Agenda and minutes

None as all Committee Members were present.

None.

The Minutes of the Committee meeting held on held on 31 October 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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Joanne Fisher, Senior Planning Officer introduced the report for reserved matters and drew Member’s attention to the Agenda Update Sheet. She noted that the update sheet detailed a further 10 letters of representation, clarification on comments, amended wording to conditions 7 and 9, and additional background information on the Section 106 agreement completed as part of the outline approval (reference DM/17/2271).  The reserved matters application relates to outline approval DM/17/2271, for the approval of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for 43 dwellings with associated works, approval of custom build plot location, amended plans received showing alterations to design of dwellings, inclusion of play area and widening of the access.

The officer noted that the 30% affordable housing were a mix of semi-detached houses, terraced houses and flats and would be situated on the southern end of the development in clusters of no more than 10 units. The development would have 115 car parking spaces with rear courtyard parking for the terraced houses.  The appearance of the site would be enhanced and softened by the planting of additional trees. The scheme has been designed to encourage social integration and benefits from an enclosed play area and open landscaping area.  The officer noted that the buildings would be of a traditional design no more than two storeys high and the development is acceptable in terms of design and layout.  She highlighted that the trees that had been removed along High Beech Lane were not protected by TPOs and it was necessary for the sightlines to permit safe access to the site.  She also advised that the flooding concerns of local residents, would be sought to be improved by the development through capturing surface water runoff and controlling its discharge off the site through a drainage system. Details in respect of drainage are to be submitted through a pre-commencement condition which is attached to the outline approval.

Gil Kennedy, Lindfield Preservation Society spoke in objection to the application.  He was concerned whether the issues of potential further risk of flooding and the stability of the land would be satisfactorily addressed by the developer.  He requested that the application is deferred until technical reports were received from the applicant.

Hilary May, a local resident spoke in objection to the application.  She was also concerned with the land stability and drainage issues which were not included in the reserved matter application. She advised that local properties could be flooded due to underground springs.

Councillor Andrew Lea spoke as a near local Ward Member of Lindfield in objection to the application and was timed.   He noted that the principle of planning is that applications are fairly considered in the public realm to ensure transparency.  He highlighted that the land and slope stability were regulated by a condition and the pivotal matters of concern are caused by the land topography.  He requested that the Committee address the issues of flooding and drainage.  He asked that the Committee defer any decision until technical reports have been received and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Steve King, Planning Application Team Leader introduced the report for reserved matters application relating to outline application AP/16/0038 (DM/15/4094) seeking the approval of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping, amended plans received on 26 September showing revised levels, revised house types and revised layout.   He highlighted the Agenda Update Sheet detailing the drainage officer’s comments which advised that the Drainage Engineer was satisfied with the proposed means of drainage and additional background information relating to the signed Section 106 agreement.

The Team Leader confirmed that outline permission had been granted by the Secretary of State (SoS) and the means of access was also approved. The developer is seeking consent for the reserved matters of appearance, landscape and scale on a green field site which has significant falls in levels within the site.  He noted that the development is for 60 dwellings including 18 affordable units.  He showed Members a slide showing the adjacent areas of ancient woodland around the site and noted that the 15m buffer zone extended into the gardens of established properties to the north.  He confirmed that the dwellings would have a traditional design approach, and the buildings would be grouped with regard to the building materials used to give the scheme some cohesion.  The Team Leader highlighted that the principle of the development had been established as planning had been granted. He noted that there was a minor conflict with the Neighbourhood Plan in respect of the housing mix but in the officer’s view this was not a reason to refuse the reserve matters application. The Team Leader advised that in officers view the housing mix was appropriate and that when read as whole the scheme complied with the development plan.

Steve Brown, agent for Taylor Wimpy noted the detailed scheme which takes a sensitive approach to landscaping and ecology.  The scheme follows a collaborative approach with officers, residents and the statutory consultees.  He noted the benefits of the scheme, an ecology led and sustainable development using a fabric first efficiency approach, the mix dwelling types and sizes with 80% being smaller homes, and the Section 106 agreement of approximately £1m to the local infrastructure.

Councillor Gibson, Ward Member for Crawley Down suggested that the proposed footpath within the 15ms ancient woodland buffer zone alongside Burleigh Wood conflicts with best practice as set out in the Mid Sussex Design Supplementary Planning Document. He requested that this is removed.  He noted that a wildlife corridor ran across the middle of the site and asked that the Committee impose a condition requiring the lighting to be low level bollards providing 3200K yellow light.  The Ward Member highlighted surveys in 2104 and 2019 which established a local need for 2 bed properties and the Crawley Down Neighbourhood Plan sets separate targets for the housing mix of market and affordable homes.   He advised that this application conflicted with this policy and the housing mix in the outline application approved by the Secretary of State did not have this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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