Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Cartwright. 

In relation to item DM/22/0733 – Land at Rogers Farm, Fox Hill, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4QU, Councillor Pulfer declared a non-prejudicial interest as he is a Member of the Planning Committee for Haywards Heath Town Council.

The minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on the 11 August 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

The Chairman had no urgent business.

Andrew Horrell, Planning Officer, introduced the application which sought planning permission for the external alterations to fenestration and doorways and the incorporation of roof mounted PV panels and an additional parking space in connection with internal alterations redistributing the existing Healthcare and Pharmacy activities. He advised the application was before the Committee as the building and land is owned by Mid Sussex District Council and the work was required to meet the NHS regulations and building regulations as stated in the report. The Planning officer explained the proposed development complies with the policies as set out in the District Plan and Haywards Heath Neighbourhood Plan. Given the nature of the proposed works, the harm to surrounding amenities is not deemed significant.

A Member asked for clarity regarding the access points to the pharmacy following the relocation of the unit. The Planning officer confirmed there would be level access along the front of the building as well as with steps up to the pharmacy with a fire exit.

The Planning officer confirmed, in response to a Member seeking clarity, the NHS would be funding the refurbishment as the building is owned by Mid Sussex District Council and leased to the NHS.

A Member queried the number of additional car parking spaces in the proposed works, citing the need for further provision of spaces. The Planning officer advised there would be the creation of one additional space, emphasising the alterations were an improvement on existing facilities in the building. He advised of alterative parking in the vicinity.

As there were no further questions, the Chairman took Members to the recommendation that planning permission be approved subject to the conditions outlined at Appendix A. This was proposed by Councillor Pulfer and seconded by Councillor Coote and was approved unanimously with 11 in favour.

RESOLVED

The planning permission was approved subject to the conditions outlined at Appendix A.

Steven King, Planning Team Leader, introduced the application which sought planning permission for the provision of 20 dwellings with associated amenity/garden, landscaping and access/parking arrangements. The Team Leader advised that there are 3 existing listed buildings adjacent to the site of the application. He advised that whilst there would be some harm to the setting of these listed buildings and this needed to be given significant importance, the harm was classed as less than substantial under the guidance in the NPPF. In such cases the less than substantial harm had to be balanced against the public benefits of the proposal, which were outlined in the report. . The development would provide a mix of dwellings with a proposed pedestrian link to Fox Hill. He drew Members attention to the further information contained in the Agenda Update Sheet and provided a verbal update citing a request from the Local Highway Authority (LHA) to the applicant to include advance warning signage of the side road to the South of the access. The applicant has indicated they are content with this request and the Planning officer advised Members it would be included as an additional planning.

The Planning Team Leader advised Members that within the Site Allocations Development Plan Document, the site is allocated 25 units, however, this application is proposing 20 dwellings because the applicants have stated that the developable area of the site is reduced because of drainage issues and the root protection areas of the trees on the boundaries of the site.

The Planning Team Leader went through the main issues in the report and referred Members to where these were assessed in the report.

Mr Daniel Frisby, Agent, spoke in support of the application.

Members discussed access to the site and expressed concerns regarding the existing speed restrictions and layout of the main road servicing the site. Regarding the access to the site, the Planning Team Leader advised that the Highway Authority were satisfied with the access. He advised that if Members were concerned about the width of the access, this could be discussed with the Highway Authority to ascertain whether any minor changes were required to the access. He advised that this could be done because in the event that Members resolved to approve the application, the decision would not be issued straight away as the section 106 legal agreement still needed to be completed.  The Planning Team Leader also advised that the application includes widening of the footpath for pedestrian access by cutting back vegetation.  The Planning Team Leader referred Members to Condition 15 of the recommended conditions which addresses this issue A Member requested the speed limits be reviewed by the Police and West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and East Sussex County Council (ESCC). The Planning Team Leader acknowledged this and looked to the Committee for a consensus that officers contact WSCC and ESCC. This was agreed by the Chairman.

A Member expressed concerns regarding the drainage of the site as surrounding sites are prone to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

None.