Issue - meetings

Works to boundary wall to facilitate formation of new access including rebuilding sections of wall and provision of gates.

Permit (x2)

Mr Saunders presented the item to Members and drew attention to the information provided in the Update Sheet. 

The Committee received the following speaker:

·         Graham Tucker– Objector (written statement read out)

Mr Saunders then responded to Member’s comments and questions.  He explained the wall was listed due to its attachment to the wall surrounding Sandhill House which was a listed building.  With regards to highway safety, the revised visibility splays, which to the south were 14.2 metres and to the north 12.7 metres, added an extra 7 metres in each direction, which although does not meet the standard, is an improvement as recognised by West Sussex County Council, which was supportive of this proposal.  He also confirmed a convex mirror was in situ and that the current access does not allow a vehicle to pull off the highway before proceeding through the gates, which would be mitigated in the proposed access.  The closing of the existing access was conditioned if permission was granted, by use of bollards and a chain-linked fence which was considered the most appropriate due to it being an attractive feature in relation to the listed building. 

Mr Saunders further responded that the site was currently unplanted and the proposal included planting of a native species hedgerow directly behind the listed building boundary wall.  The site would also be planted with fruit trees to reinstate the original orchard use.  With regards to the wall and its relationship with the listed building, there was a significant parcel of land between the two and therefore the proposed alterations would have limited impacts on the listed building.  The conservation officer had confirmed that this was not the most significant part of the listed wall, and part of the wall had fallen-down, and could be instated as part of the proposals.  The conclusion was that the proposal was of limited harm to the significance of the wall.  Mr Saunders also confirmed that West Sussex County Council had asked for the height of the wall to be reduced to 0.9 metres to allow a driver see above it, and ‘grasscrete’ surface would be installed for the track.  A condition had also been included that the proposed access would not be used until the existing access was closed, in accordance with the plans and details submitted.

In a vote Members agreed the recommendations.

Recommendation to Permit both agreed with additional conditions, informatives and amendments as discussed.

Members took a thirty minute lunch break.