Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporter.
Residents objecting to a 328-home plan at Chickerell are hoping a second look at the scheme will result in it being rejected.
Dorset Council approved the Persimmon Homes scheme in mid-July on a 7-4 vote before the closing date for public comments had been reached.
Ward councillor Simon Clifford said at the time that it was “not a good look” to see the committee deciding the outline application before the end of the public consultation period on July 26.
After the scheme was approved several objectors contacted me to say how unhappy they were, one claiming it had been “a done deal” before the meeting even started.
Two near-neighbours I spoke said they had taken legal advice and one said that if the decision was not re-visited, he would consider an official maladministration complaint against the authority.
Dorset Council officers did say at the time that if any ‘material considerations’ were put forward after the decision the council could re-consider.
It has now done just that – and on Wednesday councillors on the area planning committee will be told that not only has there been more relevant objections, but there has also been a change in national planning guidance from the Government.
Councillors meeting in Dorchester on Wednesday (14th) will be told they can accept the development with conditions, which includes contributions to a range of projects; or reject it.
The site is east of Chickerell and south of Coldharbour with the proposal having been amended several times during the five years it has been in preparation.
Around 150 ‘affordable’ homes are proposed together with new access routes onto School Hill and Chickerell Link Road (B3157).
The company claims it will bring £2million in public benefits to the area, including providing land for a new primary school.
The details being negotiated include payments towards Weymouth swimming pool, the Willowbed Hall, public open spaces and the NHS. A site will also be provided for a two-form entry primary school although there is no agreement about whether Dorset Council or the Department of Education will pay for the building, or even if the school will be needed in years to come.
Agreement will also have to be reached about when the central road will be provided – at or before the point 100 homes are built.
Cllr Clifford said at the last meeting that the decision to approve was another step towards the merger between Chickerell and Weymouth with another large housing proposals nearby likely in the near future.
Speaking this week he said: ““I have repeatedly argued that Chickerell is being blighted by so many new housing developments. Sadly successive governments’ decisions over planning rules mean Dorset Council has almost no powers to stop this continuing. It is important that Chickerell and Weymouth remain distinct and separate towns with their own character but these housing plans merge the two together. It is disappointing – again.”
The site is adjacent the area’s electricity sub-station, a solar farm, golf course and a battery storage facility which has planning permission, but has not yet been built.
Senior planning manager for Persimmon, David Buczynskyj , said the development will provide ‘much needed’ new homes, fitted with heat pumps, including 150 for social rent and shared ownership.
He said that in response to negotiations over the past five years the number of proposed homes had been reduced by 35 per cent and the development would now provide more than £2million of investment in local facilities.
