Agenda and draft 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 Northam declared an interest in application P/FUL/2024/02884 and did not take part in the consideration of that item.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 03 October 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 03 October 2024 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 10 December 2024.

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.

Outline Application

Develop land by the erection of 83 dwellings (48 houses and 35 apartments), new and refurbished commercial floor space, associated car parking and new vehicular and pedestrian accesses following demolition of some commercial units. Make repairs to flood wall immediately west of 'Tower Building'. Appearance and landscaping reserved for further approval. (Further revised scheme).

Attached to this report are:

Appendix 1 – 15 June 2023 Committee Report

Appendix 2 – 06 July 2017 Committee Report

Appendix 3 – 15 June 2023 Committee Update Sheet

The Development Management Area Manager provided members with the following update, which related to all applications on the agenda:

• The revised NPPF was set to be published on the day of the meeting, so the recommendation for each application was adjusted to allow the application to be determined under delegated powers, so that if there were any relevant changes in the NPPF, the application could be brought back to the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee and if there weren’t any relevant changes agreement could be sought from the chair and the application determined by the Head of Planning or Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement.

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Lead Project Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning policies to members. It was explained that the application was returning to the committee for determination following suggested changes to planning conditions in light of information published this year by the Council in respect of flood risk.

The location of the application site was shown to members and nearby listed buildings and non-designated heritage assets were outlined. Photographs of the site and surrounding area were also provided, to give members an indication of the current condition of the site. The Lead Project Officer detailed the proposal, which included the demolition of buildings on the site and the construction of new buildings for commercial and residential use.

The key planning issues were summarised for members and the Lead Project Officer explained that the applicant had submitted a flood risk assessment to ensure the buildings would be safe for their lifetime and several of the changed planning conditions related to the flood risk assessment. The planning conditions were shown and the changes to the previously approved application were highlighted.

There were no public speakers.

In response to questions from members the Lead Project Officer provided the following responses:

• There was not currently a named provider for the affordable housing.
• A reduced affordable housing contribution of 15% had been agreed following a viability assessment that had identified some abnormal costs on the site.
• It had been negotiated with the applicant, to provide a higher number of affordable homes in a substandard distribution, resulting in 14 affordable homes being located in the same part of the site. 
• Two non-designated heritage assets within the site were set to be demolished and a balancing exercise was carried out, which concluded that the loss of the non-designated heritage assets was acceptable given the benefits of the proposal.

Proposed by Cllr O’Leary and seconded by Cllr Wheller.

Decision:

A: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to grant subject to the completion of a S106 Legal Agreement with the following heads of terms:

1)     14 affordable dwellings (a minimum of 70% social / affordable rent and a maximum of 30% intermediate affordable housing) to be provided in accordance with an agreed Affordable Housing Scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

Application for Full Planning Permission

Redevelopment, including part demolition of listed and unlisted structures and refurbishment of retained structures to provide: (a) 9 residential units (including refurbishment of one existing unit); and (b) a net decrease of 47 sq. m. of light industrial floorspace.(Revised scheme)

Attached to this report are the following appendices:

Appendix 1 – 15 June 2023 Committee Report

Appendix 2 – 06 July 2017 Committee Report

Appendix 3 – 15 June 2023 Committee Update Sheet

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Lead Project Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning policies to members.

Details of the proposed development were provided, which included the construction of 9 2-bedroom flats for residential use. There had been a slight reduction in total floor space compared to the previous application but an improvement in the useability of the space. The floor plans and elevations of the proposed development were shown, to give an indication of the scale and design of the proposed building. It was explained that the design of the proposed building took inspiration from the existing listed buildings and non-designated heritage assets in the area.

The key issues were summarised and the planning conditions were shown to members, with the changes highlighted.

There were no public speakers.

In response to a question from one member the Lead Project Officer explained that the viability assessment of the site had been conducted to include both applications together.

Proposed by Cllr O’Leary and seconded by Cllr Wheller.

Decision:

A: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to grant subject to the completion of a S106 Legal Agreement with the following heads of terms:

1)    14 affordable dwellings (a minimum of 70% social / affordable rent and a maximum of 30% intermediate affordable housing) to be provided in accordance with an agreed Affordable Housing Scheme with the phasing of 1/D/11/002012 and WD/D/16/002852 interlinked via a phasing plan in the Section 106 Agreement based broadly on Phasing Plan Ref. SM1 Rev A received April 2023 and Phasing Breakdown dated June 2022;

2)    Agreement and subsequent implementation of an “Employment Buildings Refurbishment Scheme”, (based broadly upon Appendix C Regeneration of Commercial Estate of the Design and Access Statement submitted in support of the application) with the phasing of 1/D/11/002012 and WD/D/16/002852 interlinked via a phasing plan in the Section 106 Agreement based broadly on Phasing Plan Ref. SM1 Rev A received April 2023 and Phasing Breakdown dated June 2022;

And subject to planning conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes and if the revised NPPF has been published prior to the issuing of the planning decision not to issue the planning decision unless and until officers have agreed with the chair of the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee that there are no changes in the revised NPPF which could have led to members reaching a materially different conclusion on the application.

B: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to refuse planning permission for the reasons set out below if the S106 Legal Agreement is not completed by 12 June 2025 (6 months from the date of committee) or such extended time as agreed by the Head of Planning and the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement:

1)    In the absence of a satisfactory completed legal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

Refurbishment of existing floodlit Artificial Grass Pitch & construction of a new floodlit Artificial Grass Pitch. Erection of maintenance building with toilet, spectator area, new pedestrian perimeter path, relocation of practise cricket nets & new cricket match wicket. Construct reinforced grass matting overflow parking area and landscaping works.

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Lead Project Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning policies to members. The application had come to the committee for determination because Dorset Council was the landowner.

Plans showing the existing layout of the site were shown, as well as photographs of the site from various viewpoints. Members were also shown a plan of the proposed works, which included upgraded floodlights, refurbishing the existing artificial grass pitch, the construction of a maintenance building and spectator area, a pedestrian walkway around the perimeter of the site and an overflow car park.

The key planning issues were summarised and the development was considered acceptable. There had been an objection from a nearby resident on amenity grounds, however due to the nearest residents living approximately 70 meters away and the upgraded floodlights, there was not considered to be an issue with neighbouring amenity.

Public representation was received from Mr Kimberley, who represented the applicant. He noted the important charity work conducted by Active Dorset and explained that improved facilities in the area would help people from different backgrounds to access sports facilities. 

Cllr Northam spoke as the local Ward Member for the application, noting the importance of the sports centre to the local community and he welcomed the addition of an overflow car park to help with congestion in nearby residential streets.

Cllr Northam left the Council Chamber at 11:17.

Proposed by Cllr Christopher and seconded by Cllr Shortell.

Decision: 

That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to approve the application subject to planning conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes and if the revised NPPF has been published prior to the issuing of the planning decision not to issue the planning decision unless and until officers have agreed with the chair of the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee that there are no changes in the revised NPPF which could have led to members reaching a materially different conclusion on the application.

Relocate temporary wooden workshop to allow erection of additional cabin for use as reception/meeting room.

Cllr Northam returned to the Council Chamber at 11:19.

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Senior Planning Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning policies to members. Members were informed that the proposal was for the relocation of a temporary wooden workshop and erection of a cabin to be used as a reception area. The application had come to the committee for determination because Dorset Council was the landowner.

Members were informed of the planning history of the site and that the site had temporary permission that ran until January 2028. Photographs of the site were provided, as well as a site plan.

The key planning issues were summarised and there were not considered to be an issues, given the minor changes proposed and the existing temporary permission.

There were no public speakers.

Proposed by Cllr Wheller and seconded by Cllr O’Leary.

Decision: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to approve the application subject to planning conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes and if the revised NPPF has been published prior to the issuing of the planning decision not to issue the planning decision unless and until officers have agreed with the chair of the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee that there are no changes in the revised NPPF which could have led to members reaching a materially different conclusion on the application.

Change of use of land for the siting of a mobile wild sauna unit and ancillary shed.

The Planning Officer presented the application for the siting of a mobile sauna unit and ancillary shed. The location of the site was outlined and photographs of the site and surrounding area were shown. The Planning Officer highlighted the listed buildings and heritage assets that were near to the application site.

It was explained that the site fell within the Defined Development Boundary and Weymouth Conservation Area, as well as flood zones 2, 3 and 3a. The key planning issues were summarised and the development was considered acceptable in terms of design and visual amenity. A flood risk plan had been submitted and due to the mobile nature of the sauna there were no concerns over flood risk.

The Planning Officer provided the following responses to member’s questions:

• The steps and ancillary shed would also be removed, when the sauna was not in use outside of the winter months.
• The Environmental Health team had considered the application and determined there would be no risk to public health.
• An informative could be included to state that the applicant should confer with Weymouth Town Council on appropriate operating times around Remembrance Sunday due to the close proximity to the Cenotaph.

Members were in agreement about adding an informative encouraging the applicant to liaise with Weymouth Town Council about operating hours during remembrance services.

Proposed by Cllr Wheller and seconded by Cllr O’Leary.

Decision: That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to approve the application subject to planning conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes and if the revised NPPF has been published prior to the issuing of the planning decision not to issue the planning decision unless and until officers have agreed with the chair of the Western and Southern Area Planning Committee that there are no changes in the revised NPPF which could have led to members reaching a materially different conclusion on the application.

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.