Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2019 were submitted and approved as a correct record, and the Chair was authorised to sign them.

An apology was reported from Councillor Taylor.

Councillor Metcalfe MBE declared a Pecuniary Interest in minute 107, 8 Solomons Close as the owner of the property and withdrew from the room while the item was considered and did not vote.

Councillor Metcalfe also declared a personal interest in minute 108, Wood Winton, 63a Silverdale Road as he knew the Architect for this item and the Architect had also worked on 8 Solomons Close, and he remained in the room and took part in the vote.

The Chairman to notify the Committee of any items of urgent business to be added to the agenda.

There were none.

The Chairman to report any requests received to address the Committee from a member of the public or from a Councillor in respect of planning applications/items listed and that these applications/items are taken at the commencement of the meeting.

The business of the meeting proceeded in accordance with the agenda.

Planning permission for single storey side extension – SOVEREIGN

Having declared a pecuniary/prejudicial interest, Councillor Metcalfe MBE was absent from the room during discussion and voting on this item.

Officers advised that this application had been brought before the Committee because the applicant was a Councillor of Eastbourne Borough Council.  He was also a member of the Planning Committee.

Councillor Murray proposed a motion to approve the application, this was seconded by Councillor Murdoch.

Resolved (Unanimous): That permission be granted as set out in the officer’s report.

Outline planning permission (access) for the erection of six houses - MEADS

Mr Doel, local resident, addressed the Committee in objection, stating that the scheme was out of keeping with the Meads area. He also raised concerns regarding overdevelopment, the access road and footpath.

Mr Scard, Chair of Meads Community Association, addressed the Committee in objection to the application, stating that the reduction in the number of dwellings from 7 to 6 was not sufficient.  He also raised concerns regarding the loss of trees, access, footpath, flood risk and overdevelopment.  He said the Meads area was of high townscape value and urged the Committee not to accept the application to meet housing targets.

Councillor Smart, Ward Councillor, addressed the Committee (from the public gallery) in objection. He referred to the access, flood risk, living environment, tree preservation orders (TPOs), and reduction of conditions.  He said none of the issues had been addressed by removing one dwelling.

Mr Whiteman, agent, spoke in response and said that all the issues raised had been addressed in the officers’ report and in the current design proposal.  He said the consultees had raised no objection and urged the Committee to support the officers’ recommendation.

The Committee discussed the removal of TPOs on the site and felt that the scheme was out of keeping, of poor design, would cause a flood risk, and was unsuitable for emergency and refuse vehicles. Councillors raised strong concern that pedestrians would use the same roadway as vehicles, stating that the development had not been improved sufficiently.  

Following discussion, officers advised that the Highway Authority had raised no objection to the outline application and was satisfied with the footpath and access arrangements.  A number of TPOs had been removed previously but there was no case for further action. Further conditions would be applied to any reserved matters application. 

Councillor Miah proposed a motion against the officers’ recommendation, to refuse the application, this was seconded by Councillor Robinson.

Resolved (Unanimous): That Outline permission be refused for the following reason:

The Council is not satisfied that seven residential properties could be adequately accommodated on the site without causing harm to the character of the wider area in the form of a cramped over-development of the site with poor access arrangement.

There were none.