Agenda item

Outline application for a mixed use development comprising: up to 500 dwellings, including affordable housing; up to 8 ha of employment land (to include a new hotel, residential care home, car show rooms and other employment land); land for a new primary school; a new local centre; public open spaces, new accesses and roads, and associated infrastructure.

The Committee considered a report that addressed a discrepancy in the wording relating to employment land between the Section 106 Agreement and Parameter Plan.

The Senior Planning Officer explained that the area of employment land identified in the Section 106 Agreement of up to 8 ha did not concur with the parameter plan proposal of 7.92 ha.  In addition there were variations to Conditions 11, 14 and 20 to add words in order to secure compliance and enforceability.

Mr Richard Nicholls, of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, addressed the Committee and outlined his concerns around changing of conditions and the weight given by the Local Plan 2015 and the NPPF in conserving the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Cllr Roland Tarr, Dorset Council Ward Member - Winterbourne and Broadmayne, highlighted the lack of consultation with Bincombe Parish Council and aspects of the development in the context of a rural area in the AONB.

Cllr Graham Brant, of Bincombe Parish Council, stated that the application did not comply with paragraph 172 of the NPPF in relation to conserving and enhancing the landscape in the AONB where planning should be refused for major development unless there were exceptional circumstances.  He referred to problems with the road system in that area including Dorchester and other large developments being built in Weymouth and Chickerell.

In response to matters raised during public participation, the Senior Planning Officer advised that both applications had been agreed by Committee on 4 July 2019 and were in accordance with Policy LITT1.  Concerns in relation to the AONB had been considered by the Planning Inspector as part of the Local Plan process and, although paragraph 172 of the NPPF provided protection to the AONB, it did not preclude development.  He confirmed that there were no fundamental changes to the applications arising from the report. In response to a question by a member, he confirmed that the applications would be refused if the Section 106 Agreement was not agreed within 6 months and that the applicants were looking to conclude the Agreement by the end of February 2020.

Members drew attention to Dorset Council's Statement of Community Involvement in light of the lack of consultation with Bincombe Parish Council and Weymouth Town Council.

The Senior Planning Officer advised that consultation did not take place in relation to this particular report as it concerned clarification of conditions and wording of the Section 106 Agreement and that the fundamental basis of the applications had not changed.

Cllr Louie O'Leary highlighted his continuing concern regarding the lack of Section 106 contributions in Littlemoor, which was in the immediate vicinity of the proposed development.  He stated that money for the estate had been overlooked and that the development would affect Littlemoor schools and health facilities. 

Proposed by Cllr Susan Cocking, seconded by Cllr Peter Barrow.

WP/16/00253/OUT

Decision:

1.      That a new resolution to amend the amount of land secured by the S106 agreement to 7.92 ha to accord with the 7.92 ha ‘Employment’ legend on the Parameter Plan titled ‘Land Use Plan’ Drawing No. 0379-0060-011 be approved;

2.      That the revised wording of conditions 11, 14 and 20 be approved.

Proposed by Cllr Susan Cocking, seconded by Cllr Peter Barrow.

WD/D/16/000739

Decision:

1.   That a new resolution to amend the amount of land secured by the S106 agreement to 7.92 ha to accord with the 7.92 ha ‘Employment’ legend on the Parameter Plan titled ‘Land Use Plan’ Drawing No. 0379-0060-011 be approved;

2.   That the revised wording of conditions 11, 14 and 20 be approved.