Agenda item

Bin store within the curtilage of Royal Victoria & Pier View Apartments.

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans and aerial photographs, the Case Officer identified the site and explained the proposal and relevant planning policies to members. Photographs of the proposed elevations, site location and existing bin storage were included. Members were also informed that the site was within the settlement boundary as well as the curtilage of grade II listed buildings within the Swanage conservation area and the Dorset AONB. Impacts on the heritage assets and neighbouring properties were also discussed.

Public Participation

Mr Andrew Joy raised his concerns regarding the proposal. He informed members that he had several helpful and professional discussions with planning officers. Mr Joy noted that many of the apartments were used as holiday accommodation, so the bin store represented over provision. There was waste provision at the front of Victoria Apartments. He highlighted to Members that the proposal was adjacent to Peter’s Hole, a 17^th century listed building and raised concern about overlooking of bedroom and living accommodation with only moderate screening proposed to protect amenity. Mr Joy raised the potential for the open bin store to attract vermin. He understood that there was a need for change but felt that the proposal was significantly flawed. He also discussed the negative impacts and how approval would result in a loss of privacy, noise, substantial visual harm, and it would create an extensive amount of intrusion.

Mr Joy strongly objected and requested that Members reconsider the officer’s recommendation.

Cllr Avril Harris addressed the committee and agreed with the previous comments made. She raised concerns about the capacity of the bin store, the wall height in comparison to the proposed bins and highlighted issues of access. In addition to this, Cllr Harris also expressed concern about the proposed inclusion of metal gates which would allow views through to private gardens and were inappropriate in the conservation area. Objections were also raised regarding the capacity of the bin store to serve 35 dwellings and odours arising from the new bin store. a loss of privacy, and it wasn’t felt that the proposal was sufficient. An alternative bin store utilising existing ground levels with a lift was suggested as a more appropriate solution.

The Local Ward member also addressed the committee and expressed his concern that the proposal was a health hazard due to the added risk of vermin,  and the lack of roof increasing deposition of waste and odours. There would be serious impact on amenity due to loss of light from the increased height of roofless bin store, odours and overlooking of bedroom and ground level windows of the neighbouring property. There would be intensive use in the summer  as many of the flats are holiday lets. Cllr Trite agreed with comments raised by the Town Council, particularly regarding environmental concerns and felt that there were more suitable areas within the curtilage which would make the proposal more accessible. The Local Ward Member also discussed the listed building and felt that the appearance and setting of the Swanage conservation area would be negatively impacted if approval was granted. Cllr Trite requested that members take a site visit prior to making a decision.

Members questions and comments

·       Thanked the officers for their comprehensive report and presentation.

·       Clarification on bin store collection from Dorset Waste and capacity requirements.

·       Impacts on listed buildings.

·       Confirmation on car park provisions.

·       Query about minimum distance from waste storage to residential properties.

·       Query about the construction of the bin store

·       Query about pre-application advice

·       Councillors raised their concerns with the proposal. 

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 public representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to defer, was proposed by Cllr Shane Bartlett, and seconded by Cllr David Tooke.

Decision: To defer the item to allow members to undertake a site visit.