WEST CHILTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

A meeting of the Planning Committee of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 3rd January 2006 in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.

Present: Harvie Steele, Paul Royce, Pietro di Marino, Jonathan Trees and Roger Watts.

Also in Attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk)

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Michael Jackson (Holiday), Dennis Tyler (Holiday), Neil Longson (Sickness), Celia Rayner (Sickness) and Estelle Warriner.

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The members duly approved the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 6th December 2005 and the Chairman signed the minutes as a true record of the meeting.

3. MATTERS ARISING

i) Museum – Exhibits have been removed from Gina Wilmshurst house and are now stored in the Parish Office.

 

4. WILLETS FARM

The application will not come before the committee until 21st February 2006, as the comments of County Highways on the revised Transport Survey have still not been received. The Parish Council will therefore consider the proposal at the meeting on the 7th February 2006 and the public given the opportunity to discuss it before a decision is taken. No news on the appeal against the enforcement notice has been received.

 

5. CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR COMMENT

DC/05/2813 - M Stock, Steepwood Farm, Adversane Lane, Adversane. Billingshurst

Erection of a slaughterhouse with training facilities for slaughtermen and butchers

Parish Council – No Objection

DC/05/2862 - Mr And Mrs Reid, Wood Knoll, Nyetimber Copse

Single-storey rear extension

Parish Council – No Objection

 

DC/05/2871 - Mr And Mrs Grou, Finches, Little Hill

Single-storey front, rear and side extensions

Parish Council – No Objection, but would like clauses stipulating permitted hours of work, to avoid nuisance to neighbours, and matching materials to maintain the character of the property.

DC/05/2873 - Mr And Mrs B Rayner, Silver Halt, Heather Lane

Erection of 1 dwelling

Parish Council – No Objection, amendments to previously agreed plans approved under DC/05/ 586.

DC/05/2800- Mr Gillespie, Little Loxley, Monkmead Lane, West Chiltington

Close existing access and create new access, erection of detached triple garage and single storey extension to existing garage block to provide sun room

Parish Council – No Objection

DC/05/2915 - Mrs S.M. Jahan, Rosewood, Castlegate, West Chiltington

Pitched roof over existing garage

Parish Council – No Objection

DC/05/2942 - Mr N H Lee, Carrama, Rambledown Lane, West Chiltington

Pitched roof to rear of dwelling

Parish Council – No Objection

DC/05/2805 - Mrs J Eddon, The Covert, Foxfields, West Chiltington

Surgery to 1 Oak tree

Parish Council – No Objection, leave decision to Arboricultural Officer.

 

DC/05/2957 - Mr And Mrs J.R.Merchant, Far Corners, Nyetimber Copse, West Chiltington

Conservatory

Parish Council – No Objection

DC/05/2958 - Mr And Mrs S Gallagher, Downway, Fir Tree Lane, West Chiltington

2-Storey rear extension

Parish Council – No Objection

 

DC/05/2981- Mrs T Sadler-Wilson, Gorse House, Common Hill, West Chiltington

Erection of one dwelling and garage, land to front of Gorse House (Outline)

Parish Council – Objection on the grounds of cramped over-development of a front garden plot, particularly concerned at the siting of the garage at the front of the plot.

DC/05/3006 - Mr A Hill, Nyetimber, Gay Street

Retention of pool building

Parish Council – Concerned that such a large building could have been built without the benefit of prior approval, the architect and builders must have been aware of the necessity of planning approval being required, however the building is attractive and built in a style in keeping with the surroundings and therefore have no objection.

6. PLANNING DECISIONS AND APPEALS

(I) District Council decisions:

DC/05/2374 - Richard And Maria Hearn, Fantails, Little Hill, West Chiltington

Retention of fence

Paul Royce declared an interest as a neighbour of the property and took no part in the discussion

The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow Mrs Hearn to address the meeting. Mrs Hearn explained that due to the garden being 1 metre higher than the bottom of the fence a 1 metre fence would offer no privacy in her garden, and for that reason a higher fence was required. The councillors discussed the matter at length and resolved that if Mrs Hearn would amend her application to include the use of wooden posts and gravel boards, to be stained green, and submit a planting scheme for the front of the fence to soften its appearance it might be acceptable.

Parish Council: Although contrary to the Village Design Statement the Parish Council do accept that because the ground behind the fence is 1 metre higher than the bottom of the fence to impose a 1 metre high fence limit would afford no privacy to the applicant. If the fence was to be allowed at 2 metres then the Parish Council would like wooden posts and gravel boards to be used, a planting scheme to be agreed in front and the fence to be stained a suitable shade of green.

District Council decision: Refused – The replacement fence by reason of its height, siting and appearance would appear incongruous in the street scene and would adversely affect the character of the area. Therefore contrary to policy EDC 1 of the Horsham District Local Plan 1997.

 

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

Parish Council – No Objection – But conditions should be attached to reduce inconvenience to neighbouring properties, due to the narrow access road, by ensuring provision is made for contractors vehicles, plant and materials to be parked and stored on site.

District Council decision: Refused – The proposal by reason of its size, design and siting fails to reflect the scale and character of the existing property and would result in an un-sympathetic feature in the locality as well as adversely affect the amenities of adjoining properties by reason of outlook, privacy and sunlight. The proposal therefore conflicts in particular with policy EDC 1 of the Horsham District Local Plan 1997 and the Council’s Design Guidance Advice Leaflet No. 1 on House Extensions.

DC/05/2405 - Mr P Circus, Foxhill, Westward Lane, West Chiltington

Single storey rear extension and extension to existing single garage to form double garage

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council decision: Permitted

DC/05/2525 - Mr R Page, 1 New House Farm Cottages, Church Street, West Chiltington

Rear conservatory

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council decision: Permitted

DC/05/2527 - Mr And Mrs R Ewins, Heather Nook, 2 Heathermead, West Chiltington

Partial demolition, alteration and erection of new 2-storey rear extension

Parish Council: No Objection – would like clause governing the matching of materials to existing.

District Council decision: Permitted – The materials and finishes of all new external walls and roof of the development permitted shall match in type, colour and texture those of the existing building.

 

DC/05/2579 - Mr And Mrs Lawson, Island House, Rambledown Lane, West Chiltington

Single-storey rear extension

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council decision: Permitted

 

 

APPEALS SUBMITTED:

 

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.

Appeal Withdrawn 21st December 2005

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.

Appeal Lodged 6th October: decision awaited

 

7. CORRESPONDENCE

i) Skateboard Ramp – Article in the West Sussex County Times 23rd December – Thakeham plan to erect a ramp has been shelved due to fear of noise claims from residents, for which they had no indemnity. It was suggested at the end of the article that transport could be provided to West Chiltington ramp. Members thought that a contribution towards maintenance should be sought if that was arranged.

ii) Crime Statistics: The figures for the year have been received by parish showing the numbers of crimes committed by type of offence. Copies may be obtained from the Clerk.

iii) Budget 2006/7 – Pat Tinworth has written a letter following the Finance Meeting on the 15th December when the figures for next year were discussed. The Chairman has written a response to explain the increases and why the members thought it necessary to increase the Precept for next year. The budget and precept will be discussed and finalised at the full council meeting on the 10th January 2006.

 

 

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

There being no other business the Chairman thank everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.00 pm.