Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 July 2021 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2021 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Sylvia Lord.

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. 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.

Prior to the presentation and consideration of this item, the Chair adjourned the meeting for twenty minutes to ensure that the Committee had sufficient time to review the supplementary report which had been distributed electronically on the day preceding the meeting.

Alex Lahood (Neighbour), Robin St Clair Jones (Neighbour) and Angela Murphy (Neighbour) spoke against the proposal. Chris Hough (Agent), Mel A’lee (Agent) and Paul Mepham (Agent) spoke for the proposal. Councillor Isabelle Linington spoke in her capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

The Council’s Solicitor advised the Committee on affordable housing and in response to the issue of the financial cost of an appeal, she clarified that any cost consequences were not a material consideration to be taken into account by the Committee, but that the Committee should ensure that any reasons for refusal were capable of robust scrutiny in the event of an appeal.

The Committee adjourned for a ten-minute comfort break.

Resolved:

That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning to approve planning application LW/21/0530 for outline planning permission for the erection of up to 26 dwellings together with associated development and site access whilst all other matters are reserved for future consideration, subject to:

1)    The conditions set out in the report and supplementary report;

2)    A s106 agreement to secure affordable housing;

3)    No new material considerations by close of consultation on 6 August 2021;

4)    Amended wording to condition 5 (as set out in the supplementary report);

5)    Removal of condition 13 which was a duplicate of condition 15;

6)    Additional condition to secure the use of permeable materials for surfacing;

7)    Additional condition in respect of sustainability to require what renewables would be included in compliance with core policy 14;

8)    Amendment to condition 19 to include avoidance of school pick up times in respect of the construction; and

9)    An informative regarding road safety requesting that the developer discuss with East Sussex County Council installation of radar speed signs and the placement of mirrors on adjoining land.

Councillor Brian Hodge spoke on behalf of Newick Parish Council. Anne Brown (Neighbour) spoke against the proposal. Ben Jones (Agent) spoke for the proposal. Councillor Roy Burman spoke in his capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/20/0842 for the erection of a 4-bed detached dwelling with associated access and on-site parking (resubmission of LW/18/0191) be refused on the basis of the following reasons:

1)    Over-development and in conflict Neighbourhood Plan, and conflict with Policy HO16; and

2)    Access would produce conflict and be detrimental to safety of other road users.

To note that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to commence at 5:00pm on Wednesday, 8 September 2021.

That it be noted that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to commence at 5:00pm on Wednesday, 8 September 2021.