Agenda item

Partial Demolition, external alterations and change of use to create three residential dwellings with associated landscaping and parking.

With the aid of a visual presentation including plans, aerial photographs and site photographs, the Case Officer identified the site and outlined the proposal and relevant planning policies. The site lay outside the defined settlement boundary and comprised a building originally constructed for agricultural purposes. The proposal sought partial demolition and conversion, with associated landscape and parking provision. Members were shown photographs of the site and barn curtilage, together with proposed floor plans and elevations. The total floor area had been reduced by four square metres, and details included a balcony designed to allow views towards the coast. Enhancements through additional landscape planting were proposed, and the conversion was considered capable of providing sufficient daylight. Further conditions were recommended to restrict external lighting.

An objection had been received from the Parish Council on the grounds that the development was not compatible with the landscape and represented an expansion of residential use outside the settlement boundary. No letters of objection had been received from third parties. The proposal included on-site parking and turning provision, and access arrangements were considered acceptable. Case officer corrected error in committee report as 6 parking spaces proposed not 9. An illustrative 3D comparison view was presented. The ecological assessment had been approved, there were no flood risk issues, and impacts on Dorset heathland would be mitigated through secured CIL contributions. No affordable housing contribution could be secured due to vacant building credit. Policy H14 to secure homes as primary dwellings. Officers summarised the key issues and recommended that planning permission be granted subject to conditions as tilted balance applied and benefits of the proposal towards housing land supply not outweighed by adverse impacts. The Officer recommendation was to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

Public Participation

Ms Emily Jeffries, speaking as agent, stated that the site was underutilised and no longer in active use, making its repurposing sensible. She noted that the proposal addressed the Council’s housing land supply, with the only change being the proposed use, while the design remained identical to the previously approved scheme. She highlighted that the earlier scheme had a positive impact and contributed to the Dorset National Landscape, and that the current proposal was high-quality, consistent with the setting, and incorporated natural materials. Ms Jeffries confirmed that the development contributed to the Council’s five-year housing land supply and commended the officer’s recommendation.

Members questions and comments

• Raised concerns regarding the adequacy of parking provision for four-bedroom dwellings.
• Commented on the height of the proposed building.
• Noted the need to ensure sufficient space for parking.

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 as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Barry Goringe, and seconded by Cllr Scott Florek, subject to conditions set out in the officer report.

Decision: To grant for the reasons set out in Section 17 of the officer’s report.