Agenda item

Erection of Community Centre with associated parking & landscaping.

The Case Officer provided members with an update regarding corrections to the consultation section of the report:

·       Following further consultations, no objections had been received for this proposal.

·       Discrepancy in number of supporters of the proposal.

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 existing site and proposed elevation plans were shown. Members were informed of the key planning considerations which included impacts of community hub upon the character of the area, site layout and nature park provision, number of parking spaces, impacts on residential amenity, flood risk and biodiversity. The Case Officer provided details regarding tree protection which would have been maintained throughout the construction period and retained, in addition to this he also highlighted the inclusion of a proposed meadow. 

Public Participation

Members of the public spoke in support of the application. Mr Dibben highlighted the number of signatures which had been received in support of the application and was hopeful that it would have a lot of public benefits. Car parking was also discussed which complied with the local neighbourhood plan and had adequate parking which would have controlled access to mitigate overflow parking by residents and conformed with the neighbourhood plan. Mr Reeve’s highlighted that the proposed building would have been situated behind the existing tree line and emphasised the need for preserving and maintaining community green space. Public supporters also raised to members the number of supports that had been received by residents. Ms Chilver also addressed the committee and reiterated the need for the proposal. She highlighted that homes within the area had small gardens and lacked play areas. Supporters were pleased with the designs and felt as though the site was ecologically friendly. Supporters drew attention to the proposals use which would have allowed for multiple event and meeting use. They hoped members would support and grant permission.

The applicant informed members the local need for a town hall. He referred to the neighbourhood plan and discussed the number of signatures which had been collated from a petition which was presented to Dorset Council last year. Mr Yeo felt as though the proposal would be centrally located and would have helped to preserve the village green with the inclusion of nature parks. The applicant was also pleased to note that careful consideration had gone into the proposal, and it also allowed space for the use of the air ambulance if required. The application had received support from the community and hoped members would grant.

Members questions and comments

·       Clarification regarding existing road use.

·       Members were pleased with the proposal and felt it was a benefit to the local community.

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 APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to GRANT planning permission, subject to conditions, as recommended, was proposed by Cllr David Taylor, and seconded by Cllr Valerie Pothecry.

Decision: To grant the officer’s recommendation for approval subject to conditions set out in the officer’s report.