Agenda item

Develop vacant land by the demolition of garage, formation of vehicular access, erection of 25 dwellings & associated landscaping.

Cllr Susan Cocking left the room and did not take part in the debate or vote on this application.

The Committee considered an application to develop vacant land by the demolition of a garage, formation of vehicular access, erection of 25 dwellings and associated landscaping.

The Senior Planning Officer referred to the update sheet circulated to the Committee at the meeting that included a correction to the applicant's name and a response received from Historic England.  She advised that the Portland Neighbourhood Plan could not be given full weight in considering this application as it had not yet gone to a referendum.

Members were shown a location plan, aerial photo, elevations and photos taken from Verne Common Road, showing that the site was currently used to graze horses.

Simon Gledhill addressed the Committee in objection to the application as it was outside the DDB and would impact on trees in the northern part of his garden which were subject to Tree Preservation Orders and in a Conservation Area.  He stated that plot 18 would be a metre from his fence line and dominate his property.  There was an active badger sett opposite plots 19 and 20 that had previously been reported by a consultant in an earlier application but was absent in this application.  He also drew attention to the Biodiversity Plan published in January 2020.

Cllr Paul Kimber, Dorset Council Ward Member - Portland, expressed concern about the increasing density and loss of small green spaces on Portland.  He considered the scheme was over development in an area outside the DDB  that was precious to the life of the area and used as a play area for children on the estate.  It was clear that the nearby badger sett would be disturbed as a result of this development.  There were also difficulties in parking during the evening and problems with access experienced by the fire service which were not mentioned in the report.

In response to the comments made during public participation, officers advised that the Biodiversity Plan had been agreed by the Natural Environment Team and was concerned with the relationship with existing neighbouring properties which had long gardens.  The site was in private ownership and not designated as a recreation area.  The Highways Officer stated that the road system was constantly being checked for accessibility due to the presence of a large prison at the top of Verne Common Road and that obstruction was covered by highways law.

Members' debated overdevelopment in the context of Portland being the 4th highest area of deprivation in the country, the site being outside the DDB, the absence of badger sett exclusion areas in the report, no allocation for electric vehicle charging points and the need to protect green spaces in densely populated areas.  Some members considered the development to be acceptable given that the site was adjacent to a densely populated area, despite being outside the DDB.

Cllr Nick Ireland proposed approval of the application subject to a condition requiring charging points for electric vehicles.  This was seconded by Cllr Kelvin Clayton. 

Advice was given that the applicant had the right to appeal against the additional condition.

Decision:

(A) That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to grant, subject to the completion of a Legal Agreement under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) in a form to be agreed by the Legal Services Manager to secure the elements outlined in the appendix to these minutes.

(B) Refuse permission for the reasons outlined in the appendix to these minutes if the agreement is not completed within 6 months of the committee resolution or such extended time as agreed by the Head of Planning.