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Committee will be informed at this point in the meeting of any planning applications which have been deferred or withdrawn and so will not be discussed and determined at this meeting.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

The Chairman read out the emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies were received from Cllr Bates, Cllr Betts, Cllr Donna Johnson and Cllr Todhunter.

The minutes relate to the meeting of the Planning Committee on 12 June 2024.

Following a vote, the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 12 June 2024 were agreed and signed as a true and accurate record.

The chairman will announce any urgent items that due to special circumstances will be dealt with under agenda item 13 (b).

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.

The following declarations of interest were made:

Item 6 - Cllr Val Weller – Pre-determined in that matter having expressed an opinion at Selsey Town Council prior to becoming a member at the district council.

Item 9 - Cllr John Cross – Pre-determined in that matter having expressed an option at Parish Council prior to becoming a member at the district council.

Ms Golding explained that both members would leave the meeting room for the duration of the items and would not participate in the votes. In the case of Item 9 a Chair for that item would be required and members asked to vote a Chair at that stage of the meeting.

Approval of Reserved Matters Application following permission 20/03378/OUT, relating to appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for development comprising of 30 no. dwellings.

Permit.

Ms Bell drew attention to the Agenda Update Sheet which listed a further third party objection. She then presented the report.

Representations were received from:

Cllr Jane Towers – Chidham and Hambrook Parish Council

Mr Peter Cleveland - Agent

Officers responded to comments and questions as follows:

With regard to why there are only three bungalows included on the site the fourth bungalow at outline stage was illustrative only. Officers confirmed that planning requirements are met including the back gardens proposed meeting the minimum of 10 metres required. There is no policy requirement for bungalows on site.

With regard to vegetation the inspector required landscape buffers on the outside of the settlement.

With regard to the trees on the western boundaries they are maintained within the neighbouring gardens. 

With regard to social rent and affordable rent properties there are issues securing housing providers for social or affordable rent. Properties on site will include shared equity with 30% of the property retained in perpetuity. With the 30% not subject to rent. 

It was confirmed that the discharge of suds had been considered by the Flood Authority and is acceptable.

It was clarified that the applicant is proposing air source heat pumps and the council cannot require the applicant to use solar panels.

With regard to proximity of pylons the play area is set back at a further distance than Hambrook Place which had been deemed acceptable.

With regard to the maintenance of the road surface it is not a material consideration of members and officers.

With regard to the proximity of the garage to the property they are single storey to the east of the properties away from the main amenity space.

With regard to the necessity of downlights on the eastern edge the Environmental Strategy team have carried out a habitat assessment and the lighting is acceptable for the light sensitive bats present in that area.

With regard to the height of the two storey house they are 7.6 metre which is a lower height as many applications are 9 metre.

Following a vote the Committee agreed to Permit the application.

RESOLVED: Permit.

Replacement 1 no. dwelling.

Permit.

Cllr Weller withdrew from the room as per her previous declaration.

Ms Haigh drew attention to the Agenda Update Sheet. She explained that the name of the property is ‘Armaria’. A small correction to paragraph 6.4 as the report should read that the original house had no glazing on the west elevation.

Representations were received from:

Mrs Alison Gaunt - Objector

Ms Emma Wilkinson - Objector

Mr Scott Witchalls - Applicant

Officers responded to comments and questions as follows:

With regard to the overlooking to the neighbours to the south the balcony and rear elevation will be excess of 21 metre which is in line with guidance.

With regard to light spill there is no dark skies policy or designation in this area. It remains in context with the surrounding residential area.

With regard to the rooflight over the stairwell it is not considered unreasonable in the context of the property.

With regard to the ridge height compared to the surrounding properties it is consistent.

With regard to the previous property there is an approved scheme for extension in place. Carrying the ridge along is not considered to increase the mass of property, particularly as the rear eaves height of the proposal is lower than the previous scheme.

Following a vote the Committee agreed to Permit the application.

RESOLVED: Permit.

Change of use of land to 2 no. pitch gypsy/traveller site comprising the siting of 1 static caravan, 1 touring caravan, and erection of 1 no. dayroom per pitch, alongside the formation of new access on to Chalk Lane.

Defer for Section 106 then Permit.

Cllr Weller rejoined the meeting.

Ms Haigh drew attention to the Agenda Update Sheet where an additional third party representation has been submitted. She then presented the report.

There were no speakers.

Officers responded to comments and questions as follows:

With regard to the wider site has previously been to an appeal hearing for seven pitches. The findings of that appeal of significant material consideration including the consideration of dominance the Inspector found that the site would not dominate and found that the 15 plots in total would not numerically dominate other residents. Costs were incurred to the council at that appeal.

With regard to the definition of a caravan it was explained that it is down to degree of permanence, size and how it can be transported. When granting permission it is as per the definition.

Following a vote the Committee agreed to Defer for Section 106 then Permit.

RESOLVED: Defer for Section 106 then Permit.

Extension for new dental surgeries, staff room and disabled toilet. Roof mounted solar panels. Additional EV charging points in staff carpark.

Permit.

Ms Haigh drew attention to the Agenda Update Sheet and a revised plan. She then presented the report.

Representations were received from:

Cllr Simon Oakley – Tangmere Parish Council

Dr Paul Liano – Applicant

Officers responded to comments and questions as follows:

With regard to drainage the Drainage Officer has been consulted and they feel the scheme proposed would mitigate. A suitable solution can be updated by condition.

Following a vote the Committee agreed to Permit including expanding Condition 4 for the drainage.

RESOLVED: Permit.

Members took a short break.

SDNP/22/05595/FUL;

Change of use of existing building to office use and associated works.

SDNP/22/05596/LIS:

Alterations to the barn to facilitate change of use to office use.

Permit.

Cllr Cross withdrew from the Chair and the room during this item following his earlier declaration.

Cllr Burton proposed Cllr Stephen Johnson take the Chair. This was seconded by Cllr Weller and in a vote Cllr Stephen Johnson was duly appointed Chair for the item.

Cllr Stephen Johnson then took the Chair.

Mr Price presented the report.

Representation was received from:

Mr Andy Kinnear - Agent

Officers responded to comments and questions as follows:

With regard to parking spaces it was confirmed that 13 are proposed. 10 are dedicated parking for staff with three informal hardstanding spaces for visitors. The Highways Authority was consulted on the traffic flow which was deemed acceptable.

Following a vote the Committee agreed to Permit the applications.

RESOLVED: Permit.

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

Cllr Cross returned to the meeting and took the Chair.

With regard to the item on page 130 Mrs Stevens explained that she would need to check the update and provide it to the next meeting.

The Committee agreed to note the report.

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 agreed to note the report.

PS/22/01735/FULEIA – Crouchlands Farm, Rickmans Lane, Plaistow

Regeneration of Crouchlands Farm, comprising demolition of selected buildings, extension, refurbishment and remodelling of selected buildings and the erection of new buildings to provide up to a total of 8,788 sq m (including retained / refurbished existing buildings) comprising the existing farm hub (sui generis), a rural enterprise centre (Use Classes E(c), E(e), E(g), C1 and F1(a)), a rural food and retail centre (Use Classes E(a) and E(b)) and a glamping site (Use Class E and sui generis); provision of new hardstanding, pedestrian, cycle and vehicular access, circulation and parking, landscaping including new tree planting, maintenance and improvements to the Public Rights of Way, site infrastructure and ground remodelling.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED

That Planning Committee:

      I.         Notes the information within the report, and

    II.         Agrees to contest appeal APP/L3815/W/24/3344661 for the reasons set out at section 10 of the report.

   III.         Agrees to enter into a S106 agreement (only effective in the event that the inspector allows the appeal) in respect of the requirements set out in paragraph 18 of section 10 of the report (or with such variations as the Development Management Divisional Manager considers appropriate).

Mr Cranmer drew attention to the Agenda Update Sheet. They also provided a further verbal update to 2.1. The addition is to read ‘that the council agrees to enter into a S106 agreement (only effective in the event that the Inspector allows the appeal) in respect of the requirements set out in paragraph 18 of section 10 of the report (or with such variations as is the Development Management Divisional Manager deems appropriate).

Mr Cranmer then presented the item.

There were no speakers.

Officers responded to comments and questions as follows:

With regard to the number of reasons for appeal will impact the costs. Some reasons for refusal can fall away during the course of appeal. In terms of cost of the appeal the council will robustly defend the reasons for refusal which may involve the use of consultants.

Following a vote the Committee agreed the following resolutions:

RESOLVED

That Planning Committee:

      I.         Notes the information within the report, and

    II.         Agrees to contest appeal APP/L3815/W/24/3344661 for the reasons set out at section 10 of the report.

   III.         Agrees that the council agrees to enter into a S106 agreement (only effective in the event that the Inspector allows the appeal) in respect of the requirements set out in paragraph 18 of section 10 of the report (or with such variations as is the Development Management Divisional Manager deems appropriate)

The Planning Committee will consider any late items announced by the Chairman at the start of this meeting as follows:

a)    Items added to the agenda papers and made available for public inspection

b)    Items which the chairman has agreed should be taken as matters of urgency by reason of special circumstances to be reported at the meeting

There were no late items.

There are no restricted items for consideration.

There was no requirement to exclude the public or press.