Agenda item

The creation of intertidal habitat and restricted tidal exchange shallow saltwater lagoons, through managed realignment involving selective breaching of existing tidal embankments. The provision of new set-back earth embankments, including the provision of flapped surface water outfalls, tidal exchange culverts, and an improved channel and outfall for the Furzebrook Stream. The formation of permissive footpaths and screens for public to view birds from, maintenance access tracks and the provision of associated gates, fences and boundary treatment works.

The Case Officer presented to members the creation of intertidal habitat and restricted tidal exchange shallow saltwater lagoons, through managed realignment involving selective breaching of existing tidal embankments. The provision of new set-back earth embankments, including the provision of flapped surface water outfalls, tidal exchange culverts, and an improved channel and outfall for the Furzebrook Stream. The formation of permissive footpaths and screens for public to view birds from, maintenance access tracks and the provision of associated gates, fences, and boundary treatment works.

 

An update was provided by the Case Officer as follows:

 

•       Environmental Statement Chapters 1-4 will be added to condition 2 as an approved document

•       Condition 9 updated   as presented

•       Condition 22 is a duplicate of condition 15 and should be a sand lizard condition as presented.

•       An updated HRA has been provided by the MMO requiring conditions presented instead of conditions 23 and 24

•       Recommendation after paragraph 15. 14.3 should read as underlined:

A)   Grant permission subject to the completion of a legal agreement under section 106 of the town and country Planning Act 1990(as amended) in a form to be agreed by the legal services manager to secure the following: to secure biodiversity compensation payment and the conditions noted below.

With the aid of visual representation, members were shown the location and design of the proposed site. Details regarding neighbouring properties were also provided. The Case Officer informed members that the site was predominately grassland and was mostly owned by the RSPB. The importance of the site was discussed due to rising sea levels, The Case Officer believed that the site had potential to deliver environmental habitats.

 

Members were informed that the appearance of the site would change from grassland to intertidal with footpaths, viewing points, new habitats, and creeks. The most significant change would be the embankments. The Case Officer informed members that existing materials on the site would be used if fit for purpose to help create the new embankments. The Case Officer informed members of the visual impacts of the site. Members were informed that the construction period would be approximately 3 years and a result of this led to cause temporary visual impacts. In addition to this, traffic on local roads would also increase throughout the construction period. The Case Officer also provided details regarding proposed parking. Members were shown pictures of new footpaths and the informal crossing into the permitted route. Dorset Council Highways had been consulted and raised no concerns or objections.

 

The presentation also included details regarding the significant amount of wildlife habitats being lost. The Case Officer informed members that the loss of habitats require compensation. Members were informed that a financial contribution would need to be secured if approval was granted. In addition to this, members were also informed of concerns raised regarding neighbouring amenity and noise. They were assured that an assessment was carried out for concerns raised. The applicant had agreed to provide noise mitigation and members were informed that this had been secured by condition in the officer’s report.

 

 

The Case Officer highlighted the need for the location had been established by the hold the line policy. She discussed the benefits that the site would have on the area, in particular the creation of wildlife and coastal habitats, prevention of flooding from the harbour and some increase in public access to the site via restricted permissive paths. The recommendation was to approve planning permission subject to conditions and legal agreement to secure the required compensation payment or refuse if legal agreement is not secured.

 

Public Participation

 

Members of the public and the applicant spoke in favour of application. They highlighted the climate emergency and believed that the project would help support this. They recognised issues raised but believed that the proposal was necessary to protect the environment and biodiversity. The importance of the design and planning was highlighted. Members of the public praised collaboration between the local people and officers. They agreed that the site provides many benefits. The applicant discussed the threat of rising sea levels and informed members of obligations to support the environment. They hoped that members would support the application.

 

The Local Ward member, Cllr Beryl Ezzard, discussed the importance of the hold the line policy and believes that the moors would develop this. She noted that the site was a complex project which would have directly impacted the area. Cllr Ezzard highlighted the importance of monitoring and reviewing in line with Arne Parish Council comments

 

Members questions and comments

 

·       Members praised the scheme as a good response to climate change and believed it would become a great tourist attraction

·       Concerns regarding the limited number of parking spaces and the sufficiency of limited disabled parking.

·       Members asked for clarification regarding connecting footpaths to the site and car parks.

·       Management for no dog signage on the site was raised.

·       It was considered to be an effective nature reserve in a popular area.

·       Mitigation of flooding was discussed.

·       Members questioned as to whether materials taken from site would have been fit for purpose and sufficient. The case officer advised it is anticipated to be, but a contingency is allowed for some soil to be brought in

·       References to condition 21 were made.

·       Changes to condition 16 were made to include the wording ‘The monitoring strategy will cover a period of a minimum of 10 years beyond completion of the development’.

 

 

Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to grant was proposed by Cllr David Tooke and seconded by Cllr Robin Cook.

 

Decision:

A To grant planning permission subject to the completion of a legal agreement under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) in a form to be agreed by the legal services manager to secure a secure biodiversity compensation payment​ and conditions outlined in the officer report as amended and updated at the officer presentation to Committee.