Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 July 2022 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on the 6 July 2022 were submitted and approved and the Chair authorised to sign them as a correct record.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Graham Amy, Tom Jones, Christoph von Kurthy, Laurence O’Connor (Vice-Chair) and Milly Manley.

It was declared that Councillor Roy Burman would be acting as substitute for Councillor Jones; Councillor Christine Robinson would be acting as substitute for Councillor O’Connor; and Councillor Roy Clay would be acting as substitute for Councillor Manley 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 Turner declared a personal and non-prejudicial interest in Agenda item 7 (planning application LW/21/0694)as he was a member of Ringmer Parish Council.

For the purpose of transparency in respect of Agenda item 7 (planning application LW/21/0694), the Council’s Principal Planning Solicitor declared that she was a resident of Ringmer and that some of the attendees in the public gallery were known to her, but that this 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. A supplementary report will be posted on the Council’s website prior to the start of the meeting to update the main reports with any late information.

There were no urgent items. A supplementary report, 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).

To receive petitions from councillors or members of the public in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13 (Page D9 of the Constitution).

There were none.

To deal with written questions from members pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.3 (page D8 of the Constitution).

There were none.

Councillor John Kay spoke on behalf of Ringmer Parish Council. Sy Morse-Brown (Near Neighbour) and Katie Joyce-Pettitt (Near Neighbour) spoke against the proposal. Tristan Robinson (Agent) spoke for the proposal. Councillors Johnny Denis and Emily O’Brien spoke in their capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillors.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/21/0694 for erection of 68 dwellings, with associated access, drainage, parking, landscaping and infrastructure works be refused for the following reasons:

1)    Outside of the planning boundary and impact on the countryside;

2)    Detrimental design and impact on wider character; and

3)   Highways impact on Bishops Lane and Earwig Corner.

Robin Penfold (Near Neighbour) and David Campion (Planning Consultant/Chartered Surveyor) spoke against the proposal. Mark Best (Agent) spoke for the proposal. Councillor Isabelle Linington spoke in her capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/21/0942 for erection of 7 no. dwelling houses be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report. The Committee also added an informative to encourage the developer to talk with residents to resolve drainage issues.

The Committee Officer read a speech against the proposal on behalf of Mr and Mrs Manningham (Neighbours). Tondra Thom (Agent), Michelle Durnford (Applicant) and Nick Durnford (Applicant) spoke for the proposal. Councillor Isabelle Linington spoke in her capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That hybrid planning application LW/22/0089 comprising full application for 1 no. dwellinghouse and outline application for 3 no. dwellinghouses with all matters reserved except access and layout be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report and the amendment of condition 5 to include bat boxes, and additional condition to require 3 year occupancy of the self-build units to comply with Community Infrastructure Levey.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/21/0548 for demolition of existing house and outbuildings and erection of three storey building containing eight residential units be deferred to a future meeting of the Committee due to unforeseen technical issues.

Resolved:

That outline application LW/21/0977 concerning the scale, appearance, layout, and access for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of 7 no. dwellinghouses and alterations to vehicular access be deferred to a future meeting of the Committee due to unforeseen technical issues.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/21/0224 for demolition of existing buildings and erection of 6 no. three bedroom dwellings be deferred to a future meeting of the Committee due to unforeseen technical issues.

To note that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 7 September 2022, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.

That it be noted that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 7 September 2022, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.