Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Kate Wheller and Cllr Louie O'Leary.

To receive any declarations of interest

Councillor Sarah Williams declared a non-pecuniary interest in application WD/D/19/001887 - Harbour Masters Office, The Mound, Quayside, West Bay as she was a member of the Harbours Committee.  She confirmed that this application had not been discussed by the Harbours Committee.

Cllr Nick Ireland stated that he had not pre-determined application WD/D/19/002390 - Mulberry House, Roman Road, Osmington, Weymouth, DT3 6ER, however, the applicants were his neighbours and therefore he would not take part in the debate or vote and leave the room during consideration of this application.

a)         To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2019.

b)         Clarification of previous minutes of meeting held on Thursday 4 July 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2019 were confirmed and signed.

Members were advised of an amendment that was necessary to the minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2020 in order to accurately reflect the decision that had been made by members. The omission in the minutes related to Application WP/16/00253/OUT and WD/D/16/000739 - Land to the North of Littlemoor, Weymouth and concerned an amendment to one of the items in the Section 106 Agreement to add the words highlighted in bold below:-

On site provision of Children's Play and Open Space Facilities and financial contribution of up to £478,162; the sum to be off-set against the value of the on-site provision.

Proposed by Cllr David Gray, seconded by Cllr Sarah Williams.

Decision: That the amendment to the minutes highlighted in bold be approved.

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.

Erection of 2 No. dwellings (Outline application – Access and Layout).

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the outline application for access and layout in respect of 2 dwellings.

A correction was made to the Ward Members contained in the report as being Cllr D Bolwell, Cllr S Williams and Cllr K Clayton.

Members were shown a site location plan that detailed the outline permission for one dwelling on the site that had already been agreed, a site layout plan / site section, a constraints map and site location aerial view. Although outside the Defined Development Boundary for Bridport there were other dwellings in that area. Photos were also shown of the site and its access from and onto Watton Lane from various directions.

An update sheet circulated to the Committee at the meeting provided an update following receipt of the Appeal Decision the previous week for land south of Westleaze, Charminster (Appeal Ref: APP/D1265/W/18/3206269.  Members were advised that the Planning Inspector concluded that the Council was unable to demonstrate a 5 year housing land supply for the West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland Local Plan area and that the position was greater than 4.12 years but less than 4.88 years.

Rachel Gershfield, who occupied a neighbouring property, addressed the Committee in objection to the application on the basis of damage to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the effect on her property and her life.  In respect of the latter, she advised that her bungalow had been built to benefit from the setting of the field and the sea, having large picture windows.  The increased use of the road would cause lack of privacy, increased pollution and disturbance from car headlamps. Providing 2 two storey homes showed a lack of concern for existing inhabitants and their quality of life and the development would completely overshadow her bungalow.

Philip Somerton objected to the number of houses which he considered to be speculative and unjustified with the same analysis reiterated for the previous permission for the single dwelling. He drew attention to light pollution from cars, road safety, concern regarding the AONB and obstruction of views from West Bay.  He stated that the habitat survey had been used in a different application and was not relevant for this site.

Richard Nicholls addressed the Committee on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).  He referred to Local Plan policies SUS2 and HOUS6 (ii) and asked whether the Dorset AONB team had been asked to comment on the proposal.  He felt that this application would undermine the Local Plan and set a precedent for development across Dorset outside of the Defined Development Boundary that would have a detrimental effect on the AONB. 

Simon Ludgate, the Agent, spoke in support of the application, stating that the site was surrounded on 3 sides by low density development and, whilst the outline application indicated the location of the properties, it did not contain details of their size or scale. The principle of development had been established on the adjacent site where outline  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

Conversion of part of existing storage barn to living space & office / meeting / drawing rooms associated with the live-work use of the site; and erection of single storey glazed link structure between the dwelling and the barn conversion. External alterations to the dwelling and existing workshop (amended description).

The Planning Officer introduced the application for the conversion of part of an existing storage barn to living space and office/meeting/drawing rooms associated with the live-work use of the site; erection of a single storey glazed link structure between the dwelling and the barn conversion and external alterations to the dwelling and existing workshop.

The Committee was shown a site location plan within the AONB and aerial views of the existing dwelling, section of the barn to be demolished, barn section to be converted and the existing workshop and outbuilding that would remain; the existing and proposed elevations of the dwelling and barns.

The key planning points were highlighted including principle of development,

scale, design impact on character and appearance, impact on amenity, impact on landscape or heritage assets.  The Officer’s main concerns were that the site was outside the development boundary, that the proposed extension would dominate the existing dwelling and that there would be an unacceptable impact on the unlisted heritage asset.

Rosemary Hamilton addressed the Committee in support of the application and read aloud a statement on behalf of Mark Addison, the immediate neighbour to the west side of the property.  He stated that the proposal would breathe life into the village as the building had languished and not been used for agricultural purposes for 17 years.  It would preserve a key village site, was a practical and imaginative reuse of a building that was currently an eyesore rather than an asset.  The applicant built to a high standard using materials that were sympathetic to the area and would be the best chance for the village to resolve longstanding uncertainty about the future of its central section.  The bulk of the new footprint would represent a conversion rather than an extension and the look of the site from the crossroads remained unchanged. Speaking for herself she stated that she was the applicant's fiancee and that this would be their home, that she had lived in Dorset throughout her life and had no plans to live elsewhere.

Cllr Ian Mitchell, Parish Councillor for Chilfrome stated that the application had the unanimous support from the Parish Council and its neighbours.  The site had been purchased in 2008 when it had been in a very poor state and subsequently renovated to a high standard and used as an upholstory building.  The large footprint of the 2 barns would be halved as a result of this proposal and would result in an improved appearance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

Erect 1 No. dwelling (part retrospective) to be used as holiday let accommodation.

Cllr Nick Ireland left the room during consideration of the application.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced the partly retrospective application to erect 1 dwelling for use as a holiday let.

Members were shown a plan that included the application building, Mulberry House, Osmington House (grade II listed) in the AONB; aerial view of site, frame plan and elevations. Photos of the site were from the Roman Road bridleway showing a substantial tree boundary and views of the proposed holiday let accommodation.

The key planning issues were outlined including the principle of the holiday let use and traffic movements which had received no objection by the Highways Authority.

A late representation received had been included in the update sheet circulated to members, raising concerns regarding the use of the bridleway which was unmade; the additional traffic that would be generated; the ability of the sewerage system to cope with the extra discharge and the disruption that a further sewerage line would cause to the trees and hedging along Roman Road.  Members were advised that sewerage would be a matter for building control.

Neil Williams, the agent, stated that the application concerned the use as a holiday let and that there was no change to the external appearance of the previously approved application.  The structure was connected to an underground foul system and its intended use would create no additional noise, was not detrimental to levels of enjoyment of neighbouring properties and met planning policies in full.

Proposed by Cllr Susan Cockings, seconded by Cllr Peter Barrow.

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

Change of use of part of the Harbour Masters Office from B1 to A1 (retrospective).

The Planning Officer presented the retrospective application for a change of use of part of the Harbour Masters Office from B1 to A1 use that had come before the Committee as the Council was the applicant.

Members were shown a location and site plan and photos of the shop frontage.  The key planning matters were outlined including the principle of development and impact on the local centre and heritage assets.  Officers considered that the goods sold were in keeping with the harbour and that the shop would support the vibrancy and vitality of the local centre at West Bay.

Proposed by Cllr Kelvin Clayton, seconded by Cllr Jean Dunseith.

Decision: That the application be approved subject to the conditions 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.