BROADMAYNE PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
HELD IN ST MARTINS CHURCH HALL
ON 2nd June 2025

 

Present

Cllrs T Byrne, B Eason, A Evans, T Larkin, D Lewis and R Macer-Wright.

Also in attendance

Mr T Watton (Clerk). Dorset Cllr Roland Tarr and 11 members of the public

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed those present.

Apologies for absence

25/34

Cllr K Ellis sent her apologies

Public participation

25/35

A resident asked for any update on the local scheme to make a feature of the spring which feeds Tadnoll Brook. The Chairman reported that at the Annual Parish Meeting on Saturday 31st May he had also been approached by another resident who is also keen to progress this initiative. He had taken an action point from that meeting to revitalise it.

To receive any declarations of Interest and requests for dispensations

25/36

All Council members present declared an interest, as Broadmayne residents, in agenda item 5(b) consideration of planning application P/RES/2025/02270 Land Adjacent Broadmead Broadmayne. Erection of 80 dwellings together with open space, and enhanced drainage features (reserved matters application to determine layout, scale, appearance and landscaping matters following the grant of outline planning permission P/OUT/2021/05309). It was noted however that a special dispensation has been applied for, and granted, in respect of all Parish Council members.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12th May 2025  

25/37

It was proposed that the minutes of the meeting held on 12th May are approved as a correct record and signed at the meeting. RESOLVED

Planning and Tree Matters

25/38(a)

Decisions and correspondence/updates on previous applications

None outstanding.

25/38(b)

Consultations Received:

(i) P/RES/2025/02270 Land Adjacent Broadmead Broadmayne. Erection of 80 dwellings together with open space, and enhanced drainage features (reserved matters application to determine layout, scale, appearance and landscaping matters following the grant of outline planning permission P/OUT/2021/05309).

To introduce consideration of this application the Chairman talked through a set of briefing slides he had prepared and circulated to Council members ahead of the meeting. A copy of the slides is associated at Appendix 1 to these minutes. The Chair emphasised that consideration of application P/RES/2025/02270 is limited to the four matters as follows: Layout, Scale, Appearance and Landscaping. These were then each considered in turn, with reference to the drawings and other documents published under this reference number on the DC Planning Portal at https://planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/disclaimer.aspx?returnURL=%2f

Layout: Members noted that the more distributed road layout and with the dwellings spread evenly around the site, is a significant improvement over the previous circular arrangement. The general sense of open space was appreciated and considered to be positive – although a member of the public felt that this additional open space had led to a regrettable reduction in the size of individual dwellings’ gardens. The same resident also voiced concern about the proximity of the houses near to the southwestern boundary and the dwellings in the adjacent Martel Close – the effect of which may be exacerbated by the topography of the site. It was noted that the DC Urban Design Officer has suggested the preparation of additional street scene drawings to gain a better appreciation of relative heights. The Council supported this and welcomes sight of such drawings.

Some concern was expressed about the placement of visitor parking, the majority of which is on the western side of the site. It was agreed that a more even distribution of visitor parking spaces is desirable and might be more effective in minimising any parking on-street in the surrounding roads. It was noted that the DC Urban Design Officer had suggested some additional informal parking. Whilst concern was also noted from some residents about the ability of refuse vehicles to access and turn within the site, it was noted that this has also been considered and commented on by the Dorset Waste Team to ensure the provision is adequate.  Some concern was expressed about the siting of the LAP (Local Area for Play) fairly close to the feeder roads. It was suggested that consideration is given by the developers and planners to relocating this. A member of the public was concerned that the previously approved SANG car park just outside the red line boundary at the northern corner of the site may be vulnerable to traveller incursions and overnight campervan visits. It was suggested that the risk of this is mitigated by an access height and width restriction to allow for cars only. On the subject of the management of surface water drainage, it was noted that this matter is the subject of specialist design and consideration between the developers, DC Planning and Wessex Water – and is covered by an explicit planning condition, which must be discharged before development can go ahead.

Scale: Parish Council members gave consideration to the ratio of the allocation of the available land for dwellings including individual gardens, roads, and greenspace across the site as a whole. The general view was that this was about right – and reflects the type of housing accommodation which the development aims to provide.

Appearance: The Council felt that the proposed dwelling styles fairly reflects the mix of styles within the village. It was noted that the properties will be provided with solar panels and electric car charging points. It is understood that the solar panels will be of the “integrated” type and non-reflective – although it was noted that this should be checked to confirm. In response to questions raised by members of the public present, elevation drawings were checked to confirm that the appearances were reasonably light in colour (either reconstituted stone, or brick & rendering) – especially where they face adjacent existing dwellings in the surrounding area.

Landscaping: The members of the Council were pleased to see the extensive use of trees around the site, and with an allocation of 1 fruit tree per dwelling. In response to a question from the public it was confirmed that the maintenance of the site including the greenspace, trees and the properties will be by the developer, or a management company set up by them, whilst adopted highways will be maintained by Dorset Council. Members felt that the proposal for streetlighting of the whole area is not in keeping with the roads in the surrounding area – which are unlit. This is considered very important by nearby residents for its environmental benefits, including flora and fauna. It was noted that the DC Street Lighting Team have recommended that the development is left unlit, and it was concluded that the Parish Council supports their opinion on this matter. The only concession to this might be to support the installation of low-level walkway lighting on bollards only. A suggestion made by a member of the public was to consider of the creation of a wildlife pond in the greenspace at the eastern end of the site.

Finally, beyond consideration of the above four aspects of the reserved matters, it was noted that questions were also raised by members of the public present to confirm completion of the new roads ahead of first occupation, the management of construction traffic, and the changes to local surrounding road junctions and traffic priorities.

In conclusion, the Parish Council wished to record NO OBJECTION to the reserved matters proposals. However, it wished to offer comments and suggestions of the points underlined above.    

Members of the public who wish to have their comments on aspects of the reserved matters considered by DC Planning as part of the consultation process were strongly recommended to submit their own responses direct to Dorset Council via the online Planning Portal.

(ii) New Tree Preservation Order TPO/2025/0043 Dorset Council (Land Adjacent Broadmead, Broadmayne, Dorchester) Tree Preservation Order 2025.

It was noted that this protects groups of trees situated on the boundary of the land for the above development. The Parish Council wished to support this TPO.

25/38(c)

Any planning matters received after publication of the agenda.

There were none.

Reports

25/39

Dorset Council Ward Member:
Cllr Tarr began by emphasising the importance of members of the public reporting matters of concern direct to Dorset Council using the various online fault reporting systems on the Dorset Council website (e.g. Highways matters, Rights of Way, minor collisions and near misses, planning matters, etc). This will ensure such problems go direct to the teams responsible for dealing with them as well as the faults being logged on the Dorset Explorer interactive map. He explained that once reported, if nothing happens they should raise the matter with the Parish Council, and if it then remains unresolved, contact Cllr Tarr direct.

Regarding the matter of the unauthorised development activity on land adjacent to Knighton Lane, Cllr Tarr assured everyone that DC Officers are aware of this and the matters are being dealt with.

Playing fields:
In her absence Cllr Ellis had provided a written comment that the annual ROSPA Safety Inspection had been received and a copy would be passed to the contractors who maintain the children’s play equipment. A copy of the report had already been sent to Fresh Air Fitness for their awareness ahead of their visit to carry out the service on the Fitness Trail equipment. It was agreed that this visit would be delayed until after Cllr Ellis’ return from holiday.

Village hall:
Cllr Eason commented that a grant application is being submitted to Dorset Council for a contribution towards the roof and solar panels project.

DAPTC: Central area committee:
The DAPTC Central Area Committee has still not yet met.

PCSO:
The PCSO attended the Annual Parish Meeting on Saturday 31st May and provided a report at that meeting. As this was only two days prior to this meeting no further report was available.

Broadmayne Community Speedwatch:
Cllr Byrne reported on the five Community Speedwatch sessions which had been held during the last month. During these sessions over 2600 vehicle journeys were observed and 75 speeding vehicles identified and the details passed to the police. The maximum speed observed was 47mph, and in each of the five sessions at least one vehicle was travelling at over 40mph. This included an articulated lorry recorded at 37mph.

Financial Matters

25/40(a)

The Clerk had prepared the May financial statements which he had circulated to all members ahead of the meeting. This included a bank reconciliation to 31st May, a listing of all receipts and payments for the month of May, and a detailed budget report showing all receipts & payments vs budgets for all budget subheads for the year to date. These were received and noted. A copy is associated at Appendix 2 to these minutes.

25/40(b)

It was RESOLVED to approve the following payments:

Payments already made

Unity Trust Bank (bank fees)                                                                                 £6.00

Payments to be made

DAPTC Ltd (Annual subscriptions for DAPTC and NALC)                           £659.58

WWCS Environmental Services Ltd (Grounds maintenance May)             £414.40

Jurassic Computers (Laptop service)                                                               £90.00

Fleur Graphics (printing 2024-25 Annual Report)                                         £51.00

Dorset Council (New screen and screen protector for SID)                         £456.00

DAPTC Ltd (5GB mailbox fee)                                                                      £47.50

The Plastic Company (Southwest) Ltd                                                             £664.80

T Watton (Salary June 2025)                                                                             £648.16

HMRC Cumbernauld (PAYE & Employer’s NI, June 2025)                         £220.97

Starboard Systems Ltd (Monthly fee for Scribe Allotments system)             £21.60

Proposed, A Evans; Seconded, B Eason

25/40(c)

Consideration of grant application from the Friends at Broadmayne School for £263.16 for reading book bags and PE bags for new starters.

This grant was APPROVED.

Governance Matters

25/41(a)

Further consideration of Council Risk Register for 2025-26  It was noted that this matter had been deferred from the May meeting to allow additional time for members to look at the details. It was RESOLVED to approve the updated Risk Register. A copy of the approved version is associated at Appendix 3 to these minutes.

25/41(b)

To consider a review of the Council’s Equality & Diversity Policy. Copies of the current policy with suggested minor updates had been provided to all Council members ahead of this meeting. It was RESOLVED to accept this. A copy of the approved version is associated at Appendix 4 to these minutes.

25/41(c)

To consider the proposed adoption of a Safeguarding Policy. Copies of a draft policy had been circulated to all Council members ahead of this meeting. It was RESOLVED to accept this. A copy of the approved and accepted policy is associated at Appendix 5 to these minutes.

25/41(d)

To review the Council’s Data Protection and Freedom of Information Policy. Copies of the current policy with suggested minor updates had been circulated to all Council members ahead of this meeting. It was RESOLVED to accept this. A copy of the approved version is associated at Appendix 6 to these minutes.

Proposed bench at Washponds

25/42

The Parish Clerk reported that, as agreed at the May meeting of the Council an order has been placed for the bench, which it is expected to be delivered within the next 3 weeks.

Move to .gov.uk email addresses for the Council members and Clerk

25/43

The Clerk reported that four Council members and the Clerk had now set up their new emails. A technical issue still remains to enable the transfer of the contents of the Clerk’s  @dorset-aptc.gov.uk mail folders to his new email. DAPTC manage the customer / supplier relationship with the ‘old’ supplier and so are now assisting with this.

Electric car charge point for public use

25/44

To consider a suggested location by Dorset Council of an electric car charge point in the village. Details of the proposed location had been sent by the DC Project Manager to the Parish Council for initial comment and was circulated to Council members ahead of this meeting. The proposal was to include two charging bays in the parking spaces on Knighton Lane adjacent to the entrance the first school. After discussion it was AGREED that this proposed location is inappropriate on the grounds that (a) the location is an unsuitable one to be of benefit to residents who might need it most; i.e. those with no off-street parking; in addition (b) it would block parking places which are heavily used for school drop-off and pick-ups. Alternatively, a suggestion was made that the DC Project Manager may wish to examine the feasibility of placing a charging point on Chalky Rd just south of the Pipewise premises.

Matters of report

25/45(a)

The Clerk reported on the following matters:

(i) Allotments:
One further person has joined the waiting list – making a total of three people actively seeking a plot. On 21st July the second stage of the trimming of the hedge on the southern boundary will take place – slightly reducing its height. To enable this to happen arrangements have been made with SSE for the power to the overhead cables to be turned off. SSE are arranging for the necessary communication to their customers who are affected by this necessary temporary outage. The holder of the plot adjacent to the hedge has been written to and asked to significantly tidy-up the plot so that the hedge can be accessed safely.

(ii) Condition of footpaths / bridleways.
Nothing further to report.

(iii) Highways issues:
the Clerk reported that the inaction by DC Highways in responding to the reports of the two missing road name signs (Watergates Lane and Beech Close) is now in the hands of the DC Corporate Director for Highways. Two further issues have been reported to DC Highways – (a) two rusted-out road name support posts (Main Street); (b) a problem with road and drain levels in Rectory Close, which results in water flowing into a resident’s garden.

(iv) Road works.
Nothing further to report.

25/45(b)

Reports from Councillors:
Cllr Eason reminded the Clerk about an action point to obtain quotes for replacement noticeboards.
Cllr Byrne referred to correspondence about the unauthorised development adjacent to Knighton Lane sent to him by a nearby resident.

25/45(c)

The Chairman offered his thanks to Cllr Eason for organising the very successful Annual Parish Meeting on 31st May

To note any matters received after the publication of the agenda

25/46

There was none

Next meeting

25/47

The next meeting will take place on Monday 7th July 2025 in the Methodist Church Hall, unless otherwise advised.

There being no other business, the Chair closed the meeting at 09:55pm thanking everyone for their attendance.

Appendix 1 – Land adjacent to Broadmead Briefing Document- click here

Appendix 2 – available from the clerk

Appendix 3 – Risk Register – click here

Appendix 4 – Equality and Diversity policy – click here

Appendix 5 – Safeguarding policy – click here

Appendix 6 – Data Protection and Freedom of Information Policy – click here