Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 February 2023 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on the 15 February 2023 were submitted and approved and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

That it be noted that Cllr Jim Lord has been appointed under delegated authority, to replace Cllr Tom Jones, who resigned as a member of the Planning Applications Committee due to ill health.

Councillors are being asked to note Cllr Jim Lord appointment as the formalities that brought into effect this appointment from the 7 December 2022 meeting onwards is the subject of a complaint. The Head of Democratic Services (and Deputy Monitoring Officer) considered that the appointment was made fully in accordance with the Constitution although for the avoidance of doubt, the Committee are asked to formally confirm Cllr Jim Lord’s appointment.

It was noted and formally confirmed that Councillor Jim Lord had been appointed under delegated authority to replace Councillor Tom Jones as a member of the Planning Applications Committee from the 7 December 2022 meeting for the remainder of the 2022/23 municipal year.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Sharon Davy (Chair) and it was declared that Councillor Liz Boorman would be acting as Substitute for Councillor Davy for the duration of the meeting. In the absence of the Chair, the meeting was chaired by Councillor Laurence O’Connor (Vice Chair).

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.

For the purposes of transparency, Councillor Richard Turner declared a non prejudicial interest in Agenda Item 10 (planning application LW/22/0840), as he was a member of Ringmer Parish Council, and that in addition, he knew the Applicant but did not have a personal or prejudicial interest in the Item. For Agenda Item 11 (planning application SDNP/22/05011/CND), Councillor Richard Turner stated that his cousin was the farmer of the land adjacent to the application site but that he did not have a personal or prejudicial interest in the Item.

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 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).

Councillor Cathy Wickens (Vice-Chair) spoke on behalf of Newick Parish Council. Andrew Smith (Immediate Neighbour), Robin Penfold (Local resident of Chailey) and Andrew Smith who read a statement on behalf of David Walmsley (Near Neighbour) spoke against the proposal. Andrew Munton (Reside Developments), Fay Goodson (Reside Developments) and Rob Wilson (Paul Basham Associates) spoke for the proposal. Councillor Isabelle Linington spoke in her capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

The Principal Planning Solicitor (PPS) clarified that the application was brought back to Committee in response to a complaint received by Lewes District’s Monitoring Officer that the Committee was not properly constituted at its previous meeting. As the complaint had now been remedied and for the avoidance of doubt over the potential legality of the decision made by the Committee at its previous meeting, Members were being asked to consider the item wholly afresh.

The PPS summarised the reasonable expectations regarding decision making and what Members were being asked to consider.

The Head of Planning First (HPF) brought the Committee’s attention to the last paragraph on Page 1 of the supplementary report, highlighting that an update had been received from the Secretary of State confirming that they no longer wished to call in the application.

The HPF clarified that any decision by the Committee regarding the application would no longer include a referral to the Secretary of State.

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 deferred until the outstanding issues related to drainage on the application site are fully explored and concluded prior to being brought back for determination to a future meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Andy Holman (Chair) spoke on behalf of Barcombe Parish Council. Mark Young (Near Neighbour) and Alison Johnson (Near Neighbour) spoke against the proposal. David Campion (Agent) and Tristan Hosken (Applicant) spoke for the proposal.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/22/0840 for the erection of one workshop comprising 4 modular units with associated car parking on the established rural employment site be delegated to the Head of Planning First to approve, subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report, an amended condition regarding the use of automatic blinds in respect of light pollution, and no adverse comments being received from East Sussex County Council Highways, including the requirement of a footpath diversion order.

The Committee also added an informative in relation to native and rich biodiversity planting along the footpath.

Tim Townend (Near Neighbour), a resident of North End and Ed Clarke of Clarke Saunders Acoustics (on behalf of local residents) spoke against the proposal. Susannah Macmillan (Applicant), Kelly Stoner who read a speech on behalf of Craig Mayhew (Immediate Neighbour) and Chris Wood (Anderson Acoustics) spoke for the proposal.

Resolved:

That planning application SDNP/22/05011/CND for the variation of condition 2 (use ancillary to campsite between May and September) related to Prior Notification SDNP/21/00865/PA3R be approved, 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, 19 April 2023, 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, 19 April 2023, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.