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.

Cllr Bolwell declared an interest in items 5c, as Chair of Bridport Town Council Planning Committee he was predetermined.  He was open minded on items 5d and 5h but elected to leave the committee and not take part in the debate or vote.

Cllr Clayton declared an interest in items 5c, 5d and 5h as he was predetermined.  He did not take part in the debate or vote.  He elected to speak as ward member on item 5c

Cllr Williams declared an interest on item 5d as a member of the Harbours Committee, the application had not been discussed and she had an open mind on the item.

Louie O’Leary was predetermined on Littlemoor and had have spoken against the application.  He elected to, not partake in debate or vote, but to speak as ward member.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 August 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 August 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

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.  Guidance for speaking at Planning Committee - August 2022.pdf (dorsetcouncil.gov.uk)

The deadline for notifying a request to speak is 8.30am on Tuesday 11 October 2022

Cllr Bolwell read a statement on behalf of Cllr David Rickard (Leader of Bridport Town Council) in relation to item 5c on the agenda.

To consider the applications listed below for planning permission

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

Application for approval of reserved matters for access, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of 500 dwellings and associated works in relation to outline applications WD/D/16/000739 and WP/16/00253/OUT comprising: up to 500 dwellings, including affordable housing; up to 8 ha of employment land (to include a new hotel, residential care home, car show rooms and other employment land); land for a new primary school; a new local centre; public open spaces, new accesses and roads, and associated infrastructure

Cllr O’Leary had declared an interest in this item and did not take part in the debate and vote.

The Lead Project Officer introduced the application which sought approval of reserved matters for access, layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of 500 dwellings and associated works in relation to outline applications WD/D/16/000739 and WP/16/00253/OUT comprising: up to 500 dwellings, including affordable housing; up to 8 ha of employment land (to include a new hotel, residential care home, car show rooms and other employment land); land for a new primary school; a new local centre; public open spaces, new accesses and roads, and associated infrastructure.

This was the first reserve application for the scheme which was for the residential element only.

The Planning Benefits of the application were outlined in detail by the Lead Project Officer, including the provision of affordable housing, open spaces, and contributions to education, medical surgeries and other associated infrastructure.

The Lead Project Officer detailed the housing mix summary and advised that the affordable housing was front loaded and would therefore, be provided in the early stages of development.

In his summary the Lead Project Officer highlighted the principle of development, sustainability factors, the key planning issues of the proposed scheme, the access, layout, open spaces, scale and size of dwellings, the appearance of the urban character and landscaping. These were all supported by artist impressions and drawings of the application.

The reserved matters application was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

Oral representation was received from Mr Brett Spiller the agent for the applicant in support of the application.

Oral representation in objection to the application was received from Cllr Roland Tarr.

Cllr Louie O’Leary addressed the committee as ward member and asked for a number of amendments to be added.

The Transport Development Liaison Manager responded to Cllr O’Leary’s highways requests by explaining that there was no justification at the present time to ask for the speed limit on the Littlemoor Road to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph, or for the upgrading of the pedestrian crossings,

however, there would be the opportunity to look at the other crossings as the phasing took place.

In response to committee questions, members were advised that 80% of the apartment blocks would have dual aspect windows. In cases where both parties were in agreement variations could be made to the section 106 agreement through a deed of variation.

Cllr Worth suggested that members encourage colleagues on Weymouth Town Council to pursue a lower speed limit on the Littlemoor Road as a separate matter.

Proposed by Cllr Bolwell, seconded by Cllr Pipe

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

Cllr Ireland did not take part in the debate and vote as he was not present for the first part of the officer presentation.

Erect extension to form cellar.

The Development Management Team Leader presented the application to Erect an extension to the front porch area of the existing social club to extend the existing cellar.  The application had come to committee as Dorset Council was the landowner and it was recommended for approval subject to conditions.

In response to member questions the Development Management Team Leader confirmed that the application was to extend the porch area with its own external access to be used as a cold store and not create an underground cellar

Proposed by Cllr O’Leary, seconded by Cllr Bolwell.

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

Removal of existing boundary and internal walls, and creation of 6 no. parking spaces for home delivery vans and associated electric charging points, 2 no. customer collection parking spaces and 2 no. taxi waiting spaces. Erection of free standing canopy in loading bay area, replacement trolley and staff shelters and associated development including boundary treatments and access.

Cllrs Bolwell and Clayton had declared an interest in this item, they did not take part in the debate or vote.

The Development Management Team Leader presented the application for the removal of existing boundary and internal walls at the site, and creation of 6 no. parking spaces for home delivery vans and associated electric charging points, 2 no. customer collection parking spaces and 2 no. taxi waiting spaces.  The erection of free standing canopy in loading bay area, replacement trolley and staff shelters and associated development including boundary treatments and access were also outlined.

The application had been brought to committee for determination as part of the application site is owned by Dorset Council

The Development Management Team Leader explained that the application site was very visual in the Bridport Conservation area.  Members were shown an ariel view of the site with the burgage walls and the view from the road. 

The Conservation Officer had considered the walls to be a non-designated heritage asset although not on the local list of heritage importance.  It was accepted that Waitrose wanted to move forward with the site and Officers hoped to be able to negotiate with Waitrose on the materials to make it visually more pleasing and enhance the conservation area. As it stood the current proposal would result in less than substantial harm to the character and appearance of the Bridport Conservation Area, which would not be outweighed by any public benefit

The application was therefore recommended for refusal.

Oral representation was received from Mr Simon Gregory on behalf of Waitrose and from Cllr Clayton as ward member, in support of the application.

The Development Management Team Leader was invited to respond to the comments from the speakers.

In response to member questions the Development Management Team Leader advised that the Conservation Officer had been to inspect the wall and had accepted that it could be removed and a plaque installed with the historic information relating to the wall, it was the materials to be used in the replacement that was not considered to enhance or preserve the area.  A financial viability assessment had not been supplied by the applicant.

The committee felt that the wall looked unsightly and being behind a supermarket considered that the improvements proposed by Waitrose would outweigh the potential costs to the heritage site.  It would create a better public amenity, be more accessible, offer better car parking options, taxi spaces and electric car charging points.  They did not believe there would be any substantial negative impact on the area which was currently a service yard, it would enhance the business and not harm the conservation area.

Adjournment 11:59 – 12:05 in order for Planning Officers to put together some suggested conditions.

Proposed by Cllr O’Leary, seconded by Cllr Worth.

Decision: That authority be delegated to the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to grant subject to conditions which will have first been agreed in writing with the chair of the Southern and Western  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41c

Demolition of existing and erection of replacement boat shed.

Cllrs Bolwell and Clayton had declared an interest in this item, they did not take part in the debate or vote.

The Development Management Team Leader presented the report for the demolition of existing and erection of replacement boat shed on land owned by Dorset Council.

The requested change was modest and would upgrade the building.  Being well distanced from the nearest residential neighbour it was not considered to have any impact on visual amenity and was therefore recommended for approval.

Proposed By Cllr O’Leary, seconded by Cllr Williams.

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

Erect 4.No. River Lodges and realignment of the existing access track.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the report which sought approval to erect 4.No. River Lodges and realignment of the existing access track.  The committee were given a description of the site and a resume of its history including the fire damage caused in 2017.

In August 2022 the committee had approved an application for 6 orchard rooms.  The proposed River Lodges would be two storey, they had been amended and reduced in height since originally submitted and each would have its own car parking space.

Visual presentations highlighted the floor plans and elevations and the key planning issues were summarised.

The recommendation was to delegate authority subject to completion of a Section 106 agreemen.

Oral representation was received from Mr Ed Grant the Agent and Cllr Rebecca Knox, ward member, in support of the application.

Members considered that the viability of the site needed to be maintained and were supportive of the application.

Proposed by Cllr O’Leary, seconded by Cllr Pipe.

Decision: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning or the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to grant subject to planning conditions as set out in the appendix to these minutes.

And

That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning or the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to refuse planning permission for the reasons set out in the appendix to these minutes if S106 agreement not completed within 6 months.

Application for approval of reserved matters of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of Outline approval WD/D/18/000115 for 100 dwellings with associated infrastructure and public open space

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application for approval of reserved matters of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of Outline approval WD/D/18/000115 for 100 dwellings with associated infrastructure and public open space.

The Senior Planning Officer referred to the amendments on the update sheet that had been circulated to the committee members

Details of the proposed layout, scale, appearance and landscaping proposals were presented with the location plan slides, including an aerial view of the site

The housing mix ranged from 1 bed flats up to 4 bed houses, with a 35% allocation of affordable housing.  Public open space, a green and play areas were included within the proposal together with an attenuation area with a large underground storage tank.

A variety of designs and materials would feature with some variations in building heights.  The main planning issues were summarised.

Oral representation in support of the application was received from Ms Julie McLaughlin on behalf of the applicant.

In response to questions as to why there was no cycle path included and the current 60mph speed limits on the Broadwindsor Road, Officers explained that the outline permission application had not required cycle access, just a footpath link, and that the current position of the 30 MPH speed limit would be moved to the west of the site if this development proceeds.

Proposed by Cllr O’Leary, seconded by Cllr Bolwell.

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

Development to provide 16 glamping pitches and associated parking area

Cllrs Bolwell and Clayton had declared an interest in this item, they did not take part in the debate or vote.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application to provide 16 glamping pitches and associated parking area

Members were shown an aerial view of the site which was located within the Area of Natural Beauty (AONB) and advised that glamping pitches had previously been approved on the adjacent site.  This additional proposed site has previously been used for touring pitches and each glamping pitch would have one allocated parking space.

The glamping units were considered less visually intrusive than the touring vans currently permitted on site.

Key planning issues were summarised and the recommendation was to grant subject to conditions, two of which had been amended on the update sheet.

Members were advised that there would still be space for touring vans on the site, with reduced capacity, but the number was unknown.

Proposed by Cllr O’Leary, seconded by Cllr Cocking.

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.

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.