Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9 October 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 9 October 2024 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as an accurate record.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Christoph von Kurthy and it was declared that Councillor Paul Mellor would be acting as his Substitute 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.

Councillor Graham Amy declared an interest in Agenda Item 9 - LW/23/0304 (Land between Beach Road and Transit Road, Newhaven), as he had relatives that lived the area and as he had made it clear he was against the application. He crossed the floor and spoke from the public gallery in his capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor, and he remained in the public gallery for the duration of the item.

Councillor Amy also declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 10 - LW/24/0620 (Fort Road Recreation Ground, Fort Road, Newhaven), as he had relatives that lived very close to Fort Road and because he was Chair of the Castle Hill Nature Reserve. He left the room for the duration of the item and did not participate in the consideration, discussion or voting thereon.

For purposes of transparency in relation to Agenda Item 8 - (LW/23/0752 Land north of Lewes Road, Ringmer), the Council’s Principal Planning Solicitor declared that she was a resident of Ringmer and that some objectors and supporters of the application may be known to her, but that would not affect any legal advice given.

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).

An e-petition with a total of 187 signatures (77 digital and 110 physical) has been received in objection to Agenda Item 9 - Planning Application LW/23/0304 (Land between Beach Road and Transit Road, Newhaven).

An e-petition with a total of 187 signatures (77 digital and 110 physical) was received in objection to Agenda Item 9 - Planning Application LW/23/0304 (Land between Beach Road and Transit Road, Newhaven).

The petition organiser, Ms Krissy Taylor, summarised the petition prior to the discussion and consideration of Agenda Item 9.

The Chair acknowledged receipt of the e-petition and thanked Ms Taylor for her participation.

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).

Councillor John Kay spoke on behalf of Ringmer Parish Council. Eleanor Robins (Neighbour), Nick Chaloner (Neighbour) and Claire Ottewell (Near Neighbour, who had a speech read on her behalf by the Committee Officer) spoke against the proposal. Tristan Robinson (Applicant) and Adrian Lee (Applicant) spoke for the proposal. Councillor Emily O’Brien spoke in her capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/23/0752 for the erection of 95 dwellings, with associated access, car parking, refuse/recycling storage, landscaping, infrastructure and works be approved, subject to:

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

2)    A Section 106 Agreement securing affordable housing, highway improvements and transport contributions, landscape and biodiversity management and maintenance and management and the delivery of LEAP and LAP facilities, as set out in Paragraphs 8.15, 8.16 and Sections 9-12 of the report in Appendix 1;

3)    Additional ESCC Highway Conditions, as set out at Appendix 2; and

4)    That delegated authority be given to the Head of Development Management to:

a) Make a Diversion Order under s.257 TCPA’90 relating to part of Public Footpath RIN/17/1;

b) To carry out all legal steps required to publicise and consult on the Order;

c) Subject to no objections being received or any objection received having been withdrawn, to make and confirm the Order and to publicise it as required by the legislation; and

d) To make minor modifications to the Draft Order, or to re-make and confirm the Order with minor modifications if required.

Daniel Frisby (Planner on behalf of Newhaven Port), Corina Watts (Neighbour) and Maggie Edwards (Neighbour) all spoke against the proposal. Martin Carpenter (Agent) and John McLean (Architect) spoke for the proposal. A speech was read by the Committee Officer on behalf of Councillor James MacCleary in his capacity as a Lewes District Ward Councillor. Councillor Graham Amy crossed the floor and spoke from the public gallery in his capacity as a Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/23/0304 for the demolition of existing former Port Office building and the erection of 126 dwellings including 18 storey building with Class E commercial uses (154m2) at ground floor level, associated ground level parking, landscaping and access arrangements, be deferred to a future meeting of the Committee.

Resolved:

That Officers be delegated to approve planning application LW/24/0620 for recladding and alterations of external openings to existing Shakespeare Hall building (and alternations to internal partitions), recladding (including roof replacement) and alternations of external openings to existing cricket pavilion building (and alternations to internal partitions), new roof sheeting and external cladding/insulation, subject to no additional material matters being introduced through public representations prior to the expiry of the statutory consultation period on 15 November 2024 and subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report.

The Committee added informatives in respect of wheelchairs, cycling, baby-changing toilets and disabled and buggy access to the first floor.

Councillor John Kay spoke on behalf of Ringmer Parish Council.

Resolved:

That Officers be delegated to approve planning application LW/24/0562 for Variation of condition 1 (approved plans), 6 (Visibility Splays), 19 (Ecology enhancement measures), 20 (Glazing) and 22 (Bird and Bat Boxes) relating to approval LW/21/0351 - Conditions to be varied to allow for revisions to building design and positioning and correct sequencing of construction works in the appropriate manner, this is to avoid doing deleterious works as some of the pre commencement conditions require works to be done against sequence, Condition wording to be changed, Condition 6 - Change to a pre-occupation condition, Condition 19 - Change to a pre-occupation condition, Condition 20 - Change wording to allow for windows to be openable for purged ventilation, due to overheating requirements, Condition 22 - Removal of wording to stipulate requirement for bat boxes and mammal gates as this is not a requirement in the ecology report, subject to no additional material matters being introduced through public representations prior to the expiry of the statutory consultation period on 18 November 2024 and subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report.

To note that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 4 December 2024, commencing at 5:00pm, location to be confirmed (TBC).

It was noted that that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 4 December 2024, commencing at 5:00pm, at a location to be confirmed (TBC).