Agenda and minutes

To disclose any pecuniary, other registerable or non-registrable interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure 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.

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

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 08 February 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 08 February 2024 were confirmed and signed.

To consider the applications listed below for planning permission

Members considered written reports submitted on planning applications as set out below.

P/OUT/2021/05309: Development of up to 80 residential dwellings, together with open space, allotments and enhanced drainage features (outline application to determine access only).

P/FUL/2021/05255: Change of use of agricultural land to Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and temporary formation of a construction haul road.

(The reports from the July 2023 and September 2023 Committee meetings have been added as appendices to the report).

The Lead Project Officer presented both applications P/OUT/2021/05309 and P/FUL/2021/05255, it was explained that these applications had been brought before the committee in July 2023 and September 2023 and the committee had been minded to approve both applications, however they had been brought back to committee due to new material considerations that could impact the decision that members made.

With the aid of a visual presentation, including maps and aerial photographs, the Lead Project Officer outlined the proposals and the locations of the application sites.

The material planning considerations, which had changed since the September 2023 meeting of the committee were highlighted and included a revised NPPF published in December 2023, updated Housing Delivery Test figures and a revised statutory duty for Areas of Outstanding Natural Beaty.

The updated Heads of Terms for the Section 106 was shown to members and the Case Officer highlighted the recommended changes, should the committee decide to grant permission.

Public representations were received in opposition to the applications from Mr Cady, Mr Young, Mr Spenceley, Cllr Diamond (Broadmayne Parish Council) and Cllr Tarr (Ward Member). Their objections included the view that Broadmayne was an unsuitable location for a development of this size and there was not the necessary infrastructure in place to support additional homes within Broadmayne. In addition, the application went against the NPPF and Local Plan and there was not a need for a SANG as Broadmayne was already well serviced by the countryside.

Public representations in support of the applications were received from Mr Jones, the applicant and Mr Stone (Abri Housing). They noted the increasing demand for affordable housing within Dorset and Broadmayne, highlighting a property that had become available, which had received 124 applicants from the Dorset Council Housing Register. In addition, Mr Jones explained that following comments from one member at the previous meeting, they had looked into moving the location of the SANG car park but had been advised against this change by Natural England.

In response to questions from members, the Lead Project Officer clarified that 70% of the affordable homes would be affordable rented accommodation and a further 30% would be intermediate housing and that approximately 28 dwellings in total would classify as affordable housing.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of each application, several members felt that the new material considerations did not impact the decision made at the previous meeting of the committee and expressed support for both applications and the amended Section 106 Heads of Terms.

Proposed by Cllr Ireland and seconded by Cllr Wheller.

P/OUT/2021/05309 Decision: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to grant subject to the completion of S106 Agreements and the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes.

Proposed by Cllr Ireland and seconded by Cllr Wheller.

P/FUL/2021/05255 Decision: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

Proposed change of use including alterations to form 13 residential flats with ancillary accommodation and communal facilities (red line extended to include grounds and garden of manor).

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application for the proposed change of use, including alterations to form 13 residential dwellings with ancillary accommodation and communal facilities. It was explained that the main reason for it being brought to the committee for determination was due to a flood risk issue that had resulted in an objection from the Environment Agency.

The location of the application site was shown to members, as well as the existing and proposed floorplans of the property. It was explained that suggestions from the Environment Agency to mitigate the impact of flooding, such as raising the floor levels, was not possible due to the property being a listed building. The flood modelling showed that the worst-case event for flooding would result in 9cm depth of flooding and this was considered to be a 1 in 100 year event.

The Senior Planning Officer highlighted the main planning issues and explained that there would be a £132,000 affordable housing contribution from the scheme.

The Legal Business Partner responded to the applicant’s submission about Vacant Building Credit and advised that it in the view of officer’s, having considered the submissions, it did not apply to this scheme.

Public representations were received from Mr Russel, a local resident, who supported the application, however expressed concern over increased light pollution that could impact local wildlife. Mr Bell, the agent spoke in support of the application, noting the importance of restoring an impressive local building and bringing it back into use. Cllr Tarr, the Ward member, also spoke in support of the application.

Members expressed support for the application noting that this would be a good use of the building and would help preserve it for the future.

Proposed by Cllr Ireland and seconded by Cllr Worth.

Decision:

A)   That authority is delegated to the Head of Planning and the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to approve subject to:

1) satisfactory outcome of referral to Secretary of State (due to Environment Agency objection);

2) Completion of satisfactory section 106 agreement to secure affordable housing financial contribution (£132,173); and

3) Planning conditions (as set out in the appendix to these minutes).

B) Refuse planning permission for the reason set out below if the S106 legal agreement is not completed by 31st September 2024, or such extended time as agreed by the Head of Planning.

Demolition of existing rear extensions, erection of ground and first floor rear extensions. Erection and relocation of ancillary buildings. Other internal and external works and addition of modern low energy services.

The Planning Officer presented the application for the demolition of an existing ground floor extension and erection of a ground and first floor rear extension and relocation of ancillary buildings and internal works. It was explained that this had been brought to the committee for determination due to one of the applicants being an employee of Dorset Council.

A map and aerial photograph showed the location of the application site and it was explained that it was located within the Long Bredy Conservation Area and the Dorset National Landscape.

The Planning Officer highlighted the key planning considerations of the application, as well as photographs of the dwellings and nearby properties, which had extensions.

The proposal was considered to be in accordance with objectives of policies in the Local Plan and the public benefit of providing living improvements would outweigh the less than substantial harm to the heritage assets.

Proposed by Cllr Kimber and seconded by Cllr O’Leary.

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

Demolition of existing rear extensions, erection of ground and first floor rear extensions. Erection and relocation of ancillary buildings.  Other internal and external works and addition of modern low energy services.

The Planning Officer presented the Listed Building Consent application for works to the listed buildings. The two listed buildings were outlined on a map and it was explained that in addition to those, the two neighbouring properties either side were also listed.

The key considerations were highlighted by the Planning Officer and the works to the listed buildings were outlined. It was considered that the proposed works would cause less than substantial harm to the heritage assets and this was outweighed by the public benefit.

Members were in agreement that the proposal did not pose any issues.

Proposed by Cllr Clayton and seconded by Cllr Ireland.

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

Create WC on ground floor of hotel, within the back stairs.

The Conservation and Design Officer presented the application to install a ground floor WC in a Grade II listed building in Weymouth, it was explained that the application had come to the committee for determination because the application site was on Dorset Council owned land.

Members were shown photographs of the exterior of the building and the location of the site was highlighted on a map of Weymouth. The application site fell within the Weymouth Town Centre Conservation Area.

The proposed works were outlined to members and included the removal of four steps in order to install the WC, which would result in the loss of historic material and prevent the use of the stairs in the future. It was considered that the proposal would cause irreversible harm to the listed building, with limited public benefit.

In response to questions from members the Conservation and Design Officer provided the following responses:

·       The applicant had not explored an alternative location for the WC within the building.

·       The staircase was not currently being used by the applicants.

·       This proposal would prevent future use of the staircase by any potential future tenants.

Several members expressed support for the application given the minimal harm that they believed the proposal would have on the listed building and the benefit of supporting the business in providing accessible facilities for their customers.

Proposed by Cllr Ireland and seconded by Cllr O’Leary.

Decision: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to grant subject to planning conditions, the wording of which shall first have been agreed with the Chair of the Southern and Western Area Planning 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.

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 is no exempt business scheduled.

There was no exempt business.