Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from …

John Worth and Sarah Williams

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.

Cllr Nick Ireland responded to allegations that he had been employed by the applicant in relation to Application P/FUL/2022/01957 - Eweleaze Farm, Eweleaze Farm Campsite, Osmington, DT3 6ED. 

He confirmed that he had not been employed by the applicant at any time, however, his children had been employed by the applicant in the past.

He further declared that he was a member of Osmington Parish Council who objected to the application, however he did not offer an opinion on any application that comes before the Parish Council.

Cllr Paul Kimber stated that he had predetermined Application WP/18/00662/FUL - Land off Verne Common Road and Ventnor Road, Portland and would not take part in the debate or vote on this application.  However, he wished to address the committee as the Ward Member on this application.

Cllr Susan Cocking declared a non-pecuniary interest in Application WP/18/00662/FUL - Land Off Verne Common Road and Ventnor Road, Portland as she had worked with the applicant as lead councillor on a Portland Town Council building project. She advised that she would not take part in the debate or vote on this application.

Cllr Louie O’Leary declared that a number of residents of Crossways had contacted him on democratic process and governance aspects in relation to Application P/FUL/2022/01957 - Eweleaze Farm, Eweleaze Farm Campsite, Osmington, DT3 6ED.  He confirmed that he had made no comments on the application and had a full and open mind and can take part in the debate and vote on this item.

General legal advice was given with regard to the committee members’ participation on the previous two occasions when the application, subject of item 5c had been considered.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th June 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 attached to this agenda.

The deadline for notifying a request to speak is 8.30am on Tuesday 5 July 2022.

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 agricultural land to camping site for 42 days per year.

An update on the application had been included in an update sheet circulated to the committee prior to the meeting.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced a presentation, which showed the site location, an ariel photograph which located the holiday park and photographs from the north-eastern corner of the site.

The presentation highlighted the key issues such as, the camp site’s location on an AONB, a heritage coast, world heritage site and the South Dorset Coast SSSI and the threat to biodiversity and traffic.

The presentation also outlined the background of the site which covered 36.2 hectares and 9 camping fields, operated 28 days of the year under permitted development rights.

The operation period was announced, and the committee was informed of the site boundaries, as well as the supporting information which showed the camp sites during operation and the planning history of the site which had two recent planning applications.

The planning officer recommended the refusal of a previous application for the site due to concerns raised pertaining to the width of access and the nature of the roads in the area. However, the highways authority did not put forward any formal objections to the current application.

The presentation also informed the committee of the economic benefits such as, payroll, direct expenditure and visitor and tourism expenditure but also added that the economic benefit is not sufficient to overcome the harm to the landscape.

Jill Dunning, addressed the committee in objection to the application as

Chairman of the Osmington Mills Protection Group. She covered issues such as, traffic during the holiday season, visitor numbers, campsite disturbance, damage, weakening the character of the countryside, the concern with setting a precedence if allowed and she encouraged the committee to ensure that the AONB was preserved.

Jane Lock, a local resident in the area, addressed the committee in objection to the application. She made the committee aware of the issues of campfires, expressed concerns of discarded toilet paper, the smell of urine and littering along the coastal path which came from the campsite as well as human waste leaking out of eco-toilets into the SSSI protected cliffs and requested that the air quality should be checked.

Charlotte Dempsey was invited to address the committee and spoke about the commercialisation of the countryside and the 28 days festival like atmosphere, while walkers tried to enjoy the countryside. She expressed that the camping was not discreet or hidden from view, and equipment was located right at the edge of the coastal path.

Peter Broatch, the Applicant addressed the committee in support of the application, with a focus on what the campsite would provide such as products, services, and a stable operating schedule. The applicant added that many people return to the campsite, and the campsites offered great value for local society, which provided a large amount of accommodation without built up infrastructure.

The applicant expressed a wish to continue to return the land to farming after the season and pointed out that biodiversity would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The Team Leader Introduced a report for the installation of mural artwork on cladding boards on Weymouth Library Great George Street Weymouth Dorset DT4 8NN. The mural is being considered by the committee as it is on council owned land.

The Team Leader informed the committee that the mural is a collaboration between Weymouth BID and Weymouth Town Council. Which will enhance the town’s economic regeneration. The report covered the site location, showed photographs, maps, of the northeast gate wall which the artwork will be displayed on. Also, the planning history and a photo of library centre was outlined.

The officer informed the committee that the murals aim at filling blank space, and provided visual interest, and the presentation red line showed the scale of the mural on the library building. The proposed mural artwork was on life and learning. The Civic society raised concern on labelling which was then withdrawn.

There were concerns raised over deterioration/renewing which were clarified as the mural will be painted onto cladding boards which can be removed/ updated if necessary.

The main issues were covered by the officers and had been discussed with conservation teams. The mural was thought to enhance the conservation area, improve visual quality, and provided a piece of art for visual improvement.

The officer recommended that planning should be granted.

Debbie Redding, the Agent, addressed committee in support of the application confirming that the town council would carry out regular inspection and maintenance,

Cllr Kimber raised concerns over graffiti and maintenance/protection.

The Agent confirmed that Weymouth town council will maintain it and it is not the responsibility of Dorset Council to maintain the artwork.

Proposed by Cllr Kate wheller, seconded by Cllr Pipe

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

Develop vacant land by the demolition of garage, formation of vehicular access, erection of 25 dwellings & associated landscaping.

The Senior Planning Officer introduced a presentation to develop vacant land off Verne Common Road & Ventnor Road, Portland by the demolition of a garage and formation of vehicle access and erection of 25 dwellings.

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation showing the site, outlined the three tiers of housing, 59 parking spaces, the materials used, provision of affordable housing, key issues, recommendation to refuse and that the application is on this planning committee agenda as had been the subject of a committee resolution, in February 2020 and September 2021, but the decision has not yet been issued. Since the most recent committee resolution, the Council has published an updated five-year housing land supply statement for the West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland area, identifying a supply of 5.85 years, not including the proposed housing included in this application.

This means that the material considerations had changed since the previous resolution was made and it is therefore necessary for the application to be brought before Committee again for consideration.

The legal agreement for the site has not been completed.

The Architect of the application was invited to speak on behalf of the applicant. He informed that in 2016 on the main part of the 7-8 houses were granted and the council determined the site to be tenable. The architect claimed that the land supply statement was completely inconsistent with previous advice. He also added that the loss of open space value is not the case officers’ previous advice, the site was private and of minimal amenity value. He also told the committee that the planning inspector advised that the Council should take advantage of housing supply.

Cllr Paul Kimber addressed the Committee as the Ward Member and urged the committee to look at this and reject this application which was on important green space that offered amenity to the local community.

The Senior planning officer went on to inform the committee that the Section 106 Agreement was not ready to complete, and a decision had not been issued.

The members were invited to ask technical questions by members.

The Chairman invited members to debate

.

Cllr Nick Ireland declared that although he knew the Applicants, there was not a close connection and no social involvement with them.  He noted that the application had been granted by the committee on two previous occasions and that the scheme would provide 5 affordable homes.

Cllr Kate Wheller proposed that the application be refused in line with the report recommendation.  She knew the area well and plots of land on Portland had been built on continuously.  She noted the recent position with the 5-year housing land supply and that the Council would not be forced to build on every green space.

The Senior Planning officer informed the committee that Portland Town Council had objected to the application. This information had been included in the update sheet circulated to the committee prior to the meeting.

Proposed by Cllr Kate Wheller, seconded by Cllr Kelvin Clayton.

Decision: That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

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 was no Exempt Business