Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Peter Barrow.

To receive any declarations of interest

Cllr Louie O'Leary declared a non-pecuniary interest in WP/19/00415/OUT - Land East of 61 Bowleaze Coveway, as he had spoken against the application at a meeting of the Weymouth Town Council Planning Committee.  He advised that he would speak for 3 minutes as the ward councillor and thereafter withdraw from the meeting during consideration of this application.

Cllr Simon Christopher declared a non-pecuniary interest in WD/D/19/001020/FUL and WD/D/19/001021/LBC - Sort, Powerstock, due to suggestions made in the public domain that he had predetermined these applications.  Although he did not believe that to be the case and had also received legal advice to that effect, due to the particular circumstances he would withdraw from the meeting during consideration of these applications.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 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.

Restoration and alteration of a farmstead, comprising of five small buildings, including the addition of a small bedroom extension.

Cllr Simon Christopher left the room during consideration of this application and the Vice-Chairman was in the Chair.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the application for the restoration and alteration of a farmstead, comprising of 5 small buildings and including the addition of a small bedroom extension.

The Committee was shown a site location and curtilage plan; aerial view of Powerstock showing public bridleways; a site constraints plan and existing site plan of the farmhouse cottage, studios, cart shed / office, stables, kennels / tractor shed; a proposed site plan and floor areas for the existing and proposed site plans and a proposed demolition plan.  The farmhouse and barn were grade 2 listed along with a number of curtilage listed outbuildings.

For each element of the application slides were shown of the floor plans and elevations alongside photographs and visual representations of each element of the application including:-

·       Sort Farmhouse

·       Sort Farm Studios

·       Sort Farm Stables (grade 2 listed and previously used as                    accommodation)

·       Cart Shed

·       Kennels

The floorplan of Sort Farmhouse included the new build bedroom extension and slides were shown of the various elevations of the dwelling and extension and their relationship.

The Conservation Officer had raised an objection based on the heritage implications, however, the Committee was advised that the harm to the buildings through their alteration needed to be balanced against the material benefits of bringing the buildings back into use.  The heritage Implications and public benefits of the scheme were outlined and are listed below:-

Heritage Implications

•        Statutory duty to have special regard to the desirability of preserving a listed building and/or its setting

•        Reflected by the adopted Local Plan Policy ENV4 and NPPF 2019 Section 16

•        Conservation Officer provided advice to Case Officer and Committee as Decision Maker

•        The Case Officer and the CO agreed that the proposals represent less than substantial harm to the listed buildings’ fabric and character and their setting

•        This harm has considerable importance and weight and creates a presumption against planning permission

•        That presumption can be outweighed by other material considerations/public benefits if powerful enough

   Public Benefits

•        In this case the significant public benefits were:

–    Preservation of the buildings from their ruinous state and securing a viable use

–    Re-instatement of the use of historic buildings as residential living accommodation

–    The proposals are modern additions that stand apart from the historic structures assisting in preserving the identity of the listed buildings

–    The proposals will make a positive contribution being transformed from ruin to beneficial use – which can be experienced by walkers/riders using the public bridleway/footpath that run through the site

–    The historic bridges on site will be repaired

•        These significant public benefits are considered to outweigh the less than Significant Harm to the listed buildings

In conclusion, the Senior Planning Officer stated that the existing buildings were poorly constructed and had not been maintained for decades.  The applicant sought to preserve the buildings and keep them  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

Restoration and alteration of a Farmstead, comprising of five small buildings, including the addition of a small bedroom extension.

(Please note that this application is included in the report in agenda item 5a)

Cllr Simon Christopher, left the room during consideration of this application and the Vice-Chairman was in the Chair.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the application for Listed Building Consent for the restoration and alteration of a farmstead, comprising of 5 small buildings, including the addition of a small bedroom extension.

Proposed by Cllr Louie O'Leary, seconded by Cllr Nick Ireland.

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

Erection of up to 6 holiday units with associated landscaping.

Cllr Simon Christopher rejoined the meeting and was in the Chair.

Cllr Louie O'Leary moved to the public seating area.  Following public participation he left the room during consideration of this application.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the outline application for the erection of up to 6 holiday units with associated landscaping.

Members were shown a location plan with the site adjacent to the Defined Development Boundary (DDB); an aerial photo with outline of the site and neighbouring properties at Bowleaze Coveway and Waterside Holiday Park; an indicative site plan showing how 6 holiday units could be accommodated on the site and indicative elevations showing what the units could look like.  Retention of an ecological corridor to the east of the site was protected by way of condition. 

A number of photos were shown from the field gate into the site, further towards the holiday park, looking back at the site and No 61 Bowleaze Coveway, looking down the road in the other direction with the Riviera Hotel in the background, the other existing field gate and relationship of the site to No 61 Bowleaze.

An update sheet circulated to the Committee at the meeting included proposed amendments to condition 5 (due to a typographical error) to change the date from 31/01/2023 to 31/01/2030 in the interests of ground stability.

A further 3 consultation responses had been received since the writing of the report, however, the issues raised had been covered in the report.

Derek Brown, of the neighbouring property, stated that at the time his home had been built the planning authority wanted to protect the buffer zone between his home and the holiday camp.  Most of the windows in his home faced the application site and would lead to a lack of privacy.  Further concerns included road safety, the lack of a reception area and parking, late night noise and closure during the winter months.  Speed bumps and crossing points had been put in place at the holiday park due to traffic concerns and having units at the application site would detract from these measures. 

Cllr Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council Ward Member for Littlemoor and Preston, stated that Weymouth Town Council Planning Committee had objected to this application.  He highlighted significant erosion in that area; the creation of water run offs in unpredictable areas due to the development; the need to preserve the existing biodiversity corridor to ensure its effectiveness; and the impact of the development in moving pedestrian traffic further up the hill in between parked cars when there were traffic crossings at the holiday park.

Cllr Louie O'Leary, Dorset Council Ward Member for Littlemoor and Preston read a statement on behalf of neighbouring residents Mr & Mrs Sharp.  They were concerned about surface water drainage, the lack of a reception to deal with issues such as late night noise disturbance, the inappropriateness of the development close to a Band G council tax area, the importance of the green space between the residential area and the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

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.