Agenda and minutes

To elect a Deputy Chair of the Planning Applications Committee for the remainder of the 2024/2025 municipal year.

That Councillor Paul Keene be elected Deputy Chair of the Planning Applications Committee for the remainder of the 2024/2025 municipal year.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 April 2024 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on the 17 April 2024 were submitted and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ian Alexander, Graham Amy, Roy Clay and Stella Spiteri. It was declared that Councillor Paul Davies would be acting as Substitute for Councillor Alexander and Councillor Daniel Stewart-Robers would be acting as Substitute for Councillor Spiteri for the duration of the meeting.

Disclosure by councillors of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the councillor regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

There were none.

Items not on the agenda which the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances as defined in Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were none.

To receive petitions from councillors or members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13 (Page D10 of the Constitution).

There were none.

To deal with written questions from members pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.3 (page D9 of the Constitution).

There were none.

Where additional information has been received by Planning Officers subsequent to the publication of the agenda, a supplementary report will be added to this item and published on the Council’s website the day before the meeting to update the main reports with any late information.

A supplementary report was circulated to the Committee the day before the meeting, updating the main reports on the agenda with any late information (a copy of which was published on the Council’s website).

Resolved:

That planning application LW/24/0282 for 10 single head lampposts, 4 twin head lampposts and 4 bulkhead fittings to be added to top storey of open aired car park with the addition of 2 new car parking sign on north-west elevation and greenery walls along the north-east and north-west elevations be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report.

Councillor John Kay spoke on behalf of Ringmer Parish Council. Janet Russell (Immediate Neighbour), Juliet Lyon (Neighbour) and Katy Naylor (Read a speech on behalf of Immediate Neighbours, Mr and Mrs Jack) spoke against the proposal. Clive Stillman (Agent), Gavin Stillman (Agent) and Mrs Sandy Bone (Local Resident/Friend of Applicant) spoke for the proposal. Councillor Johnny Denis spoke in his capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/23/0360 for demolition of existing dwelling, erection of 1 No. detached dwelling and 2 No. semi-detached dwellings (Outline application with landscaping details reserved) be approved, subject to:

1.     The conditions set out in the report and supplementary report;

2.     An additional condition regarding the removal of permitted development rights; and

3.     The additional wording ‘that the landscaping buffer, once implemented, is to be maintained and not removed’ be added to Condition 10.9.

Reason: In the interest of visual amenity and biodiversity in accordance with LLP1 policies CP10 and CP11 and para. 135 and 180 of the NPPF.

The Committee Officer read a speech submitted by Isabelle Mouland (Town Clerk) on behalf of Seaford Town Council. Brendon Franks (Near Neighbour) spoke against the proposal. Daniel Wood (Homeowner) and Darren Moore (Architect) spoke for the proposal.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/23/0699 for rebuilding of the front garden wall, relocation of vehicular and pedestrian access points including associated landscaping, be refused for the following reason:

The proposal, by reason of repositioning the vehicle opening, will reduce the length of the flint wall and reduce the screening of 18A backland development to the detriment of the conservation area, contrary to LLP1 Core Policy 11 (Built and Historic Environment and High Quality Design), LLP2 DM25 (Design) and LLP2 DM 33 (Heritage Assets).

Councillor Christine Robinson spoke in her capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/23/0372 for erection of 3 storey dwelling, be deferred, so that Officers may negotiate with the Applicant in respect of the following:

1.    Design needs to be more in sympathy with the transition from the SDNP to Saltdean, and in particular the bulkiness and the current height of the proposal. Consider removing the top floor. Linear form acceptable. Building to be in light materials.

2.    Concern about inefficient use of land. Large plot for one large home, when what is needed is more small homes. However, Committee noted narrow access road and more smaller homes would make access and parking difficult.

3.    Linking with the South Downs National Park. Committee wanted access to and from SDNP to be maintained as a critical element of the scheme, with strong planning policy supporting this aim.

To note that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to be held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE, at a date TBC.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee was scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 23 July 2024, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.