Ten town-centre flats at Brenda Dench House, Weymouth

What was proposed

The application sought extensions and alterations to create ten additional dwellings, retain part of a retail unit and provide no parking.

“Application number: P/FUL/2024/02448 Webpage: https://planning.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/ Site address: Brenda Dench House St Mary Street Weymouth DT4 8PU Proposal: Alterations and extensions to the existing building comprising: elevation changes at ground and first floor level; changes to light-wells; construction of new floor space at second and third floor level to create 10 no dwellings; increase the height of the existing roof pitch on the south elevation and insertion of…”

“Description of development 5.1 The application seeks full planning permission to create an additional 10 flats by building upwards. Some internal alterations would be required to some of the existing flats, and around 2/3 of the existing floorspace serving a hairdresser at No.39 would be lost to make way for stairs, bin storage, bikes, etc. No parking is proposed. Relevant planning history 6.1 In 1994, consent was granted under ref.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The building is a prominent town-centre property in the conservation area, near listed buildings including the adjacent Grade I listed church.

“Description of site 4.1 This is a 2/2.5-storey building located within Weymouth’s town centre and conservation area. It has ground-floor retail uses, with nine flats above. The building has a dual frontage onto St Mary Street and Maiden Street, making it…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent supported the homes and improvements, questioned the weight given to the evacuation plan and suggested future flood defences could help.

What members debated

Members discussed flooding, evacuation, heritage, appearance, amenity, gates, outside space and whether conditions could address the concerns.

“[name withheld] spoke as the agent for the application. He stated that the application would provide 10 dwellings to Weymouth and improve the visual appearance of an old building, as well as making it more sustainable. He did not consider that enough weight was given to the evacuation plan provided and the fact that the flood risk would be from tidal flooding and so would only last 3-6 hours.”

“In response to questions from members the Senior Planning Officer provided the following responses: • The name of the building couldn’t be controlled. • Dorset Fire and Rescue were consulted on the safety considerations of the gates and it was stated that they would be controlled by building regulations. • Weight couldn’t be given to any potential future flood defences and the application was only being considered in its current form.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

A motion to approve was withdrawn, then members voted to refuse the application for the officers’ stated reasons.

“Having had the opportunity to debate the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representation; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to approve the application was proposed by Cllr O’Leary and seconded by Cllr Northam.”

“Members continued to discuss the application and although several members agreed that the application would provide a visual improvement on the current building, on balance there were too many issues to overcome, particularly the risk of flooding.”

Minutes