Members of the Committee and Officers present introduced themselves to all those who were present during the meeting.

A short period of silence was held in memory of Sir David Amess MP who tragically passed away on Friday, 15^th October 2021.

Apologies had been received from Councillor Miah and Councillor Maxted. Councillor Choudhury confirmed that he was acting as substitute for Councillor Maxted.

There were none.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2021 were submitted and approved as a correct record, and the Chair was authorised to sign them.

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

There were no urgent items.  An officer addendum, however, was circulated to the Committee prior to the start of the meeting, updating the main reports on the agenda with any late information (a copy of which was published on the Council’s website).

Outline application with all matters reserved for the conversion/extension of the existing house to provide 2no. 1-bed  and 2no. 2-bed units and erection of new-build block to the rear comprising 2no. 2-bed and 2no. 1-bed units with associated parking, refuse, recycling and bicycle storage and amenity space – ST. ANTHONY’S   

The Senior Specialist Advisor (Planning) presented the report.

Mr Connell addressed the Committee in objection to the application.

Members discussed the proposal and raised concerns regarding the lack of detail in the application: density, overbearing and parking. 

The Senior Specialist Advisor (Planning) informed the Committee that if the outline application was approved, full details - including design, would be provided in the following application for Reserved Matters.

Councillor Taylor proposed a motion against the officer’s recommendation, to refuse the application. This was seconded by Councillor Diplock and was carried. 

RESOLVED: (Unanimous) that Outline Planning permission be refused for the following reason:-

Residential impact due to scale:  In order to accommodate the amount of units proposed, the development would require a building of a size that would have an unacceptable overbearing impact upon the occupants of neighbouring sites as a consequence of its scale and positioning and is therefore in conflict with saved policies: HO20 and NE28 of the Eastbourne Borough Plan, policies B2, D1 and D10a of the Eastbourne Core Strategy and para. 130 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Erection of a single storey dwelling – UPPERTON 

The Senior Specialist Advisor (Planning) presented the report.

Members welcomed the reduced scheme.

Councillor Taylor proposed a motion to approve the application in line with the officers’ recommendation, this was seconded by Councillor Lamb and was carried.   

RESOLVED: (Unanimous) that Planning permission be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Councillor Taylor left the room for another engagement and took no further part in the meeting.

Demolition of the existing building and redevelopment of the site to provide 14 flats with associated off-street car parking – UPPERTON.

The Senior Specialist Advisor (Planning) presented the report.  The Committee was reminded that the application had been amended following concerns raised at the previous meeting to seek a reduction in the height and scale of the building.   The proposal had been amended to decrease the number of units by 14 to 13 self-contained flats, off-street car parking had been reduced by 14 to 13 spaces, and the rear dormer removed and eaves height lowered. Screening had increased.

The Committee was advised by way of an Addendum of 13 additional representations that had been received from local residents.  Further revisions to the building design had been received and the removal of a duplicated condition at paragraph 10.13 of the officer’s report was noted.

Mr Holman-Dine addressed the Committee in objection to the application. Mr Patel (Agent), spoke in support of the application.

The Committee discussed the application and agreed that a reduction of 1 unit was not sufficient; the scheme lacked parking for the number of flats sought and the height of the proposed building would still have an impact on the neighbouring properties.

Councillor Murray proposed a motion to defer the application to enable officers to seek a reduction in the height/scale, with the removal of a floor.  This was seconded by Councillor Lamb and was carried. 

RESOLVED: (unanimously) that the application be deferred for officers to negotiate a reduction in the height and scale of the scheme; and to be determined at a future Planning Committee meeting following any required consultation.

To note the next meeting of the Planning Committee is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, 23 November 2021.

Resolved:

That the next meeting of the Planning Committee is scheduled to commence at 6:00pm on Tuesday, 23 November 2021, be noted.