Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 December 2022 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on the 7 December 2022 were submitted and approved and the Chair authorised to sign them as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Christoph von Kurthy and Milly Manley.

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.

The Chair set out the issues with the public consultation surrounding Agenda Item 8 - LW/22/0418 - Land west of A275, South Common, South Chailey and apologised to members of the public who had attended for this item. The Committee resolved to defer the item as set out at Minute 92 below.

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.

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 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).

Resolved:

That outline planning application LW/22/0418 with all matters reserved except access for the erection of up to 56 dwellings (including 40% affordable housing), public open space, landscaping, and sustainable drainage systems and vehicular access point, be deferred to a future meeting of the Committee so that a formal 21-day consultation day can be undertaken with the immediate neighbours to the application site.

Councillor Robin Penfold spoke on behalf of Chailey Parish Council. David Walmsley (Near Neighbour) and David Campion (Agent on behalf of local residents on Lower Station Road) spoke against the proposal. Fay Goodson (Reside Developments), John Brindley (Agent) and Rob Wilson (Paul Basham Associates) spoke for the proposal. Councillor Isabelle Linington spoke in her capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/21/1000 for redevelopment of the site to provide 21 residential dwellings along with parking, open space, and all necessary infrastructure be approved, subject to a S106 Agreement and the conditions set out in the report, and the additional condition as set out in the supplementary report.

The Committee Officer read a speech on behalf of Geoff Johnson (Planning Officer) who was speaking in his capacity as a representative for Seaford Town Council. Mark White (Near Neighbour), Sally Cherriman (Near Neighbour) and Cynthia Griffin (Near Neighbour) spoke against the proposal. Councillor Christine Brett spoke in her capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/22/0275 for replacement of existing boundaries with fence to improve safeguarding measures be refused for the reasons set out below:

1. The proposed replacement fencing around the school site, playing fields boundary and fronting onto the rear of the Listed Corsica Hall, with green metal mesh fencing, does not sufficiently respect and positively contribute to the open character and distinctiveness of the site. The replacement fencing, would appear unduly prominent, overbearing and unneighbourly, it would be detrimental to the streetscene, (particularly on Steyne Road), and, would also lead to an unacceptable loss of outlook across the site. This would be contrary to LP Part 1 CP 11 Built and Historic Environment and High Quality Design and LP Part 2 DM25 Good Design.

There were no registered public speakers on this application.

Resolved:

That planning application SDNP/22/05025/FUL for erection of changing place facility next to existing public toilet be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report, and an additional condition as set out below:

1. Notwithstanding the submitted plans, prior to the installation of the proposed bollards details of their exact placement shall be submitted to and approved by the Planning Authority.

Reason: To ensure that the bollards are set sufficiently apart to allow wheelchair access.

The Committee received the report which requested that Members note the outcome of appeal decisions summarised in Section 2 and Key Issues set out in Sections 3 - 6.

The Senior Specialist Advisor (Planning) summarised the report, highlighting key issues and planning appeal decisions received by the Authority from April 2021 through March 2022 and April 2022 through December 2022, respectively.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 15 March 2023, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 15 March 2023, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.