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 Bell declared an interest in item 5, due to having voted on the application when it was considered by Weymouth Town Council and so did not take part in the debate or vote for that application.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2025.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2025 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.  Guide to Public Speaking at Planning Committee.

The deadline for notifying a request to speak is 8.30am on 02 September 2025.

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.

Replacement and strengthening of harbour walls F and G through installation of new sheet pile walls in front of the existing walls, for the portion of the new wall where it is located above the mean low water mark, tie bar extension and ground works, works to the footpaths, creation of open space along with ancillary works.

Appendix 1 – Committee Report from 23 January 2025

Appendix 2 – Update Sheet from 23 January 2025

Appendix 3 – Committee Report from 27 February 2025

Cllr Bell left the Council Chamber at 10:08

Cllr Northam and Cllr Shortell stated that they had not been present at one of the previous meetings where the application was considered previously and had not watched the recordings of those meetings. They moved to sit in the public speakers section of the room and did not participate in the debate or vote on this matter.

Cllr Bawden and Cllr O’Leary stated that they had watched the recording of the application from the Committee in January, when they weren’t present and so would participate in the consideration of the application.

The Lead Project Officer presented the application, which was for the replacement and strengthening of harbour walls F and G in Weymouth. It was explained that the application was being brought to the committee for determination again, as the parallel Marine Management Organisation application was yet to receive approval.

The site was highlighted on a map of the area and the different areas of jurisdiction were identified on the plans. It was explained that the applicant had advised that work wouldn’t be started until the marine licence had been granted. The revised wording of condition 7 was shown to members.

It was proposed by Cllr O’Leary and seconded by Cllr Christopher, that the application be granted.

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

Alterations and extensions to the existing building comprising: elevation changes at ground and first floor level; changes to light-wells; construction of new floor space at second and third floor level to create 10 no dwellings; increase the height of the existing roof pitch on the south elevation and insertion of new windows; installation of gates at both ends of the ground floor arcade; and installation of ancillary plant and equipment. Change of use of part of hairdresser floorspace at 39 St Mary Street to a retail unit, with the remaining floorspace to accommodate ancillary residential facilities.

Cllr Bell returned to the Council Chamber at 11:17

Cllr Northam and Cllr Shortell move to the members section of the room.

The Senior Planning Officer presented the application for alterations and extensions to an existing building, to create an additional 10 dwellings. It was explained that it had come to the committee for determination as the officer’s recommendation was contrary to the view of the Town Council and local Ward Member.

The building fell within the Weymouth Town Conservation Area and the nearby listed buildings and non-designated heritage assets were highlighted on a map. These included the Grade I listed St Mary’s Church, which was adjacent to the application site.

The site had consent approved in 2021, however it was explained that this had since lapsed and since then new flooding data had been released, which was now being considered.

Photographs of the building from the front and rear street were provided, as well as a photograph showing the proximity of the adjacent church to the building. Members were shown the proposed and existing elevations of the front and rear of the building, as well as the proposed and existing floor plans.

Flood risk was considered high for a 1 in 30-year event and medium for a 1 in 200-year event, based on data from the Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment. The applicant had submitted an evacuation plan for residents in the event of a flood, however this was not considered sufficient to mitigate against the risk due to the distance to a safe location and the route crossing deeper areas of flooding. The applicant had also referenced the Environment Agency’s flood alert system, however as officers couldn’t guarantee that potential residents would be signed up for this system, this wasn’t considered an appropriate mitigation measure against the risk of flooding.

In terms of character and heritage, the Senior Planning Officer explained that the scheme had been redesigned since first being submitted and that although there were improvements, the terracotta render and lack of detailing on the frontage of the building meant that officers considered that the visual appearance would detract from the character of the area.

There were several amenity concerns noted by the Senior Planning Officer, these included loss of light and outlook onto a neighbouring property and there were two flats where, due to the design of the top floor, both outlook and natural light would be limited. In addition, due to the nearby placement of trees to one side of the building there would be limited sunlight in one of the flats, while no assurances could be made that these trees could be cut back.

It was noted that there were benefits to the application, including 10 new dwellings in a sustainable town centre location and the economic benefits associated with the new dwellings, however it was considered that these did not outweigh the substantial harms identified.

Mr Howard-Dobson spoke as the agent for the application. He stated that the application would provide 10  ...  view the full minutes text for item 28.

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 scheduled exempt business for this meeting.

There was no exempt business.