Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Sarah Williams.

To receive any declarations of interest

Cllr Susan Cocking declared an interest in minute 27 as she had previously considered and voted upon the application as a member of Portland Town Council Planning Committee.  She did not take part in the debate or vote on this application.

Cllr Nick Ireland declared a non pecuniary interest in minute 28 as he had made the application on behalf of his wife.  Cllr Ireland withdrew from the meeting during consideration of the application.

Cllr Simon Christopher declared an interest in minutes 25 and 26 as there were many people in the Loders area that were known to him.  Cllr Christopher withdrew from the room for consideration of these applications.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2019 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.

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.

Full planning permission for the erection of 99 open market dwellings & affordable dwellings, a new doctors surgery, a replacement village hall, a car park, a new village green, new vehicular and pedestrian accesses and works to Warmwell Road. An outline application for the erection of 401 open market and affordable dwellings, the provision of 2.5ha of employment land, new vehicular and pedestrian accesses, roads, footpaths and cycleways, a car park for the proposed Site of Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and 2 pumping stations; and a full application for the change of use of 22.4ha of land to Site of Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).

The Chairman announced that the application would be deferred to the September meeting.

The Development Manager explained that since publication of the agenda there had been discussions with both the agent and the minerals team resulting in potential re-wording of conditions and section 106 agreement.  A letter from the Rambler's Association following publication of the agenda relating to the footpath diversion also needed to be addressed more fully.  The outstanding matters would be clarified in the application when considered at the meeting on 5 September 2019.

Demolition of an outbuilding and the conversion and extension to an outbuilding to form a dwelling together with associated works.

The Chairman withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this item and the Vice-Chairman was in the Chair.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application for the demolition of an outbuilding, the conversion and extension to an outbuilding to form a dwelling. The stone barn was listed as a curtilage building to the main listed building on the main street and was outside of the settlement boundary.

Members were shown a site location map and the context of other developments in similar locations in relation to the village and the River Asker; and advised that Local Plan Policy SUS3 allowed the conversion of buildings outside of the settlement boundary.

A previous permission for conversation of both barns into holiday accommodation had been approved.  The southern barn was a more modern basic structure whereas the northern barn was used as a stone store and of considerable character.  The proposal sought to retain and extend the stone barn into a 4 bedroom property and remove the other more modern southern barn. It was considered that the stone barn was suitable for conversion with appropriate conditions; including details of the stone work, roof materials, doors and windows. There would be a distance of 60m between Barn Lodge and the proposed new dwelling.

Officers highlighted the key planning points including the principle of development, scale, design and impact on character and appearance, impact on amenity, impact on landscape and heritage assets, access and parking.  An additional planning condition to demolish the southern barn prior to commencement of conversion works had been included in an update sheet circulated to members. The proposal offered the benefit of bringing an historic outbuilding back into use and maintained in years to come.

Philippa Theophanidis, long term resident of Loders and co-owner of a field to the East of Barn House, addressed the committee in objection of the application.  She drew attention to the landscape preserved as a wildlife haven, the scale of the development outside the Defined Development Boundary (DDB), and the increase in volume of the extension that would create a precedent for other developments outside the DDB.

Diane May, a Loders resident, spoke in objection to the proposal, drawing attention to the Loders Neighbourhood Plan; the unsuitability of the location in the flood plain; the impact of pollution on the open backland area; the approval of 4 homes within the DDB; and that the proposal represented a new build that did not provide the type or size of home needed in the village.

Cllr Michelle Warrington addressed the committee on behalf of Loders Parish Council in objection of the application, saying that it was subject to the terms of the Local Plan policy SUS3 in relation to the adaptation and re-use of buildings outside the DDB.  The proposal contravened part 1 of this policy as it required that a building would not be substantially rebuilt or extended, whereas this proposal represented a significant increase in floor area that would not be offset by the removal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Demolition of an outbuilding and the conversion and extension to an outbuilding to form a dwelling together with associated works.

The Chairman withdrew from the meeting during consideration of this item and the Vice-Chairman was in the Chair.

The Committee considered the application for listed building consent for the demolition of an outbuilding and alterations and extension to an outbuilding to facilitate the conversion to a dwelling.

In light of the refusal of the planning application, the Development Manager advised that the committee would need to specify why the proposal did not conserve or enhance the listed building, based upon the West Dorset & Weymouth Local Plan (2015) policy ENV4 in relation to heritage assets.

Cllr Louie O'Leary proposed refusal of the application as contrary to West Dorset & Weymouth Local Plan (2015) ENV4 - heritage assets.  The size and scale of the extension was not in keeping with the existing listed building.  This was seconded by Cllr Susan Cockings.

Decision:- that the application be refused for the reason outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

 Erect first floor balcony.

Cllr Susan Cockings did not take part in the debate or vote on this item.

The Development Manager presented the application for the erection of a first floor balcony.  The key planning points were highlighted including neighbourhood amenity, design/visual amenity and impact on the character of the conservation area and on the setting of listed buildings.  She drew attention to the concerns of the Conservation Officer, however, it was considered that there was a balance in an area containing a combination of residential and commercial elements.

Judith Frost, whose property was Rantner's Lodge and The Dead House, addressed the Committee in objection of the application due to overlooking and its overbearing nature that was out of keeping with the conservation area.  The balcony was immediately above a dark footpath with the risk of falling debris.

Members noted that The Joinery building had previously received a Civic Society Award and that this was a mixed area that was increasingly becoming residential. 

Proposed by Cllr Kate Wheller, seconded by Cllr David Shortell.

Decision:- That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

 Provision of handrail & access ramp to replace the existing steps at the lychgate.

Cllr Nick Ireland left the room for consideration of this item.

The Development Manager presented the application to provide a handrail and access ramp to replace the existing steps at the lychgate.

The Highways Officer explained that there were conditions involving construction of works within the public highway to ensure the work was completed in a satisfactory manner.

The Committee recognised the equalities benefit that this would have in improving access to the church.

Proposed by Cllr Louie O'Leary, seconded by Cllr Kate Wheller.

Decision:-  That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the appendix to these minutes.