Dorchester Town Council Council Offices, 19 North Square, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1JF Telephone: (01305) 266861 For information about this agenda contact Louise Dowell [email protected] 3 January 2018 Agenda for the meeting of the Planning and Environment Committee which will be held in the Council Chamber, Municipal Buildings, Dorchester on 8 January 2018 at 7.00pm. Adrian Stuart Town Clerk Public Speaking at the Meeting The Chairman has discretion to allow members of the public to speak at the meeting. If you wish to address the Committee, please contact the Committee Clerk at least one day in advance of the meeting. We ask speakers to confine their comments to the matter in hand and to be as brief as is reasonably possible. Member Code of Conduct: Declaration of Interests Members are reminded that it is their responsibility to disclose pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests where appropriate. A Member who declares a pecuniary interest must leave the room unless a suitable dispensation has been granted. A Member who declares a non-pecuniary interest may take part in the meeting and vote. Membership of the Committee Councillors C. Biggs, R. Biggs (Vice Chairman), A. Canning, T. Harries, J. Hewitt, S. Hosford (the Mayor ex-officio), S. Jones, F. Kent-Ledger, T. Loakes, R. Potter, M. Rennie and D. Taylor 1. Apologies and Declarations of Interest It is recommended that any twin hatted Dorchester Town Council and West Dorset District Council Councillors make a statement regarding their participation in the consideration of planning applications at this agenda item. 2. Minutes To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 December 2017 (attached). 3. Minute Update Report To receive and consider the minute updates reported (attached). 4. Planning Applications for Comment To receive and comment on the planning applications received from West Dorset District Council (list attached). 5. Local Plan Review – Next Steps To consider the report of the Town Clerk. 6. Request for Pedestrian Access Improvements At the meeting on 4 December 2017, the Planning and Environment Committee supported the introduction of a new process for dealing with requests from residents for pedestrian access improvements. Attached is a request that has been considered by the Dorchester Access Group and prioritisation advice received from DCC’s Community Highways Officer for Dorchester. The Committee is asked if it wishes to support the request and refer it to DCC for further consideration. 7. No 5 Bus Service Request from two Members for the Committee to consider if the Town Council wishes to make any comment on First Wessex’s decision to scrap the No 5 bus service from 21 January 2018. Background information attached. 8. Planning Issues to Note To note any planning related issues including decisions made by West Dorset District Council on planning applications (contrary to Dorchester Town Council’s comments), withdrawn applications and others (attached). 9. Urgent Items To consider any other items that the Chairman or Town Clerk decides are urgent and that cannot wait for consideration at a future meeting. Dorchester Town Council Planning and Environment Committee – 8 January 2018 Agenda Item 3. Minute Update Report 1. Minute 32/17 (6 October 2017) South Western Railways 2018 Timetable Consultation DCC’s Cabinet considered the consultation on 6 December 2017: Resolved 1. That the proposal of speeding up of services from Weymouth with improved service intervals between Weymouth and Bournemouth and the change in connectivity for smaller stations be welcomed. 2. That the proposal of seasonal Summer Saturday service between Waterloo and Weymouth via Gillingham, Yeovil and Maiden Newton be welcomed. WDDC’s Strategy Committee considered the consultation on 14 December 2017: Decision (a) That members agree the response to the consultation in Appendix 1, subject to officers, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders, adding additional wording to the response in respect of the difficulties that the elderly, disabled and those with luggage would have with changing trains and to strengthen the response regarding rail infrastructure; (b) That the Local Plans Team Leader, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, consider the response made by Dorset County Council and subject to its contents, endorse the response on behalf of the council. Appendix 1 West Dorset District Council strongly objects to the reduction in direct services to London from stations serving communities within its area and specifically Moreton Station. We consider the impact of the proposed changes to the train timetables to be adverse and severe. Although the improved journey time to London is supported, the suggested increase of 12 minutes over a 2hrs 45 minutes journey is not considered to compensate for the loss of service. Faster trains connecting to London have the potential to encourage increased investment by businesses into the local area. However the frequency of services is considered to be more important in helping to facilitate future investment. Currently trains from London can be significantly overcrowded. The proposals suggest replacing the three trains that run currently from London to Bournemouth with two direct trains. Reducing the number of services to the area can only result in increased overcrowding especially at peak times. There is potential for a significant impact on tourist visitors to the south Dorset area. The current service of two direct trains per hour enables users to travel from London and Southampton Airport to Dorchester and Weymouth. This is a significant, convenient and sustainable route into the area for visitors. Similarly, for residents of the area, direct trains to London and Southampton Airport are considered important. A reduction in direct services and the need for a change of trains at Southampton makes the journey significantly less convenient especially for those travelling with heavy luggage. Reduction in direct trains from Upwey and Moreton will necessitate a change of trains at Southampton Central. This may deter some users encouraging car based travel to nearby stations placing additional pressure on local roads and town centre car parks. The longer journey time (the change of trains increases current journey times by up to 20 Page 22 minutes) from these locations is also likely to discourage users of the service. Of particular concern is the impact of the reduced service from Upwey and Moreton stations given the levels of residential growth committed at these locations. There are around 600 new dwellings to be in the vicinity of Moreton Station and around 900 additional dwellings in the vicinity of Upwey Station. In addition to the above committed growth, further residential expansion at the two locations is being considered as part of the review of the West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland joint Local Plan and the Purbeck Local Plan. It is therefore considered to be short-sighted to remove direct London services from this location given the increase in population that will occur in the area. The Planning Inspector for the West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland Local Plan acknowledged that the presence of the rail station at Moreton contributed significantly to the suitability and sustainability of Crossways village as a location for growth. The impact of implementing the amended timetable has the potential for significant negative effects which need to be given careful consideration. The proposed journey times to Portsmouth are unlikely to offer an incentive to people to travel into the West Dorset area. The loss of the second direct service to London is considered to outweigh any benefits that may arise from a direct service to Portsmouth. This is especially the case when it is currently possible to change trains at Southampton Central for connections to Portsmouth. The Southampton to Portsmouth conurbation is already well served by frequent trains, the introduction of this service should not be at the detriment of the more frequent direct service from Weymouth to London. It is understood that the existing rail infrastructure restricts rail capacity. There should be a commitment to improving this rail infrastructure (dualling of the line to Dorchester and an upgrade of the power supply) to increase the frequency and speed of services on the railway. In addition the previously supported upgrade of Dorchester South Station and improvements to Weymouth Station would further encourage use of the line. A local shuttle service along the Weymouth and Bournemouth/Poole line as a supplement to a twice hourly London service should be explored to provide additional services for local commuters. We conclude that the proposed alterations to services along the Weymouth to London line is not in the interests of residents in the vicinity of Moreton and Upwey Stations, not in the interests of residents of West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland generally. The alterations to the Exeter to London (via Sherborne) service is considered unlikely to have a significant effect as train times are similar to the current situation. The proposed changes are therefore supported. Seasonal Weymouth, Yeovil and London connecting services should be maintained and expanded to a year round service as it helps to deliver alternative options for services to the southern Dorset area. Although there is a need for some infrastructure works, the connection to Yeovil from Weymouth and on to London and Bristol is a significant opportunity to enhance the connectivity of southern Dorset that should be explored further. The Committee Clerk forwarded the Town Council’s response to the consultation to both Councils. 2. Minute 38/17 (4 December 2017) Poundbury Signs The Duchy of Cornwall applied to the Highway Authority to install the signs at Poundbury and paid them to design and install the signs on their behalf, to the Highways Authority’s specification. The Highways Authority have now confirmed the following: ‘The reason the signs were not designed as white and brown is because Poundbury is an area and not a Tourist attraction as a whole.