Agenda item

Variation of Condition 1 of application 3/19/2426/RM (approval of reserved matters application in respect of appearance, layout, scale and landscaping following outline planning application 3/15/0789/COU for residential development of 305 dwellings) to revise the landscaping and drainage (resubmission of previously refused and withdrawn applications)

The Committee agreed to extend the meeting beyond 3 hours.

The Lead Project Officer presented the application for a variation of Condition 1 of the previously approved reserved matters application, seeking to revise landscaping details relating to trees and drainage. The application was retrospective and the Town Council had raised an objection. An update was provided to advise that the recommendation had been amended, as the landscape ecological management plan would be difficult to enforce via condition given the retrospective nature of the proposal, the applicants were therefore required to enter into a S106 planning obligation to secure delivery.

Slides were shown identifying the application site in relation to Wimborne and Colehill, along with a photograph of the site as built. The site plan for Phase 1 of the development was presented, with the trees proposed for amendment marked on the plan. It was noted that Phase 2 had been approved under a separate application.

A site plan illustrating the drainage layout was also shown. The site history was outlined, it was explained that the land formed part of allocation WMC8, and the relevant policy was displayed. The outline planning application had included a parameter plan, and reserved matters were approved in 2019 and amended in 2022 to allow an uplift of 18 dwellings. A further additional dwelling had been approved in 2022. Phase 2 had been approved in 2020. It was noted that a previous proposal for SUDS on the western side of the site had been refused due to insufficient drainage information.

The Lead Project Officer outlined the proposed development, comparing the approved reserved matters scheme with the revised SUDS layout. The proposed tree species were shown. Concerns had been raised through objections to both the previously refused application and a withdrawn application.

Although the application sought to vary landscaping plans, the Lead Project Officer advised that it was not unusual for SUDS features to be located within open space, nor for tree species to be amended. The impact on local character was considered acceptable, as only two trees would be affected and the proposed species were consistent with the area’s character.

It was explained that the SUDS area would remain undeveloped green space providing visual amenity and substantial open space for residents. The development also benefitted from access to the Phase 2 open spaces and the SANG located to the south.

The Tree Officer had confirmed that the proposed species were appropriate but preferred a non-fastigiate variety and it was considered that the changes would not impact the character of the area. Although some concern had been expressed regarding the health of an existing tree, no issues had been identified. There were no changes proposed to the highway network, and Dorset Council Highways had raised no objections to the previously withdrawn application.

Drainage had been a key issue in the earlier refusal; however, the Officer explained that the submission of detailed drainage information could overcome the previous reason for refusal. Drainage engineers had reviewed the current approach. Some Phase 1 plots were already connected, and the proposed drainage would run north‑south, with surface water from Phase 2 redirected to the SUDS. The pumping station in Phase 2 had been designed to accommodate runoff from both phases, and the arrangement was considered acceptable. Conditions from the earlier permission had been transferred over where appropriate, and these were set out on the slide presented to members.

In response to a question, the Lead Project Officer confirmed that the proposed SUDS to the west were shallower than the SUDS to the north of the site.  

It was proposed by Cllr Coombs and seconded by Cllr Flower to grant the application.

Decision: That the application be granted subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to these minutes.