Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

No declarations were received.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 6 February 2020 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman had no urgent business.

Steven King, Planning Applications Team Leader, introduced the application which sought outline planning permission for the construction of a barn/workshop for the storage and maintenance of operational vehicles. The application seeks approval for the access, appearance, layout and scale however landscaping would be reserved for future consideration. He drew Member’s attention to the Agenda Update Sheet which detailed additional comments from the MSDC Consultant Ecologist.

Ian Gibson, Ward Member, spoke against the application. He highlighted the need for burial grounds and the projected increase of the need for these such facilities in future. He believed that the application conflicted with Policies DP12: Protection and Enhancement of Countryside and DP26: Character and Design as the proposed building would be visible from the North Downs as well as the design being out of character to other similar buildings in the area. He drew attention to the scale of the proposed building and stated that it would be large enough to house a JCB digger however a Burial Ground would not require machinery that large. He highlighted that the site had previously been identified through the SHELAA (Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment) process for 175 dwellings but was not brought to the next round of selection and expressed concern that the site may be brought forward for 175 dwellings again in future.

The Vice Chairman asked what the red screening on the site was for and whether it required planning permission. He also made the comment that the proposal seems large compared to the type of equipment required for a natural burial ground. The Planning Applications Team Leader explained that the red hoarding does not appear to enclose anything and explained that if the hoarding is less than 2 metres in height then it would not require permission.

The Chairman asked for the Officer’s clarification with respect to the determination of matters on the application by the Committee.

The Planning Applications Team Leader confirmed that only the landscaping around the proposed dwelling is reserved and all other matters are for the Committee to determine.

The Chairman noted that he lives in a rural part of the District, representing a rural ward and highlighted that a barn with concrete blockwork, timber cladding and metal dual pitched roof are not often seen in the countryside.

A Member compared the scale of the proposed building to that of the Council Chamber and felt it was questionable to have a barn of that size to serve a purpose that does not require something so big.

The Chairman drew attention to the Parish Council comments. He noted that there is also a natural burial ground in Hassocks and compared the size of the barn that they use to store their equipment.

A Member believed that the appearance of the barn is an essential part of the application. He highlighted that the chapel and barn is located in a rural setting however the concrete block construction is not what you would expect to be built in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Chairman introduced the application and explained that this had been withdrawn by the Officers as since the agenda was published, the applicants had made a new offer of a payment of £700,000 to go towards off site affordable housing, in addition to the other section 106 payments towards County Council and District Council infrastructure. The material change in circumstances is likely to alter the recommendation that is made to the planning committee and therefore it was decided that the application should be withdrawn from the agenda. The application will be re-considered by Officers, and the report will be rewritten to reflect the new offer that has been put forward by the applicants.

RESOLVED

That the application is withdrawn as an Agenda Item for consideration by the Committee.

None.