WEST CHILTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

A meeting of the Planning Committee of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 7th August 2007 in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.

 

Present: Harvie Steele, Dennis Tyler, Simon Booth, Paul Royce and Jonathan Trees.

 

Also in Attendance: Tony Thomas (Clerk), Philip Circus (District Councillor) and David Jenkins (District Councillor)

 

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

 

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies received from Amanda Apps, Michael Jackson, Neil Longson, Pietro di Marino and Roger Watts.

 

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

It was proposed by Dennis Tyler and seconded by Paul Royce and agreed by all members to duly approve the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 3rd July 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)                 Willets Farm DC/06/2789 – The Public Enquiry to hear the appeal was postponed at the last minute due to one of the HDC staff not being able to attend. A new date will now be set.

 

(ii)               Cross Road Safety – Letter from W Lambert, Principal Engineer, Accident Prevention & Safety Audit – Who quotes statistics for accidents over 20 years at the two cross road sites, neither of which are very bad and in his opinion would not warrant remedial work but because we are able to fund improvements from s106 Transport Contributions has passed his comments on to Vince Tipper who will remain lead officer when deciding if anything can be done.

 

(iii)             Bell Bollard – Church Street – has been removed and replaced by two posts installed nearer the house and visible from inside a vehicle.

 

(iv)             2nd Public Meeting arranged for Thursday 9th August 2007 in the Village Hall to hear the plan from Southern Water re the drainage work in Mill Road, and for a discussion of the impact.

 

(v)               T Mobile Mast, West Chiltington Golf Club – Notice was received today that the application for prior approval has been refused by HDC.

(vi)             Housing Needs Survey –David Jenkins indicated that Paul Rowley is adamant that future development should aim to provide social and affordable housing; therefore the survey should highlight that need and recommends the survey prepared by Action in Rural Sussex and Defra. David Jenkins said the Parish Council should wait until the final Inspectors report on the LDF is received towards the end of October which may clarify the types of development allowed. The members agreed to this course of action and will delay any survey until after the report is received.

 

(vii)           Japanese Knotweed – Has been found in the recreation ground alongside the stream and the name of a licensed sprayer has been provided by HDC. The members authorised the Clerk to arrange for the knotweed to be sprayed.

 

 

 

 

4. CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR COMMENT

 

 

DC/07/1438 - Mr and Mrs D Room, Peggles, Fir Tree Lane              

Single storey detached store/double car port

 

Parish Council: Approval notice received on the day of the meeting prior to the Parish Council being able to consider the application.

 

DC/07/1255 - Mr and Mrs John Jennings, Conifers, The Common     

2-Storey side and single-storey front and rear extensions

 

Parish Council: Although the revised first floor plan does go some way to reducing the impact of the extension the members still think it would be unduly prominent in the street scene.

 

DC/07/1533 - Mr R Goodman, Amington, Crossways Park               

2-Storey extension

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

DC/07/1549 - Mr and Mrs D Taylor, Gatewick Farm, Broadford Bridge Road    

2-Storey rear extension, repositioning of porch, internal alterations, conversion of garage to living accommodation, replacement of all windows on the house and alterations and extension of existing ancillary residential building (Listed Building Consent)

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1553 - Mr and Mrs D Taylor, Gatewick Farm, Broadford Bridge Road    

2-Storey rear extension and repositioning of porch

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1544 - Mr Michael P Stephens, Cedar Barn, West Chiltington Lane, Coneyhurst  

Erection of 3 stables, corner box, hay barn and tack room (Land to the South East of Cedar Barn)

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1585 - Mr A Lally, Fairlawns, Monkmead Lane                     

Raising of roof to form 1st floor to existing bungalow and single-storey extensions

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1624 - Mr and Mrs J Moss, Lukut, Rambledown Lane           

Single-storey side and rear pitched roof extensions

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1627 - Mr and Mrs Neave, Glencroft, Monkmead Lane          

Single-storey front and rear extensions

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/0333 - Mr Tom and Mrs Ruth Simmonds, Nyetimber Farmhouse, Gay Street                                Change of use of part of barn to form office

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

 

5. PLANNING DECISIONS AND APPEALS

 

(I)                District Council Decisions:

 

 

DC/07/0329 - Mr and Mrs Croxson, Tankards, Westward Lane        

Demolition of existing garage/store and construction of a 2-story side and rear extensions and demolition of both new and existing roofs to be thatched

 

Parish Council: Objects to the application due to its size and proximity to the boundary of the new dwelling under construction, which was reduced in size facing Tankards in the interests of good neighbourliness. A single storey extension would be acceptable.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/0576 - Mr and Mrs S Hewson, Brookdale Farm, West Chiltington Lane, Broadford Bridge           

Change of use of a building to mixed use of office and ancillary accommodation with various alterations

 

Parish Council: No objection, but would like condition to be only used as ancillary accommodation to the house.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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

Single storey side extension

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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.

 

District Council Decision: Approved

 

 

DC/07/1101 - RDA Homes Ltd, Land East Of Conifers, The Common

Single storey garage with bin store

 

Parish Council: Objects to the application as the approved bungalow, proposed garage and associated hard surfaces would occupy a relatively large proportion of the site and would thus result in a cramped appearance that would not be in keeping with the spacious pattern of development in the area.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/1249 - Mr and Mrs M.J Clark, Tumblestones, Newhouse Farm, Broadford Bridge Road  

Garden alterations to include removal of store garden wall, enlargement of entrance gazebo and rebuild of outbuilding (Listed Building

Consent)

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Granted

 

 

DC/07/1256 - Mrs Fiona Maclean-Fancey, Oakleigh, Adversane Lane, Adversane         

Rear conservatory and widen driveway

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

DC/07/1260 - Mr and Mrs Paske, Comfrey, Coolham Road, Billingshurst           

Replacement single-storey rear extension and pitched roofs to existing flat roofed dormers

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/1261 - Mr and Mrs Paske, Comfrey, Coolham Road, Billingshurst           

Demolition of existing rear extension and replace with a longer single-storey rear extension and pitched roofs to existing flat roofed dormers

(Listed Building Consent)

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Granted

 

 

DC/07/1286 - Mr D Self, Pixies, Spinney Lane                                 

Two-storey rear extension

 

Parish Council: Objects to the scale of the proposed extension which would result in almost doubling the footprint of the building therefore fundamentally changing 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. We are also concerned at the possible over-looking from the new second floor windows into the garden of the neighbouring property New Spinney.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/1306 - Mr J.Wood, Thrums, Westward Lane                         

2-Storey side/rear extension

 

Parish Council: No Objection but would like a condition regarding the matching of materials to the original building.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

DC/07/1394 - Mr P Portman, Gaywood Farm, Gay Street                 

Retention of use of part of land forming access and track to serve residential and agricultural areas

 

Parish Council: No Objection to the use of the track across agricultural land but object to any attempt to bring the area within the residential curtilage of the dwelling, now or in the future.

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

(2). Appeal Decisions:

 

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 Dismissed

 

 

 

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 Withdrawn

 

 

 

(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 Public Enquiry on the 17th and 18th July 2007 was postponed and a new date will be set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. CORRESPONDENCE

 

a)      Tankards Site, Westward lane – Correspondence from several residents complaining at the moving of the access into Westward lane – dangerous etc. and requesting action from HDC. Eddie Hughes, Enforcement Officer, has visited the site and says the movement of the drive is covered by “Permitted Development Rights” and because the road is an unadopted private road County Highways are not involved.

 

b)      WSCC – Cycle Stands – They have 200 stands to give away – Are there any suitable locations in West Chiltington?

 

c)      Community Minibus Association – Storrington Division – Following the announcement that the Bus4U service is to be terminated in September the Clerk has held a meeting with the organisers of the Community Minibus Association and will be including details in the Parish Newsletter. The service provided although not comparable to the Bus4U service does provide a useful service for shopping and social outings on a regular weekly basis in West Chiltington.

 

d)      Nick Herbert MP – PCT Meetings –  Local meetings are to be held in Pulborough, Billingshurst and Steyning, allowing  350 people per meeting to express their views on the proposed changes to hospitals in West Sussex, but no meetings are scheduled for West Chiltington or Storrington. If the Parish Council were to organise a meeting with representatives of the PCT he would be willing to attend. Although the consultation period has been extended until the 14th November the meeting schedule for the PCT meetings is so packed it is unlikely a further meeting could be fitted in until the end of October and the matter will be discussed at the September meeting of the Parish Council.

 

e)      St Mary’s Church - Has asked if the PC will contribute to the removal of two large branches which fell in the churchyard in the recent high winds. – estimated cost £200. Jonathan said he will have a look and remove if possible.

 

f)       Football Club - Have asked whether PC can provide new drainage at the far end of recreation ground near tennis courts which regularly floods causing matches to be abandoned. The members thought this could be expensive and at the moment the funds were not available.

 

g)      Tennis Club - Have asked PC to fell dead oak tree on eastern side of car park area before it falls, and to cut back trees and shrubs around courts. The Clerk would organise for the work to be carried out.

 

h)      HDC – Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations – Members were asked if they had any comments on the election arrangements, they all thought the process worked well in West Chiltington and no changes were necessary.

 

 

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

No other matters were raised by members.

 

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