STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Development Committee held in The Chanctonbury Room, The Sullington Parish Hall, Thakeham Road, Storrington, on Thursday, 9th April, 2009, commencing at 7.00 p.m.

Present:    Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese in the Chair, Mr. J. Macey, Mr D. Roper, Mrs G King and Mrs. L. Wheatley.

118.        Apologies for Absence were received from Messrs. A. Mullard (ill) and A. Aldridge (prior engagement).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

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

120.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 12th, February 2009.  Minute No. “105 (a)” the word “UNANIMOULSY”, should read “UNANIMOUSLY”.  With this amendment made the minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were duly signed by the Chairman. 

Matters Arising:-

121.    Minute No. 104 : Pear Technology Digital Mapping Software.

    Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that this software had been discussed at February’s Full Council Meeting and whilst it was felt the product was very good, it had been decided that it was not essential and therefore would not be purchased at the current time.

122.    Minute No. 106 : Listing of Old School Building.

    Mrs. Worthington-Leese confirmed that the completed application form and photographs had been forwarded to English Heritage on 19th February.  To date, no response had been received.  The office had contacted English Heritage to enquire how long the process would take before a decision would be made and was still awaiting a response.

123.    Washington Pit – Hampers Lane.

    Mrs. Worthington-Leese thanked Mrs. Wheatley for attending WSCC’s Planning Meeting on 17th March and reported that the application for variation of conditions 1, 6, 7 and 13 of planning permission SG/2/99 for the extension of sand extraction operations had been granted for 5 years and would cease on or before 31ST December 2013

124.    Village Design Statement.

    Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that presentation boards regarding the Village Design Statement had been on display in Forge House and in the Parish Hall since 10th March.  During this time comments had been requested and these comments were discussed.  It was agreed that the office should press ahead with the Village Design Statement with a view to having a relatively complete document by July.

125    Standards Committee – Members Involvement.

    Mrs Worthington-Leese reminded members of the above and specifically a letter that had come from Ian Davison of HDC dated 24th December 2008.  This letter had been copied to all members; however, should any member not recall receiving a copy they should inform the office immediately.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese asked all members to read this document if they had not already done so and stressed the importance of members’ being extremely careful not to state any opinions regarding a planning application when visiting a site.

126.    Arun District Council Core Strategy – Public Consultation.

    The period for this consultation had closed.

127.    Planning Applications Awaiting Comment – Appendix I. 

DC/09/0570 – Pecany, Kithurst Park – single storey extensions.  Mr. Roper took this application away to comment on.

128.    Planning Application Decisions – Appendix II.  These were duly NOTED. 

129.    Planning Applications, Comment Summary – since the meeting on the 12th February, 2009.   These were duly NOTED.

130.    Appeal Decisions.

    (a)    DC/08/1934 – Le Fleur de Sel, Manleys Hill – Erection of three terraced cottages. 
         APPEAL DISMISSED.
    (b)    DC/08/0786 – The Old School House, 29, School Hill – convert the Old School
         House at the rear of 29, School Hill.  APPEAL DISMISSED.
    (c)     DC/08/1471 – 7, Pulborough Road – Four-bed house with associated garden, garage
         and car parking.  APPEAL GRANTED.
(d)     DC/08/0397 – Oakhurst, Hurston Lane – demolition of garage and conservatory and construction of a single- storey rear extension, two-storey side extension and a single-storey front porch extension.  APPEAL GRANTED.

131.    Chairman’s Announcements.

•    Guidance on the Permeable Surfacing of Front Gardens.  Mrs Worthington-Leese mentioned a couple of cases recently where questions had arisen as to the exact surfacing that had been laid on driveways and as to whether it had been permeable or not.  The office had downloaded a document on these guidelines and passed copies to all members.

•    Licensing Act 2003 – Guidance on Representations.  Mrs Worthington-Leese read out a letter that had been received from HDC’s Licensing Department advising that Parish and Neighbourhood Councils were not Statutory Consultees in their own right and that there were very strict rules within the legislation concerning acceptable observations.  A copy of this letter along with the guidelines was passed to all members.

•    Sussex Heritage Trust Awards 2009.  Members were asked for nominations and should let the office know before the closing date of 14th April.

•    1, School Hill.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese explained that this shop had been operating for a while without any planning application for change of use.  Members expressed that they did not wish the shop to refrain from trading, but felt that an application for change of use should have been submitted beforehand.  Horsham District Council had assured the office that the applications were imminent and had said this since 9th February 2009.  Mr Eddie Hughes (HDC Compliance) had confirmed that he had today (9th April) sent a letter to the owner requesting the applications be submitted within 14 days.  It had also been reported to the Parish Office that tables and chairs had been placed outside the cafe on 4th April and these had caused problems with blocking the pavement – HDC confirmed that if the owner of the shop wished to place chairs and tables outside, they would need to apply for a licence.

132.    Documents for Councillors to Read.

Brinsbury Centre of Rural Excellent Supplementary Planning Document.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese read out the letter that accompanied this document.  This document would be left in the office for Councillors to read.
South Downs National Park.  Various information had been copied to all members regarding the National Park, however should anyone wish to view the boundaries; they should contact the Parish Office.
   

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8 pm.