Three barn conversion homes at Barn Opposite Old Quarry Close, Worth Matravers

The site

The barn stands on the edge of Worth Matravers, outside the settlement, within open countryside and the Dorset National Landscape.

“Issue Conclusion Flood risk and drainage Acceptable. Site contamination Acceptable subject to condition. ‘Tilted Balance’ Assessment In light of the lack of a 5-year housing land supply and the principle of ‘tilted balance’ of paragraph 11(d) of the NPPF, the adverse impacts of granting the consent for the three new dwellings within the countryside and Dorset National Landscape are not considered to be so significantly and demonstrably harmful as to outweigh the benefits of…”

“The existing barn is constructed of a concrete block base with grey metal elevations and roof cladding, a large metal roller shutter door on the east elevation, and several smaller units forming a lean-to extension off the north elevation. The site is enclosed by Purbeck Stone walling on its southern boundary, a landscape bund along its northern boundary and post and wire fencing.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the three homes would support housing supply and their impacts could be controlled through conditions.

“Issue Conclusion Principle of development Acceptable. Supply of three additional dwellings in accordance with Policy H2 of the Purbeck Local Plan 2024. Outside of any settlement and within the Dorset National Landscape but the proposed dwellings benefit from the presumption in favour of sustainable development as set out in paragraph 11(d) of the NPPF. Affordable housing and second homes restriction Acceptable subject to second homes restriction condition.”

Officer report

What consultees said

Highways and the National Landscape team raised no objection subject to conditions, while biodiversity mitigation and monitoring were required.

“Consultations All consultee responses can be viewed in full on the website. Consultees 1. Natural England No objection subject to mitigation being secured – Dorset Heaths recreation impacts and air quality impacts. Appropriate Assessment required. Recommend permission is not granted until the supporting ecological information has been approved by Dorset Council’s Natural Environment Team (NET).”

“Dorset Waste Team No comments received. Dorset Council – Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) - Natural Environment Team (NET) Within scope of Dorset Biodiversity Appraisal Protocol criteria and is supported by an Ecological Impact Assessment. However, this has not been submitted to NET for review and as such has not been approved. Recommend submitted to ensure compliance with wildlife legislation and that biodiversity mitigation and enhancements are secured.”

Officer report

Local objections

The parish council objected over access, dark skies, landscape character, sustainability, residential expansion, privacy, ecology and the lack of affordable housing.

“Request condition added to application to ensure the homes are primary residential properties. Comment of 03/12/2025: No material changes from previously refused applications and reasons. Lack of demonstrable safe access and compliant visibility splays. Unacceptable impact on dark night skies and tranquillity of Dorset National Landscape. Unsustainable location outside settlement boundary. Harmful landscape and character impacts.”

“Would extend private, unaffordable residential development outwards from the village, increasing pressure for further speculative development on the open land between the site and Newfoundland Close. Creeping expansion would erode the rural setting of Worth Matravers and harm its well-defined village edge. No affordable housing and does not secure the dwellings as primary residences, despite the clear requirement in the Purbeck Local Plan.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent supported the proposal, describing the site as underused and the design as suitable for its landscape setting.

Members’ discussion

Members questioned whether the parking provision was adequate for four-bedroom homes and commented on the building’s height.

“Members questions and comments • Raised concerns regarding the adequacy of parking provision for four- bedroom dwellings. • Commented on the height of the proposed building. • Noted the need to ensure sufficient space for parking.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A motion to approve the officer recommendation was proposed and seconded, subject to the recommended conditions.

“Having had the opportunity to discuss the merits of the application and an understanding of all this entailed; having considered the officer’s report and presentation; the written representatives; and what they had heard at the meeting, a motion to APPROVE the officer’s recommendation to GRANT as recommended, was proposed by Cllr Barry Goringe, and seconded by Cllr Scott Florek, subject to conditions set out in the officer report.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted for the reasons set out in the officer recommendation.

“Decision: To grant for the reasons set out in Section 17 of the officer’s report.”

Minutes