A meeting of the Planning Committee of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30pm on Tuesday 7^th March 2006 in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.

Present: Harvie Steele, Michael Jackson, Estelle Warriner, Pietro di Marino, Dennis Tyler and Paul Royce.

Also in Attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk) and 4 members of the public.

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

Neil Longson (Sick), Celia Rayner (Holiday), Jonathan Trees (Holiday) and Roger Watts (Other Commitment)

The members duly approved the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 7th February 2006 and the Chairman signed the minutes as a true record of the meeting.

i). WILLETS FARM

County Highways have recommended the application for refusal due the increased traffic and the substandard junction with Harbolets Road. HDC report still awaited but the application is not expected to come before the committee until April meeting.

The appeal against the enforcement notice has been scheduled for a Public Enquiry on the 27^th June 2006.

Liz Kitchen and Tom Crowley have agreed to attend the Parish Council meeting on the 14^th November 2006.

Articles have been received from several clubs and societies and the first edition should be out end of March.

A letter has been delivered to those houses in Finches Lane and Mill Road likely to be effected by the proposal to develop the land at the rear of Gentle Harry’s.

DC/06/ 0257 – West Chiltington Parish Council, Parish Office, Church Street

Erection of single storey rear extension to provide toilet facilities for users with disabilities

DC/06/0269 - Mr A Hill, Nyetimber, Gay Street

Change of use of existing barn to B1 office use

DC/06/0272 - Mr A Hill, Nyetimber, Gay Street

Insertion of 4 windows to existing barn and internal alterations (Listed Building Consent)

DC/06/0274 - Mr And Mrs B Johnson, 4 Curbey Close

Single-storey side and front extensions

DC/06/0292 – Mr C Fagan, Windmill, The Hollows

Installation of radiators and boiler (Listed Building Consent)

DC/06/0330 – G Isted & R Lauder, Rockdale House, West Chiltington Lane, Broadford Bridge

2-storey extension replacing existing single storey extension, erection of double garage/store and creation of new access.

DC/06/0332 - Miss O J Stone, The Cottage, Panners, West Chiltington Road

Renewal of unimplemented planning permission WC/35/01 to erect a replacement house, double garage and new vehicular access

DC/06/0345 - J N W Edwards, Wildcroft, The Hollows

Tennis court and 2.75 metre high fence surround

DC/06/0359 – Mr Allen, 1 Castlegate

Conservatory

DC/06/0379 - Raymond Henry Foxlee, Hollows End, 1 Church Grove

Surgery to Leylandii hedge (51 trees)

DC/06/0469 - Elena Hester, Cannons, Gay Street

Replacement garage

DC/06/0472 - Roger Bland, 4 Wyndham Lea

Surgery on 2 Apple trees and 1 Eucalyptus

DC/06/0499 - Mr And Mrs Hales, Cherry Tree Cottage, Sunset Lane

Erection of 2 detached dwellings and garages

DC/06/0509 - M Stock, Steepwood Farm, Adversane Lane, Adversane

Removal of Condition 19 of planning permission DC/05/2813 limiting the use to 30 livestock units per week for slaughtering purposes

DC/05/2712 - The Classic Home Company, Land East Of Conifers, The Common

Erection of a dwelling

DC/06/0149 - Mr D E Hayhoe, Birchwood, Spinney Lane, West Chiltington

Demolition of existing garage and loggia, erection of 2-storey side and rear and single-storey side extensions, first floor front extension to existing porch swimming pool and raised patio area

DC/05/2749 - Mr Peter Lawson, Island House, Rambledown Lane, West Chiltington

Fell 11 Birch trees and surgery to 1 Oak, 2 Willow, 2 Alder and 1 Birch trees (all located within the wet woodland

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

Conservatory

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

2-Storey rear extension

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)

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

Retention of pool building

DC/06/0011 - Ebury And Stone Ltd, Birnam, Harborough Hill, West Chiltington

Amendment to dwelling (Plot A) as approved under planning application DC/04/1725

DC/06/0047 & DC/06/0048 - Mr N Moulton, Naldretts Farm, East Street, West Chiltington

2-storey side extension and erection of detached car port with storage over

DC/06/0093 - Mrs S Ansell, Harbolets, Harbolets Road, West Chiltington

2-Storey extension and dormer roof with balcony doors and balustrading (amendment to previously approved Permission DC/05/ 2125)

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/05/1701 & DC/05/2725 - Millwood Designer Homes, Panners West Chiltington Road - Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 3 dwellings, garages and access.

Parish Council – No objection. Approved by a majority vote 4:3.

District Council Decision: REFUSED – The development by virtue of its scale, design and siting would adversely affect the character of the area. No overriding need at present to release further land for development, particularly where the development fails to make the most efficient use of the land and where the proposal is not of a high standard of design and layout. The development makes no contribution towards improvements to transport infrastructure and community facilities.

DC/05/2636 - A Fletcher, Ragmans Castle, Common Hill, West Chiltington

Erection of 2 x 2 storey dwellings and double garages and access (Outline)

Parish Council: Objection – As per the appeal decision on DC/04/1495, the plots are narrow in relation to others in the surrounding area and we recommend this application for refusal as cramped over-development. We are also concerned at the plan to transplant the existing rhododendron screen nearer the road, which if not successful and the shrubs die, could leave the whole plot visible from the road, altering the character of the area.

District Council Decision – REFUSED – The proposal is unacceptable in that it does not relate sympathetically in design, form and scale to the existing built and natural environment of the locality and would be harmful to the character of the area. The proposed development makes no provision for contribution towards improvements to transport and community facilities.

Device emits a high-pitched noise, only audible by those under 20, and can be used to deter young people from congregating around buildings i.e. village hall.

The contract will be discussed before the full council next week.

Michael Jackson thought there was an urn in the Village Hall surplus to requirements and asked the Clerk to contact Colin Cain. The Clerk was asked to obtain quotes for the grass treatment.

i) Pietro di Marino raised the fact that HDC had withdrawn the recycling bins for plastic bottles and cans as they contend 98% of the residents have a kerbside collection. The members thought that HDC should be asked to reconsider the return of the facility as it was well used and its removal would lead to these items being put into general refuse, to the detriment of recycling.

ii) Michael Jackson raised the following points: -

a) Toddlers Playground – Pressure to be applied to the solicitors for the Parochial Church Council to speed up the drawing up of the lease to enable the work to proceed.

b) CCTV System – The Clerk reported that his enquiries to catalogue the damage caused through vandalism, as required by the conditions for the release of Section 106 funds, showed only a small number of incidents and cost of repairs. In view of this it was proposed to discuss fully at the full council meeting next week whether the scheme should be proceeded with.

c) Clean-up-Day – Thakeham PC had announced they were to hold a clean up day in the parish and were asking for volunteers. The members thought this was an idea worth copying and the Clerk was asked to raise it in the Parish Newsletter.

d) Defibrillator – He thought the PC should buy a complete kit as it potentially could be of benefit to almost everyone in the parish. The subject to be discussed in more detail before the full council next week.

iii) Estelle Warriner raised the subject of an alcohol licence for the sports pavilion. Michael Jackson said he would find out details of the licence requirements and the Clerk would ascertain from the sports clubs what licences they hold.

There being no other business the Chairman thank everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.25 pm.