Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Kennedy and Peacock.

In the interest of transparency in relation to Item 5, Councillor Bates declared he is a Member of a local athletics club.

In relation to Item 5, Councillor Jackson declared he is a Member of Hurstpierpoint and Sayers Common Parish Council.

The minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 18 January were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman confirmed he had no urgent business.

Louise Yandell, Northern Arc Strategic Development Manager, introduced the item which sought Reserved Matters consent for the approval of the appearance, landscaping, access, layout and scale for a pavilion building, enclosed 3G rugby pitch, 3G football pitch, grass football pitches, and associated hard and sort landscaping and facilities to form a Centre for Outdoor Sport at Brookleigh (formally known as the Northen Arc). Access into the site has been provided as part of the Western Link Road, with an internal access road proposed from the access point leading to a car park with space for 104 vehicles. Pedestrian and cycle access is provided from the Western Link Road, leading through the site to provide access to the pavilion, pitches and the Green Circle in the West. The pavilion building has been designed to allow for potential future expansion of the site.

The application acknowledged that the site does not meet the entire need set out for Brookleigh, specifically provision for a hockey artificial grass pitch. However, it acknowledges this site forms only part of the Centre for Outdoor Sport, the remainder of which is set out in the playing pitch strategy to be provided by The Triangle.

She highlighted DP37 of the District Plan regarding trees, and new landscape is proposed to compensate for the tree loss with full details of the landscaping scheme and replacement trees to be secured by condition. Prior to the use of the development a Noise Management Plan (NMP) along with 2.5m high acoustic fencing as part of the design will also be secured by condition to ensure an acceptable impact on surrounding residents.

The Northern Arc Strategic Development Manager drew Members attention to the changes contained within the Agenda Update Sheet. Notably the conditions and information from the Environmental Health Officer that was not available at the time the report was published.

Lucie Venables spoke against the application.

Richard Strange spoke in support of the application.

Nicholas Milner spoke in support of the application.

Richard Thompson spoke in support of the application.

For clarity the Northern Arc Strategic Development Manager confirmed there was no athletics track proposed on the site, after consultation it was deemed not suitable.

The Chairman invited Members to discuss the application.

A Member expressed concerns regarding the number of car parking spaces, access to the public toilet facilities, lack of athletic club consultation evidence, and potential of waterlogged pitches. The Northern Arc Strategic Development Manager clarified the area between the playing pitches was a soil bund. She confirmed West Sussex Highways Authority were content with the number of proposed car parking spaces and a carpark management plan was being proposed. Two public toilets are to be provided as part of the development and will be open until 10pm. In response to the Chairman, she confirmed officers were currently obtaining the opening time of the toilets. Details of the applicants consultation documents are not required to be included as part of the report to Committee, however the information is available online.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

None.