Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 February 2025 (attached herewith).

The minutes of the meeting held on the 5 February 2025 were submitted and approved, and the Chair was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Christoph von Kurthy and James Meek. It was declared that Councillor Charlottee Keenan would be acting as Substitute on behalf of Councillor Meek 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 or a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) under the terms of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Imogen Makepeace declared that she was predetermined in relation Agenda Item 12 (planning application SDNP/24/04404/FUL), and that she would withdraw from the Committee for that item only and speak from the public gallery under the Public Speaking Scheme on behalf of Lewes Town Council, in her capacity as a Lewes Town Councillor. She also declared a personal interest in this item as she was a customer of the business that occupied the site location.

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).

There were none.

To deal with written questions from Members pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 12.3 (page D9 of the Constitution).

The Council’s Principal Planning Solicitor clarified that a late written question had been received from Councillor Paul Keene and that the Chair had exercised her discretion to receive the urgent question. She then explained the procedure to all those who were present during the meeting and invited Councillor Keene to present his question.

Councillor Keene asked the Chair if the Committee was aware of planning application LW/894/CM submitted by FM Conway to East Sussex County Council Planning Committee for consideration at its meeting in April 2025, and queried if the Chair would use her discretion for the matter to be brought for commentary to the Lewes District Council Planning Applications Committee at its next meeting on 9 April 2025.

The Chair thanked Councillor Keene and confirmed that she would consider his question in consultation with Officers and would provide a response in due course.

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).

Resolved:

That planning application LW/24/0625 for the demolition of the existing garage compound, including 12no garages, and construct 2no modular dwellings be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report and supplementary report.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/24/0626 for the demolition of existing garages and replacement with 5no. dwellings be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

The Committee Officer read a speech for Councillor Steve Saunders on behalf of Newhaven Town Council. Neil Leggett (Immediate Neighbour), Barbara Metcalf (Immediate Neighbour) and Derek Page (Neighbour) spoke against the proposal.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/24/0627 for the demolition of existing garages and replacement with 3no. dwellings be deferred, so that the Applicant may review and take into account all of the comments made by the public speakers and the Committee during the discussion and consideration of this application.

Resolved:

That planning application LW/24/0689 for change of use to a vehicle storage and EV charging depot, including creation of 16no. parking spaces for electric vehicles with individual EV chargers on existing hard standing, provision of a shipping container for wheelie bin storage, bicycle shed and new electrical installations, replacement of the boundary fence and additional soft landscaping be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Councillor Imogen Makepeace spoke on behalf of Lewes Town Council in her capacity as a Lewes Town Councillor.

Resolved:

That planning application SDNP/24/04404/FUL for alterations to, and conversion of, existing commercial building to 1 x 4 bedroom dwelling house, and alterations to fenestration be approved, subject to the conditions set out in the report.

Resolved:

That planning application SDNP/24/04660/FUL for replacement of all windows to Priory Place Flats 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, 9 April 2025, commencing at 5:00pm.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Planning Applications Committee was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, commencing at 5:00pm.