WEST CHILTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

A meeting of the Planning Committee of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 5th June 2007 in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.

 

Present: Harvie Steele, Amanda Apps, Simon Booth, Michael Jackson, Neil Longson, Pietro di Marino and Roger Watts

 

Also in Attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk) and Pat Arculus (County Councillor)

 

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

 

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies received from Dennis Tyler, Paul Royce and Jonathan Trees.

 

 

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

It was proposed by Roger Watts and seconded by Neil Longson and agreed by all members to duly approve the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 1st May 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)                 Housing Needs Survey – Wording of covering letter and questions to be asked in the survey have been prepared and sent to David Jenkins and Paul Rowley for approval. Copies given to member’s for perusal.

 

(ii)               Willets Farm DC/06/2789 – The application was approved at the Development Control meeting on the 24th May. The applicant has agreed to all conditions baring the right to make future applications to expand the site.

 

 

 

 

4. CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR COMMENT

 

 

DC/07/0829 - Mr David Roblin, Peacock Tree, Common Hill                  

Repair and re-roofing (Listed Building Consent)

 

Parish Council: No Objection – the work already underway.

 

 

 

DC/07/0841 - Mr Paul Noon, Church House, Church Street  

Internal alterations to form 2 bathrooms/shower rooms and insertion of roof lights into catslide roof (Listed Building Consent)

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0859 - Mr Mark C Lamport, Stone House, Church Street              

Erection of greenhouse

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0863 - Mr G Vallance, Fracali, Harborough Drive               

Change of use of area of public highway to private garden

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0946 - Mr and Mrs Harrison, Romany, Sunset Lane               

Single storey side extension

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0949 - Mr and Mrs Allen, 1 Castlegate       

Extension to garage

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0970 - Mrs S Benn, Land South Of Rambledown House, Common Hill    

Erection of 1 dwelling (Approval of Reserved Matters)

 

Parish Council: No Objection. Members questioned whether measures are being incorporated into the design to minimise the environmental impact i.e. solar panels, use of grey water and the highest standards of insulation.

 

 

DC/07/1025 - Mr and Mrs J Isaacs, Meers Farm, The Hollows           

Replacement front porch, repair/replacement of roof, external render and windows (Listed Building Consent)

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1026 - Mr and Mrs J Isaacs, Meers Farm, The Hollows           

Replacement porch to front entrance

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1031 - Mrs P Turner, 4 Mill End           

Single-storey rear extension and conversion of garage into living space

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1178 - West Sussex County Council, Land Opposite Little Naldretts, East Street       

Proposed agricultural access to existing field (Agricultural Prior Notification)

 

Parish Council: This proposed entrance is to be formed through the bank on one of the narrowest and busiest of roads in the area only 50 metres from the school and the members are concerned at agricultural vehicles manoeuvring in the narrow lane and the danger posed to other road users due to restricted visibility. The members feel an alternative site for the entrance should be investigated further along the lane to the east adjacent to the entrance to Oakwood Farm where the lane is wider posing less of a risk to other road users.

 

 

 

5. PLANNING DECISIONS AND APPEALS

 

(I)                District Council Decisions:

 

 

DC/06/2671 - Mr Aitkenhead, Burnbrae, 1 Willow Close   

Fell 1 Scots Pine tree

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/06/2789 – Wealden Grain & Fodder Re. Willets Farm, Broadford Bridge Road

Demolish existing buildings and erect 8 units for B8 (Storage & Distribution) and 1 unit for B1 (Light Industrial) usage.

 

Parish Council: The meeting was attended by 9 residents from nearby properties who with the parish council are pleased at the reduced scale of the proposed development, however if the application is approved would like the following conditions to be attached:

1)      That a legal agreement be entered into restricting any future expansion on the site due to the likely increase in traffic.

2)      The weighbridge to be removed along with the buildings before commencement of building work.

3)       That all appeals currently outstanding be withdrawn.

4)      That should the industrial estate prove to be economically unviable it should be returned to agricultural use.

5)      That careful consideration is given to the signage at the site to protect the visual rural appearance of the area.

6)      That full details of who is responsible for monitoring the CCTV system restricting access to/from the site to the south to be included.

7)      That standard conditions regulating hours and days of work be listed to safeguard the rights of nearby residents to be able to enjoy their properties.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/06/2867 - Mr A Robertson, Enderby Thatch, Common Hill

Erection of 1 detached dwelling in garden of Enderby Thatch

 

Parish Council: The reduced footprint of the proposed building sits better on the plot but note that the ridge height is 1 metre higher than the previous proposal making the roof bulky and we would like the height lowered.

 

Revised Plans received 19th January 2007:

 

Parish Council: Are pleased that our previous concerns regarding the ridge height have been addressed and have no objection to the application.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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.

 

 

District Council Decision: Granted

 

 

DC/07/0249 - Mrs M A Turner, 15 Morris Way

Fell 1 Silver Birch

 

Parish Council: No Objection but will leave the determination to Will Jones.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/0313 - Mr Stein, Carnforth, New Barn Lane       

Surgery to 3 Oak trees

 

Parish Council: No Objection but will leave the determination to Will Jones

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

 

 

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.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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

Surgery to Leylandii hedge

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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

Conservatory

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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)

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Granted

 

 

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

Extension and pitched roof to existing garage

 

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

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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

2-Storey extension

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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

Conservatory to rear

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

 

DC/07/0679 - Mr N.Kingdon and Mrs S. Bremner, Brambledown, Fir Tree Lane  

2-storey rear extension

 

Parish Council: No objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/0737 - Positive Images, The Winery, Southlands Lane               

Demolition of existing workshops and erection of single storey workshop with link to office building

 

Parish Council: No objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/0742 - Mr N Courtney, Woodbarn House, Adversane Lane, Broadford Bridge Billingshurst     

2-storey extension to side

 

Parish Council: No objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/0785 - Mr and Mrs P.E.Higerty, Nightingale House, Harborough Hill

Garden shed

 

Parish Council: No objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

 

(2). Appeal Decisions:

 

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 Dismissed: The proposed houses would be visually intrusive and could not be successfully integrated into the local pattern of development without causing harm to the character and appearance of the area.

 

 

 

 

 

(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/06/1817 - 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/06/2276 - 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.

 

 

DC/06/2947 - Ms J Hill, Inglewood, Haglands Lane 

Erection of 1 detached 2 bed dwelling (Land at Inglewood and Carey)

 

Parish Council: Objects to the increase in the size of the roof, over the currently approved plan under DC/05/2412, to provide accommodation in the roof space. The increased bulk of the roof with the dormer windows would make the dwelling unduly prominent in the street scene.

 

District Council Decision: Refused – The proposed development by reason of its siting, scale and bulk would appear unduly prominent within the street scene and therefore detract from the semi rural character and appearance of this part of Haglands Lane.

 

Appeal Submitted 4th June 2007 – Decision awaited.

 

 

6. CORRESPONDENCE

 

a)      West Sussex County Rural Strategy – Final Draft – Consultation begins with a meeting in Billingshurst on the 13th June until the 5th September. Details are available from the Clerk.

 

b)      HALC Training Sessions: Training for new councillors has been arranged on the following dates: - 7th June - Power & Duties, 20th June - Standards, Data Protection & Freedom of Information and 5th July – Planning. All at Southwater PC Offices 7.30 – 9.00 pm.

 

c)      WSCC – Adoption of the West Sussex High Quality Waste Facilities Supplementary Planning Document. Copy available from the Clerk.

 

d)      HDC – Horsham District Play Strategy & Action Plan 2007/12, consultation period until the 9th July. Details from the Clerk.

 

e)      Action in Rural Sussex (AirS) Annual Review 2006/7 & Summary of Business Plan 2007/8. Copy available from the Clerk.

 

 

 

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

a) The Clerk raised three points for discussion:

 

i)        Refuse Bin for Sports Pavilion – The clubs have been using the Village Hall bin for their refuse and have been asked not to do so in future, so the Parish Council have been asked to provide one. The bins are provided free of charge but there is a charge for the emptying, which for a 360 litre bin is £150.80 per annum. The members approved the expenditure and authorised the Clerk to order the bin.

 

ii)       Abandoned Cars – Two cars appear to have been abandoned in the car park in Haglands Lane and enquiries through the police has provided the names of the registered keepers and the fact that one has no insurance or MOT and the other has no tax, insurance or MOT. The members authorised the Clerk to report the vehicles to the police as abandoned and for them to be removed and crushed.

 

iii)     Southern Water – Drainage Work in Mill Road – A proposal has been received from the consulting engineers for the work to use the recreation ground car park for site office/ materials store whilst work is carried out to lay two pipelines through the recreation ground car park to carry foul and surface water to the northern end of the recreation ground. The work is expected to take six months and in addition will require Mill Road to be closed to traffic for possibly two weeks whilst pipes are laid along and under the road. In view of the effect a closure would have on the users of the village hall and recreation ground and traffic along this busy road it has been suggested that a public meeting be held in early August for Southern water to present their proposals and for discussion to take place to ameliorate the effects if possible. The members agreed a meeting would be desirable and the Clerk was asked to make the necessary arrangements.

 

b) Michael Jackson, following a meeting of the Village Hall Committee, asked that consideration be given to marking the car parking spaces in the recreation ground car park to maximise use and mentioned the village hall offered to pay half the cost. The members said they had previously rejected the marking as it would spoil the rural appearance and in view of the pending work by Southern Water it was proposed to delay any decision.

 

c) Michael Jackson asked whether space could be made available in the quarterly Newsletter for a report by Philip Circus (District Councillor) on matters concerning the area, on a strictly non party political basis. The Clerk said space was at a premium in each publication, the number of pages dictated by the number of advertisers, but the possibility would be investigated.

 

d) Neil Longson, concerned at road safety at the cross roads near the garage, had e-mailed     WSCC Highways asking for action to be taken to make the cross roads safer following the recent accident and frequent near misses due to the poor visibility of traffic approaching from Mill Road. Although WSCC were sympathetic they had to prioritise road safety work to those areas where the accident statistics showed a number of serious injury accidents or deaths which fortunately was not the case in West Chiltington.

 

e)      Pat Arculus reported that following the Chairman’s letter to Tex Pemberton, Cabinet Member for Transport WSCC, a meeting was to be arranged by Vince Tipper, Highway Manager and Mike Horton, Highways Engineer, to discuss with representatives of the Parish Council the problems and possible solutions at the cross roads next to the garage and near the Queens Head, using funding from the Section 106 Transport Contributions.

 

f)       Pat Arculus said it was WSCC intention to take control of the Section 106 transport Contributions, currently held by HDC, and that the County Local Committees would in discussion with the appropriate Parish Council allocate the funding to projects.

 

g)      Pat Arculus said the Highways Rangers were up and running and requested the Clerk provide details of work they could carry out in the parish to obtain the full use of the service.

 

h)      Roger Watts informed the members that the Thakeham Bell Ringers were holding an event in the church on Saturday, together with the Southern Area Wind Ensemble, to raise money for the refurbishment of the bell tower, all are welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

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