WEST CHILTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

A meeting of the Planning Committee of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 3rd April 2007 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, Jonathan Trees and Roger Watts

 

Also in Attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk), District Councillor David Jenkins and 1 member of the public.

 

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

 

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies received from Paul Royce and Estelle Warriner.

 

 

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

It was proposed by Roger Watts and seconded by Celia Rayner and agreed by all members to duly approve the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 6th March 2007 and the Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes as a true record of the meeting.

 

 

3. MATTERS ARISING

 

The Clerk reported on the following:

 

(i)                 Planning Policy CP5 of the Core Strategy – now that the LDF has been accepted by HDC all future applications for new houses will be assessed as to whether they meet local needs. Following a meeting with Paul Rowley, HDC seem to be adopting the view that this means affordable housing run by an affordable housing company i.e. Saxon Weald etc. This would only work on bigger sites and therefore the scope in West Chiltington is limited.

 

(ii)               Willets Farm DC/06/2789 – The application was to be considered again at the Development Control meeting on the 20th March but was withdrawn at the last minute because no agreement has been reached with the applicant to restrict further development on the site as requested by members at the February meeting.

 

 

 

4. CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR COMMENT

 

 

DC/07/0381 - West Chiltington Tennis Club, West Chiltington Tennis Club, Mill Road         

Installation of 6 x 10 metre high floodlights to provide lighting to courts 2 and 3

 

Parish Council: Although broadly in favour of the scheme prior to making a final decision the Parish Council would like the Tennis Club to provide details of the expected use of the floodlights including days of week and times to minimize disturbance to neighbouring properties. They are also concerned that adequate measures are taken to limit light pollution in an area without street lighting and question the need for 10 metre high poles.

 

 

DC/07/0444 - Mr and Mrs A Fletcher, Ragmans Castle, Common Hill    

Rear conservatory

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0475 - P Hayward, 4 Church Grove  

Surgery to Leylandii hedge

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0476 - R.D.A Construction Ltd, Land East Of Conifers, The Common

Construction of 1 dwelling with detached garage (amendment to previously approved permission DC/05/2712)

 

Parish Council: Objects to the plan as the application for a garage has already been refused and dismissed at appeal on this very small plot and this application would again result in a cramped appearance that would not be in keeping with the spacious pattern of development in the area and would harm the character and appearance of this residential area.

 

 

DC/07/0046 - Mr N and Mrs A Saunders, Hobjohns Croft, Church Street  

Renew and replace existing windows (Listed Building Consent)

 

Parish Council: Without sight of the plans and details of the application the Parish Council were unable to consider the application properly but having read the memorandum from Angela Haywood, HDC Conservation & Urban Design, they agree with her comments that the replacement windows replicate those that enhance the historic character of the building.

 

 

DC/07/0522 - Nyetimber Ltd, Nyetimber Vineyard, Gay Street              

Change of use and conversion of barn to office accommodation

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0528 - Mr Young, Barlings, Crossways       

Conservatory

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

 

DC/07/0542 - Mrs Bilbe, Pax, Harborough Drive               

Conservatory

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0556 - Mr and Mrs Webber, Old Lakers Farm, Mill Road         

Extension and pitched roof to existing garage

 

Councillor Jonathan Trees declared an interest in this application as he knows the applicants.

 

Parish Council: No Objection but would like a condition that there is no severance from the main house.

 

 

DC/07/0603 - Mr John Bennett, Little Northlands, Old House Lane, Coolham          

Erection of wind turbine (located in field to the east of Little Northlands)

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0607 - Mr and Mrs J.Manktelow, The Pheasant House, Lordings Lane

2-Storey extension

 

Councillor Jonathan Trees declared an interest in this application as he knows the applicant.

 

The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow Mr Manktelow to address the meeting and answer any questions.

Mr Manktelow outlined the scheme and explained the plans to the members and answered a number of questions.

The Chairman then reconvened the meeting to allow members to discuss the plans.

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0612 - Mr John Beckwith, Bramley, Haglands Lane 

Conservatory to rear

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0551 - Mr and Mrs Webber, Old Lakers Farm, Mill Road         

Internal staircase to annexe and increase in length of window to west elevation (Listed Building Consent)

 

Councillor Jonathan Trees declared an interest in this application as he knows the applicants.

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0657 - Mr G Newland, Nutshell Cottage, Heather Lane  

Two storey extension to front/side elevation

 

Parish Council: Objects to the scale of the proposal which would result in an over 70% increase in the size of the building which would fundamentally change the character of the original building.  The proposed extension would so alter the existing dwelling as to undermine the qualities that are intrinsic to the distinctive character and local importance of this Wells Cottage.

 

 

 

 

 

5. PLANNING DECISIONS AND APPEALS

 

(I)                District Council Decisions:

 

DC/06/3028 - Mr G.J Wagpole-Brown, Pussy Willows, Wychacre, Harborough Hill

Fell 1 tree (T4) and surgery to 2 trees (T3 and T5)

 

Parish Council: Have been informed that one of the trees has been felled but as the application is lacking in detail of the type of tree will leave the determination to Will Jones.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

DC/07/0147 - Whittington Homes Ltd, Land Formerly Known As Greenways, Lordings Lane  

Replacement dwelling with basement and detached garage (Plot A, Greenways, Lordings Lane, West Chiltington)

 

Parish Council: No objection to the provision of a basement and repositioning the garage but do not believe the changes to the windows enhance the appearance of the dwelling, and find it not in keeping with the design of buildings in this rural area.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/0173 - Mr P Nottingham, Millview, Mill Road               

Rooms in roof including dormer window and alterations

 

Parish Council: Because of the close proximity to the neighbouring property Hadley which is only some 10 metres away are concerned at the possible detrimental effect overlooking will have, both of the house and garden. If permission is granted believe it should be conditioned by making the window non-opening and of obscured glass to prevent any overlooking.

 

Application Withdrawn

 

 

DC/07/0206 - Mr D Driver, 1 The Birches     

2-storey side extension

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/0208 - Mr and Mrs Martin Pitt, Little Warren, Wyndham Lea 

Demolition of existing garages and workshop and erection of 2-storey extension comprising garage with room over

 

Parish Council: Objects to the application which by virtue of its size and design would be detrimental to the character of the existing dwelling, cause the loss of privacy of the neighbours due to over-looking and would be unduly prominent on the street scene. If permission was to be granted would request all new windows facing No.4 be of obscured glass to protect their privacy and consideration be given to require a reduction in the height of the ridge to reduce its prominence and over shadowing.

 

Application Withdrawn

 

 

DC/07/0322 - Mr and Mrs Roberts, Kingfisher House, Common Hill    

Single storey rear extension

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

TPO 1323 – Hillstream, Harborough Hill – Order confirmed 27th March 2007.

 

 

TPO 1330 – Calluna, Nyetimber Lane – Order confirmed 27th March 2007.

 

 

 

(2). Appeal Decisions:

 

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

 

Appeal Decision: Dismissed – However sensitively designed and carefully integrated in terms of matching materials, the impact of the proposed extensions would fundamentally change the character of the original property.

 

 

 

 

 

(3). Appeals Submitted:

 

DC/04/2650 - Willets Farm, Broadford Bridge Road

 

An appeal was lodged on 8th November against the refusal of planning permission for 21 Industrial units for B1 (Business) and B8 (Storage & Distribution) on the site, and has been linked with the Enforcement Notice issued by HDC against the unauthorised development on the site.

 

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 /Distribution) uses and for the stationing on the land of a mobile home for residential purposes.

 

The appeal will be heard by way of a Public Enquiry at a date to be arranged.

 

 

 

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

 

Appeal lodged 14th November 2006, decision awaited.

 

 

 

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

 

Appeal lodged 30th January 2007, decision awaited.

 

 

 

 

DC/06/2697 Mr and Mrs Roberts, Kingfisher House, Common Hill    

Single storey rear extension

 

Parish Council: No objection

 

District Council Decision: Refused – by virtue of its positioning would be considered to adversely affect the residential and visual amenities of the occupiers of the neighbouring dwelling and would result in mutual overlooking.

 

Appeal lodged 28th February 2007, decision awaited.

 

 

DC/06/2276 - Mr Stephen Dovey, Palings, Harborough Hill

Additional access from Harborough Hill

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Refused – would result in the addition of an unnecessary point of conflict for turning vehicles to the detriment of highway safety.

 

Appeal Submitted 5th March 2007 – Decision awaited.

 

 

 

6. CORRESPONDENCE

 

a)      WSCC – Highway Rangers – New 2 person teams to undertake small scale street scene improvements are to be trialled in the 4 CLC areas. The Clerk was asked to request them to undertake the clearance of branches from the sides of the road in The Hollows, Broadford Bridge Road, East Street, Southlands Lane and The Juggs and to clear the gullies and drain tops in Broadford Bridge Road and The Hollows.

 

b)      HDC – The Smoke Free Premises Regulations 2006 – No smoking from 1st July 2007 in Reading Room, Museum or Sports Pavilion. Must display signs at entrances and in toilets and changing rooms.

 

 

c)      HDC – Development Control Update and Action Plan – Changes of staff responsibilities and an action plan setting out targets to be met, details available from the Clerk.

 

 

 

 

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

a)      David Jenkins gave a short report on Planning Policy CP5 and how he interpreted it and how the needs of the parish for new dwellings should be assessed by a survey of the parishioners on which HDC would give guidance, but this would be delayed due to the forthcoming elections.

 

b)      Roger Watts reported that he had used the WSCC website to report potholes in the road and said it was very successful, with notification being given of when the work would be carried out.

 

 

 

There being no other business the Chairman thank everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.20 pm.