A meeting of the Planning Committee of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 1st August 2006 in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.

Present: Harvie Steele, Dennis Tyler, Michael Jackson, Neil Longson, Paul Royce and Jonathan Trees.

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

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

Celia Rayner (Broken Leg), Estelle Warriner (Family Commitment), Roger Watts (Other Commitment) and Pietro di Marino (Business Commitment)

It was proposed by Dennis Tyler and seconded by Neil Longson and agreed by all members to duly approve the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 4^th July 2006 and the Chairman signed the minutes as a true record of the meeting.

i). Museum – The Clerk reported he had discussed the possibility of converting part of the storeroom into a toilet with Morfield Everest. The partition would have to be moved just over 40 mm into the museum area to comply with size regulations, which are 2000 mm x 1500 mm. This would leave approx 2000 mm x 2000 mm for the band store, which with proper racking should be adequate for the storage of the instruments etc. Planning permission will only be required for the outside alterations to the wall and pathway. It was agreed by the members ask the architect to proceed with drawing up plans and obtain quotation from the previous lowest tenderer.

ii) West Chiltington Youth Football Team – The Clerk reported that the team have been granted £150 by HDC towards the numbered kit, and therefore in accordance with the agreement at the last meeting I have prepared a cheque for £200 as a donation from the PC as the balance of the purchase price.

DC/06/1219 – Mr P Portman, Gaywood Farm, Gay Street

Extension to existing conservation pond

DC/06/1545 - Mr And Mrs M Spurrier, Folly Barn, Coneyhurst Farm, West Chiltington Lane, Coneyhurst

Form 2 pitched roofs above kitchen and downstairs bedroom to incorporate 2 new bedrooms and ensuite to 1st

DC/06/1548 - Mrs D Purchell, Oaktree Cottage, 2 Hindle Close, West Chiltington

Surgery to 2 Oak trees (1 and 2 Hindle Close)

DC/06/1549 - Mr Gillespie, Little Loxley, Monkmead Lane, West Chiltington

Detached triple garage

DC/06/1582 - Mr And Mrs R J Hales, Palmers, The Hollows, West Chiltington

Internal alterations to bathroom, including removal of modern stud wall, re-location of doorway and other works (Listed Building Consent)

DC/06/1588 - Mr And Mrs A Davis, Fernwood Cottage, Crossways, West Chiltington

Conservatory.

DC/06/1636 - Mr And Mrs Johnson, Woodlands Cottage, Spinney Lane, West Chiltington

2 storey and single storey extensions.

DC/06/1734 - Mr S Jobber, Walnut Tree Cottage, Gay Street, Pulborough

2-Storey side extension

DC/06/1735 - Mr S Jobber, Walnut Tree Cottage, Gay Street, Pulborough

2-Storey side extension (Listed Building Consent)

DC/06/1772 - Mr R And Mrs C Crawford, Westlands, Silverwood Copse, West Chiltington

Single-storey extension with accommodation in roof space

DC/06/1819 - Mrs M.E.Hart, Whitefold, 3 Hindle Close, West Chiltington

Surgery to Oak tree

DC/06/1823 - Mr A Robertson, Enderby Thatch, Common Hill, West Chiltington

New drive and erection of detached garage

DC/06/1828 - Mr A Robertson, Enderby Thatch, Common Hill, West Chiltington

Erection of 1 detached dwelling

The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow Mr & Mrs Clifford who live in Woodside, which is behind the proposed development to address the meeting. They were concerned at the loss of trees that has already occurred and the dominance the new building in this semi rural setting. Although the drawings show the new house will only have a small projection above the existing hedge if that hedge was removed or cut it would cause a loss of privacy of their garden and house. The Chairman thanked them for their comments and reconvened the meeting.

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

Surgery to Leylandii hedge (51 trees)

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

Surgery on 2 Apple trees and 1 Eucalyptus

DC/06/0683 - P And L Kite, White Lodge, Nyetimber Lane

Erection of detached double garage and conversion of garage to provide kitchen/utility room

DC/06/0729 - Brynley Smith, Fuaran Bhan, 2 Chiltington Close

Surgery on 2 Oaks and 1 Pear trees

DC/06/0840 - West Chiltington Golf Course, West Chiltington Golf Club, Broadford Bridge Road

Single storey extensions with rooms in roof space

DC/06/1094 - Mr Fry, Bumble Cottage, Crossways Park

Conservatory

DC/06/1139 - The Classic Home Company, Palings, Harborough Hill

Erection of one detached dwelling, garage and access (garden of Palings)

DC/06/1151 - Mr Christopher Fagan, Windmill, The Hollows

Removal of fan stage (Listed Building Consent)

DC/06/1180 - Mrs J Methley, Heartsease, Orchard Dell

Single-storey rear extension, porch and erection of up to 2.1 metre high garden wall

DC/06/1205 - Mr And Mrs D Harvey, Picketty House, Grove Lane

Single-storey side extension

DC/06/1282 - Mr And Mrs H Rashed, Holmesfield, Orchard Dell

Single storey extension to conservatory

DC/06/1283 - Mr And Mrs Trees, The Doubles, Lordings Lane

Single-storey side extension and detached carport

DC/06/1284 - Mr And Mrs J Bennett, Little Northlands, Old House Lane, Coolham

Retention of mobile home for temporary period of one year

DC/06/1305 - Mr D Templeman, Linnets, Finches Lane

Front and rear dormers and front extension to garage

DC/06/1308 - Richard And Maria Hearn, Fantails, Little Hill

Retention of fence

The meeting was adjourned to allow Mr Hearn to address the meeting.

He explained the reasons for requiring the fence and why it had to be higher than normally allowed. The members accepted the reasons but objected to the use of concrete posts and gravel boards and after discussion it was suggested a compromise of wooden posts bolted to concrete spur posts located behind the fence with a suitable planting scheme would be acceptable. Mr Hearn accepted this proposal and the meeting was reconvened.

DC/06/1331 - Brookworth Developments Ltd, Bracklyn, Harborough Hill

Erection of 6 dwellings and access (Outline)

DC/06/1385 - Mr And Mrs R Newman, 7 Pond Rise

Replacement of existing flat roof over bedroom and shower room with pitched roof

DC/06/1525 - Miss V Roberts, 2 Pond Rise, West Chiltington

Single-storey side extension, porch and detached garage

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/05/2802 - Brookworth Developments, Bracklyn, Harborough Hill, West Chiltington

Erection of 9 dwellings and access (Outline)

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 – Objection 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/05/2636 - 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.

i). West Chiltington Youth Football Team – HDC have agreed a grant of £150 towards providing numbered kits for each player. At the full PC meeting on the 11^th July it was agreed that the PC would make up any shortfall of the £350 required and therefore a donation of £200 will be made.

ii) CHART: A request has been made for the Parish Council to make the agreed donation of £2100 to provide a defibrillator kit as agreed at the meeting of 9^th May 2006. A cheque has been sent to the treasurer.

iii) Doug Andrews, ex Chairman of the Parish Council and Chairman of the West Chiltington Rural Preservation Society died on Thursday 27^th July and his funeral will take place at St Mary’s at 11.00 am on Monday 7^th August, followed by cremation.

iv) Public Bridleway No. 2412 – Temporary closure for 5 days 4^th September to 8^th September.

v) HDC – Street Name – Developers of Panners site have put forward the name of ‘The Oaks’ for the new road serving the properties. The members thought too many properties names incorporated ‘Oaks’ and it was thought the road should include the name of the old house Panners, which was familiar to a large number of residents and would follow the example of Wychacre in Harborough Hill. The Clerk would inform HDC of the committee’s views.

vi) Action in Rural Sussex – Annual Conference, Ardingly 12^th October. Anyone interested in attending contact the Clerk.

vii) Crawley & Horsham Homestart – Request for a donation but the members said we should only support those organisations that provide a direct benefit to the residents of West Chiltington.

viii) Lawful Development Certificate – Romany, Sunset Lane. Letter from Kate Davis asking for the PC’s support in getting enforcement action regarding permitted development rights attaching to garage. Michael Jackson said HDC were already dealing with this matter and as the Ombudsman was involved the Parish Council should leave the matter to be decided by him, the members agreed.

ix) HDC – Statement of Licensing Policy, a Consultation document, copy from the Clerk.

i) Paul Royce reported that the new lay-by constructed in Little Hill by the owner of a property in The Birches had not had permission from WSCC who own a 3-metre strip of the verge. WSCC were in negotiation with the owner to rectify the situation.

ii) The Clerk was to write to Anna Chapman at HDC to ensure the grant of £11,250 towards the toddler’s playground in Church Meadow would still be available if the change of plan to enlarge the playground in the recreation ground to incorporate a toddler’s area went ahead.

iii) Neil Longson was concerned at the proposal to allow London waste to be transported to West Sussex landfill sites in the SEERA plan. Michael Jackson said WSCC were lobbying the government against the proposal and had made strong objections to the proposal.

There being no other business the Chairman thank everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.15 pm.