WEST CHILTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

A meeting of the Planning Committee of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 5th September 2006 in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.

Present: Harvie Steele, Dennis Tyler, Michael Jackson, Celia Rayner, Estelle Warriner, Pietro di Marino and Jonathan Trees.

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

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Roger Watts (Holiday), Neil Longson (Holiday) and Paul Royce (Family Commitment)

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

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 1st August 2006 and the Chairman signed the minutes as a true record of the meeting.

3. MATTERS ARISING

i). Museum – Morfield Everest have now indicated that the partition will have to be moved 240 mm into the museum area to comply with size regulations, which are 2200 mm x 1500 mm. This would leave approx 2200 mm x 2000 mm for the band store, which with proper racking should be adequate for the storage of the instruments etc. After the final drawings have been completed the lowest tenderer for the previous plan will be asked to amend his price to take account of the revisions.

ii) s106 Agreement with the executors of Mrs Fenton re. Tankards, Westward Lane.

A Community Facilities contribution of £3150 and Transport contribution of £1560 have been received and planning consent will now be granted.

 

4. CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR COMMENT

DC/06/1817 - Clearview Hotels Ltd, Butchers Shop, 3 Haglands Lane, West Chiltington

Erection of a 2-storey building comprising 5 x 1-bed flats (Haglands, Haglands Lane)

The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow members of the public to address the councilors. Three members of the public gave a brief outline of their objections to the proposal on the basis of loss of trees, parking and the design and placing of the development. The Chairman reconvened the meeting to allow the members to discuss the proposal.

Parish Council: Objects to the development as being cramped over-development of a building frontage, design out of keeping with the neighborhood, damage to existing protected trees during building work and the loss of existing parking. No provision has been made for parking of the existing and new tenants which in this commercial area is at a premium and extra vehicles parked permanently would only exacerbate the problem. The Parish Council would like to make it clear that the car park owned by them opposite is for the use of allotment holders and those visiting the shops, and is not to be used for residents parking.

Declaration of Interest: Celia Rayner declared a prejudicial interest in the following application due to the family connection with the applicant and left the room taking no further part in the discussion.

DC/06/1834 - Charles James Homes Ltd, Chilt Corner, Rambledown Lane, West Chiltington

Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of 2 replacement dwellings

The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow members of the public to address the councilors. Three members of the public who oppose the plan gave details of their objections to the proposal which were the possible damage to the stream banks, loss of trees and screening, size of homes and possible damage to the road and bridge to the site. Mr Barry Rayner on behalf of Charles James Homes attempted to allay the concerns of the objectors with details of the latest changes to the plans in answer to their concerns. A full and frank discussion took place before the Chairman reconvened the meeting to allow members to consider the proposal.

Parish Council: Recommend the development for refusal due to the perceived bulk of the houses particularly that proposed for plot 2. However if the Officers and Committee are inclined to approve the application we would like conditions to be attached to protect the stream banks and the mature trees and hedging that currently surround the site. In addition as the access road is private, maintained by the residents, we consider a reinstatement condition should be attached to the permission

 

DC/06/1850 - Mr and Mrs R Green, September Lodge, Heathfield Copse, West Chiltington

Single storey front extension

Parish Council: No Objection

 

DC/06/1874 - Mr L and Mrs R.F Buckley, Glencairn, Harbolets Road, West Chiltington

Retention of gates, walls and piers

Parish Council: No Objection

 

DC/06/1904 - Dr C King, The Oaks, Monkmead Lane, West Chiltington

New vehicular access and forecourt alterations.

Parish Council: No Objection to the relocation of the access driveway or the removal of the existing conifer hedge and its replacement by a post and rail fence with laurel and beech hedging but do object to the brick gate piers and the design of the gate which is out of keeping with this area. We consider wooden posts with a five-bar type gate would be more appropriate.

 

DC/06/1921 - Mr A.D. French, Medburn, Orchard Dell, West Chiltington

Single storey rear extension

Parish Council: No Objection

 

DC/06/1940 - Millwood Designer Homes, Panners, West Chiltington Road

1 x Free standing hoarding

Parish Council: No Objection, but would like sign removed when building completed.

 

DC/06/2056 – Mr N Moulton, Naldretts Farm, East Street, West Chiltington

Insertion of window to front elevation (Listed Building Consent)

Parish Council: No Objection

 

DC/06/1189 - Mr and Mrs Rout, Timberdown, Harborough Drive

Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 1 replacement dwelling

Revised drawings received 2/08/06

Parish Council: No Objection, previous comment about a reinstatement condition for the roadway to still apply.

 

DC/06/1576 - Mr and Mrs J Bennett, Little Northlands, Old House Lane, Coolham

Detached triple garage with implement store and wine cellar

Revised plans received 18/08/06

Parish Council: No Objection to the revised plans for a two car garage and implement store.

 

Pre-application Consultation

PROPOSED H3G BASE STATION

Land at the Southern Water Site, off Smock Alley

To build a 29m Lattice Tower to cover West Chiltington Common area.

The members had a brief discussion on the proposal and agreed to delay commenting until the application was received.

 

5. PLANNING DECISIONS AND APPEALS

(I) District Council Decisions:

DC/06/0220 - Mr and Mrs J Trumper, Gay Street Farm, Gay Street

Extension of residential curtilage and erection of fencing for new tennis court

Parish Council: No objection provided that the applicant enters into a legal agreement prohibiting any residential development on the land on which the tennis court will be built.

District Council decision: Permitted

 

DC/06/1137 - Mr P.A'Barrow, Timberlands, Broadford Bridge Road

Erection of a forestry machinery store

Parish Council: No objection

District Council decision: Permitted

 

DC/06/1279 - Mr and Mrs Page, Chantry Cottage, Monkmead Lane

Erection of garage

Parish Council: No objection

District Council decision: Permitted

 

DC/06/1295 - Mr Eric Heerema, Nyetimber Vineyard, Gay Street

Retention of re-positioned front door to original replacing window (Listed Building Consent)

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council decision: Granted

 

DC/06/1313 - Mr and Mrs Darlington, Land North Of Longmead and Inglewood and Careys, Haglands Lane

Erection of 3 dwellings

Parish Council: Objection on the grounds that the development will be unduly prominent, particularly in the front of Longmead, and therefore harmful to the street scene and detract from the semi-rural character of the area.

District Council decision: Refused

 

DC/06/1505 - Mr P Sloan, Berrington Lodge, Lordings Lane, West Chiltington

Erection of detached garage with storage room over

Parish Council: No Objection but if used for accommodation should be ancillary to main house and that permitted development rights should be withdrawn.

Application Withdrawn

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

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council decision: Permitted

 

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

Detached triple garage

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council decision: Permitted

 

DC/06/1573 - Mr and Mrs J Bennett, Little Northlands, Old House Lane, Coolham

Single-storey extension to barn conversion with rooms in roof space (amendment to previously approved).

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council decision: Permitted

 

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)

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council decision: Granted

 

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

Conservatory.

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council decision: Permitted

 

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

2 storey and single storey extensions.

Parish Council: No Objection, but would like condition regarding the matching of materials to the existing house.

District Council decision: Refused – The proposed extension by virtue of its size and design would be detrimental to the character of the dwelling. The proposal therefore conflicts with policy EDC1 of the Horsham District Local Plan 1997 and the Council’s Design guidance Advice Leaflet on House Extensions, which has been adopted as Supplementary planning Guidance.

 

 

(2). Appeal Decisions:

None decided

 

 

(3). Appeals Submitted:

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.

Appeal Hearing Tuesday 22nd August 2006, decision awaited.

 

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.

Appeal Lodged 16th February 2006: decision awaited

 

DC/06/0986 - The Classic Home Company, Land East Of Conifers, The Common

Erection of single garage

Parish Council: Objection to further development of the site, provision has already been made for the parking of vehicles, which it considers is sufficient.

District Council decision: Refused, the proposal by reason of its size and siting would result in an intrusive feature detrimental to the visual amenities of the street scene and locality.

Appeal lodged 11th August 2006: decision awaited.

 

6. CORRESPONDENCE

i)HDC – Consultation – Clean Neighbourhoods Prevention/Enforcement)Strategy

Consultation period ends 18th September, the Clerk was authorised to complete.

ii)HDC – Revised Horsham District Council Contaminated land Inspection Strategy

Comments requested by the 15th September 2006.

iii)HDC – Local Development Framework to 2018

Representations can be made until the 13th October 2006 on the document submitted to the Secretary of State.

 

 

 

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

a). Estelle Warriner asked if the trees in the garden of Calluna, Nyetimber Lane were covered by a TPO as there was talk of the land being developed. The Clerk had already heard the rumours and asked Will Jones to visit the site to investigate.

 

 

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