Agenda and minutes

Venue: COUNCIL CHAMBER

Contact: Email: committees@midsussex.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

The Committee noted that apologies had been received from Councillor Laband.

 

2.

To receive Declarations of Interest from Members in respect of any matter on the Agenda.

Minutes:

None.

3.

To confirm Minutes of the previous meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 21 November 2019. pdf icon PDF 225 KB

Minutes:

The Minutes of the Committee held on 21 November 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

4.

To consider any items that the Chairman agrees to take as urgent business.

Minutes:

None.

5.

DM/18/4979 - Land North of Clayton Mills, Ockley Lane, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8EX pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Minutes:

The Chairman noted that a further 3 representations had been received which had been sent to the Committee Members and confirmed that all Members had received the Agenda Update Sheet. He highlighted that one letter noted gypsy and traveller (G&T) provision.  He advised that the G&T sites issue has been dealt with at some length in the report.

 

Tom Clark, Solicitor to the Council informed the Committee that the site is allocated in the Council’s District Plan and, regarding G&T provision the application is policy compliant.

 

Steve Ashdown, Team Leader for Major Development & Investigations introduced the report for outline planning application with all matters reserved except for access for up to 500 residential dwellings and land for a two-form entry primary school and community building, land for a bridleway link between Hassocks and Burgess Hill, associated infrastructure including informal open space, hard and soft landscaping, sustainable drainage features and a new site access onto Ockley Lane, and provision of improved pedestrian access across the railway line. 

 

He drew Members attention to the Agenda Update Sheet and highlighted the changes to Recommendation A. He sought delegated powers for officers to make any minor amendments following negotiations relating to the Section 106 agreements. If any changes are more significant any decisions would be made in conjunction with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman. He noted the update regarding the weight to be afforded to the Policies of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan in the light of the Examiner’s Report which had been received the previous day. 

 

The Team Leader highlighted the properties adjacent to the site, the listed buildings which include the Grade II* Ockley Manor and the public right of way which runs through the site.  He confirmed the site has been allocated for up to 500 dwellings with provision for a primary school and the site is within the built up area boundary of Hassocks. He noted that open space land to the south of the site is outside the application site and is not in control of the developer. He confirmed that part of a new bridleway to connect Hassocks with Burgess Hill runs through the site and the remainder of the link is the next application on the agenda.

 

He advised the Committee that the site access would take the form of a priority junction and would include a new footway and bus stop on the eastern side of Ockley Lane. He noted the realignment of a section of Ockley Lane by up to 2 metres which included the removal of a hedgerow/ditch, both of which would be re-provided as part of the scheme.  The Team Leader noted that the application included a number of parameter plans that detail the public open space, land for the primary school and land for potential community building. He confirmed a 10 metre buffer to Mackie Avenue and buffer to the eastern of the site would be secured through these plans.

 

He noted the heritage assets and advised that the assessment had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

DM/18/4980 - Land at Grid Reference 531337 117617, Keymer Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex pdf icon PDF 236 KB

Minutes:

The Chairman deferred this item as it is associated with item 5 on the agenda, DM/18/4979 - Land North of Clayton Mills, Ockley Lane, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8EX.

 

The Committee took a 9 minute recess at 3:39pm and resumed at 3:48pm.

7.

DM/19/1148 - Kingsland Laines, Reeds Lane, Sayers Common, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 9JG pdf icon PDF 439 KB

Minutes:

Steve King, Planning Applications Team Leader introduced the report for approval of reserved matters following outline consent (ref. 12/01540/out) relating to appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of phase 1 for 120 new dwellings, provision of open space and sustainable drainage system (SUDS) pursuant to the approved outline consent. Amended plans and updated supporting information received 8 July 2019.

 

He drew Member’s attention to the Agenda Update Sheet and the amendment to affordable housing.  He noted that this application is Phase 1 of the development and phase 2 would follow in a separate application, which may include a care home. He highlighted the 2 listed buildings adjacent to the site.  He confirmed that the principle of the development has been established and the means of access.

 

The Committee was advised that the site will have a perimeter block arrangement of traditional back to back design dwellings with 4 clusters of affordable.  The officer noted the main impact would be on properties in Dunlop Close but it was not a significant impact. He confirmed the impact on the wider highway network was acceptable along with the level of car parking provision.  He confirmed that extensive flooding modeling has been undertaken by the applicant as existing watercourses run through and adjacent to the site.  He advised that the Council’s drainage engineers were content with layout and conditions would require the applicant to provide further details.  He confirmed that the Section 106 legal agreement has been signed.

 

John Longhorn, Linden Homes spoke in support of the application.  He noted that changes had been made to scheme following several design review panel meetings. He confirmed they have worked with officers to improve existing drainage issues in Dunlop Close.  He highlighted the additional 36 x 2 bed affordable units and the provision of electric vehicle charging points to future proof the development. 

 

KazysNarbotus, Civil Engineer spoke in support of the application. He highlighted the hydraulic modeling of existing conditions and provision of 1:100 and 1:1000 flood maps. He confirmed the design of the flood scheme would lower some areas to provide flood storage zones with controlled discharge. He noted that ground floor levels will be constructed 300mm above the flood level risk and the developers will undertake ditch clearance on a regular basis.

 

Cllr Jackson, Ward Member for Hurstpierpoint and Downsconfirmed that the Parish Council had objected to the application.  He welcomed the provision of affordable housing and highlighted his concern with the existing flooding issues on the site and surrounding area.  He requested reassurance that the foul sewers have capacity to cope with the new development.  The Ward Member also highlighted problems on other nearby sites and asked for conditions to be enforced regarding occupation of properties and the sewer connection.

 

Natalie James, Flood Risk and Drainage Engineer for MSDC confirmed she has been working with Linden Homes to address MSDC’s requirements in relation to flood risk.  She highlighted that the 1:100 flood risk is the chance of the event happening  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

DM/19/2764 - Gamblemead, Fox Hill, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4QT pdf icon PDF 419 KB

Minutes:

Steve King, Planning Applications Team Leader introduced the report for full planning application to revise the approved and implemented permission (DM/17/0331) at land at Gamblemead, Fox Hill to provide for 19 additional dwellings including 6 additional affordable units with associated landscaping, road layout, access and parking.

 

The Team Leader drew Members’ attention to the Agenda Update sheet. He confirmed that the principle of development and access had already been established and the site is within the built up area of Haywards Heath. He highlighted the redesign of the central area of the site and the western end for the additional dwellings which would have no impact on the highway network.  He noted that some of the larger dwellings had been replaced with smaller units with some terraced dwellings. He confirmed the same central road layout with a minor change to the road layout at the western end. 

 

The Chairman advised the Committee that the statutory authorities and Haywards Heath Town Council had no objections.  He noted that the development would provide much needed additional affordable housing.

 

The Vice-Chairman proposed a motion to move to the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Coe Gunnell-White.

 

As there were no further questions the Chairman took the Committee to the recommendations and which the Committee approved unanimously.

           

RESOLVED

 

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions set out in Appendix A and B and the Agenda Update Sheet.

 

9.

DM/19/3845 - Land to the West of Freeks Lane, Freeks Lane, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, East of RH15 9RW pdf icon PDF 543 KB

Minutes:

Stuart Malcolm, Northern Arc Strategic Development Delivery Manager introduced the report for approval of reserved matters pursuant to condition 1 of DM/18/0509 for the erection of 460 dwellings, including public open space, play areas, associated infrastructure including roads, surface water attenuation and associated demolition.

 

The officer drew Members’ attention to the Agenda Update sheet and noted the waste officer’s comments.  He confirmed that the site is within the built up area of Burgess Hill and the principle of development and access have already been agreed. The use of the land will conform with the parameter plan for the Northern Arc development. He noted that the site will be near to the eastern neighbourhood centre, local amenities and a primary school.  He highlighted the main spine road, shared cycle and pedestrian route with other links to future developments within the Northern Arc development.  The 2 and 3 storey buildings have been designed with character areas to help the development blend in with the local area and has been approved by the urban designer.  The housing team welcome the development which will provide 138 affordable policy complaint units, units for the over 55 and shared ownership units.  He noted the on-site leisure facilities, neighbourhood equipment area of play and a multi-use games area. 

 

A Countryside Properties employee spoke in support of the application. He expressed a wish for the development to be a design exemplar for the Northern Arc development. He highlighted the additional 41 shared ownership units in addition to the affordable housing already agreed.  He noted the integration of the development into the surroundings and retention of mature trees and hedgerows.  To aid the provision of sustainable transport electric charging points will be installed in all dwellings with garages or parking places and communal charging points will also be installed.

 

Cllr Hicks spoke as Ward Member for Burgess Hill – Leylands and supported the application.  He welcomed the development’s design but expressed concern for Bedelands Nature Reserve. He highlighted the concern of local residents with regard to the original site for the relocated playground on Maple Drive, and noted the revised location closer to Maple Drive.  He expressed concern over the current state of Freeks Lane which is an unmade road. He requested that the Construction Management Plan includes the maintenance of Freeks Lane until Right of Way is diverted and the facility for residents of Freeks Lane to contact contractors with their concerns.

 

The Chairman made reference to the Northern Arc Master Plan, and the approved Northern Arc Design Guide.  He advised that the application to link to the spine road would be considered later on and it will include the bridge to link to rest of the Northern Arc development.  He confirmed the restriction on the number of houses built until spine road access has come forward.

 

In response to a Member’s question the Northern Arc Strategic Development Delivery Manager noted that Freeks Lane was outside the application site.  He confirmed that as part of wider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

Questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 10 due notice of which has been given.

Minutes:

None.