Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

No apologies for absence were received at the meeting.

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 O’Leary declared an interest in application P/FUL/2025/04039 due to being pre-determined. He spoke as the ward member for that application and left the room during the debate and vote.

Cllr Dickenson declared an interest in application P/FUL/2025/04039 due to being pre-determined. He spoke as the ward member for that application and left the room when during the debate and vote. He also declared an interest in applications P/FUL/2025/06223 and P/ADV/2025/06228 due to his role on the Weymouth Town Council Planning Committee and left the room for the deliberation of those items.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 08 June 2026.

The minutes of the meeting held on 08 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.  Guide to Public Speaking at Planning Committee.

The deadline for notifying a request to speak is 8.30am on Monday 13 July.

All public speakers were provided the opportunity to speak at the start of the meeting, Mark Ellis spoke in relation to application WD/D/20/002569. He raised concerns about the application in relation to safe pedestrian access to public rights of way, inadequate parking provision and road safety.

All other speakers chose to speak after the applications were presented and the details are provided below.

An outline application for up to 328 dwellings with full details supplied in respect of 143 dwellings (Phase A) including creation of new accesses onto School Hill and Chickerell Link Road (B3157), including details of the internal spine road, landscaping, drainage, car parking, public open space and associated works for Phase A. All other matters reserved in respect of 185 dwellings (Phases B and C) and land for a primary school, public open space including, landscaping and associated works

The Lead Project Officer presented the application and outlined the site location, which was shown on a map. Members were advised that the site fell within the Defined Development Boundary, outside the National Landscape designation, outside any Conservation Area, and outside the setting of Listed Buildings. Public rights of way crossing and adjoining the site were highlighted. It was explained that the site was steeply sloping and included areas within Flood Zones 2 and 3, areas susceptible to surface water flooding and groundwater flooding, and land adjacent to an electricity substation. National flood risk assessment maps were displayed, together with plans showing nearby uses, including a solar farm, battery storage facility, electricity substation and Wessex Golf Centre.

It was explained that the development was proposed to come forward in four phases. Phases A and D formed part of the detailed application, while Phases B and C, together with the proposed primary school site, were submitted in outline. Plans illustrating the different phases were shown. It was advised that amended plans had been submitted in March 2026 and that revised plans received in June 2026 had addressed a number of concerns. As consultation on the revised plans remained ongoing, the recommendation was to delegate authority to grant permission subject to no new material planning considerations arising in response to the consultation period. Members were advised to assess the application on the basis of the revised plans.

The proposed masterplan was presented, together with examples of house types, elevations, and floor plans, demonstrating a variety of designs and materials. Four apartment blocks were proposed, the largest of which would be three storeys in height. All dwellings would be constructed to Future Homes Standard requirements and would incorporate solar photovoltaic panels, electric vehicle charging points and heat pumps. Plans were shown which illustrated heat pumps across the development.

Detailed plans of the northern section of the site were shown, including parking arrangements to the front or side of properties and the relationship of development to the site's changing levels. Retaining walls were proposed to accommodate the steep topography, together with green corridors through Phase A. Visitor parking spaces would be incorporated within the streets and courtyards, including parking provision associated with the apartment blocks. Members were shown details of the proposed retaining structures, with northern retaining features consisting of walls with 1.8 metre fencing above and southern retaining features comprising 1.3 metre walls with 1.8 metre fencing. Illustrative images and sections demonstrated how these features would appear in practice and their relationship with neighbouring properties. A landscape plan showed green corridors, street trees, structural planting and a drainage basin on the eastern side of the development. A rendered street scene was also displayed.

It was explained that all dwellings would be served by parking, supplemented by visitor parking spaces. The majority of properties would be two storeys in height, with the exception of the larger apartment block. It was acknowledged that the height of some retaining features would need to be weighed carefully  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

Removal of a telecommunications mast and associated structures and installation of bases for the siting of static holiday caravans with decking and associated access, landscaping, drainage and other related infrastructure works.

Cllr Northam returned to the Council Chamber at 13:47.

The Lead Project Officer presented the application and identified the site location on a map of the area. Members were shown the extent of Weymouth Bay Holiday Park, with the application site outlined in red. An Ordnance Survey map was displayed identifying nearby heritage assets, including the Grade II* listed St John’s Church and the Scheduled Monument comprising the remains of a Roman Temple. Contour mapping was shown, demonstrating that the site was separated from the sea by a rise in levels. It was noted that the Dorset National Landscape lay to the north of the site, while the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site was located to the east, although the application site itself did not fall within the World Heritage Site. The nearby Isle of Portland Special Area of Conservation and Site of Special Scientific Interest were also identified.

A bird’s-eye view of the existing holiday park was shown from the south, illustrating the caravans already present on the site. Members were advised that part of the application area currently comprised grassland used for informal walking. Photographs of the site showed scrubby grassland with a mixture of worn footpaths and marshy ground.

It was explained that the proposal sought full planning permission for 241 holiday caravans across four separate areas of the site, together with associated decking, the relocation of five existing static caravans and supporting infrastructure. This infrastructure included sustainable drainage measures, an attenuation basin, footpaths, access roads, hard and soft landscaping works and the removal of an existing telecommunications mast. The accommodation would operate seasonally from March to January. Plans were displayed showing the four development areas and the River Jordan running through the site towards the sea. A link road from the existing holiday park would provide access to the new areas.

Further details of the proposal were presented, including the use of grey and brown external finishes for the caravans to reduce their visual prominence within the landscape. Photographs of typical caravans, including veranda areas, were shown. A typical cross-section of the site illustrated the relatively flat nature of the land. Members were also shown the proposed landscaping strategy, which included extensive structural planting intended to soften views of the development. Additional landscaping would be provided throughout the site, including planting between caravans to reduce their visual impact.

It was advised that site access had been improved to prevent vehicles queuing on Preston Road. The site was well connected by existing bus routes and a network of footpaths. A number of permissive walking routes were proposed within the development and adjoining open spaces, together with dog waste bins positioned along the paths.

The key planning issues were then summarised. The principle of development was considered acceptable, with Local Plan Policy ECON7 generally supporting the expansion of existing holiday parks. An Environmental Statement had accompanied the application due to the nature and scale of the proposal. The Environmental Statement identified a range of potential adverse impacts but  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

Installation of 1no. BT Street Hub and removal of associated BT payphone.

The meeting adjourned from 15:33 – 15:41.

Cllr O’Leary returned to the Council Chamber at 15:37.

The Planning Officer presented the full planning and advertisement consent applications for the installation of a BT Street Hub. The site location was shown, identifying the proposed position to the west of the existing sand sculpture. Photographs of the existing payphone kiosk were provided, together with images of a similar BT Street Hub installed elsewhere in the area.

It was advised that the site was located on Dorset Council-owned land, within the Conservation Area and within the setting of nearby Listed Buildings. The proposal involved the removal of the existing kiosk and its replacement with a BT Street Hub. It was explained that the proposed structure would be slightly taller and wider than the existing kiosk, although it would be thinner in profile. Visualisations of the proposed hub were displayed.

The key planning considerations were summarised and it was advised that the principle of the development was supported by Policy SUS2. The proposal would provide public benefits, including free Wi-Fi provision and enhanced 5G connectivity. It was further noted that there would be no adverse impact on residential amenity and that the Highway Authority had raised no objections. Concerns relating to crime and anti-social behaviour had been considered, and it was concluded that the proposal would be no worse in this respect than existing street furniture, with a management plan proposed to address such issues.

The impact on visual amenity and heritage assets was then assessed. It was explained that the location was particularly sensitive, being within the Conservation Area and the setting of Listed Buildings. The proposed hub was considered to have a notable visual impact due to its height, mass and colour. It was also noted that the structure would sit alongside LED advertising panels installed relatively recently, contributing to the proliferation of illuminated displays along the Esplanade.

Whilst the harm to heritage assets was assessed as less than substantial, it was considered to be towards the higher end of the less than substantial scale. In considering the advertisement consent application, the Planning Officer advised that public safety and highway safety impacts were acceptable. However, the impact on visual amenity was considered unacceptable, and the identified public benefits were not considered sufficient to outweigh the harm arising from the proposal.

It was proposed by Cllr Taylor and seconded by Cllr Roper that the application be refused.

Decision: That the application be refused for the reasons set out in the appendix to these minutes.

Installation of 1no. internally illuminated double sided LCD display screen.

It was proposed by Cllr Taylor and seconded by Cllr O’Leary that the application be refused.

Decision: That the application be refused for the reasons set out in the appendix to these minutes.

Removal of existing upper floor window and enlargement of opening in order to add new french doors giving access onto a new balcony area formed upon the existing bay window roof.

The application was deferred due to time constraints.

Internal and external alteration to facilitate the removal of existing upper floor window and enlargement of opening in order to add new French doors giving access onto a new balcony area formed upon the existing bay window roof.

The application was deferred due to time constraints.

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.