Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mike Barron.

To receive any declarations of interest

The following declarations were made:-

Councillor Kate Wheller declared an interest in Application WP/20/00477/FUL - Adult Education Centre, 45 Dorchester

Road, Weymouth, DT4 7JT as Chairman of the Corporate Parenting Board and confirmed that she had not been involved in discussions in relation to this application.

Councillor Sarah Williams declared an interest in WD/D/20/001420 - Lyme Regis Harbour, The Cobb, Lyme Regis as a member of the Harbours Committee.  She confirmed that the application had not been considered by the Harbours Committee and that she had not pre-determined the application.

Councillor Louie O'Leary also declared an interest in WD/D/20/001420 - Lyme Regis Harbour, The Cobb, Lyme Regis as a member of the Harbours Committee and confirmed that he had not pre-determined the application.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 November were confirmed and would be signed at a future date.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Public speaking has been suspended for virtual committee meetings during the Covid-19 crisis and public participation will be dealt with through written submissions only.

Members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area, may submit up to two questions or a statement of up to a maximum of 450 words.  All submissions must be sent electronically to denise.hunt@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by the deadline set out below.  When submitting a question please indicate who the question is for and include your name, address and contact details.  Questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda.

Questions will be read out by an officer of the council and a response given by the appropriate Portfolio Holder or officer at the meeting.  All questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.  The deadline for submission of the full text of a question or statement is 8.30am on Tuesday 1 December 2020.

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 the existing church and erection of 18 flats (including at least 6 affordable units) with associated external amenity space and parking spaces.

The Committee considered an application to demolish an existing church and the erection of 18 flats (including at least 6 affordable units) with associated external amenity space and parking spaces.  The application had been previously considered in July 2020 and had been brought back before the Committee due to a change to the terms of the Section 106 Agreement.

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation of the proposed site within the Defined Development Boundary and the Connaught Road Conservation Area.  The church was a 1960s structure in a poor state of repair. 

Members were shown the site of the existing church in relation to other dwellings in the immediate area.  A block plan indicated the footprint of the proposed development and existing wide bell mouth access that would be reduced to 5m. The proposal included a new pedestrian access, amenity space, recycling store, cycle racks (1 per flat) and 18 parking spaces, the majority of which were undercroft parking.

The relationship with the bungalow at No 16 Buxton Road which was at a higher level to the rear of the proposed development had been explored and a plan and associated photographs demonstrated that the outlook across Portland Harbour and Portland from the bungalow would be maintained as a result of the proposed development.

A particular feature of the floor plans included pop out windows on the rear and east elevations which would be obscure glazed to mitigate overlooking of nearby properties. A plan of the proposed street scene showed the development would be 0.7m lower than the Victorian Villas, 5.6m higher than the existing church and a distance of 22m from the front of the bungalow at No 16 Buxton Road.

The main planning issues were highlighted including:-

·         principle

·         residential development within the DDB

·         minimum 35% affordable housing provision

·         contribution towards the 5 year housing land supply

·         effect on the Conservation Area and residential amenity

·         highway safety

The Senior Planning Officer explained that it had been necessary to amend the draft S106 Agreement due to a change in the way affordable housing schemes were funded by Homes England.  This meant that 35% could be funded via the S106 Agreement and although it remained the intention of Sovereign Housing to develop an 100% affordable housing scheme, this could not be guaranteed.

Public written representations received were read out at the meeting and are attached to these minutes.

Cllr Brian Heatley, Dorset Council Ward Member for Rodwell & Wyke, highlighted that the provision of 18 affordable housing units had been a balancing factor that outweighed objections by residents when the application was considered in July 2020 and that he hoped that this could still be the case. 

Responding to comments made during public participation, the Senior Planning Officer advised that he had met with the occupants of No 16 Buxton Road to discuss the impact on residential amenity due to overlooking and shading and that this had been mitigated by the use of obscure glazing and the 22m distance between the bungalow  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

Modification/discharge of planning obligations on section 106 dated 5th April 2016 (linked to planning application WD/D/14/002887).

The Committee considered a proposal for the modification/discharge of planning obligations on section 106 dated 5th April 2016 (linked to planning application WD/D/14/002887).

Members were shown a location plan of the site to the western side of Mosterton in a sustainable village location and block plan showing 5 pairs of semi-detached cottages. Ground works had commenced on site in respect of the foundations and sewerage.

The Senior Planning Officer explained that the existing Section 106 Agreement allowed for 4 affordable housing units or an off-site contribution to be made.  As a Registered Social Landlord, it was the intention of the applicant, LiveWest Homes Ltd, to provide 10 affordable housing units, (4 shared ownership and 6 social rent).

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

Decision: That authority be delegated to the nominated officer to modify the S106 agreement dated 5th April 2016 requiring the disposal of the 10 houses to LiveWest Homes Ltd.

Extension and repairs to existing slipway and extension of existing boat storage.

The Committee considered an application concerning the extension and repairs to the existing slipway and extension of existing boat storage.  The application was being considered by the Committee as the applicant was Dorset Council.

The Senior Planning Officer referred to an additional plan included in the update sheet circulated to members concerning boundary fencing that had been included in the plans list.

Members were given a presentation that included a site location plan and aerial view of the existing boat storage area; the proposed location of a 20m by 20m new raised platform to extend the area for marine craft to be stored and a 5m extension of the slipway. A post and chain fence would be installed on 3 sides of the structure that allowed increased capacity of the slipway storage area.  This was a sensitive site with the Conservation Area with a number of Listed Buildings in the area.

The key planning points were also highlighted.

Members asked about the impact of the Committee's decision should an objection be received by the Ministry of Defence and were advised that although an objection would be unlikely, if this were to be the case the matter would be referred back to the Committee.

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

Decision: That authority be delegated to the head of planning to approve the planning application subject to receipt of no objection from the Ministry of Defence or no comment is received by 8th December 2020.

Station 40 caravans - Variation of conditions 1 and 2 and removal of conditions 3 and 4 of planning permission 207358 (extending the season).

Following publication of the agenda, the application was withdrawn by the applicant.

A vote to continue the meeting was taken in accordance with Part 2,

Paragraph 8.1 of the Council's Constitution.

Decision: That the meeting be extended to allow the business

of the meeting to continue at 2.00pm.

Breach of planning: Demolition of original farmhouse and erection of a dwelling not in accordance with planning approval WD/D/17/002888 as amended via the approved non material amendment approvals WD/D/19/000355/NMA & WD/D/19/000624/NMA.

Prior to the committee meeting the application was deferred to the Area Planning Committee meeting on 7 January 2021.

Demolition of existing single storey modular building, glazed link corridor and privacy wall, change of use of existing property from office use to residential use on first and second floors, erect two storey residential children's home, installation of boundary fencing and railings and alterations to vehicle access and gates.

The Committee considered an application for the demolition of an existing single storey modular building, glazed link corridor and privacy wall and change of use of the existing property from office use to residential use on first and second floors, to erect a two storey residential children's home, installation of boundary fencing and railings and alterations to vehicle access and gates.  The application was being considered by the Committee as the applicant was Dorset Council.

Members were shown a location plan of the land and buildings in the area including Grade II listed Cranford House. The site was within the Defined Development Boundary for Weymouth and the Lodmoor Hill Conservation Area.

An aerial photo identified trees on the site, the vast majority of which would be retained as they were protected by Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs).  Two trees were to be removed in line with the Tree Officer's recommendations, one from the rear boundary with Park Lane and one adjacent to the access.

A number of photographs were shown of the site, the surrounding area and its relationship with Kildare Court which had a number of side facing windows potentially impacted by this development.  The existing access had been previously widened to accommodate mini buses and would now be narrowed as part of this proposal.  A considerable amount of tarmac would be removed in order to reinstate garden and amenity space with parking to the south of the site.

A shadow analysis presented as part of the design & access statement revealed only a slight change relative to the existing situation.  A shadowing photo presented by the Weymouth Civic Society who had objected to the scheme, showed a degree of overshadowing of the ground floor window at Kildare Court.  The Lead Project Officer had visited the occupants of the ground and first floors and was satisfied that the impact of the development was acceptable.

A representation on behalf of Dorset Council was read out and is attached to these minutes.

Members asked questions regarding the railings dividing the site, the width of the proposed access and how many bedrooms were to be provided.

The Lead Project Officer advised that although both buildings would be used by Children's services, the railings provided a degree of separation between the uses within the site.  Seven children could be accommodated in the children's home and the conversion to residential accommodation of No 45 would allow accommodation for young people such as care leavers and associated office use by Children's Services.  There would be a total of 12 rooms across the 2 buildings with communal lounge and kitchen areas.  He confirmed that the width of the proposed access of 3.5m would be satisfactory for access by emergency vehicles.

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

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

To inform members of notified appeals and appeal decisions and take them

into account as a material consideration in the Area Planning Committee's

future decisions.

The report was presented by the Area Manager - Western & Southern Team and was noted by the committee.

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.