr P Collis of the Ballard Estate explained that he considered this to be an important application. He informed members that over recent years the estate had welcomed well designed and integrated homes, however, was disappointed with the proposal before him as he didn’t feel as though it complied with policies. Mr P Collis provided comparison figures to illustrate that  amendments to the scale of the building compared with an earlier refusal remained out of keeping with other properties  on the estate in terms of footprint and that the extensions proposed are disproportionate to the existing dwelling. He expressed his disappointment with the amended scheme due to the limited changes in terms of height, location, and scale expressing the view that this would be the largest property on the estate, 25% larger than any other. He felt as though the site would be highly visible and would negatively impact the landscape.

A statement on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

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. 

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There are not exempt items scheduled for this meeting.

There was no exempt business.