2006

Minute book page number

STURMINSTER NEWTON TOWN COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PLANNING & ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE

Held on Thursday 19th March 2015 in the Council Chamber at 7.15pm

Present :

Minutes of P&E Committee – 2015.03.19 Chair’s initials:

2006

Minute book page number

Councillor A. Donaldson (Chair)

Councillor V. Fox (Vice-Chair)

Councillor P. Batstone

Councillor N. Cowell

Councillor C. Feltham

Councillor C. Fraser

Councillor G. Rose

Councillor N. Watson

Minutes of P&E Committee – 2015.03.19 Chair’s initials:

2006

Minute book page number

Absent : Councillor D. Fox, Councillor H. Lacey and Councillor H. Reed

In Attendance: Alan Harrison (Co-opted Footpaths Officer), Christopher Wilkins (Town Clerk), Hannah Smith (Leader of Planning Area Team North, North Dorset District Council), Michael Roake (District Councillor) and 3 members of the public.

MINUTE
NUMBER / COMMENTS / RESOLUTION
For each item, the proposer is named first followed by the seconder
14/382 / PUBLIC SESSION
All three members of the public present raised concerns about the planning application relating to Gas Works House. They objected to the proposed development arguing that:
·  By reason of its scale and density it will greatly exacerbate existing parking problems in the locality (though these might be eased by means of a residents’ permits parking scheme) ;
·  For the same reasons it will lead to unacceptable loss of amenity from traffic;
·  The proposed access is unsuitable on road safety grounds having regard to the proximity of the public footpath and the junction with Penny Street; and
·  The scale and design is unsuited to the Conservation Area.
Cllr. Batstone invited any person wishing to propose a residents’ permit parking scheme to contact her as county councillor to discuss the idea.
14/383 / APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr. Lacey (health reasons) and Cllr. Reed (overseas holiday).
These apologies were accepted by the Members present.
14/384 / DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS AND DISPENSATIONS
In accordance with the relevant protocol Cllr. V. Fox indicated that since he is a member of the Development Committee of North Dorset District Council, he would not be participating in the consideration of planning applications later in the meeting.
Cllr. Feltham declared that she may shortly acquire a financial interest relevant to the planning application affecting 1 Bagber Farm Cottages.
No other interests were declared and no written requests for dispensation had been received.
14/385 / MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COMMITTEE MEETING
The minutes of the Planning & Environment Committee Meeting held on 19th February 2015 (pages 1984 to 1990) having been circulated and publicized prior to the meeting were taken as read and approved for signature by the chairman as a true and correct record. / Cllr. Rose
Cllr. Batstone
Cllr. Watson reported that there had been some difference in recollection between himself and the Town Clerk regarding the comment to be made on one of the planning applications. The Town Clerk indicated that the text of comments can be agreed in detail by members before votes are taken upon them.
14/386 / CONSIDERATION OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following applications were considered and the Council resolved to make the comment indicated
1. / Plan Number District Reference
2015/02/06 2/2015/0162/FUL
Applicant House Name Road Locality
R E Pearce Prop. Ltd. Fairhaven New Road Broad Oak
Town County Post Code Date
Sturminster Newton Dorset DT10 2HF 26/02/15
Erect 1 No. new dwelling, detached garage and form 1 No. parking space (demolish existing dwelling)
STURMINSTER NEWTON TOWN COUNCIL Comment:
No objection but propose conditions as follows:
i. Provision prior to occupation and permanent retention of adequate turning space on site to enable vehicles to enter and leave in forward gear (in the interests of road safety);
ii. Prohibition of further windows in north and south elevations of new dwelling without planning permission (to preserve privacy/amenity of adjoining dwellings)
iii. Scheme to protect highway verges during construction works to be submitted to and approved by NDDC before works commenced / Cllr. Batstone
Cllr. Fraser
2. / Plan Number District Reference
2015/03/01 2/2015/0258/FUL
Applicant House Name Road
LVA (c/o J Tizzard) Gas Works House Penny Street
Town County Post Code Date
Sturminster Newton Dorset DT10 1DE 02/03/15
Erect 4 No. new dwellings and convert existing dwelling into 2 No. flats. Form vehicular and pedestrian accesses.
STURMINSTER NEWTON TOWN COUNCIL Comment:
OBJECT on the following grounds:
i. Over-development - the number of new dwellings proposed is excessive having regard to the size of the site, the density of development in the vicinity and the inadequacy of viable parking provision;
ii. Road safety – (a) the development would greatly intensify use of the vehicle access immediately adjacent to the junction of Footpath 14 (Lovers Lane) with Penny Street and which would cause an unacceptable hazard to pedestrians using the path and (b) the same intensified use is inappropriate and unsafe given the configuration of Penny Street (especially the “spur” which it is proposed to use as access to this site)
iii. Unsuitability in Conservation Area – the design and density of development is out-of-keeping with and unsympathetic to the Conservation Area in which the site lies
iv. Loss of amenity - of nearby dwellings caused by overlooking from proposed development
AND propose the following conditions if the application is granted:
i. Provision prior to occupation and permanent retention of proposed parking spaces on site and of adequate turning space on site to enable vehicles to enter and leave in forward gear (in the interests of road safety);
ii. Prohibition of any further development of site without planning permission (to prevent “permitted development rights” being exercised in ways prejudicial to the conservation area and/or amenity of nearby dwellings);
iii. Requiring scheme to protect pedestrians using FP14 during development phase to be submitted to and approved by NDDC before commencement (in the interests of road safety)
iv. Requiring scheme to investigate possible pollution of site by past contaminative uses and to detail measures to remediate any such pollution found to be submitted to and approved by NDDC before commencement (in the interests of public health and the safety of the environment) / Cllr. Batstone
Cllr. Rose
[Cllr. Feltham left the Chamber at this point in the meeting.]
3. / Plan Number District Reference
2015/03/02 2/2015/0322/HOUSE
Applicant House Name Road
Mr M Read 1 Bagber Farm Cottages Pentridge Lane, Bagber
Town County Post Code Date
Sturminster Newton Dorset DT10 2EX 12/03/15
Erect two-storey side extension, single-storey rear extension and first floor balcony
STURMINSTER NEWTON TOWN COUNCIL Comment:
No objection / Cllr. Rose
Cllr. Fraser
[Cllr. Feltham returned to the Chamber at this point in the meeting.]
14/387 / NOTIFICATIONS RECEIVED OF PLANNING APPLICATION OUTCOMES / Cllr.
Cllr.
The Town Clerk reported that no notifications of planning decisions of the District Council have been received.
14/388 / PLANNING APPEALS
Notice of a planning appeal has been received as follows:
1 Plan Number District Reference
2014/04/05 2/2014/0081/PLNG
Applicant House Name Road
I M Perry Oakwood Farm Bagber Common
Town County Post Code
Sturminster Newton Dorset DT10 2HB
Develop land by the erection of 1 No. agricultural worker’s dwelling and form 2 No. parking spaces (Outline application to determine access)
STURMINSTER NEWTON TOWN COUNCIL Comment:
Object on grounds of incompatibility with established policy
NORTH DORSET DISTRICT COUNCIL Decision:
Refused
No proposal for further comment was made.
14/389 / RIGHTS OF WAY MATTERS
a. / Walkers are Welcome Scheme
The Town Clerk gave a brief description of the scheme by reference to its web-site www.walkersarewelcome.org.uk. Cllr. Batstone offered to invite the “town team” to consider the issue.
b. / FP64 Steps to Colber Bridge
Alan Harrison reported that repairs are in hand having been arranged jointly by the Rangers and the EQ Skills centre. The Committee thanked Alan for his assistance in co-ordinating this.
14/390 / TREE MATTERS
None
14/391 / NORTH DORSET DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS
None
14/392 / HIGHWAYS MATTERS
a. / “Keep Clear” marking on A357
Cllr. Batstone reported that this work is being included in the programme of works to be carried out as soon as budgets allow.
b. / Width restriction on The Row
The Town Clerk reported that a detailed response has been received from Dorset County Council and reported to the local resident who raised the issue.
c. / Highways maintenance arrangements
The Town Clerk reported on the discussion at Team North Dorset on the theme of “What can communities do to help ensure roads are maintained in good condition?” This led to a meeting with Dorset Highways from which it was clear that budget pressures will result in minimal maintenance but there is scope for town and parish councils to work with DCC to undertake alone or jointly additional maintenance themselves. No arrangements will be entered into without specific member approval. Members felt that additional maintenance of signage might be beneficial but were reluctant to assume any further responsibilities.
14/393 / CORRESPONDENCE
No other correspondence within the committee’s terms of reference has been received.
14/394 / INFORMATION FROM MEMBERS
Cllr. Rose reminded members about the Neighbourhood Plan meeting on Saturday 28th March and urged as many councillors as possible to attend.
Cllr. Fraser invited all to join the Newton Residents’ Association litter-pick on Saturday 21st March.
14/395 / EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
In exercise of the power conferred by the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, Section 1(2) the Committee RESOLVED that members of the public and press be excluded from the Meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted being of a confidential nature it is likely that personal and/or exempt information would otherwise be improperly disclosed and members would feel unable to discuss the matter freely / Cllr. V. Fox
Cllr. Batstone
CONFIDENTIAL MATTERS
The confidential matters are minuted in the Confidential Minute Book page 213.

The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9.13pm.

Christopher Wilkins

Town Clerk

Approved on:

Chair’s signature: ......

Minutes of P&E Committee – 2015.03.19 Chair’s initials: