STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning and Development Committee held in The Skylight Room, The Sullington Parish Hall, Storrington, on Thursday, 10th September, 2009, commencing at 8.15 p.m.
Present: Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese in the Chair, Mr. R. Jerman, Mr. J. Macey,
Mr. A. Mullard, Mr. D. Roper, Mrs. G. King and Mrs. L. Wheatley.
In Attendance: Mr. A. Aldridge.
The reason for absence was duly ACCEPTED.
50. To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members. Mr. Macey declared an interest in
planning application number DC/09/1234.
51. To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 12th August, 2009. These minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were duly signed by the Chairman.
Matters Arising:-
52. Minute No. 34 : Listing of Old School Building. Despite English Heritage requesting a copy of the old case file from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, nothing had been received. It was appreciated that this could take some time. The Camera Club had been asked to take photographs of the inside of the Old School and these were expected shortly. Once all the relevant information had been received the office would complete a further application, taking on board English Heritage’s Principles of Selection. It was AGREED that:
A letter of thanks should be sent to the Camera Club for their assistance in this regard.
53. Minute No. 35 : Village Design Statement. A few articles from members were outstanding. The Camera Club had very kindly taken lots of photographs and were in the process of collating them; ready to send to the Parish Council. Once received, the office would pull all the items together in order that members could view the document; make any comments and/or additions before setting a date for a public exhibition. It was AGREED that:
A letter of thanks should be sent to the Camera Club for all their help and that an acknowledgement would be made to the Club within the Village Design Statement itself.
54. Minute No. 36 : 8, Rowan Close Licence. The office had accepted the quotation for £74.50 for the replacement of this fence and the work carried out on 24th August. The invoice had only just been received. Despite various contact being made with the owners regarding this issue, they had made no effort to contact that Parish Council. It was therefore UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to:-
Send a letter to the owners of 8, Rowan Close requesting payment for the works undertaken.
55. Minute No. 37 : Vintage Rose Café & Bookshop – Application for Street Furniture outside Premises. Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that the office had written to W.S.C.C. on 19th August expressing and indeed listing their numerous objections to this application. Despite these objections, a letter had been received on 28th August stating that the licence had been granted for a period of one year, after which the applicant would have to reapply to the County Council for a two year renewal. W.S.C.C. said that they would monitor the situation over the coming year and keep in mind the issues raised by the Parish Council when reviewing any possible renewal application. Members expressed their disappointment to this decision.
56. Minute Nos. 38/39 : Laybrook Brickworks Quarry Planning Application. A letter outlining the Parish Council’s objections to this application had been sent to W.S.C.C.. Copies had also been sent to H.D.C., the three District Councillors and Ashington, Thakeham, Washington and West Chiltington Parish Councils. Mrs. Worthington-Leese passed copies of this letter to members.
57. Minute No. 40 : Invitation to Cootham Pig Farm. As per minute 40. of 12th August meeting, a letter had been sent to the owners thanking them for their kind invitation, stating that since the matter was now in the hands of Environmental Health at H.D.C. (and that the Parish Council had no statutory powers in this respect); a visit would not be advantageous to either party. An acknowledgement to this letter had been received on 18th August.
58. Minute No. 46 : Tree Works.
Ravenscroft. There had been sufficient funds within the football budget for work to be carried out on the overgrown Ash Tree by the gated entrance to the Allotment site. For this reason, the quotation for £180 had been accepted and the work carried out on 24th August.
Storrington Pond. A letter had been sent to the resident of Amberley Road on 27th August giving them permission to cut back the lower branches from the tree overhanging their patio. It was also stated that should they wish to carry out these works, they could only do so up to and including their boundary, making necessary arrangements for any branches, leaves etc to be removed from site and not left on the pond side.
59. Planning Applications Awaiting Comment – Appendix I.
(a) DC/09/1234 – Land to the rear of Ketrey, Woodpecker Lane – Amended Plan. Members noted the reduction in height of the ridge and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that:
(b) DC/09/1489 – The Oaks, 7, Plantation Way – Amended Plan. Members noted
the amendments to this application and it was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED that:
A comment of No Objection should be sent to H.D.C.
For the benefit of all members, Mrs. Worthington-Leese gave a brief précis on the history of this site and read out extracts from the Planning Inspectorate’s Appeal Decision report of 30th July 1996, which stated that the access should be permanently closed. Mrs. Worthington-Leese also read out an e-mail from Debbie Farrell of W.S.C.C. (dated 20th February 2009) which said that she would recommend this access point be used, despite the fact that throughout the rest of the e-mail she seemed to be against the proposal. Members were also concerned that the plans on the current application did not show the new access at Abbotsleigh (property opposite).
It was UNANIMOULSY AGREED to:
Strongly Object to this application, reiterating all the relevant comments on the Planning Inspectorate’s Report, (all of which are still relevant), the failure to note a further entrance on the plans and highlight the increased volume in traffic. It was also agreed that these comments should be copied to Debbie Farrell of W.S.C.C. for her information.
(d) DC/09/1572 – 9, Stor Meadow. Mrs. Wheatley took away this application to comment on.
(e) DC/09/1582 – Land South of Oak End, Thakeham Road. Members looked at this application and noted their concerns regarding the proposed tree works. Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that Mr. Will Jones (H.D.C.’s Arboriculturalist) would be visiting the site and that the office should find out when this would happen in order that members could also be in attendance. It was felt that a site visit was imperative before members could send their recommendations to H.D.C.. It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED: that
The office should Contact Mr. Will Jones to find out when he would be inspecting the site and at the same time request an extension on the application.
60. Planning Application Decisions – Appendix II. These were duly NOTED.
61. Planning Applications, Comment Summary – since the meeting on the 12th August, 2009. These were duly NOTED.
62. Chairman’s Announcements.
(a) HDC Development Control Committee. Mrs. Worthington-Leese informed
members that the following planning applications would be going to Committee on 15th September:-
· DC/09/1234 – Ketrey, Woodpecker Lane.
· DC/09/1489 – 7, Plantation Way.
(b) H.D.C.’s Planning E-Consultation. Mrs. Worthington-Leese read out an e-mail from Mrs. J. Coker explaining that there was a delay on their pilot due to HDC’s Business Services Department having difficulty in sourcing the loan equipment. It was hoped that this would be resolved within the next week or two. Whilst H.D.C. were happy to loan the equipment to the Parish Council for the period of the pilot, Members felt that H.D.C. should pay for any necessary equipment required afterwards as they would benefit immensely from e-consultation.
(c) “A” Frame Meeting. Mrs. Worthington-Leese announced that a meeting to discuss the number of A Frame Advertisement boards in the village had been arranged for 2pm on 22nd September. Attendees were to include County Councillor Frank Wilkinson, Mr. Neil Smith of W.S.C.C. Highways and Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese, Mr. J. Sanson and Mr. R. Dawe of the Parish Council.
(d) Tree Works at St Mary’s Church. Mrs. Worthington-Leese read out an e-mail dated 18th August from Mr. Mark Pullen of H.D.C. regarding remedial tree works which were due to be carried out on health and safety grounds.
63. Documents for Councillors to Read.
(a) H.D.C. LDF: Leading Change in Partnership to 2026 and Beyond, Consultation
Document. This document would be left in the office for members to view.
(b) C.P.R.E. Fieldwork – September issue. Mr. Jerman took this document away to read.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05 pm.
