Agenda and minutes

Venue: REMOTE VIDEO LINK

Contact: Email: committees@midsussex.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

1.

Roll Call and Virtual Meetings explanation.

Minutes:

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

 

2.

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

None.

3.

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

Minutes:

Cllr Laband declared a non pre-determined interest in Item 6 DM/19/5207 as he is a Member of Haywards Heath Town Council.

4.

To confirm Minutes of the previous meeting of the District Planning Committee held on 16 July 2020. pdf icon PDF 245 KB

Minutes:

5.

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

Minutes:

None.

6.

DM/19/5207 - Rookery Farm, Rocky Lane, Haywards Heath, RH16 4RW pdf icon PDF 316 KB

Minutes:

Steve Ashdown, Major Development & Investigations Team Leader drew Members attention to the Agenda Update Sheet which had been emailed and was available online.  The update sheet detailed comments received from Ansty Parish Council regarding the access to the site, comments by the Urban Designer and comments from West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service which would be covered by an additional condition.  He also provided, a verbal update, noting that conditions 19 and 20 were duplicates, and advised the committee of the increased contributions in relation to the additional buildings: formal sports £27,226, community building £16,120, and local community infrastructure £17,700.  He confirmed that the West Sussex contributions are calculated by a formula to ensure no double counting of the properties in the application.

 

He introduced the report seeking planning permission for 72 residential dwellings, with changes to scheme already approved for 49 dwellings and therefore an additional 23 dwellings.  The earlier schemes had already been approved under DM/16/4496 and DM/17/4190.  He highlighted the dwellings that were part of the revised application, noted that the access had already been constructed, areas ancient woodland, to the north, south and east which were not within the application site and were covered by extant permissions. 

 

The site is in the built up area as defined within the Development Plan.  He noted the changes to the layout of approved dwellings, providing semi-detached and terraced houses and an apartment block. The intensification of the site was due to a reduction in no of 4-bed units and an uplift in smaller units. The new mix was more in line with the District need and an additional 7 affordable units would be provided.  He highlighted that the number of car parking spaces was just below West Sussex standards, but the site has a travel plan and the reduced level is acceptable.   The Urban Designer comments had been addressed by the revised drawing detailing stepped gabled roofs.  He concluded that the application was in accordance with the Development Plan and the principle of develop is acceptable.  The increase in density does not have a material impact on the character and appearance of the development.

 

Mrs Stephanie Went, local resident, spoke in objection to the application. 

 

Mr R. Brocklehurst, local resident, spoke in objection to the application.

 

Ms J. Sparkes, agent, spoke in support of the application.

 

Members noted that the revised housing mix better meets the needs of the District and noted the increased number of affordable units.  Members discussed the issues of  sustainability including Electric Vehicle Charging points (EVC), installation of gas boilers and sustainable transport, the adjacent Ancient Woodland, footpath 104CR, condition 5 which related to asbestos on the site and the badger sett.

 

The Chairman stated that there was asbestos on the site as it used to be working farm and the Planning Officer could discuss the closure of footpath 104CR with the developer.  He highlighted the swales and buffers which were outside the application site and had already been covered in previous applications.

 

A Member expressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Questions pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 10.2 due notice of which has been given.

Minutes:

None.