Agenda and minutes

The Chair introduced members of the Committee via roll call, and those officers present during the remote meeting.

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Graham Amy, as he was unable to participate in the meeting due to technical issues.

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 Tom Jones declared a non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 11 (planning application SDNP/20/01311/FUL) as he was the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22 July 2020 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2020 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

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.

A written representation from Councillor Cathy Wickens was read aloud by the Committee Officer on behalf of Newick Parish Council. Written representations against the proposal were read aloud by the Committee

Officer on behalf of Tony Turk (Newick Village Society), Baroness Julia Cumberlege and Mrs Mel Goddard (neighbour). Written representations for the proposal were read aloud by the Committee Officer on behalf of John Wood (applicant), Phillip Wood (applicant) and Olivia Forsyth (agent). A written representation was read aloud by the Committee Officer on behalf of Lewes District Ward Councillor Roy Burman.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/20/0298 for demolition of Oakside and the erection of 69 residential homes, with associated access, parking, landscaping and infrastructure works be refused for the following reasons:

1.    The development, as a result of its location outside of the defined settlement boundary and the allocated site within the Newick Neighbourhood Plan, would result in an unacceptable encroachment into the countryside and closure of the gap between the site and the nearest dwellings to the east (The Gables and Newlands), and detrimentally impact on the open character of the countryside, contrary to Policy H04 of the Newick Neighbourhood Plan and policy DM1 of the Lewes District Local Plan.

Resolved:

That outline planning application LW/19/0237 for erection of 4no two bedroom bungalows, 4no two bedroom flats and 2no one bedroom flats for persons aged 55 or over, be deferred to a future meeting of the Planning Applications Committee.

A written representation for the proposal was read aloud by the Committee Officer on behalf of Imogen and Roger Taylor (neighbours).

Resolved:

That planning application SDNP/19/04516/FUL for alterations and conversion of an existing barn to a holiday let be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report, and condition 5 to include indigenous planting and an informative advising not to park on the highway.

Written representations for the proposal were read aloud by the Committee Officer on behalf of Stewart Legg (applicant), Peter Young (agent) and David Tetley (scheme architect).

Resolved:

That revised planning application SDNP/20/01311/FUL for erection of a detached dwelling and garage, with new access and associated landscaping be refused for the following reasons:

1.    The development, as a result of its location outside of the settlement boundary, would lead to the inappropriate and inefficient use of land, failing to meet the criteria associated with and therefore contrary to Policy SD25 of the South Downs National Park Local Plan, and in terms of the Ditchling Streat and Westmeston Neighbourhood Plan (DSWNP) it extends development beyond the adopted planning boundary, failing to meet the exceptions of Policy DS1 of the DSWNP and it therefore contrary to Policy DS1 of the DSWNP.

To note that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 2 September 2020, will take place in a virtual capacity, via Microsoft Teams, and in accordance with section 78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and section 13 of the related regulations.

Resolved:

That the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 2 September 2020, in a virtual capacity, via Microsoft Teams, and in accordance with section 78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 and section 13 of the related regulations, be noted.