Agenda, decisions and minutes

Any apologies for absence which have been received will be noted at this stage.

The Planning Committee will be informed at this point in the meeting of any planning applications which have been deferred or withdrawn and so will not be discussed and determined at this meeting.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure which was displayed on the screens.  He introduced the officers present.

The minutes relate to the meetings of the Planning Committee on 12 October 2016 and 20 October 2016 (copies to follow).

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 October 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

That subject to the amendment of “Policy 17” to read “Policy 7” in line 11 of the second paragraph of Minute 98 on page 5 the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2016 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The chairman will announce any urgent items that due to special circumstances will be dealt with under agenda item 10 (b).

The Chairman advised that there were no urgent items.

Details of members’ personal interests arising from their membership of parish councils or West Sussex County Council or from their being Chichester District Council or West Sussex County Council appointees to outside organisations or members of outside bodies or from being employees of such organisations or bodies.

Such interests are hereby disclosed by each member in respect of agenda items in the schedule of planning applications where the Council or outside body concerned has been consulted in respect of that particular item or application.

Declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are to be made by members of the Planning Committee in respect of matters on the agenda or this meeting.

Mr Barrett declared a personal interest in respect of planning application

 CC/14/04301/OUT as a Chichester District Council appointed member of the

Chichester Harbour Conservancy.

Mrs Duncton declared a personal interest in respect of planning application

CC/14/04301/OUT as a member of West Sussex County Council.

Mrs Duncton declared a personal interest in respect of planning application

CC/14/04301/OUT as a West Sussex County Council appointed member of the

South Downs National Park Authority.

Mr Dunn declared a personal interest in respect of planning application

CC/14/04301/OUT as a Chichester District Council appointed member of the

South Downs National Park Authority.

Mrs Kilby declared a personal interest in respect of planning application

CC/14/04301/OUT as a member of Chichester City Council.

Mr McAra declared a personal interest in respect of planning application

CC/14/04301/OUT as a member of West Sussex County Council.

Mr Oakley declared a personal interest in respect of planning application

CC/14/04301/OUT as a member of West Sussex County Council.

Mr Plowman declared a personal interest in respect of planning application

CC/14/04301/OUT as a member of Chichester City Council.

The Committee considered the planning applications together with an agenda update

sheet and supplementary agenda update sheet at the meeting detailing the

observations and amendments that had arisen subsequent to the dispatch of the

Agenda (copy of documents attached to the official Minutes).

During the presentations by officers of the applications, members viewed photographs,

plans, drawings, computerised images and artist impressions that were displayed on

the screens.

RESOLVED

That the Planning Committee makes the following decisions subject to the observations

and amendments below:

Outline planning application with all matters reserved (except for access) for the first phase of development for up to 750 homes with access from Old Broyle Road, temporary access from Clay Lane, a local centre (with associated employment, retail and community uses), primary school, informal and formal open space (including a Country Park), playing pitches, associated landscaping, utilities and drainage infrastructure with on site foul sewage package treatment plant or pumping station with connection to Tangmere Waste Water Treatment Works.

Defer for a Section 106 agreement then permit

The Committee considered this application for outline planning permission with all matters reserved (except for access) for the first Phase of development for up to 750 homes with access from Old Broyle Road, temporary access from Clay Lane, a local centre (with associated employment, retail and community uses), primary school, informal and formal open space (including a Country Park), playing pitches, associated landscaping, utilities and drainage infrastructure with on-site foul sewage package treatment plant or pumping station with connection to Tangmere Waste Water Treatment Works.

The application had previously been deferred following consideration at the following meetings:

1)    At the special meeting held on 8 September 2016 for officers to undertake further negotiations with the applicant regarding (a) the Committee's concerns about the timing of delivery of the southern access to enable it to serve this scheme (phase 1) and (b) further investigation of the foul drainage options; and

2)    At the special meeting held on 20 October 2016 for one month for officers to undertake further negotiations with the applicant regarding the delivery of the southern access route before development begins.

The following information was reported on the supplementary agenda update sheet relating to an additional recommended informative (delivery of the southern access within a specified timescale).

Miss Bell reminded members of the details of the outline planning application for the first phase for a mixed use development on land to the West of Chichester in a Strategic Development Location (SDL), which was an allocation in the Local Plan.  The site had been developed as part of a masterplan, endorsed by this Committee, which demonstrated how the whole of the SDL would be developed and delivered.  The application sought permission for the principle of the development and access details only.  In addition to the Community Infrastructure Levy payment there would be a comprehensive package of on and off site infrastructure provision.  The application also sought approval for six parameter plans.  Following the first deferral of the application by the Committee the applicant had submitted additional information that included a waste water technical note, and air quality technical note, development delivery timeline (DDT), planning performance agreement (PPA), and letters from Linden Homes, Miller Homes and the land agent.

With regard to the delivery of the southern access, the DDT set out the applicant’s intentions in respect of the delivery of the southern access. The infrastructure works for Phase 1 were due to commence during July 2018 following approval of both the Phase 1 outline and reserved matters applications.  The Phase 1 residential works would commence end of 2018/beginning of 2019 and the first occupation of the dwellings was expected during the middle of 2019.   At the same time as the first dwelling being occupied a reserved matters application for the southern access and the Phase 2 reserved matters was expected during summer/autumn 2019.  Subject to the discharge of planning conditions and any associated ecological mediation matters, it was anticipated that the southern access would be available for use by construction  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

4 no. Class B1/B8/craft workshops (D1) units and 1 no. Class C3 holiday let unit.

Defer for officer negotiations with the applicant in respect of the quantum of development and site layout

The following members of the public addressed the Committee:

Miss L Cookson – Supporter; and

Mrs E Lawrence - Agent

The following information was reported on the agenda update sheet relating to additional information from the agent including an officer assessment, a further consultation response from the Chichester District Council Economic Development Officer.

Miss Bell responded to members questions and comments.  She referred to the importance of the Local Plan policies, which were up to date and, therefore, should not be disregarded.  With regard to Policy 26, referred to by the agent in her address to the Committee, that related to existing business units, although the site was a horticultural use it was not classed as an existing B1 use.  The site was situated in the countryside outside the local settlement area for which Policy 45 was relevant in relation to this application.  Officers’ concern was that the proposal for four craft workshops, together with tourist accommodation and the level of parking requireddid not fit the small scale definition and there was no evidence that there an essential need for the development.  Policy 32 related to horticultural development areas, and was not relevant as it was a positively worded policy relating to the types of development that could take place within the horticultural development area.  The formalisation and regularisation of the proposed units was of concern and four two storey buildings with a central area of parking, although hidden to some extent, was of a scale that was out of keeping with the character of the area. 

Mr Frost advised members that they should be convinced there were no alternative land uses or development uses more appropriate in this location before considering whether to permit the application.  Local Plan and Government guidance stated that employment and tourist development should be located in a sustainable location.  The proposal, therefore, needed to be essential, small scale and justified by local need.  The view of officers and the District Council’s Economic Development Service was that the applicant’s case had not been properly presented at this time, but it was for the Committee to judge and make their decision for the right reasons.  He confirmed that no pre-application advice had been sought in respect of the proposed development and, therefore, officers had not had the opportunity to discuss with the applicant the principle and amount of development, and required marketing of site that might result in a scheme that better accorded with the Local Plan policies.  The application could be revisited to see if a more appropriate form of development could be achieved as there were issues that the applicant could re-consider to reduce the impact. 

Mr Whitty responded to a question concerning permitted development rights. 

With regard to the application for a change of use, the view was expressed by some members that there was no demand for the horticultural use of these sites as they were no longer viable on such a small scale.  They considered that there was though a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 104.

Retrospective application for erection of 2 no. stables for private use and installation of 20m x 20m winter turnout.

Permit

The following information was reported on the agenda update sheet relating to a revised plan replacing the site location plan on page 114, additional supporting information from the agent and a further officer assessment.

Recommendation to Permit agreed.

Erection of a pre-fabricated building for use as a gymnasium.

Permit

Recommendation to Permit agreed.

The Planning Committee will consider the monthly schedule updating the position with regard to planning appeals, litigation and recent planning policy publications or pronouncements.

The Committee considered and noted the schedule of planning appeals, court and policy matters (copy attached to the official minutes).

2. Decisions Received

SDNP/14/06285/MPO – Land at Laundry Cottage, Woodlea and Grass Mere, Horsham Road, Petworth: Mr Whitty and Mr Saunders drew members’ attention to this decision in light of the viability issues concerning affordable housing.