Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Kennedy, Peacock and Wood.

For transparency Councillor Bates declared whilst a Member of Haywards Heath Town Council he was a guest at a committee meeting when item DM/22/2272 - Land at Hurst Farm, Hurstwood Lane, Haywards Heath, West Sussex was discussed.  He would review the application at item 7 with an open mind.

For transparency in relation to item 6, DM/23/1051 - The Farmers Stores, Gatehouse Lane, Goddards Green, Councillor Jackson advised that he is a member of Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common but was not on their Planning Committee. 

The minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 13 July 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman confirmed he had no urgent business.

Andy Watt, Senior Planning  Officer, set  out  the application for the clearance of the site and construction of a building containing 64 residential apartments (48 1-bed, 16 2-bed) with associated access, car parking, landscaping and ancillary works. He drew the Members’ attention to the agenda update sheet which detailed one further letter of objection, the design guide principles and an appeal decision relating to car parking provision on a nearby site.  

The Senior Planning Officer noted the site topography, site layout, undercroft car parking, provision of cycle parking, ECV charging points, PV panels and floor plans.   He highlighted the proposed design to break up the bulk of the building, recessed top floor, retention of trees on the site and fronting onto Milton Road with additional planting.  He indicated the roof line of the proposed scheme in relation to the approved scheme DM/17/2384 and advised that all pre-commencement conditions of the approved scheme had been discharged.  He noted that this is a brownfield site allocated for housing which makes optimal use of the site in line with Design Principles DG31 and DG32.  The loss of the car parking facility has been assessed as acceptable, and there are no objections from the Highway Authority.  The scheme is policy compliant, and has an acceptable impact on neighbouring amenity. The developer has conducted a viability report, which was independently assessed on behalf of the council and concluded that no on-site provision of affordable housing will be provided as part of the scheme; instead, a contribution of £155, 458 will be sought for off-site affordable housing provision and this will be secured via a Section 106 agreement. During the course of the application, the car parking provision was reduced to improve the landscaping throughout the site.

Jane Wheatley, spoke in objection to the application.

Richard Chitty, spoke in objection to the application.

Damian Wood, agent spoke in favour of the application.

Councillor Bashar, Ward Member for Haywards Heath, Lucastes and Bolnore expressed concern over the number of units, noted the 7-storey building would be opposite Great Heathmead.  He highlighted the lack of car parking provision, stating currently there is insufficient car parking spaces. He welcomed the contribution to affordable housing, but requested that Members reconsider the impact of the development on the neighbourhood, especially for residents of Great Heathmead

The Chairman noted the Members disappointment on affordable housing provision on the site, and confirmed a viability assessment system had been carried out in accordance with development plan policy.  Due to the smaller dimensions of the apartments, they may not achieve the sales figure of other flats in the area, and there may be less profit.  However, the viability of the scheme would be reassessed once 75% of the units are occupied.  The Council would then claw back additional monies if higher profits had been achieved on the site; the Council would receive 60% of the additional profit.  In response to a Member’s enquiry, the Chairman advised that the Council had no control over who purchased  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Susan Dubberley, Senior Planning Officer set out the outline application for a proposed mixed use commercial park including a wellness centre Class E(d) indoor sport recreational or fitness and 19 units for Class E(g), B2 or B8 storage and distribution uses.  She outlined the location and current use of the site, noting the site is allocated as an existing employment site in the SA DPD. The existing access would be widened to two lanes, would be a complete redevelopment of the site, with a contemporary design to reflect the proposed industrial use, the outdoor open area for the wellness centre was highlighted along with the out-of-date facilities. It was noted that the application complies with SA 34 which supports the expansion of existing employment sites, and makes efficient use of existing employment land. The Wellness centre however would not comply with SA34 but would be ancillary to the main use and integrated into the development so the sequential test would not apply. The design and layout is acceptable, and the development has a neutral impact on highways and drainage.

Sarah Sheath, agent spoke in favour of the application.

The Chairman noted this application was not an officer’s delegated decision due to the inclusion of a wellness centre on the site.

Members noted the dilapidated site and welcomed the application.  They discussed the proposed installation of green roofs and air source heat pumps and provision of ECVs.

The Officer advised there would be 136 car parking spaces and 20% as passive space for future demand. 

The Chairman noted that no further Members wished to speak so moved to the recommendations to approve the application, Councillor Sweatman proposed the recommendations, and it was seconded by Councillor Bates. The application was approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

It is recommended that planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set in Appendix A.

Steven King, Planning Applications Team Leader, set out the outline application with all matters reserved except for access for the erection of up-to 375 new homes, a two-form entry primary school, burial ground, allotments, open space with associated infrastructure, landscaping and parking areas.   He drew the Members’ attention to the agenda update sheet which listed additional representations, a change to the date of recommendation B to 10th  November2023, amendment to the description of the school, removal of duplicate condition 26, and additional conditions regarding archaeology, digital infrastructure and a residential travel plan. He noted that part of the site is within the Lewes District Council area and a duplicate application was approved by Lewes District Council’s Planning Committee on 9th August 2023, subject to the completion of a legal agreement.   Most of the site is allocated in the Haywards Heath Neighbourhood Plan (HHNP) for approximately 350 dwellings; the Neighbourhood Plan also allocates land on the opposite side of the road.  He highlighted the new development permitted by Lewes District Council at the end of Greenhill Way. He noted the constraints of the site, areas of ancient woodland, the relief road, housing on ancient woodland, listed buildings and heritage assets adjacent to the site.  The principal difference with the previous application for development the District Council resolved to grant permission for in August 2018 is that the location of the school has been changed.  The revised location of the school has been put forward by the applicant because it has better transport links and access; the previous location would have had access through ancient woodland which is no longer acceptable. The previous application was withdrawn in 2021 as the proposed legal agreement was not signed.

The Officer advised the reserved matters application would need to conform with approved parameter plans.  The four parcels of land would have their own access points, and a section of Hurstwood Lane would be closed to through traffic. The illustrative layout plans show a perimeter block style road layout with a pedestrian cycle link, junction improvements within the site with further improvements off-site within Haywards Heath.  He highlighted the difficulties of adding signals to the junction of Hurstwood Lane and Fox Hill due to existing private access points. 

The Officer noted that the application should be considered with reference to the Development Plan; Haywards Heath Neighbourhood Plan (HHNP), District Plan (DP), and Site Allocation Development Plan Document.  He confirmed the NPPF is not part of the development Plan but is an important material planning consideration as it is national guidance.   Most of the land is allocated in HHNP and the DP; but the application does not wholly conform with the Development Plan due to housing on the east side of Hurstwood Lane. However, the Team Leader advised that Officers considered the overall impact on the wider landscape was acceptable.  The Country Park would be transferred to Haywards Heath Town Council providing a permanent area of extensive open space, including allotments and a burial ground.  The listed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

None.