WEST CHILTINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

 

A meeting of the Planning Committee of West Chiltington Parish Council was held at 7.30 pm on Tuesday 4th September 2007 in the Parish Office at the Reading Room, Church Street, West Chiltington.

 

Present: Harvie Steele, Dennis Tyler, Amanda Apps, Simon Booth, Michael Jackson, Paul Royce, Pietro di Marino and Jonathan Trees.

 

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

 

 

The Chairman opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.

 

 

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

 

Apologies received from Neil Longson and Roger Watts.

 

2. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

 

It was proposed by Pietro Di Marino and seconded by Paul Royce and agreed by all members to duly approve the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 7th August 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)                 Public Meetings re. Southern Water Proposal:  Held in Village Hall to hear the plan from Southern Water re the drainage work in Mill Road, and for a discussion of the impact. Copies of the notes of the meetings have been circulated to all members and some of the attendees of the meeting. WSCC have confirmed planning permission is not required for the work.

 

(ii)               Japanese Knotweed – On stream bank in recreation ground. The weed has been sprayed and the willow tree stumps next to the playground have been sprayed to stop future growth damaging the playground surface.

 

(iii)             Playground Refurbishment – The refurbishment was completed on Friday 31st August and the playground is open.

 

 

 

4. CURRENT APPLICATIONS FOR COMMENT

 

DC/07/1786 - Mr Alan Holland, Rowlings, Sunset Lane                    

Fell 1 x Scots Pine tree

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1836 - Mrs Smith, Heather Heights, Monkmead Lane            

Surgery to 1 x beech tree and fell 1 x cherry tree

 

Parish Council: We would like Will Jones to view the trees as the beech tree appears to be in good health and shape and we question the necessity of surgery, we have no objection to replacing the cherry tree if diseased.

 

 

DC/07/1764 - Mr and Mrs John Isacc, Meers Farm, The Hollows     

Restoration of facade with stone and removal of chimney (Listed Building Consent)

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

 

DC/07/1891 - Mr.J.S and Mrs.S.Williams, Heatherbank, Birch Tree Lane          

2-Storey side/rear extension

 

Parish Council: No Objection but we would like conditions to be imposed regarding the matching of materials to existing to preserve the look and character of this cottage in a proposed Conservation Area.

 

 

DC/07/1948 - Mr and Mrs Willitt, Chucklehill Cottage, Westward Lane 

2-Storey side extension

 

Parish Council: No Objection but would like conditions to be imposed regarding the matching of materials and style to existing building and that all contractors vehicles and materials to be contained within the site to avoid blocking this narrow road.

 

 

 

5. PLANNING DECISIONS AND APPEALS

 

(I)                District Council Decisions:

 

 

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.

 

Application Withdrawn

 

 

 

DC/07/0710 - Mr S Hewson,                        Brookdale Farm, West Chiltington Lane, Broadford Bridge

Agricultural prior notification to re-build and harden existing farm track

 

Parish Council: No objection

 

District Council: Formal planning permission is required as the track is accessed off a classified road B2133.

 

 

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.

 

District Council: Formal planning permission is required as the track is accessed off a classified road (East Street)

 

 

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.

 

District Council Decision: Permission Refused

 

 

DC/07/1336 - Mr and Mrs A Eastwood, Storeys, Lordings Lane        

Erection of 1 dwelling, double garage and access (Outline)

 

Parish Council: Following the adoption of the Local Development Framework and the classification of West Chiltington as a “Category 2 Settlement” all future development is subject to meeting a local need. The Parish Council are to assess this need by carrying out a survey of all households and until this is completed no development should be approved.

 

District Council Decision: Permission Refused has not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the development would address specific local needs in a Category 2 Settlement.

 

 

DC/07/1347 - Mr J Burrows, 14 Curbey Close                                 

Conversion of existing garage, provision of dormer to main house and provision of new garage

 

Parish Council: No Objection to the conversion of the garage and the provision of a dormer, the only concern is the position of the new garage against the boundary.

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

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

2-Storey extension

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

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

Single-storey front and rear extensions

 

Parish Council: No Objection

 

District Council Decision: Permitted

 

 

 

(2). Appeal Decisions:

 

None

 

 

 

(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)      Government Office for the South East – The South East Plan – Publication of panel report on CD – report submitted to the Government on 6th August 2007 and following consideration by the Secretary of State will follow a 12 week period of public consultation. Final report due to be published around Autumn 2008.

 

b)      South East Planning Aid – free service to individuals and communities of planning advice. Details are available from the Clerk.

 

c)      Tennis and Cricket Clubs – require security of tenure letters to enable them to apply for funding. The clubs are to be asked for draft letters which will be discussed at the Parish Council meeting on the 11th September. The NPFA have to approve the letters to ensure no permanent rights are granted.

 

 

d)      Stream in Recreation Ground – becoming blocked with debris and soil and needs clearing. Michael Jackson thought environmental grants may be available from HDC and Philip Circus was asked to make enquiries. The Clerk would obtain quotations for the work to ascertain the cost.

 

e)      WSCC – Consultation on distribution of Gypsy & Travellers Caravan Sites – Reply by 28th September.

 

 

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

a)      Clerk – Note for your diaries - next meeting to be held one week later on the 9th October, agendas will be sent round as usual in the week before as a reminder.

 

 

 

b)      Triangle of grass at junction Monkmead Lane and Sunset Lane – Complaints from residents that vehicles are parking on the triangle and blocking visibility of drivers exiting Sunset Lane. Wooden posts along the roadside would stop the parking and the Clerk was asked to obtain quotes for the work.

 

 

 

c)      Flooding in the Recreation Ground between the Tennis Courts and football pitch – The football club have complained that the pitch often is flooded and request new drains be installed. The Clerk was asked to obtain quotes for the work and it was suggested the football club should be asked to provide labour.

 

 

d)      Michael Jackson asked about progress with the Museum and suggested we should proceed with the work in two stages; the first to get the museum room refurbished to enable the exhibits to displayed and the second to proceed with the toilet when circumstances and funds permit. The Clerk would investigate the possibility with the architect.

 

e)      Amanda Apps raised three points:

 

i).Who is responsible for the installation of speed limit signs in Westward Lane – As it is a private road it is the responsibility of the residents to install signs and it was suggested she contact the Residents Road Co-ordinator.

 

ii). A resident in Heather Lane would like the laurel bushes in Monkmead Woods to be trimmed down and the Clerk said he would provide the name of a contact in HDC, who own the woods.

 

iii). Overgrown footpaths from Sunset Lane – The Clerk said the Footpath Ranger would be walking the paths at the end of September and would arrange for the paths to be cleared.

 

f)       Simon Booth asked whether the footpath from Haglands Lane to Church Grove could be improved to allow mothers to walk to school with children. The Clerk said it had been investigated as a ‘Safe Route to School’ by WSCC but because of its length and cost the idea was dropped but it had been put third on the list of projects to be funded from Parish s106 Transport Contributions, after safety improvements at the two crossroads at Haglands Lane and Church Street. No indication could be given as to when the work was likely to be carried out.

 

g)      Paul Royce asked who was responsible for the drainage work in West Chiltington Road adjacent to the Panners site. The Clerk said it was being carried out by WSCC as part of the project previously carried out on the culvert under the road to alleviate flooding in the area.

 

 

 

No other matters were raised by members.

 

There being no other business the Chairman thank everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.05 pm.