A meeting of the Planning Committee of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 1^st November 2005 in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.

Present: Harvie Steele (Chairman), Neil Longson (Deputy Chairman), Michael Jackson, Estelle Warriner, Celia Rayner, Paul Royce, Jonathan Trees and Roger Watts.

Also in Attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk) and one member of the public.

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

Dennis Tyler

The members duly approved the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 4th October 2005 and the Chairman signed the minutes as a true record of the meeting.

i) Willets Farm – The documents from the Planning Inspectorate regarding the appeal against enforcement are still awaited by HDC, but should be sent out this week. A revised drawing has been received showing the 3 new cycle sheds.

ii) Museum –The 15^th November at 7.30 pm in the Reading Room was set for the committee to attend a meeting with Jeremy Knight, curator Horsham Museum, to discuss the way forward with museum.

The specification of building works to refurbish the museum and provide a toilet received from Morfield Everest were discussed and the members thought it would be preferable for the entrance to the toilet to be from within the building rather than from outside. The Clerk was asked to talk to the architect to see if this was possible and to redraw the plan.

DC/05/2278 - Mr A Purbrick, Quilters, Grove Lane

Demolish and rebuild existing outbuildings to provide games room, erection of two storey rear extension containing enlarged kitchen area at ground floor and guest room with ensuite at first floor, provision of playroom in roofspace and erection of 3 bay garage/store

DC/05/2305 - Mr G Vallance, Fracali, Harborough Drive

Loft conversion with dormer window

DC/05/2346 - Mr J H Ranson, Oakmere, Mill Road

Single storey rear extension/garden room

DC/05/2377 - A Woolley And P J Woolley, Summerleas, Bower Lane

Erection of detached double garage

DC/05/2392 - Mr D E Hayhoe, Birchwood, Spinney Lane

Demolition of existing double garage and loggia, erection of 2-storey side and rear extensions, alterations to projecting front entrance facade, outdoor swimming pool and raised patio area

DC/05/2412 - Ms J Hill, Land North Of Longmead And Inglewood And Careys, Haglands Lane

Erection of 1 dwelling

Jonathan Trees left the meeting as his property adjoins the proposed development The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow a member of the public to address the meeting. Mrs Trees stated that this proposal was similar to previous applications that had all been turned down on appeal, and this plan was not significantly different to justify approval. Four letters of objection were discussed by the committee referring to drainage problems, loss of privacy, front garden development eroding the character of the area, loss of wildlife habitat and possible damage to services that pass under the land.

DC/05/2449 - M Stock, Steepwood Farm, Adversane Lane, Adversane, Billingshurst

Demolish 1 and 2 Steepwood Farm Cottages and variation of condition 2 of WC/125/02 ("The dwelling hereby approved shall not be occupied until the dwellings known as Steepwood Farmhouse and Steepwood Bungalow have been demolished...")

DC/05/1264 - Mr P And Mrs S Blackburn, Little Hayden Bower Lane - Single-storey front extension with accommodation in roof space

Parish Council – No objection

District Council decision: PERMITTED – Obscured glazing to be used in southern elevation.

Site access to be via Roundabout Lane and provision to be made on site for parking and storage of materials. Hard and soft landscaping to be agreed and measures taken to protect the hedge on the southern boundary. Hours of work to be 8.00 to 18.00 Monday to Friday and Saturday mornings. No Sunday or bank holiday working.

DC/05/1525 - Mr And Mrs C Timmis, Badgers Wood Stud, Broadford Bridge Road - Conversion of barn to dwelling

Parish Council – the members have strong objections to this application. The permission to use the barn in support of the equestrian stud was given on the understanding that the barn could not be used for residential purposes. The applicants were warned four years ago, when they were found to be living in the barn, that the domestic conversions they had carried out must be removed as they only had planning permission for messing facilities. The barn was built specifically for the use of the land as an equestrian stud and to grant permission for residential occupation would go against the previous planning decision, and appear to condone the flagrant breach of the previous conditions imposed.

District Council decision: PERMITTED – HDC have entered into a section 106 agreement with the applicants for £2000 for community facilities as a condition for grating permission.

Because the barn had been used for agricultural purposes for over 10 years it comes within the scope of permitted conversion under government guidelines.

DC/05/1768 - Mr Garry Hall, Land West And South of Rear Garden, The Chase House, Mill Road - Fell 16 Cupressocyparis Leylandii and 1 Quercus Robur (Oak) trees

Parish Council – No objection.

District Council decision: PERMITTED – But permission from the owners of the land to be obtained prior to work commencing.

DC/05/2068 - F.N.Midmer, Orme Cottage, Nyetimber Copse, West Chiltington

Single-Storey front extension to garage

District Council decision: PERMITTED – Materials and finishes to match existing building.

DC/05/2069 - Mrs S Ansell, Harbolets, Harbolets Road, West Chiltington

Manege

District Council decision: PERMITTED – Subject to no floodlighting to be installed, no commercial use and that details of proposed storage and disposal of manure and used bedding to be in accordance with approved details.

DC/05/2089 - Miss R McKean, Little Farm, Old House Lane, Coolham

Single-storey extension and double garage

District Council decision: PERMITTED – all materials and finished to match existing building.

DC/05/2090 - Mr And Mrs Woolf, Brook End, Monkmead Copse

Conservatory and plant room (amendment to previous approved DC/04/2174)

DC/05/2125 - Mr And Mrs Ansell, Harbolets, Harbolets Road, West Chiltington

2-Storey extension with cellar, single-storey extension and conservatory

District Council decision: PERMITTED – All materials and finishes to match existing building.

DC/05/0569 - Mr & Mrs Hayhoe, Birchwood, Spinney Lane - demolition of existing double garage and loggia and erection of 2 storey side and rear extensions, outdoor swimming pool and raised patio.

Parish Council – concerned that the bulk and massing of the extension to the north elevation, and its proximity to the boundary with Brackenburn, will be unneighbourly. The new high-level window to the north elevation will overlook Brackenburn to the detriment of the occupiers’ privacy and amenities.

District Council decision – REFUSED – the proposed extension, by virtue of its size, design and siting, would not be sympathetic to the existing dwelling, and would adversely affect the visual character of the area. Contrary to Local Plan polices and Village Design Statement.

DC/05/0742– Mr Clarke, Cedar Barn, Coneyhurst Farm, West Chiltington Lane, Coneyhurst – shed

District Council decision – REFUSED – by virtue of its size, siting and appearance, the proposed building would adversely affect the rural character of the area, contrary to Local Plan policies.

APPEAL: Allowed – Would not adversely affect the rural character of the area.

DC/05/1071- Mr & Mrs Rymer, land east of Conifers, The Common - erection of a dwelling

Parish Council - objections. Outline application DC/04/1220, allowed on appeal, refers specifically to a 2 bedroom retirement chalet bungalow. What is now proposed is a 3-bedroom chalet bungalow, with a conservatory not shown on the outline application. The position of the building is shown further east on the plot, closer to the boundary with the neighbouring property, and further north towards the road. The plans show a house with a steeply pitched roof, which is too large for the site, and which will appear cramped and out of keeping with neighbouring development. The steeply pitched roof will make the house an intrusive and incongruous feature of the street scene, detrimental to the visual amenities of the locality.

Any new house on the site should be built precisely in accordance with the appeal decision.

Parish Council - strong objections, for the same reasons that earlier applications have been considered unacceptable. This proposal is for frontland development, and contrary to Local Plan policy WC1 and the Village Design Statement. This area of West Chiltington Common is characterised by large houses standing back from the road in generous plots. The new house will stand well forward of the existing building line; the plot is small, out of keeping with other plot sizes in the vicinity, with the result that any new house will appear cramped on the site, and out of keeping; there will inevitably be loss of trees and vegetation at the site, to the detriment of the character and amenities of the area. The creation of a new vehicular access where visibility in Common Hill is already poor will increase the chances of traffic accidents; the Parish has insufficient local facilities and amenities to serve yet another new development; and permitting the application will create a precedent which, when followed, will destroy the character and amenities of this pleasant semi-rural area. The District Council's reasons for refusing application WC/42/93, and the Inspector's reasons for dismissing the subsequent appeal, continue to apply. The Parish Council asks that the application be referred to Committee for decision.

District Council decision – REFUSED – Undesirable intensification, out of keeping and incompatible with existing development in the locality.

DC/05/0950 - Longdene Developments, agricultural building north of Old House Farm, Old House Lane - conversion of existing building to form 1 dwelling

Parish Council – objections. The site lies in open, unspoilt countryside. The existing building consists largely of corrugated asbestos sheeting. It is of no historical importance or architectural merit. If no longer required for agriculture it should be dismantled and removed from the site.

District Council decision – REFUSED – unsuitable for conversion, contrary to local planning policies, outside built up area.

DC/04/1044 – Saxon Estates, Greenways, Lordings Lane – Demolition of existing dwelling, garages and ancillary buildings and erection of 3 dwellings with garages.

It was agreed that the Parish Council would object to the application for the same reasons that earlier applications were considered unacceptable. The proposal is out of character and out of keeping for the area. The proposed plots, at a third of an acre, are smaller than surrounding plots and out of keeping. Despite changes in design from the previous application, the proposed new houses will introduce an incongruous element of urbanisation to the street scene. Given the topography of Lordings Lane and the proposed ridge heights of the properties, the new houses would be an obtrusive feature in the landscape, and will be detrimental to neighbours' amenities and to the visual amenities of the locality.

Lordings Lane is a narrow private road, inadequate to take the heavy traffic using the road during construction, and the numerous additional car journeys made by occupants of the new houses. Both the eastern and western junctions of Lordings Lane with the County road network (at Haglands Lane and Smock Alley/Roundabout Lane) have inadequate sightlines, and any growth in traffic will exacerbate the existing road safety hazards.

The proposal is contrary to the Village Design Statement (VDS). Because of its rural character and inadequacy to take additional traffic, the VDS specifically identifies Lordings Lane as an area where additional development should not take place. The views of the Inspector, in dismissing an appeal against refusal of the previous application, continue to apply.

If, despite objections, the Planning Authority were minded to grant the application, the Parish Council would not object to the erection of single-storey dwellings at the site.

District Council decision – REFUSED – by reason of its scale, design and siting, would be out of keeping with character of area, and therefore contrary to Local Plan Policies and Village Design Statement. Also contrary to Government guidance PPG3 – no overriding need at present to release further land for development, particularly where the development is not of a high standard of design and layout.

Appeal Lodged – Public Inquiry to be held on Tuesday 1^st November 2005.

DC/05/1230 – Redlands Farm, Coolham Road

Barn

i) Dolly Posts, East Street – Following complaints from residents County Highways are now considering to put black posts in place rather than black & white. They are requesting a contribution of £2500 from the Parish Council. This item is to be discussed at the Parish Meeting on the 8^th November but it was thought it might be useful to consider the options available. It has been proposed by Peter Longley that s106 money be used, or by Fran Davis that reserves could be used.

ii) Sports Association Meeting – A meeting was arranged for the 16^th November at 6.30 pm in the pavilion. The Clerk would notify the other participants.

iii) WSCC Highways - Speed Limits – Following the measurement of the speed of vehicles around the village, which on average were all in excess of the 30 mph speed limit, County Highways are to paint roundels on the carriageways to reinforce the limit.

iv) HDC Obligations Panel – The first meeting of the panel is to take place on the 8^th November to consider applications for allocation of s106 Monies for Skatepark repairs and new furniture for the Village Hall.

i) Roger Watts suggested CCTV cameras could be installed to monitor the Village Hall and recreation ground. The Clerk was asked to obtain quotations for a suitable system.

ii) Paul Royce mentioned the practise, common around the village, of collecting dog waste in polythene bags and then hanging the bags in trees or hedges. As polythene is not biodegradable these bags become an eyesore and dog owners were asked to stop the practise.

iii) Michael Jackson was grateful the chippings dump in Southlands Lane had been filled but thought the bank was too high and steep. Roger Watts said the occupier of Southlands Farm had been told space would be left for him to unload fertilizers, but no provision has been made. The Clerk would speak to County Highways and would ask they speak to the farmer.

iv) Roger Watts mentioned the leaves blocking drains in Broadford Bridge Road and The Hollows, which resulted in flooding of the road. The Clerk would speak to HDC to ask them to arrange for the gullies to be cleared.

v) Reg Slater has now finished the refurbishment of all signposts around the village. The members expressed their thanks to Reg for his hard work.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.40 pm and thanked everyone for attending.