Agenda item

Removal of existing boundary and internal walls, and creation of 6 no. parking spaces for home delivery vans and associated electric charging points, 2 no. customer collection parking spaces and 2 no. taxi waiting spaces. Erection of free standing canopy in loading bay area, replacement trolley and staff shelters and associated development including boundary treatments and access.

Cllrs Bolwell and Clayton had declared an interest in this item, they did not take part in the debate or vote.

The Development Management Team Leader presented the application for the removal of existing boundary and internal walls at the site, and creation of 6 no. parking spaces for home delivery vans and associated electric charging points, 2 no. customer collection parking spaces and 2 no. taxi waiting spaces.  The erection of free standing canopy in loading bay area, replacement trolley and staff shelters and associated development including boundary treatments and access were also outlined.

The application had been brought to committee for determination as part of the application site is owned by Dorset Council

The Development Management Team Leader explained that the application site was very visual in the Bridport Conservation area.  Members were shown an ariel view of the site with the burgage walls and the view from the road. 

The Conservation Officer had considered the walls to be a non-designated heritage asset although not on the local list of heritage importance.  It was accepted that Waitrose wanted to move forward with the site and Officers hoped to be able to negotiate with Waitrose on the materials to make it visually more pleasing and enhance the conservation area. As it stood the current proposal would result in less than substantial harm to the character and appearance of the Bridport Conservation Area, which would not be outweighed by any public benefit

The application was therefore recommended for refusal.

Oral representation was received from Mr Simon Gregory on behalf of Waitrose and from Cllr Clayton as ward member, in support of the application.

The Development Management Team Leader was invited to respond to the comments from the speakers.

In response to member questions the Development Management Team Leader advised that the Conservation Officer had been to inspect the wall and had accepted that it could be removed and a plaque installed with the historic information relating to the wall, it was the materials to be used in the replacement that was not considered to enhance or preserve the area.  A financial viability assessment had not been supplied by the applicant.

The committee felt that the wall looked unsightly and being behind a supermarket considered that the improvements proposed by Waitrose would outweigh the potential costs to the heritage site.  It would create a better public amenity, be more accessible, offer better car parking options, taxi spaces and electric car charging points.  They did not believe there would be any substantial negative impact on the area which was currently a service yard, it would enhance the business and not harm the conservation area.

Adjournment 11:59 – 12:05 in order for Planning Officers to put together some suggested conditions.

Proposed by Cllr O’Leary, seconded by Cllr Worth.

Decision: That authority be delegated to the Service Manager for Development Management and Enforcement to grant subject to conditions which will have first been agreed in writing with the chair of the Southern and Western Area Planning Committee.