MINUTES of the meeting of the Planning & Environment Committee, held on Thursday 2nd February 2023 at 7.30 pm at Conference Room, Village Centre, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint.
Committee Members present:
| Cllr Tony Lank (Vice-Chair) Cllr Allan Brown Cllr John Lowman Cllr David Evans | Cllr Helen Bedford Cllr Michael Avery Cllr Martin Machan Cllr Bob Sampson |
Also present: Helen Valler, Assistant Clerk
P&E22/23068 Apologies for Absence: Apologies of absence were received and accepted from: Cllr Julia Shorrocks.
P&E22/23069 Declarations of Interest: There were the following personal declarations:
Cllr Helen Bedford – Item 7.8 Bridgers Farm
Cllr Martin Machan – Item 7.4 113 High Street
Cllr John Lowman – Item 7.3 The Cottage, South Lane
P&E22/23070 Minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 5th January 2023: The committee reviewed the minutes, and it was:
RESOLVED: That the Committee AGREED the Planning & Environment Committee minutes of 5th January 2023.
P&E22/23071 Matters arising from the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 5th January 2023: There were no matters arising.
P&E22/23072 Adjournment for questions from the public: Members considered whether to adjourn the meeting in order to receive questions from members of the public in attendance. No members of the public present.
P&E22/23073 Planning applications delegated to Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman in accordance with Minute P17/048. The following Applications were reported to the Committee and the Recommendations to the Planning Authority agreed:
1) 1 17A Kemps Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9UF. DM/23/0076. Proposed loft conversion. Lawful Development Certificate.
RECOMMENDATION: Application was withdrawn on 31st January.
2) Tibbiwell St Georges Place Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9QT. DM/22/3793. Variation of conditions 2 and 3 of planning application DM/21/4306 – to increase the height of the extension, reduce its depth and width, change the materials and remove the sun shade. (Revised description agreed 04.01.2023)
RECOMMENDATION: MSDC gave approval on 1st February.
3) Ladymead Mews Albourne Road Hurstpierpoint West Sussex. DM/23/0108. T001 Sycamore – raise canopy by removing 6 lowest branches and thin by 20%. T002 Sycamore – crown lift by removing 6 low branches, overall crown reduce by 2 metres, sever ivy at base of tree. T003 Sycamore – pollard to previous pollard points. T004 English Yew – overall crown reduce by 1.5 metre. T005 Common Beech – remove 2 small internal branches at approx 4m from ground level. Trees in a Conservation Area.
RECOMMENDATION: Our recommendation is that MSDC should give permission.
4) 4 2 Berrylands Farm Sayers Common Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9XH. DM/22/3618. (Amended Plans received 24/1/2023) Variation of Condition 2 of planning approval DM/21/3811 – To include minor modification to the elevations of the approved extension by substitution of the approved drawings as listed in DM/21/3811, with the proposed amended drawings submitted with this application.
RECOMMENDATION: No further comment
P&E22/23074 Applications – Committee decision: The Committee considered the following and made RECOMMENDATIONS to the Planning authority:
1) Land West Of Burgess Hill Between The A273 And A2300 Burgess Hill West Sussex. DM/23/0023. Variation of condition 5 (Approved Plans) relating to Reserved Matters application DM/20/0254 – Updates to design of road network, road infrastructure and attenuation basins.
RECOMMENDATION: Our recommendation is that MSDC should give permission.
2) Applegarth Halton Shaws Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9QR. DM/22/3749. (Amended description 09/01/2022) Proposed rear and side extension, roof and first floor extension to the southern side and dormer windows above the existing integral garage.
RECOMMENDATION: MSDC gave approval on 1st February.
3) The Cottage South Lane Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9YD. DM/22/2982. Two-storey side extension (Tree Report received 09.01.2023).
RECOMMENDATION: No further comment
4) 113 High Street Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9PU. DM/22/3798. Proposed Change of Use to a micro brewery / tap room with a proposed extraction fan to the north elevation. Window to be blocked up in the store room to the rear
RECOMMENDATION: In principle we support permission being granted subject to the Environmental Health Officer being satisfied, and the output effect from the Flue being deemed satisfactory, if necessary after the appropriate amendment.
5) 12 Orchard Way Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9UB. DM/23/0066. Proposed new window at first floor level, side elevation.
RECOMMENDATION: Our recommendation is that MSDC should give permission.
6) 6 Pickhams Cottage Cuckfield Road Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9LL. DM/22/3857. Conversion of existing barn to residential dwelling
RECOMMENDATION: Our recommendation is that MSDC should give permission.
7) 24 Kemps Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9UF. DM/22/3505. Proposed new dwelling. Amendments to existing dwelling to include new pitched dormers to front and rear, removal and repositioning of existing windows and incorporating attached store in kitchen. (Revised plans received 03.01.2023, 06.01.2023 and 16.01.2023)
RECOMMENDATION: The Parish Council wish to reiterate our comments from the previous application on this site: Our recommendation is that MSDC should refuse the application. The site is situated on a narrow footpath with no vehicular access to its immediate vicinity, and any new building will only add to existing on-street parking problems. Should Planning Approval be given, we have major concerns as to the delivery of construction materials etc. There are already problems and damage being caused by HGV’s entering Sunleigh Court because Satnavs and signage wrongly indicate vehicle access to Kemps. Whether delivery vehicles use Kemps or Sunleigh Court materials can only be offloaded away from the site and will then have to be manually moved via the footpath, something that will be particularly difficult in the case of e.g. Roof trusses and Steels. Not only will this present a hazard to pedestrians, but re Sunleigh Court it might well block vehicle access to residents. We strongly urge that this aspect is taken into account when considering this application.
8) Bridgers Farm Langton Lane Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9HA. DM/22/3064. Change of use of existing commercial buildings and construction of new replacement buildings to form flexible commercial use with associated external alterations to buildings.
RECOMMENDATION: The committee reiterate previous concerns from approved application DM/22/3882, over future use, which have not been addressed. Langton Lane is in line to be designated as a “Quiet Lane”, in line with this Council’s Neighbourhood Plan. The description of ‘flexible commercial use’ gives a very wide range of potential usages for the buildings in question, many of which would be detrimental to Langton Lane, and a Quiet Lanes Policy.
9) Danny Lodge New Way Lane Hurstpierpoint West Sussex BN6 9BA. SDNP/23/00043/HOUS. Demolition of 3 outbuildings. Replacement of a single sustainable outbuilding.
RECOMMENDATION: We do not believe that a permanent structure could be regarded as a “replacement” for a Polytunnel. The proposed Nissan Hut would be totally out of keeping with other rural structures in this area, and against guidelines for building in the South Downs National Park.
We therefore recommend that the Application be refused. However should you be mindful to grant permission, we would ask that a condition be included preventing any residential occupation of the structure, either permanent or temporary, at any time in the future. On a point of order, we note that the Ownership Certificate within the Application Form contains the Declaration dated 04/03/2023.
10) 27 College Lane Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9AB. DM/23/0162.Two storey side extension to the north, re-building of garage structure to south. Rear single storey extension with roof terrace over. Loft conversion with dormer roof.
RECOMMENDATION: Our recommendation is that MSDC should give permission.
11) Little Park Farm Marchants Close Hurstpierpoint West Sussex. DM/23/0189. Removal of Condition 14 of planning application DM/22/0204 relating to The Meadows (Unit C).
RECOMMENDATION: Our recommendation is that MSDC should refuse the application. The committee support the original condition, which was imposed to protect the site from over development. The condition should remain.
P&E22/23075 Licensing Applications: The committee considered the following and made a recommendation to the Licensing Authority:
1) Hop Tub Brewing Ltd, 113 High Street, Hurstpierpoint, BN6 9PU. LI/23/0110. New Premises Licence Application.
RECOMMENDATION: Our recommendation is that MSDC Licensing Authority should give permission.
P&E22/23076 MSDC Planning Decisions: (All as H&SC PC recommendation, except where noted).
(1) Granted: The Committee noted permissions granted by MSDC:
a) Church House High Street Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9TS. DM/22/2039. Internal alterations and new external french doors to the rear elevation. (amended plans received 21/11)
b) Church House High Street Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9TS. DM/22/2042. Internal alterations and new external french doors to the rear elevation. (amended plans received 21/11). Listed Building Consent.
c) 53 College Lane Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9AD. DM/22/3640. Beech Tree (T1)- Fell
d) Mansion House Bungalow High Street Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9RQ. DM/22/3576. Removal and replacement of section of boundary wall. Listed Building Consent.
e) Mansion House Bungalow High Street Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9RQ. DM/22/3575. Removal and replacement of section of boundary wall.
f) 35 Manor Gardens Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9UG. DM/22/3596. Loft conversion, new rooflights and patio door.
g) Abberton House 6 Hassocks Road Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9QN. DM/22/3733. G1 Beech trees – reduce height by 5-6m back to previous pruning points.
h) 5 Chestnut Grove Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9SS. DM/22/2826. 1x Oak (T16) – Reduce crown back to previous pruning points with a maximum of 1-1.5m.
i) Land To West Of Goldcrest Drive Sayers Meadow Sayers Common West Sussex. DM/22/2012. Erection of a 2 storey, 66 bed care home for older people with associated access, car parking and landscaping. (Additional drainage information and plans received 2nd September 2022). (Amended plans received 8th December 2022 showing a revised design and elevation treatments and amendments to parking area). (H&SC PC recommended refusal)
j) 157 High Street Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9PU. DM/22/3526. Apple Tree – Reduce crown by 1m and thin by 20%. Elder tree (T3) Pollard (amended description 19.01.23).
k) Plot 1 – 4, The Hub Land South Of A2300 Gatehouse Lane Goddards Green West Sussex. DM/22/2676. Application for approval of reserved matters on Plots 1-4 of landscape, appearance, layout and scale, to provide flexible employment units across use classes B1b, B1c, B2 and B8, with ancillary offices at The Hub, pursuant to permission DM/20/3614. (Amended Plans received on 01/12/2022 showing revised elevational treatments and additional landscaping information).
(2) Refused: The Committee noted refusals by MSDC:
a) Wayside Manor Gardens Hurstpierpoint Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9UG. DM/22/3414. Demolish existing side conservatory and side extension. Erect a single storey 2 bedroom detached bungalow in the existing side garden to Wayside, together with an extended hard standing for an off-street parking space and a new front boundary wall. (H&SC PC recommended approval)
(3) Withdrawn: The Committee noted withdrawn applications:
No notifications received.
(4) Appeals: The Committee noted planning appeals:
No notifications received.
P&E22/23077 Review of the Planning & Environment Action Plan: The committee is asked to agree that the two items remain on the Action Plan and are reviewed/followed up through the Sustainability Working Group.
RESOLVED: The committee agreed that the two items remain on the Action Plan, although they requested that the wording on item 2 is amended to no longer refer to specific energy sources.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 8.34pm