Agenda item

Andrew Watt, Senior Planning Officer introduced the report which detailed the application seeking full planning permission for a redevelopment of a 9.65 ha area of Hassocks Golf Club comprising 165 residential dwellings, together with landscaping, car parking and associated drainage and access works.  The Officer highlighted the Agenda Update Sheet and provided the following verbal update: 

Condition 23 was amended to read: No dwelling shall be occupied until details of the proposed accesses across the existing bridleway 4_2C and footpath 9C (which shall include engineering/surfacing works and landscape features/contours and details of the crossing point(s) and maintenance details) have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In the interests of visual amenity and of the environment of the development and to accord with Policy DP26 of the Mid Sussex District Plan and Policy 8 of the draft Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan.

Condition 28 was added:

No construction work on any dwelling shall commence until a detailed scheme for the provision of the proposed public open space, shown on the approved plans, has been submitted to the local planning authority and approved in writing. The open space scheme shall include detailed proposals with regard to layout, landscaping, drainage, equipment, footpaths, cycleways, and boundary treatments within the open space areas. The scheme shall also contain proposals for the future management and maintenance of the open spaces, and the timing of provision. The open space scheme shall thereafter be implemented in accordance with these approved details, and the open space shall be kept available for use by the public.

Reason: To ensure satisfactory provisional equipment and to ensure that play area is provided and retained within the development for use by the general public and to accord with Policy DP24 of the Mid Sussex District Plan.

John Orchard, local resident, spoke in objection to the application.  He commented on increased pressure on infrastructure, highway safety and flooding issues.

Ian Weir, Hassocks Parish Council, spoke in support of the application.   He noted that the developer had worked with the Parish Council and the site had been included in their emerging Neighbourhood Plan.  

Chris Jasper, agent of the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He informed Committee that the application would finance the redevelopment of the Golf Club which would provide employment opportunities.  The revised design removed the 5 bed units, increased the number of 2 bed units and no units would be in excess of 2 storeys.

Councillor Sue Hatton, Ward Member, noted that she supported the views of Hassocks Parish Council.  More 2 bed units were needed and the revised design complied with Policy DP26 of the District Plan (Character and Design). 

In response to Members’ questions the Senior Planning Officer noted that the demolition of the buildings was included in the application, West Sussex County Council had adopted a cycling strategy and the surface of footpath 8c to the western boundary of the site would be upgraded via a S106 infrastructure contribution, and the proposed play area would not be adjacent to the retained golf course.

The Chairman noted that no Members wished to speak so moved to Recommendations A and B and the Agenda Update Sheet and verbal updates.  These were approved unanimously.

RESOLVED

That planning permission be granted subject to the following recommendations, and amendments contained in the Agenda Update Sheet and verbal updates.

Recommendation A

It is recommended that, subject to the completion of a satisfactory S106 planning obligation to secure the required level of infrastructure contributions, affordable housing provision and on site open space, planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix A.

Recommendation B

If by 1 March 2019, the applicants have not submitted a satisfactory signed planning obligation securing the necessary financial contributions, affordable housing and open space provision, then it is recommended that planning permission be refused at the discretion of the Divisional Leader for Planning and Economy for the following reason:

"The application fails to comply with Policies DP20 and DP31 of the Mid Sussex District Plan, Policies 10 and 14 of the draft Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan and paragraphs 54 and 56 of the National Planning Policy Framework in respect of the infrastructure and affordable housing required to serve the development."