Agenda and minutes

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

An apology for absence had been received from Councillor Tom Jones. Councillor Jim Lord declared that he was acting as substitute for Councillor Jones for the duration of the remote 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.

There were none.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 31 March 2021 (attached herewith).

The amended minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2021, as set out in Supplement 4a, 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 received from Geoff Johnson on behalf of Seaford Town Council was read aloud by the Committee Officer. Written representations against the proposal were read aloud by the Committee Officer on behalf of Mrs Jackie and Mr Bill Frost (Neighbours), Reverend Paul McMichael (Neighbour) and Hakan H. Kocayusufpasaoglu (Neighbour). A statement written by Councillor Sam Adeniji on behalf of Councillor Julian Peterson in his capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor was read aloud by the Committee Officer.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/20/0565 for the demolition of existing property and erection of 2 x 4-bedroom detached houses be refused for the following reasons:

1)    Loss of light/overshadowing and impact on amenity of adjacent occupiers;

2)    Access hazards to pedestrians and other road users; and

3)    Impact on street scene/area of established character.

A written representation received from Julia Shelley (Parish Clerk) on behalf of Barcombe Parish Council was read aloud by the Committee Officer. Written representations against the proposal were read aloud by the Committee Officer on behalf of Dr Anne Livesey (Neighbour), Therri Lahood (Immediate Neighbour) and Angela Murphy (Neighbour). A written representation for the proposal from Mr Hough (Planning Consultant – on behalf of Applicant, Rydon Homes Ltd) was read aloud by the Committee Officer. A written representation was read aloud by the Committee Officer on behalf of Councillor Isabelle Linington in her capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/20/0633 for outline permission for the erection of up to 26 dwellings together with associated development and site access with all other matters reserved be refused for the following reasons:

1)    Impact on highway safety; and

2)    Nature conservation.

(Note: Councillor Manley gave her apologies and left the remote meeting at the end of this agenda item.)

(Note: Prior to the discussion and consideration of Agenda item 10, the Committee adjourned for a five-minute comfort break.)

A written representation received from Geoff Johnson on behalf of Seaford Town Council was read aloud by the Committee Officer. Written representations against the proposal were read aloud by the Committee Officer on behalf of Emma Lowe (Immediate Neighbour) and Sarah Reed (Immediate Neighbour).

Resolved:

That planning application LW/20/0690 for construction of 3-no. detached three-bedroom houses with associated access and landscaping works be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

(Note: Councillor von Kurthy gave his apologies and left the remote meeting at the end of this agenda item.)

Written representations against the proposal were read aloud by the Head of Planning on behalf of Mrs Penny & Mr Roger Jones (Immediate Neighbours), Bruce Munro-Smith (Neighbour) and Mrs Dily & Mr David Saunders (Neighbours). Written representations for the proposal were read aloud by the Head of Planning on behalf of Esme Rowland (Applicant), Louise Ellis (Owner & Director of Rubicon Children’s Homes) and Susannah Pascoe (Director of Rubicon Children’s Homes). A written representation was read aloud by the Head of Planning on behalf of Councillor Geoff Rutland in his capacity as the Lewes District Ward Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/20/0849 for change of use from a C3 (dwelling house) to C2 (residential institution - to accommodate 5 children) be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report.

(Note: Councillor Makepeace gave her apologies and left the remote meeting at the end of this agenda item.)

(Note: Prior to the discussion and consideration of Agenda item 12, the Committee agreed to continue the meeting should it progress past a 4-and-a-half-hour duration, as set out in Rule 10 of Part 4 - Council Procedure Rules - of the Council’s constitution.)

Written representations against the proposal were read aloud by the Head of Planning on behalf of Tracy Horeman (Immediate Neighbour) and Dean Wells (Immediate Neighbour).

Resolved:

That planning application LW/20/0737 for installation of boundary fence (retrospective) and new entrance gates together with raised patio, partially on pre-existing embankment, together with new retaining wall and new pergola structure be refused for the following reasons:

1)    Un-neighbourliness due to scale and dominance of pergola and fencing and unsightly for the area and impact on amenity of neighbours;

2)    Fencing detrimental to wildlife; and

3)    Enforcement action was also authorised.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/20/0893 for erection of a single-storey front and side wraparound extension and wheelchair accessible ramp be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Resolved:

That the summary of appeal decisions received from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021, be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 9 June 2021 in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.

Resolved:

That it be noted that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 9 June 2021 in the Council Chamber, County Hall, St Anne’s Crescent, Lewes, BN7 1UE, commencing at 5:00pm.