Agenda item

Development of up to 80 residential dwellings, together with open space, allotments and enhanced drainage features (outline application to determine access only).

The Lead Project Officer presented the application for the outline permission for up to 80 dwellings. Members were shown the location of the application site within Broadmayne and it was noted that the site fell outside of the Defined Development Boundary. The site was made up of 30% Grade 2 and 70% Grade 3a agricultural land, which was classified as very good and good.

The Lead Project Officer showed photographs of the site and the surrounding area and explained that the south of the site was affected by surface water flooding. The application included a 45% contribution to affordable housing, which had been increased from 35% and 80 dwellings, which had been reduced from 90. It was also noted that the applicant had the intention of providing an affordable housing contribution of 100%, however this had not been secured.

Members were informed of the planning benefits of the application, which included 80 new dwellings, 45% of which would be affordable, the SANG and biodiversity benefits. There had been 144 public objections to the application and common objections included, the impact on the AONB, the impact on the character of the area and the scale and density of the development.

The Lead Project Officer noted that because Dorset Council could demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, full weight ought to be given to the Local Plan and due to the application site falling outside of the Defined Development Boundary and the loss of agricultural land the application was in conflict with policy SUS2 in the Local Policy Plan.

Public representations were received from Mr. Mason, Mr. Eason, Mr. Cady, Mr. Stubbing and Cllr Diamond in opposition to the application. Their concerns included, the large scale of the development, which would increase the population of Broadmayne by around 10% and the lack of services to support this population increase. The development falling outside of the Defined Development Boundary and the significant local opposition were also raised.

Mr. Stone a representative of the applicant, Mr. Jones and Cllr Carr-Jones spoke in support of the application. They noted that there was a need for affordable housing within Dorset and this scheme would deliver a range of different types of housing.

In response to questions from members the Lead Project Officer answered with the following:

·       The applicant is only able to commit to providing a 45% contribution to affordable housing but have the intention of providing 100% subject to funding.

·       Allocation of the affordable housing would follow the standard procedure.

Several members felt that the application was in contradiction to local policies and should be refused on those grounds.

Proposed by Cllr Worth and seconded by Cllr Cocking.

Proposal to refuse permission for the application failed.

Other members felt that this application provided a positive contribution to much needed housing in the area and the 45% contribution would benefit the local housing market.

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

Decision: That the application be deferred to a subsequent meeting for members to consider the wording of planning conditions given that the committee were minded to approve the application subject to the completion of a legal agreement and suitably worded planning conditions.