Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 November 2024 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on the 6 November 2024 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as an accurate record.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Paul Keene and it was declared that Councillor Ezra Cohen would be acting as his Substitute for the duration 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 Graham Amy declared an interest in Agenda Item 8 - LW/23/0380 (Land at Harbour Heights, Quarry Road, Newhaven), as he was a resident of Court Farm Road and had pre-determined the application.

He crossed the floor and spoke from the public gallery in his capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor, and then he left the room for the duration of the item and prior to the consideration, discussion and voting thereon.

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 D10 of the Constitution).

A petition with a total of 351 signatures has been received in objection to Agenda Item 8 - Planning Application LW/23/0380 (Land at Harbour Heights, Quarry Road, Newhaven).

A petition with a total of 351 signatures has been received in objection to Agenda Item 8 - Planning Application LW/23/0380 (Land at Harbour Heights, Quarry Road, Newhaven).

The petition organiser, Councillor Lesley Boniface, could not be present to present the petition, so Newhaven Town Councillor Kim Bishop presented and summarised the petition on her behalf prior to the discussion and consideration of Agenda Item 8.

Councillor Bishop clarified that the petition had gained a total of 530 signatures by midday, 4 December 2024.

The Chair acknowledged receipt of the petition and thanked Councillor Bishop for her participation.

To deal with written questions from Members pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.3 (page D9 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 the day before the meeting, updating the main reports on the agenda with any late information (a copy of which was published on the Council’s website).

Polly Pomfrey (Local business owner), Nancy Astley (Agent on behalf of local residents), Nick Phillips (Local resident on behalf of Castle Hill Local Nature Reserve) and Tiger Cox (Local young person) spoke against the proposal. Mark Beaumont (Local businessman) and Guy Dixon (Agent) spoke for the proposal, and Martin Garry (Newhaven Town Football Club) had a speech in favour of the proposal read on his behalf by the Committee Officer. Councillors Graham Amy and James MacCleary spoke in their capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillors.

Resolved:

That outline planning application LW/23/0380 with all matters reserved (except for means of access) for the development of circa 400 dwellings and approximately 1,500 sqm of commercial floorspace with associated community provision, amenity land, vehicle and cycle parking provision and associated infrastructure be delegated to Head of Development Management to approve and issue the decision subject to a section 106 legal agreement and conditions as set out in the report and supplementary report, and subject to an appropriate drainage scheme being agreed which is supported by Natural England.

If the S106 is not substantially completed within 3 months, then the application be refused on the lack of certainty on the infrastructure needed to support/mitigate the development.

Prior to the consideration of this item, the Committee adjourned for a short comfort break.

Councillor Cathy Wickens spoke on behalf of Newick Parish Council. Tim Rodway (Agent) and Rob Burnham (Applicant) spoke for the proposal.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/24/0495 for the erection of 3-no. detached dwellinghouses with car parking be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report including SANGs and SAMMs contributions, an adapted sustainability condition to include water efficiency measures and an adapted lighting condition to account for bats.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/24/0565 for demolition of existing sports pavilion and preschool building and construction of new larger combined sports pavilion and preschool with additional parking be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report.

Resolved:

That planning application SDNP/24/04219/FUL for the replacement of doors and windows be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Resolved:

That planning application SDNP/24/04085/HOUS for the replacement windows to front and rear elevations 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 January 2025, 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, 8 January 2025, in the Council  Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.