Agenda item

DM/19/0535 - Land at Penland Farm, Hanlye Lane, Cuckfield, RH17 5HR

Minutes:

Steve Ashdown, Planning Applications Team Leader, introduced the application which seeks avariation of planning conditions nos. 5, 11, 21 and 26 of planning permission ref. DM/18/0194 (pursuant to the approved permission DM/16/1803), to allow for the retained temporary access from Hanlye Lane for 150 occupations and to allow for minor changes to the approved layout.  The Officer noted that the conditions related to: 5 (construction management plan), 11 (site access), 21 (working hours) and 26 (approved drawings) of planning permission DM/1/0194. The principles and matters approved under the existing permission that are not altered by this current submission remain acceptable and it is not within the scope of this application to re-visit them.

 

The Officer advised that in order to install the new roundabout to replace the existing junction a road closure order was required.  All works off the highway had already been completed by the applicant.  West Sussex County Council had given temporary access for the occupation of 50 units.  The works should commence in the summer of 2020 and London Lane in Cuckfield is the likely diversion route.  The issue of any road closure is for West Sussex County Council as the Local Highway Authority and the impacts of any closure on local businesses and residents are matters that fall outside this application.  The original program of five months for the highway works has been reduced to three months, however this based upon working seven days a week.  The change to condition 21 would allow longer working hours for highway work only.The variation of condition 11 limits the occupation of the site to 150 dwellings prior to the completion of the highway works and the Highway Authority are content with the revised conditions. The increase in the number of occupations to 150 dwellings will help ensure that the site continues to deliver houses in the intervening period of time until the works are finally completed. Condition 26 is a minor change to swap already approved house types on 6 plots and it is not considered that this would impact on the overall character and appearance of the development. Condition 5 supplied new wording for the construction management plan and a new plan would be submitted before construction of the roundabout commences.

 

Councillor Pete Bradbury, Ward Member and West Sussex County Councillor spoke in favour of the application and commented that he had met with West Sussex County Council, the developers, local businesses and residents prior to changing the date for the highway works.  The shorter closure of the junction was the better option and alternative solutions were considered but the roundabout was the best and safest solution.  He noted that local businesses have a year to prepare for the road closure; he would continue to work to minimise the disruption and the main part of the work would be during the school holidays when there is less traffic and better weather.  He thanked the officer for his efforts.

 

A Member thanked Councillor Bradbury for his update and expressed concern over pedestrian access.  The Officer confirmed that there was a footpath link onto Penland Road and the footpath round the outside of site is part of the highway works.

 

A Member commented on the need for the roundabout and the Chairman confirmed that other ways to deal with traffic during the closure of the junction had been investigated.    He noted that the original application pre-dated the District Plan and the Council had originally refused the application which had included a larger roundabout.  The Planning Inspector had then approved a roundabout on appeal.

 

A Member thanked Councillor Bradbury for his work for his ward and supported the change to working hours.

 

The Chairman noted that no more Members wished to speak so took Members to Recommendation A as set out in the report.  The permission was approved with 8 votes for and one against, Councillor Bates wished it to be noted that he voted against the recommendation.

 

RESOLVED

 

That permission be granted subject to the conditions suggested in Appendix A and the agenda update sheet.

 

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