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 ???

The minutes of the meeting held on 02 April 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 Tuesday 05 May.

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.

Full planning permission for the erection of 99 open market dwellings & affordable dwellings, a new doctors surgery, a replacement village hall, a car park, a new village green, new vehicular and pedestrian accesses and works to Warmwell Road. An outline application for the erection of 401 open market and affordable dwellings, the provision of 2.5ha of employment land, new vehicular and pedestrian accesses, roads, footpaths and cycleways, a car park for the proposed Site of Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and 2 pumping stations; and a full application for the change of use of 22.4ha of land to Site of Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG).

Two appendices are attached to this report of previous committee reports of application WD/D/16/000378.

The Lead Project Officer presented the application for full planning permission for the erection of 99 open market and affordable dwellings, together with a new doctor’s surgery, a replacement village hall, a car park, a new village green, and associated vehicular and pedestrian access and outline permission for a further 401 dwellings. An update was provided noting that a letter had been submitted by the applicant to councillor. The officer noted the reference to a proposed change in speed limit and advised that this did not form part of the application.

The site location was shown on a map, lying to the south of Warmwell Road, with it being noted that Moreton railway station was approximately 850 metres to the north‑east and that local convenience shops were located nearby. Recent residential developments within Crossways were highlighted. An aerial photograph showed the site as predominantly agricultural land with some areas of woodland. Constraints were outlined, including that the site was not within a National Landscape but did lie within the Poole Harbour catchment area and a mineral safeguarding area. A scheduled ancient monument was identified within the site, with the nearest listed building located some distance away. Two public rights of way, a bridleway and a footpath, crossed the site. The site also lay within 5 km of Warmwell Heath and Winfrith Heath, included parts of the existing ecological network, and contained areas of best and most versatile agricultural land. It was confirmed that parts of the site were affected by surface water flooding and that it was allocated within the Local Plan, although the application site extended beyond the allocated boundary. The allocation criteria were shown, including requirements for highway and ecological improvements and provision of employment land. It was noted that, as the allocation predated the Community Infrastructure Levy, the development would rely on an extended Section 106 heads of terms.

Photographs of the site and surrounding area were presented, including the junction with Warmwell Road, entrances to the business park and existing village hall, and views across the site from public footpaths. The relationship to nearby residential properties and woodland screening was also illustrated, along with images of the existing village hall and Spitfire Club.

It was explained that the proposal was a hybrid application. The detailed element comprised the erection of 99 dwellings, together with the doctor’s surgery, village hall, village green, SANG and associated infrastructure. The outline element sought permission for a further 401 dwellings and approximately 2.5 hectares of employment land, along with access arrangements and a car park to serve the proposed SANG. An illustrative masterplan was shown, indicating the distribution of development, with the employment land located to the east and the community facilities positioned to the north along Warmwell Road. Indicative phasing was also outlined.

The detailed site layout was presented, including pedestrian links to existing footpaths. The mix of affordable housing was shown, with 35% provision across the detailed element, split equally between social rented and shared ownership tenures. A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 88.

Retention of Shepherds Hut.

The Planning Officer presented the application for the retention of a shepherd’s hut, noting that the application had previously been deferred in December 2025 to allow further information to be provided regarding the speed limit of the adjacent road.

The location of the application site was shown, together with a site location plan. It was explained that while the application site lay within Dorset, the associated property was located in Devon. The hut was positioned within a disused railway line, and part of the site fell within Dorset Council ownership. Access to the site from the B3165 was illustrated through photographs, showing that a hedge which had previously restricted visibility had now been removed. Additional images showed the access into the site, including steps leading from the driveway, and views of the shepherd’s hut in its current position. Elevations and a floor plan of the hut were presented, confirming that it was intended for use as holiday accommodation.

Members were advised that the applicant had removed the hedge at the site entrance. Photographs taken from the access looking northwest and southeast demonstrated that visibility onto the highway had been significantly improved following the hedge removal.

It was confirmed that the site lay within the Defined Development Boundary and that the principle of holiday accommodation in this location was acceptable. Residential amenity impacts were considered acceptable, given the siting of the hut and its distance from neighbouring properties. It was acknowledged that the site was susceptible to flooding, and an emergency evacuation plan would be required. The proposal would provide a small economic benefit and would not impact on trees. It was noted that the development had been carried out in February 2024 and was therefore exempt from biodiversity net gain requirements.

It was reported that a new 20 mph speed limit had been introduced on the adjacent road, and Dorset Highways now raised no objection to the proposal.

It was proposed by Cllr Kimber and seconded by Cllr Northam that the application be granted.

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

Erect bandstand and decking.

The Lead Project Officer presented the application for the erection of a bandstand and associated decking. It was noted that the land was owned by Dorset Council. The site was shown on an aerial photograph and was located on Weymouth seafront adjacent to a ramp providing access onto the beach. The surrounding context was described, including the nearby war memorial and historic buildings on the opposite side of the Esplanade. Photographs were shown from a range of viewpoints to illustrate the site and its setting.

The proposed development was outlined, and a site plan was presented showing the position of the bandstand and decking. Elevations of the structure were displayed, along with a proposed street scene and an artist’s impression of how the bandstand would appear once constructed.

In assessing the main planning issues, it was advised that the principle of development was acceptable, given the site’s location on the Esplanade and its association with tourism and recreational uses, which were supported by planning policies. The appearance of the bandstand was considered appropriate, as it would reflect the character of existing seafront structures and respond to the historic precedent for similar features in Weymouth. Images of historic bandstands along the seafront were shown to support this assessment.

Heritage impacts were considered, particularly in relation to the nearby war memorial and Grade II listed buildings along the Esplanade. It was advised that the proposal would not result in harm to these heritage assets or their setting. The site lay within an area at risk of flooding; however, the development was classified as water‑compatible, and a condition was recommended requiring a flood warning and evacuation plan.

In response to a question from one member, the Lead Project Officer explained that some of the railings would need to be removed to facilitate the bandstand, however they were not listed and therefore not protected.

It was proposed by Cllr Wheller and seconded by Cllr Shortell, that the application be granted.

Decision: That the application be granted subject to the conditions set out 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 is no scheduled exempt business.

There was no exempt business.