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

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

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Sylvia Lord and it was declared that Councillor Jim Lord would be acting as her substitute for the duration of the meeting.

An apology for absence had also been received from Councillor Graham Amy for agenda item 7 (planning application LW/22/0104) but it was declared that Councillor Amy would be present for the remainder 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 non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 7 (planning application LW/22/0104) as he was a member of Ringmer Parish Council.

For the purposes of transparency, Councillor Saunders asked that it be noted on behalf of all Members of the Committee that agenda item 11 (planning application SDNP/21/02062/FUL) was a Lewes District Council application.

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.

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 Whitlock spoke on behalf of Ringmer Parish Council. John Kay (CPRE Sussex), Sarah Phillips (Neighbour) and JD Robins (Neighbour) spoke against the proposal. Sarah Sheath (Consultant), Adrian Cooper (Applicant) and Ben Ellis (Applicant) spoke for the proposal. Councillor Johnny Denis and Councillor Emily O’Brien spoke in their individual capacities as Lewes District Ward Councillors.

Resolved:

That outline planning application LW/22/0104 with all matters reserved for up to 68 residential units, be refused for the following reason:

1)    The visual impact of the development on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside; and setting of the SDNP.

That it be noted that planning application LW/21/0422 would be brought to a future meeting of the Planning Applications Committee with an updated report to include detailed comments from National Highways.

Councillor Ian Dawson spoke on behalf of Wivelsfield Parish Council. Celia Lindsay (Neighbour), Jason Stoner (Neighbour) and Simon Tayler (Near Neighbour) spoke against the proposal. James Bevis (Transport Consultant) and Rory Kemp (Applicant) spoke for the proposal. A written representation was read aloud by Jennifer Norman (Committee Officer) on behalf of Councillor Nancy Bikson in her capacity as a Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That outline planning application LW/21/0754 with all matters reserved except for means of access, for the erection of up to 45 homes (including 40% affordable) and formal and informal open space including new woodland planting and play areas, be refused for the following reasons:

1)    That the proposal was outside of the planning boundary; and would have a detrimental impact on visual amenity and the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside.

Councillor Tamsyn d’Arienzo spoke on behalf of Hamsey Parish Council. Chris White (Agent/Applicant) spoke on behalf of the proposal.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/21/0622 for Demolition of an existing office building, erection of 13 no. dwellings (mix of 2 and 3 bedrooms), redesign of parking area serving a consented office building, additional garden area for Kiln Cottage and all associated works be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report and an additional condition to secure a children’s play area, and a S106 Agreement to secure an affordable housing contribution to be prioritised to be spent on affordable housing in Chailey Hamsey and Barcombe or in those rural parishes to the north of the SDNP area.

Resolved:

That planning application SDNP/21/02062/FUL for the removal of existing timber cladding and provide new cladding; replacement of timber windows with Non-Combustible and 30/30 fire-rated windows and intumescent-filled ventilation grills; provision of new roof/wall-mounted automatic ventilation openings; new window for dining lounge, east elevation and associated alterations be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

To note that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 8 June 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, 8 June 2022, in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.