Agenda item

Andrew Morrison, Senior Planning Officer introduced the application for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of 8 dwellings comprising of 5x3 bedroom houses with attached garages and a flat block of 3x2 bedroom flats, including creation of a cycle store, refuse storage with associated car parking landscaping works and changes to access onto Oaklands Road.

He drew Members attention to the agenda update sheet, noting that condition 7 was to be amended to comply with Policy DP39 of the Mid Sussex District Plan, and as such Members would be provided with more information regarding energy and water conservation before any development takes place. He commented that the existing site is currently a 30 space car park for council staff, and has 2 access points onto Oaklands Road. The western side of the site was previously occupied by the British Red Cross, however, as per the agenda update sheet this had been vacant for 2 years as the British Red Cross had found an alternative location in Haywards Heath. He noted that the current access will be changed, from 3 access points to Oaklands Road, to 6 access points onto Oaklands Road under the application. He noted an oak tree on the site which has a Tree Presentation Order (TPO) attached to it; he informed Members that the oak tree is to be retained alongside the other vegetation on the northern boundary. He noted that the remaining trees and vegetation on the site were to be removed and semi-mature planting was to replace these trees and vegetation. He told the Committee that any resolution to approve this application should be subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement and the conditions set out in appendix A as updated or amended in the Agenda Update Sheet.

A Member enquired as to the plans within the application for solar panels. Another member suggested that photovoltaic cells may be more efficient in place of solar panels. The Chairman told the Committee this had been addressed in condition 7, and both solar panels and photovoltaic cells would be considered. The Senior Planning Officer further explained that as the application is, solar panels are not addressed; however, these could form a measure of the final design, under condition 7 where the Council is requiring full details of water and energy conservation prior to the developments start.

Members discussed the trees on the site, specifically the oak tree with the TPO attached, and the lime tree on the eastern side of the side. Members queried if the lime tree would be retained given the ecological value, and if there would be sufficient distance from the oak tree to the buildings to avoid the roots of the oak tree either being disrupted, or disrupting the building. The Senior Planning Officer noted that the MSDC Tree Officer had examined this and had not raise any concerns regarding the proximity of the dwellings, and explained that suitable measures will be put in place during construction. He noted that the lime tree would be removed as it is not considered to have public amenity value to warrant a tree preservation order, and were it to be retained it could undermine the landscaping scheme proposed. He also noted that it would also obscure the side elevation of the 1st building and this matter has been considered and on balance, its removal and replacement with planting would be acceptable.

Nick Rogers, Business Unit Leader - Development Management added that the removal of the lime tree would allow the submission of landscaping scheme which would be appropriate to the new housing scheme subject of the application.

Members asked if there were alternative parking places for MSDC staff without the use of this carpark, and for the size of the garages which The Senior Planning Officer and the Chairman explained there were sufficient alternative spaces to park and that garages were 6m by 3.3m.

The Chairman took Members to the recommendation to approve the application, which was proposed by Cllr Coote and seconded by Councillor Coe-Gunnell White. The application was approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be approved subject to the completion of a S106 Legal Agreement to secure the infrastructure contributions highlighted in the report and the Agenda Update Sheet and the conditions set in Appendix A with the replacement condition 7 in the Agenda Update Sheet.

And

That if the applicants have not signed a planning obligation securing the necessary infrastructure contributions by 7 February 2020, then permission be refused at the discretion of the Divisional Lead for Planning and Economy, for the following reasons:

1. 'The application fails to comply with policies DP20 of the Mid Sussex District Plan in respect of the provision of infrastructure required to serve the development.