Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from Cllr Louie O'Leary who experienced technical difficulties in accessing the meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2021 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 4 May 2021.

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.

Change of use of A3 restaurant to a mixed A3 restaurant and A5 hot food take-away.

Members received a presentation on the application including planning considerations of impacts on amenity, highways and parking.  In response to a question, the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the opening hours specified in the condition were in line with other takeaways in the area.

A concern was raised regarding rubbish generated by the restaurant being frequently left outside of the restaurant bin storage area, particularly within the context of the environmentally sensitive area of the nature reserve.

A proposal for an additional condition to address this concern was discounted following advice from the legal representative.  A suggestion that this would be most effectively achieved through an informative note was subsequently supported by the committee who were mindful of the need to respect the area of the lake and bird sanctuary.

Members also asked about the parking provision and were informed that there was an adjacent car park and that any existing parking restrictions would remain in place.

Proposed by Cllr John Worth, seconded by Cllr Susan Cocking. 

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

Erection of a fence.

The Committee considered an application to erect a fence in order to stop golf balls hitting users of the new South West coastal path which was in accordance with Health & Safety regulations.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application and highlighted the key planning issues including the principle of development; visual amenity, AONB and Heritage Coast.

Members asked about ongoing maintenance of the fence and it was suggested that the relevant condition could be amended to ensure that it was retained in a dark green colour in future which was supported by the committee.

Proposed by Cllr Sarah William, seconded by Cllr Kate Wheller. 

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

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.