Agenda and minutes

The Chairman commenced the roll call to confirm the Members present.  Tom Clark, Head of Regulatory Services provided a virtual meeting explanation.  The Chairman outlined the public speaking procedure.

Apologies were received from Cllr Peacock.

Councillor Jackson declared a non pre-determined interest in Item 6 DM/20/2763 as he is a Member of Hurstpierpoint Parish Council.

The Minutes of the Committee meeting held on 17 December 2020 were agreed as a correct record and signed electronically by the Chairman.

None.

Steve Ashdown, Team Leader for Major Developments and Investigations introduced the report.  He confirmed that Committee Members had received the agenda update sheet which detailed one additional representation, a change to condition two and five additional informatives all relating to condition clearance matters.

He advised that consent is sought for the reserved matters of layout, scale, appearance and landscaping associated with the erection of 200 dwellings associated with an outline planning permission, granted on appeal by the Secretary of State, in respect of application DM/15/4457 on land south of Scamps Hill, Lindfield.  The outline planning permission allows for 200 dwellings, a 9.54 ha country park and land for a one form entry primary school. The application does not include the school site, which will need to be come forward under a separate application, but includes all other elements associated with the residential dwellings and country park. 

The Team Leader confirmed that a signed Section 106 agreement had already been secured.  He highlighted the topography of the site with dwellings to the west at the  lowest point, a Country Park on the eastern side on the higher level, a new pedestrian / cycle link to join with the Heathwood Park development and Haywards Heath / Lindfield to the to west and south.  The development included a mix of 1,2,3 4 and 5 bed dwellings, and 1-2 bed flats.   He noted that the applicant  is an affordable housing provider and the application provides 70 affordable units, an extra 10 units.  The 3 storey buildings would be located on the lowest area of the site.  Carp parking provision of 129 spaces will comprise garages, on-street spaces and visitor parking.  He confirmed that 33% of spaces will have EVCPs and is secured by condition 1. He highlighted the landscaping and that part of the country park is a replacement for the informal recreation area adjacent to Heathwood Park, an orchard at the front of the site and a wetland walk area to the west. The maintenance of country park has been secured and will be managed by the Land Trust.  The concerns of the Planning Inspector have been addressed by building in-line with adjacent properties and a strong landscape and built form. He noted that the blocks of flats are designed to replicate terrace housing.

Mr Gossage, resident of Walstead spoke in objection to the application. 

Mr Kennedy, Chairman of Lindfield Preservation Society spoke in objection to the application. 

Mrs Ashton, the applicant’s agent, spoke in support of the application.

The Chairman drew Members’ attention to the conditions that apply from the  original application and Planning Inspector’s  report. He confirmed that  the agenda update sheet detailed some conditions that had been discharged, and informative 8 on drainage and levels should read “these details cannot be agreed until such time as any Land Drainage Consents has been received from the Environment Agency for the proposed outfalls to the main river”.  The freehold of the land for the provision of a school will be  transferred to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Chairman advised that it was unusual for a Section 106 to come to the Committee for changes but this report was before the Committee as it is a large scheme and there have been many changes.  The report must be viewed against the Masterplan for the Northern Arc.

Louise Yandell, Northern Arc Manager introduced the report.  She highlighted the Agenda Update Sheet and noted that the amendments relate to page 59 of the report.  The Committee were advised that the agenda stated that the existing trigger for healthcare provision onsite or as a financial contribution was 6 months from occupation of the development, however the legal agreement  states 6 months prior to occupation of the development.

The Northern Arc Manger confirmed that most of the changes were minor in nature but as there were a large number of changes it was appropriate for the District Planning Committee to consider them.   The Committee were reminded that the Freeks Farm area was already under construction by a separate application.  She highlighted that it is a complex application and it is not unusual to have changes.

The Northern Arc Manager outlined the phases of the development, and due to work by Homes England the delivery of the eastern area has been accelerated.   The main changes to the legal agreement were noted and these included boundaries for open spaces and Primary and Secondary School parcels, transfer of ownership of open space land,  timings for the delivery of community facilities and healthcare provision, agreement of some design elements and highway improvements.  None of the amendments would result in unacceptable infrastructure delivery and the changes would led to an in improved delivery of the scheme.

The Chairman asked Members to comment.

The Members queried the changes to the name of the community facility for sport,  the Adur Open Space and the responsibility for delivering the project as other developers would be involved. 

The Northern Arc Manager advised that the Adur Open Space derives its name from the River Adur as the river bounds and runs through the land.   The name of the sports facility had changed because a request was received from Mid Sussex District Council.  She confirmed that the responsibility remained with Homes England as the land owner to deliver the infrastructure even though they would pass construction of the phases onto other developers.

As there were no further questions the Chairman took the Members to a vote. 

The Solicitor took a named vote on the officer’s recommendation with the changes in the update sheet  and the Committee voted unanimously in favour of the motion.

RESOLVED

That the District Planning Committee approved the proposed variations to the Legal Agreement.

None.