Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Planning.

The Committee considered application 6/2021/0204 - Demolition of single storey classroom building and construction of replacement two storey classroom building at Lytchett Minster School, Lytchett Minster.

The application was obliged to be considered by Committee as it was an application on behalf of Dorset Council.

With the aid of a visual presentation, and taking account the detail in the report, officers provided context of what the main proposals, principles and planning issues of the application were; how these were to be progressed; and what this entailed.

For context, plans and photographs provided an illustration of the development and its appearance and characteristics; what demolition would take place and what groundworks would be necessary in managing this “brownfield” site to an acceptable standard for development; the topography of the site and views into the site and around it; environmental considerations; drainage and water management considerations; the means of landscaping and screening; the development’s setting within that part of Lytchett Minster and what constraints governed how the site should be managed and could be developed as it was situation in the Conservation Area and the Green Belt.

Officers considered the proposal to be acceptable in principle within the countryside and Green Belt; scale, design and impact on the character and appearance of the area; impact on heritage assets; and, impacts on neighbouring amenity and protected trees. The proposal would also provide public benefit. It was therefore considered to be sustainable development for the purposes of NPPF paragraph 11.

Lytchett Matravers and Upton Ward Councillors considered the replacement would be an improvement to the appearance of the site and Lytchett Minister and Upton Town Council had no objection to the application.

The Committee understood the need for this development but asked that sufficient ventilation of the classrooms be stipulated in any conditions, as necessary. They also asked that the timber cladding used be compatible with that which was used on adjacent buildings.

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an

understanding of all this entailed; having taken into account the officer’s report and presentation; the written representations; and what they had heard at the meeting, in being proposed by Councillor Barry Goringe and seconded by Councillor Alex Brenton (one of the three local Ward members), on being put to the vote, the Committee agreed unanimously - 10:0 - to be ‘minded to’ approve the application, subject to the conditions – to include an addition condition about ventilation of the windows -  and informative notes set out in paragraph 17 to the report.

The Head of Planning, having considered the representations and the officer’s presentation and having taken into account the views of the committee, made the following decision under delegated authority.

Decision of the Head of Planning: That the application be approved on the basis of the report and presentation and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in Section 17 of the report – to include the additional condition:-

·        Before the building is brought into use, at least one opening window to serve each classroom must be installed. Thereafter the windows shall be retained as such.

Reason: To ensure adequate air circulation around the building in the interest of the health of occupiers.

Reasons for Decision

·        Para 11 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out that permission should be granted for sustainable development unless specific policies in the NPPF indicate otherwise

·        The location is considered to be sustainable and the proposal is acceptable in its design and general visual impact.

·        The needs of the established school and heritage constraints are judged to provide very special circumstances which outweigh the harm to the Green Belt

·        No harm to heritage assets

·        There is not considered to be any significant harm to the, Countryside, or protected trees.

·        There are no material considerations which would warrant refusal of this application