Agenda and minutes

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In relation to Item 5 DM/23/0925 – 9 Morton Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4AF, Councillor Dabell declared a registerable interest as he is a Member of East Grinstead Town Council and is not predetermined.

In relation to Item 6 DM/23/0941 – Phase 2E, Keymer Tile Works, Kilnwood Avenue, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 0ZE, Councillor Cherry declared a registerable interest as she is Ward Member for Burgess Hill St Andrews and had registered to speak against the application. 

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 05 October 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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Joseph Swift, Senior Planning Officer, introduced the application which sought full planning permission for the demolition of the existing dwelling and erection of four pairs of semi-detached dwellings with carparking, modifications to the existing access and provision of soft landscaping.

He drew Members attention to the changes noted on the Agenda Update sheet, specifically to Recommendation A and condition 4 of Appendix A. There were 6 additional representations.

This application follows two previous refusals and an appeal that was dismissed in 2022. This application sought to overcome the concerns raised by the Planning Inspector and the reasons for refusal with the previous scheme. Application DM/22/2087 was refused under Officer delegated powers based on the Planning Inspector’s comments on DM/21/1780, for the following reasons: ‘the design of the proposed buildings was very contrived, and the limited outdoor space provided to plot 2 does not reflect the more spacious nature of Paddock Gardens and results in an unacceptably built up and squeezed in form of development.’

The Senior Planning Officer advised Members of the main changes to the current application from both the dismissed appeal and previously refused scheme. The main changes included the overall design, appearance and materials used. The dwellings had been reduced in height from three storeys to two storeys dwellings. Plots 1 and 2 were now semi-detached dwellings, rather than detached, increasing the distance from the site boundaries while providing larger gardens. All units would be identical with 2 parking spaces, resulting in the site being more in keeping with the existing pattern of development in the area. He drew Members attention to the comparison plan distinguishing the changes between the previous and current applications, taking into consideration the Planning Inspector’s comments.

Councillor Craig Pond, Member of East Grinstead Town Council, spoke against the application.

Elly Hazael, resident, spoke against the application.

Tim Pope, resident, spoke against the application.

Warren Pierson, Planning Consultant for applicant, spoke for the application.

Councillor Adam Peacock, Mid Sussex District Councillor, spoke against the application.

The Chairman asked the Senior Planning Officer to update the Committee on the protected wildlife species, particularly badgers on the site. Following a site visit by the applicant’s qualified ecologist’ no badger setts had been identified, however, in accordance with the Ecologist’s feedback from the site visit Condition 4 had been amended.

The Chairman reminded the Committee they must consider the application before them. Members discussed the application in detail and a number expressed concerns regarding the height of the dwellings and impact on privacy, the materials proposed were not in keeping with the surrounding area and access to the site was a concern. A Member asked if a condition could be included that materials are consistent with the surrounding buildings. The Senior Planning Officer confirmed Condition 3 could be reviewed to accommodate this.

Steve Ashdown, Planning Team Leader, drew Members attention to paragraph 8.11 of the report and reasons for refusal of the previous application when considering this current application. It was the responsibility of the Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Councillor Cherry removed herself from the meeting at 5.36pm.

Steve Ashdown, Planning Team Leader introduced the application which sought planning permission for an apartment block containing 15 apartments with associated access, car parking, refuse and cycle storage in place of the health centre approved as part of the wider Kings Weald development. He drew Members attention to the important changes on the Agenda Update sheet, specifically to paragraph 2.2 and the revised wording of Recommendation A.

The Planning Team Leader explained the background to the application. As part of the outline planning permission for the wider Kings Weald development, granted in April 2010, provision was secured within the associated s106 Legal Agreement for a suitable site to be made available for a Health Centre. A site and building were approved in January 2017 as part of the Reserved Matters permission for phase 2 of the wider development. In the section 106 Agreement, there was no requirement of the applicants to either construct the Health Centre or provide the land at nil cost to any interested party. Officers were content that the applicant had taken steps to market the Health Centre and used reasonable endeavours to secure the disposal of the site in accordance with the provisions of the section 106 agreement. In the event that the site cannot be disposed of the s106 Agreement allows for the use of the site to be used for other purposes, subject to the necessary consents being secured. He emphasised that NHS Sussex was actively exploring opportunities to meet the increasing demand for Primary Care in Burgess Hill, working with Homes England at the Brookleigh development. 

The Planning Team Leader reminded Members it was important to consider the planning application before them, based on its own merits. He noted the materials of the units, the increase in the number of units, parking provision with EV chargers and cycle and bin storage. Whilst the parking provision does not comply with the Burgess Hill Neighbourhood plan, it does comply with WSCC guidance, and it is considered that the proposal does comply with the Development Plan as a whole.

Councillor David Eggleton, spoke as a Member for Burgess Hill Town Council, against the application.

Rita Pinho, resident, spoke against the application.

Mike Holmes, Associate Planner for KLW, spoke in favour of the application.

Greg Roberts, Croudace Homes, spoke in favour of the application.

Councillor Christine Cherry, spoke as Ward Member for Burgess Hill, St Andrews, spoke against the application.

The Chairman thanked the public speakers and reminded Members they must consider the application before them independently of previous considerations.

Members discussed the application and raised their concerns for the lack of adequate Health Care provision on the East side of Burgess Hill given the increase in development. They understood the Developers had done all they could to make provision for a Health Care facility, however NHS Sussex had changed the model for supply and although they were exploring other sites these were all on the West side  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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