WEST CHILTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

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

Present: Harvie Steele, Dennis Tyler, Michael Jackson, Neil Longson, Pietro di Marino, Celia Rayner, Paul Royce, Jonathan Trees, Estelle Warriner and Roger Watts

Also in Attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk)

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

All members in attendance

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 5th September 2006 and the Chairman signed the minutes as a true record of the meeting.

3. MATTERS ARISING

a). The Clerk reported that the grant from HDC is available to use on the recreation ground playground as long as it provides new equipment, but as a condition the PC must provide £3,750 from it’s own funds in addition to any s106 money. The members agreed that the money should be provided from the current budget to prevent further delay in the project.

b). The Clerk reported that Will Jones, HDC Aboricultural Officer, had given permission for the felling/trimming of the trees to west side of playground to alleviate algae problem. The Clerk was authorised to obtain quotations for the work.

(ii) Tennis Club Track – A source of road planings has been located thanks to Paul Royce and Edburton Contractors are to quote a price for supplying and laying the material on the track, the Tennis Club will pay for the car park surfacing.

(iii) Pavilion –

a) The Cricket Club have offered to carry out repairs to roof of the water tower on the pavilion roof for materials only in sum of £275. The members gave their approval to the expenditure to prevent rain penetration.

b) The Tea Urn in the pavilion has failed and a replacement is required as keeps short circuiting the power circuits. Because of safety requirements it was not considered prudent to allow one of the members to attempt to replace the element and the Clerk reported that a replacement would cost approximately £56 plus delivery and VAT. The members agreed to the expenditure.

(iv) Speeding – The Clerk reported that he was still receiving complaints about speeding within the village, particularly in Monkmead Lane, Mill Lane, Smock Alley and Southlands Lane. A discussion took place on the merits of using SID (Speed Indicating Device) which requires a team of volunteers but the members thought from past experience volunteers would not be forthcoming. The Clerk was asked to contact the police to see if more regular speed traps could be set to deter motorists and to investigate the possibility of having roundels painted on Smock Alley and Southlands Lane.

 

4. CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR COMMENT

DC/06/2104 - Ebury & Stone Ltd, Hill Stream, Harborough Hill, West Chiltington

Demolition of Hill Stream and erection of 2 x two-storey detached houses and 1 x single-storey detached bungalow.

Parish Council: No objection to the principle of the development but would like the design and materials used on the dwelling on the southern plot nearest the road to be sympathetic to the rural scene of the area and not be red brick as nearby developments.

 

DC/06/2144 - Paul Sloan, Berrington Lodge, Lordings Lane, West Chiltington

Erection of a double garage with a garden store

Parish Council: No objection but would like all permitted development rights to be withdrawn to prevent further expansion without approval.

DC/06/2098 - Mrs T Sadler-Wilson, Gorse House, Common Hill, West Chiltington

Erection of detached two-storey dwelling with integral garage

Parish Council: Objects to the application on the grounds that the plot size is too small for a house of this size. It would be likely to appear overbearing to the occupiers of Gorse House, and if permitted it would be difficult to resist similar proposals in the vicinity.

 

DC/06/2290 - Hutchison 3G (UK) LTD, Pumping Station, Smock Alley, West Chiltington

Erection of 27m high lattice telecommunications mast supporting 3 no. panel antennas and 1 no. dish, installation of 2 no. equipment cabinets and 1 no. meter cabinet, all within fenced compound.

Parish Council: Objects to the mast because it will be more visible than the existing mast from the road as it would be sited on more open ground further away from the water treatment works. The members are concerned at the lack of co-operation between the companies to limit the number of masts by sharing and that no effort is made to limit the impact by camouflaging in some way.

DC/06/1189 – Mr & Mrs S Rout, Timberdown, Harborough Drive

Revised drawings to show tree protection plan, elevations and floor plans. Received 14/09/06

Parish Council: No Objection.

5. PLANNING DECISIONS AND APPEALS

(I) District Council Decisions:

DC/06/0420 - Executors of the Estate of Mrs E.E.Fenton, Land adjoining Tankards, Westward Lane

Erection of 1 dwelling and detached garage

Parish Council: Objection to the proposal due to the cramped appearance of the development in relation to Tankards, with the lack of privacy to both properties due to over-looking from first floor windows,

Parish Council: No objection to the amended plans received 31st May 2006

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

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

Extension to existing conservation pond

Parish Council: Objection to the proposal on the grounds that this is further encroachment onto agricultural land to provide a visual amenity to the occupier, also concerned about where the water supply is to come from as it is unlikely that it will fill from ditches.

Revised Plans – Dated 26th July 2006

The Parish Council considered the revised plans received and noted the reduction in the size of the water, the rest being reed bed etc. We also considered the letter from the Environment Agency and agreed with their recommendation for certain conditions being imposed before planning permission is given. We note from their letter that no application has been received to divert the watercourse (ditch) and no details have been submitted regarding the ability for the ditch to fill the enlarged pond. If it is required to fill to pond from another source other than the ditch, and if this is in excess of 20 cubic metres /day an abstraction licence will be required. As per our comments to the original plan how is it planned to fill the pond?

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

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

2-Storey side extension

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council Decision: Refused

 

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

2-Storey side extension (Listed Building Consent)

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council Decision: Refused

 

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

Single-storey extension with accommodation in roof space

Parish Council: No Objection, but note the extension is two storey’s to provide staircase to the 1st floor bedroom.

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

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)

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.

District Council Decision: Refused

 

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

Erection of 1 detached dwelling

Parish Council: Objection to the development, the proposed dwelling is too big for the plot and the plot size is not consistent with other properties in the area, which is characterized by large houses in large plots, surrounded in the main by mature vegetation adding to the rural character of the area. The development will spoil the amenities of Enderby Thatch, whose windows will look directly onto the dwelling, having previously enjoyed views down their own garden over trees, which have been felled. We are also concerned that the increased traffic generated from the additional home will cause traffic problems when exiting due to the restricted visibility, necessitating the installation of visibility splays with further loss of trees and mature vegetation to the front of the plot. We request consideration be given to putting a TPO on the remaining trees to prevent further felling.

Application Withdrawn

 

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

Single storey front extension

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

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

Single storey rear extension

Parish Council: No Objection

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

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.

District Council Decision: Permitted – Sign to be removed within 30 days of last dwelling sold.

 

 

 

(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 – 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 dismissed.

 

 

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 dismissed.

 

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.

 

 

Willets Farm, Broadford Bridge Road

An appeal has been lodged against the Enforcement Notice issued by HDC

Description of unauthorised development: Without planning permission, the change of use of the land from use for agriculture to a mixed use for agriculture and B1 (Light Industrial), B2 (General Industrial) and B8 (Storage /Distibution) uses and for the stationing on the land of a mobile home for residential purposes.

 

 

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

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

Parish Council: The reversal of the layout and the angle of the siting on the plot does not alter the fact that this is cramped over development of this narrow plot. The reasons for refusal of previous applications have not been addressed.

District Council Decision: Refused

Appeal lodged 13th September 2006: decision awaited

 

 

6. CORRESPONDENCE

  1. HALC meeting 16th October 2006, agenda for meeting at Rudgwick Village Hall.

    2. Both Estelle Warriner and Jonathan Trees said they were unable to attend, the Clerk would send a copy to Isabel Butcher to see if she could attend.

  2. HDC – West and North West of Crawley Strategic Development Location Joint Area Action Plan: Issues & Options Consultation. A copy was available from the Clerk
  3. Storrington Squash Club – Requesting grant for junior equipment. The members suggested the Clerk should ask them to contact Howard Collins at Horsham District Council for a grant as no provision had been made in the budget for a donation, if they failed to secure the funds then contact us again before the budget is discussed to incorporate a figure for next year.

 

 

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

  1. Roger Watts reported that Bill Hutchinson, an ex resident of West Chiltington, had died last Monday and his funeral was next Tuesday.
  2. Paul Royce mentioned that a number of stiles on the footpath from The Hollows towards Churchfield Farm made it difficult to negotiate the path and that as no animals were kept in the fields there did not appear to be any reason to retain them and therefore could the County Council be requested to have them removed. The Clerk reported that the stiles were the responsibility of the land owner and any request would have to made to them.

 

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