STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL


Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Development Committee held in The Skylight Room, The Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on Thursday, 12th April, 2007, commencing at 7.00 p.m.


Present:     Mr. A. Mullard in the Chair, Mrs. G. Grenney, Mr. J. Macey, Mrs. L.
     Wheatley and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese.

In Attendance:  Mr. A. Aldridge
   Mr. A. Head.
   Mr. R. Jerman, Mr. G. Moore (Tree Wardens).


95.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mrs. J. White (prior commitment).

96.    To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members.  There were no declarations of interest.

97.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 8th March, 2007.  These minutes were duly AGREED to be a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising:-

98.    Minute No’s 5, 20, 38, 59, 76 – Storrington Character Assessment.  Mr. Macey reported that the Parish Council had still not heard from Dawn Appleton of the Strategic Planning Department, regarding this topic.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that:

The Office contact H.D.C. for an update on the latest situation and also speak to Mr. J. Williams regarding copying the Storrington Historic Character Assessment Report to disc for Councillors to view.

99.    Minute No’s. 6, 21, 39, 60, 77 – Southern Water.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that the recent Meeting with Mr. Challoner (County Sewerage Engineer) of Southern Water had been relatively constructive.  Mr. Challoner had admitted that there had been a need to re-evaluate the situation of sewerage and flooding within the Parish and that Southern Water had come up with a different solution to that proposed previously (which had proved uneconomic).  The new scheme proposed the installation of four new underground storage tanks (one of which would support Brook Close in Thakeham, despite the possibility of the tank being situated in Sullington).  Members had agreed that this scheme seemed to be a step in the right direction and was more encouraging than the situation had been in 2005.  Southern Water would be making bids for the works in 2009 and if approved, the works would commence in the period 2010 to 2015.

    Mr. Mullard reported that despite the Office writing to Southern Water on 14th February and again on the 29th March, requesting that they Review their Refusal Notice; no response to date had been received.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that:
The Office writes again to Southern Water requesting a response - forwarding
 copies of all previous requests to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

100.    Minute No. 83 – Rock Common Landfill Site.  Mr. Mullard reported that a letter had been written to the Head of Planning Services at W.S.C.C. on 29th March confirming Members strong objection to this application.  A letter had subsequently been received from W.S.C.C. thanking the Parish Council for their representations and confirming that all material matters would be taken into account when the application was determined by the County Council.  Mr. Mullard also reported that there had been tremendous pressure from M.P. Mr. N. Herbert for this application to be quashed, encouraging the community to speak out and make a stand against this landfill.  Mr. Macey went on to say that there had been an impressive turn-out of concerned residents at the recent extraordinary meeting of Washington Parish Council and that it was contemptuous that Veolia did not attend that Meeting.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese highlighted the fact that The Environmental Agency had not been happy with the application either, stating that “the site lies on a major aquifer and the current proposal would pose a significant risk to ground water quality.”

101.    Planning Applications Awaiting Comment – See Appendix I. 

DC/07/0726 – Karz to Go Ltd,  Cootham Lee Workshop – Change of use from maintenance and repair of agricultural and horticultural equipment to car sales, servicing and maintenance.  Discussion ensued regarding this application and the fear that sales etc. could encroach outside of the boundary.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that:

    A further comment should be sent to HDC stating that “the Parish Council had NO OBJECTION to this application providing it remained within the curtilage of the compound.”

102.    Planning Applications Awaiting Decisions – See Appendix II. 

    DC/06/1454 – Abbey House, Ravenscroft – Demolition of existing block of 11 flats and construction of low energy sustainable affordable homes - 12 flats and 12 houses with associated access road and parking.  Mr. Aldridge asked that Condition No. 25 be noted by Members.  This condition stated that no development should be commenced until a scheme of grey water recycling and rain water harvesting had been submitted in writing to the Local Planning Authority for approval.

DC/07/0172 – Old School Building, 29, School Hill – Demolition of existing Old School Building and construction of 1 bedroom house.  Members were pleased to note H.D.C. had refused this application due to it “representing a cramped form of overdevelopment and out of character with the pattern of surrounding development.”

    DC/07/0297 – Warren Wood, Heather Way – Loft conversion requiring 2 x dormer windows.  Members were pleased to note that H.D.C. had taken into consideration their comments regarding the external appearance of this proposal before granting this application.

103.    Planning Applications – Comment Summary – See Appendix III.  These were duly NOTED.

104.    Trees:-

    Tree Report by Mr. G. Moore.

(a)    Oak End.  Mr. Moore had spoken to the Clerk regarding the felling of trees and hedges in this area.  The Clerk had been in contact with H.D.C. and they had sent a member of their Planning Team along to look at the site.  H.D.C. stated that as soon as Mr. Will Jones returned from sick leave, they would get him to compare his records of the trees he TPO’d with the work that had taken place and if it was proven that an offence had been carried out, they would then prosecute.  

(b)    Tree Works carried out at the Leisure Centre.  Mr. Moore expressed again his concern that it appeared the Planning Committee knew nothing about this application and that the Tree Wardens were unaware of the work that was due to be carried out.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese explained that members of the Planning Committee were aware of this application; however the trees concerned were part of an overall infrastructure improvement at the Recreation Ground.  Mr. Moore requested copies of replies from both Royal Haskoning and Edburton’s be forwarded to all Tree Wardens and said that Royal Haskoning must be held to account.  Mr Will Jones had since admitted to Mr. Moore that in hindsight he should have carried out a site visit. 

Members agreed that the Recreation Centre building was conspicuous and Mrs. Worthington-Leese requested that the Tree Wardens looked into the possibility of planting pretty climbers to obscure the view of the building.  Mr. Moore agreed that he and Mr. Jerman would carry out a site visit and put recommendations forward for discussion at the next Planning Meeting.  Mr. Aldridge thought that this should be included as part of a major arborial scheme for the whole of the site, suggesting that this was funded by S.106 monies.


105.    Trees – Fryern Road.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese explained that 2 weeks ago some tree works were being carried out to Oak Trees at Laverock.  It was reported that major surgery had been carried out to 3 Oak trees and it was suggested that Messrs. Moore and Jerman inspect the site with the view to placing TPO’s on them.   Messrs. Moore and Jerman agreed to do this and would inform H.D.C. of their views and recommendations.

    Chairman’s Announcements

106.    HDC Planning Development Control Update and Action Plan.  Mr. Mullard discussed this document and suggested that once the Development Control Update had been fully implemented and had settled down, a site visit to H.D.C. Planning Department by Members should be organised.  This visit would be an ideal opportunity for Members to meet face-to-face with the Planning Department and see how the area is run.

    Mr. Mullard also mentioned the number of telephone calls that were made to H.D.C. Planning Department which resulted in promises of returned calls, unfortunately these never materialise.

    Mrs. Worthington-Leese read out the letter sent to Mr. Ray Wright regarding the update and the Parish Council’s comments accordingly.  Unfortunately, it appears to date, that since HDC have carried out this review…nothing has changed.

107.    Sawyards, Manleys Hill.  Mr Macey explained the situation regarding the removal of trees from this site; Members agreed that the stability of the bank was pertinent to any proposed application at the site.  Mr. Moore mentioned that he had intervened with the original proposal, stating that the stability of the bank would be impaired if the trees were removed.

108.    The Glade, Downsview Avenue.  To date, this piece of land had still not been transferred to the Parish Council.  Solicitors continue to chase the Developers (Bellwinch Homes) regarding the transfer of this land.

109.    Sandgate Park.  Mr. Moore reported that he had to call the Police due to illegal fishing at Sandgate Park recently.  The Police arrived within half an hour of the call; however the perpetrators had left beforehand.  Mr. Moore was told that the Police would call him back, however, to date; he had not received a call.

110.    Documents for Councillors to Read.  There were no documents for Councillors to read.


There being no further business, the meeting closed at 8.10pm.