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, 13th December, 2007, commencing at 7.00 p.m.


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

In Attendance:    Mr. A. Aldridge.    Mr. R. Groom.

89.    Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. R. Dawe (previous engagement).  The reason for absence was duly ACCEPTED.

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

91.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 8th November, 2007.  These Minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising :-

92.    Minute No. 72: Southern Water.  A copy letter from Mr. F. Wilkinson addressed to the Chairman of Southern Water had been received.  Within this letter Mr. Wilkinson mentioned the recent flooding and the fact that raw sewerage had entered several properties - requesting some resolution and positive action from Southern Water.  A response had been received from Southern Water which Mrs. Worthington-Leese read out to members.  It was agreed that the letter was pretty standard and non committal.  A meeting was due to be arranged between Southern Water and The Rt. Hon M.P. Nick Herbert; Mr. Wilkinson would be invited to attend. It was agreed that the Office should contact the Planning Inspectorate for the latest position regarding the Parish Council’s complaint.

93.    Minute No. 87: Oak End, Sullington – Unauthorised Felling of Trees.  HDC Legal Department were still putting evidence together regarding this case.  Mr. W. Jones had promised to inform the office of any update.

94.    Minute No. 85 – Sawyards, Manleys Hill.  Despite being told by HDC Planning that a Section 215 was to be served on 30th November, this had still not been issued.  The Office had chased H.D.C. for an update but had been told that another site visit was necessary to check that the site had indeed been tidied up; as had been indicated in a letter to H.D.C. from the owner’s Agent.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that HDC’s Enforcement Officer was due to visit the site shortly however, in the meantime, as the site was still untidy, the Parish Office was asked to take photographs of the site and forward them to HDC.

    With the agreement of the meeting, it was resolved to vary the sequence of business in order that the second point of agenda item no. 6 - DC/07/2457 could be brought forward; enabling Mr. Groom (Consultant) to leave on time to attend another appointment.
 
95.    DC/07/2457 – Land formerly known as Strome and land North of Sussexdown, Washington Road.   Erection of 11 x 2-bed sheltered accommodation apartments with associated parking facilities.  Discussion took place regarding this application.  Mr. Groom confirmed that the application had not changed since the Parish Council’s visit to the site on 21st August 2007.  Since that meeting, they had invited all neighbours to a similar briefing which was well attended.  Mr Groom reported that the neighbours were generally in favour and supportive of the development and a number of letters of support had been received.  Members agreed that the application was preferable to previous ones and that it was of good design and would be good for the village.  Mr. Mullard asked if sewage issues had been resolved and Mr Groom replied that they were mindful of the situation, had indeed spoken to Southern Water and should the application be approved, would arrange a meeting with Southern Water.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to:

        Send comments to HDC Planning SUPPORTING this application, stating that the development was much preferred to previous applications and would be good for the village.  Concerns regarding sewage issues remained and that these needed to be addressed before any decision was made.


Mr. Groom thanked the Chairman for inviting him to speak and excused himself from the Meeting


96.    HDC LDF to 2018: Storrington Old Mill Drive Diamond Draft Supplementary Planning Document.  Members were aware of this document and that it had been approved by Full Council at their 28th November Meeting.  Mr. Aldridge took the document away to read.

97.    Planning Applications Awaiting Comment – Appendix I.  

    DC/07/2489 – 2, Brook Close, Storrington.  Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 6 x 3-bed semi-detached dwellings, access, amenity and parking.  Despite this application not being in our Parish; it was just on the boundary and hence warranted discussion.  It was AGREED to:

        OBJECT to this application stating “Whilst we appreciated that this site was not within our Parish, it was on the border.  In our view the Flood Risk Assessment appeared to be insufficient (no plans/drawings) and on that basis we continued to object - previous objections remained.”

98.    DC/07/2454 – Norbertine Order, Monastery Lane.  Erection of 9 detached houses consisting 1 x 2-bed, 4 x 3-bed and 4 x 4-bed houses on land to the north of the Norbertine Monastery and Our Lady of England Roman Catholic Church.  Members noted that the proposed application was within the built-up area; however concerns remained regarding traffic, sewerage and water demands and the setting of a precedent.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to:
 
OBJECT to this application on the following grounds. “Concerns regarding the increase of traffic along Monastery Lane – an already narrow lane with cars continually parking on the banks impeding the passage of traffic.  The development would put even more strain on our local sewerage and water systems. Measures must be put in place to mitigate this.  It was felt that this development would set a precedent for further development behind the existing houses.”

99.    DC/07/2704 –Land North of Sullington Old Rectory, Sullington Lane.  3 stables, storage barn and revision to field access (Scheme A).  Discussions took place regarding this application.  .  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to:

        STRONGLY OBJECT to this application.

100.    DC/07/2707 –Land North of Sullington Old Rectory, Sullington Lane.  3 stables, storage barn and revision to field access (Scheme B).  Discussions took place regarding this application.  .  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to:

        OBJECT to this application.

101.    DC/07/2775 – Extension to Riverside Walk, Land North of Steyning Crescent.  Change of use of a strip of woodland to public open space together with replacement of an existing footbridge.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to:

        SUPPORT this application.

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

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

104.    Letters of Explanation from H.D.C.  There were no letters of explanation from H.D.C.

105.    Appeal Decisions:

(a)     DC/07/0890 – Land East of Fleur De Sel (Sawyards) Manley’s Hill – erection of 4 x 2-bed semi-detached cottages with integral garages.  Appeal DISMISSED.

(b)     DC/06/1274 – Land at Knapweld & Woodland House, Thakeham Road – demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 2 x 3 bed semi-detached dwellings, 3 x 4 bed detached dwellings, garaging and new access road.  Appeal GRANTED.

106.    Tree Preservation Orders

    (a)    TPO No. 1338 – 17-19, Pulborough Road, Storrington.  3 x Oaks and 1 x Silver
     Birch (confirmed).

107.    Chairman’s Announcements:

The Glade.  It was agreed to ask Mr. A. Gale to carry out an inspection of the trees;
particularly the large ones surrounding the perimeter of the site and within close proximity to properties.  The office would arrange for this to be carried out.

108.    Documents for Councillors to Read.

(a)     Licensing Act 2003 Handbook.  This was available in the office for Councillors to read.


There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.25 p.m.