MINUTES of the Meeting of the STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKING GROUP  held on Tuesday 1 September 

2015 held in the Village Centre, Trinity Road, Hurstpierpoint.  

Working Group Members Present 

John Lowman (Chairman) Rodney Jackson 

David Evans  Stephen Hand 

Also Present:   

  John Wilkinson                                                       Stephen Hoyles – CLERK TO THE COUNCIL 

SP15/013.   Apologies for absence and declarations of interest:  The Working Group received and accepted the following apologies for absence from members of the Working Group:  Rosemary Burns,  Allan Brown, Tony Lank,  Judith Marsh,  Matthew Stokes.  There were no declarations of interest in accordance with the Code of Conduct:   

SP15/014.  Minutes of the Meeting of the Strategic Planning Working Group 7 July 2015:   The Minutes of the meeting were received and accepted and signed by the Chairman.   

SP15/015.  Review of information:  The Group noted the following items: SP15/015.1 Meetings held:    

1. (1) Mid Sussex District Council:  The Clerk attended a meeting at MSDC offices on 20 July 2015 with conservation planning officers and representatives of Hurstpierpoint Society to discuss the Society’s submission for updating the existing Conservation Areas in Hurstpierpoint.  (See Minute SP15/016  below.)   
2. (2) Mid Sussex District Council:  The Clerk attended a meeting at MSDC offices on 20 August 2015 with the Leader 

of Council and Deputy Chief Executive, and representatives of parish councils and Burgess Hill TC, to receive a commercially confidential briefing on the latest proposals for the town centre redevelopment of Burgess Hill.  The proposals for a redevelopment by New River Retail would be considered by MSDC Cabinet on 8 September 2015.  It was noted that there would be no direct impact on the Parish area, other than the potential benefits of a substantial inward investment into Burgess Hill, and the possible additional pressure on other community facilities following the closure of Martletts Hall.   

SP15/015.2  Other information:   

1. (1) South Downs National Park:  The SDNPA has launched a consultation on the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).  Information workshops are being held at various locations between 9 September and 22 September 2015.  (Ref:  

SDNPA letter 19 August 2015)    

1. (2) Housing site allocations:  Agents acting for landowners have advertised for expressions of interest in housing development in 177 acres of land west of Jane Murray Way, Burgess Hill, and within the Parish.  The working Group noted that the suggested areas were zoned as ‘countryside’  in the adopted Neighbourhood Plan and that adequate housing provision was provided elsewhere.  (Ref:  RH&RW Clutton website)  
2. (3) Mid Sussex District Council – Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL):  MSDC is consulting on the Draft Charging 

Schedule with responses required by 18 September 2015.  The Working Group noted the proposed CIL rate of £235/sq m  for dwellings.  It was also noted that the developments for which permission had been granted were not covered by the proposed CIL .  It was agreed that the Council would not make comments.   (Ref:  MSDC  Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Draft Charging Schedule , August 2015)   

RECOMMENDATION to  Council:  The Parish Council has no comment on the proposed  Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) 

1. (4) Lindfield Neighbourhood Plan:  The Working Group noted that the Independent Examiner had reported on the Submission Plan and had recommended that an additional housing site be included to meet the stated housing need.   

SP15/016.   Conservation Areas:  The Working Group considered the draft report ‘Appraisal of Hurstpierpoint’s Conservation Areas’  produced by Hurstpierpoint Society and submitted to MSDC.   The PARISH 2031 Neighbourhood 

Plan  Aim  Hurst C4 – Conservation Areas, makes provision for a review to be undertaken in the areas of Langton Lane, High Street, and Hurst Wickham.  The Hurstpierpoint Society Appraisal has included these areas  and added proposals for a northern section of Western Road, a section of Cuckfield Road west of the primary school site, and the addition of an area immediately north of Tott Farm buildings.  A small area in College Lane is proposed to be deleted.  The Working Group agreed to RECOMMEND to Council that it would support the proposals and assist Hurst Society by progressing the application.  It was agreed that the small parcels of land at Apple tree Cottage, Allotments Gardens, and Southmeed,  between the existing Conservation Area and the South Downs National Park Boundary, should be included in the revised Conservation Area.  This would ensure a continuity between the planning constraints of the National Park and those of the 

Conservation Area.    (Ref:  Appraisal of Hurstpierpoint’s Conservation Areas – Hurstpierpoint Society  – 2015 ) RECOMMENDATION to Council:  The Council supports the proposals by Hurstpierpoint Society for revisions to the Conservation Areas in Hurstpierpoint and offers to progress the application.  The Council wishes to include three small land parcels between the existing Area and the National Park boundary, to ensure continuity of planning constraints.    

There being no other business the Chairman closed the Meeting at  8.45 pm.   Chairman