Agenda and minutes

The Chairman commenced the roll call to confirm the Members present.  Carolynn Forster, Business Unit Leader for Legal Services,provided a virtual meeting explanation.

Apologies were received from Cllr Walker.

Cllr. A. Eves declared that she was judged to be predetermined on Item 5. DM/19/3331 - The Martlets Shopping Centre, Burgess Hill, West Sussex, RH15 9NN and therefore agreed to remove herself from the discussion and voting on the item.

Cllr. E. Coe-Gunnell White declared a personal interest as she is a Member of Burgess Hill Town Council.

The Chairman confirmed that he had no urgent business.

The Chairman welcomed the speakers and he highlighted the public speaking procedure.

Steve Ashdown, Major Development & Investigations Team Leader, introduced the application which sought planning permission for the redevelopment of the Martlets Shopping Centre in the centre of Burgess Hill to provide additional retail floorspace, a cinema, a bowling alley, a gymnasium, a hotel and 172 residential units, along with the reconfiguration of a public carpark and public realm improvements. He drew Members attention to the Agenda Update Sheet which provided further information pertinent to the application, typographical corrections to the ground floor residential units that are referred to and a revision to the wording of Condition 24.

Cllr Henwood, Member for Burgess Hill Franklands Ward, spoke against the application.

Michael Wood, Agent of the Applicant, spoke in favour of the application.

Robert Eggleston, Ward Member, spoke in favour of the application and on behalf of his fellow Ward Member Cllr Hussain. He acknowledged the significance of the application which would undoubtedly assist and lift the town’s economy, catering for the late evening and afternoon culture. He noted the reduction in commercial parking but took comfort that there are still 1100 parking spaces still available in the town and that DP21 of the District Plan highlights the need facilitate the shift of transportation to walking or cycling. It was noted that the statutory consultee made no comment on the application and drew Members attention to the Conservation Officer’s consultation. He believed the application caused less than substantial harm to the heritage assets and the benefits of the scheme, to revitalise the town centre socially, economically and visually as well as boosting both the daytime and night-time economy of the town, should outweigh this less than substantial harm.

The Vice-Chairman outlined that it would be years before Burgess Hill has anything similar brought forward if the development would not be approved. He accepted the detrimental impact on light to Flats 105b and 107b Church Walk as any development in a town centre will always cause some degree of harm. He felt the design was suitable to the area and that the block of flats sat well within the whole development.

A Member highlighted that Burgess Hill Town Council did not criticise the scheme and that the scheme would bring more leisure facilities to the location. He noted the level of use of red brick in the scheme which he felt was over emphasising references to the Sussex vernacular and expressed a preference to the design of the opposite side of the development.

A Member sought clarification on the reference made to the Place and Connectivity Programme and how the proposals will complement the proposed development. He also sought clarification on the roundabout from which McDonalds can be accessed and their cooperation with the efforts to improve traffic flow on the roundabout.

Sally Blomfield, Divisional Leader for Planning and Economy, confirmed that the Place and Connectivity Programme has been progressing well; consultation took place in Summer 2020 and implementation on a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

None.