STORRINGTON & SULLINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Present: Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese in the Chair, Mr. R. Jerman, Mrs. G, King, Mr. J. Macey, Mr. D. Roper and Mrs. L. Wheatley
In Attendance: Mr. D. Atkins and 2 Members of the Public.
93. Apologies for Absence were received from Mr. R. Dawe (prior engagement) and Mr. A. Mullard (ill). The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.
94. To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members. Mrs. King declared a personal interest in planning application numbers DC/09/2025 and DC/09/2028.
95. To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 12th November, 2009. It was noted that Mrs. G. King was actually in attendance but not listed as an attendee. These minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were duly signed by the Chairman.
96. St Joseph’s Abbey (Application No’s DC/09/20251902 and DC/09/2028). Presentation by Mr Richard Morton (Sidell Gibson Architect) and Mr Lee Scott (SmithsGore Developer). The Chairman proposed that this item be brought forward before Matters Arising and with the agreement of the meeting agenda item 6 a) and b) were taken next.
Mrs. Worthington-Leese welcomed Messrs Morton and Scott and invited them to take the floor. Mr. Morton thanked members for the opportunity to discuss this application and passed around some handouts detailing the previous history, traffic issues, numbers and mix, drainage and many other issues for members to read and then gave a brief history on the previous application applied for by English Courtyard. These applications were virtually the same as the previous one, except that the owners are now the Dominican Sisters. Mr. Morton proceeded to show members drawings and plans of the proposed new development. Within one of these plans a public car park was shown. Mrs. Worthington-Leese asked if the parking would be free, Mr. Morton said that the idea was that the Church would manage the car park. Discussions ensued and it was felt that this idea could pose a problem; Mr. Roper asked how this car park could be managed by the church as they were likely to want to close it on a Sunday for parishioners and could not see how this could be enforced. Parking in Church Street was very much in demand. Mr. Morton said that, to the best of his knowledge, the management of the car park had not been promised to the Church. Members asked who would maintain the public car park to which Mr Morton replied he was unsure - perhaps it could be adopted by HDC, subject to S106 monies to help towards the maintenance. It was agreed that there was a need to agree the management of the car park in order to stop village employees using the bays all day.
Mr. Morton showed plans of two other projects of theirs, these included South Petherton (Somerset) and Christ’s Hospital – both retirement housing schemes. The new scheme for Storrington was for 24 houses and flats which would be for sale (arranged around 2 courtyards). A further 16 properties would be affordable units and would be allocated to a particular housing association. Within this complex there would also be a flat for a resident manager. All properties have their own garages, with an extra 18 spaces for visitors or those with two cars – this averaged out at 1.25 parking bays per dwelling.
Comments received from the new Conservation Officer at H.D.C. had said that chimneys would be preferred as opposed to vent cowl, there should be a different type of dormer window on the affordable flats and that there should be changes to the design of the courtyard areas. These had been taken into consideration and sketches showing these amendments had been made, however were not available to view at the meeting. Mrs. Worthington-Leese mentioned that English Heritage had agreed to save and restore the listed Edwardian glasshouses on the site, yet the new proposals showed them being demolished and replaced by a pergola. Mr. Merton said he was not aware of their demolition and would have to double-check. Members all agreed that they wanted these glasshouses restored and kept. Mr. Scott agreed to look into this and said it shouldn’t be a significant problem provided they were not too derelict and beyond repair.
Members mentioned that the Archaeological Study was missing from this application and that this was a very important document. Mr. Scott said this was yet to be submitted and was an oversight on their behalf.
Mrs. Worthington-Leese expressed concern regarding Browns Lane being a non adopted road and of a relatively poor state. Mr. Victor Kidd had formerly said that this would probably be brought up to standard as part of the previous application so that it could eventually be adopted. Messrs Morton and Scott said that this was something that they would need to discuss with County.
Members also stated their concerns about sewerage and that historically there was a problem in that area. Measures are needed to ensure that no extra pressure was put on the sewerage system. Mr. Scott stated that this had been dealt with and their sewerage proposals had been accepted by the Environment Agency – members agreed that they should take another look at this report.
Mr. Atkins asked if the wall in Church Street would be retained to which Messrs Morton said yes, however a small portion would be removed to make the entrance, but this was as per the previously approved application.
Mrs. Worthington-Leese asked members if they had any further questions and then opened the floor to the members of public. Only one question was asked and this was regarding the 2 garages and three car parking spaces shown on the Browns Lane side and how the owners would access these – Messrs. Morton and Scott stated that access would be via Browns Lane.
Mrs. Worthington-Leese went on to mention that the pavements in Church Street were very narrow yet the plans did not appear to show any proposals to widen them, ideally they should be maintained and any materials used should match the existing. Mr. Morton stated that there were no such plans at present; however this was something that could be investigated.
Mrs. Worthington-Leese thanked Messrs. Morton and Scott for coming and taking the time to run through the proposals with members.
Matters Arising:-
97. Minute No. 82 : 8, Rowan Close Licence. Mrs. Worthington-Leese reported that the office had confirmed the cheque for £99.50 had cleared on 23rd November. The office had notified the Court of this and requested that the claim be withdrawn.
The £25 Court Fee was none refundable as it was paid when the claim form was completed, therefore the fee could not be refunded to the owners of 8, Rowan Close (as was stated in minute no. 82. of 12th November minutes). It was agreed that the matter was now closed.
98. Minute No’s. 84 & 85 : Village Design Statement. Small changes had been made to this document and it had been forwarded to Mr. Patrick Griffin (H.D.C. Strategic Planning) for him to make comments on. Mr. Griffin had acknowledged receipt of the document and had offered to attend the Planning & Development Meeting scheduled for 14th January at 7pm in order that he could discuss his comments and go through the process necessary for the Statement to be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document within H.D.C.’s Local Development Framework. Members AGREED:
That the office should accept Mr. Griffin’s kind offer to attend the 14th January meeting and that
all Parish Councillors should be informed, giving them the opportunity to attend should they so wish.
99. Minute No. 86a : DC/09/1902 – Brook End House. Mrs. Worthington-Leese announced that after much debate, comments had been sent to H.D.C. on 30th November. Members objected to the application mainly due to the unsympathetic design which would detract from the listed buildings and their setting and the fact that access would be via a private, unmade single track lane which was considered to be incapable of taking further traffic. Access onto the public highways (School Hill – B2139) was also considered dangerous. This application would be considered at the Development Control Committee on 15th December at 2pm, members were surprised to note that it was recommended for approval.
100. Minute No. 89 : Trees – The Glade. The office had contacted Storrington Conservation Society regarding these trees. Whilst they were aware of the trees in question and they had been worked on by Andrew Gale following his safety inspection last year, the trees concerned were healthy and not considered to pose a health and safety problem. Mrs Worthington-Leese read out the Conservation Society’s comments and it was AGREED that:
Due to budget constraints and as the Council had agreed that only essential tree works would be undertaken (on health and safety grounds), work would not be carried out on these trees at the present time. The office would notify the resident concerned on this decision
101. Minute No. 90 : DC/09/2359 – Angels Sandpit. Mrs Worthington-Leese announced to members that a public enquiry would be held on 9th February 2010 in Committee Rooms 1 & 2 and H.D.C.’s Park North Office. Mr Macey agreed to let the office know nearer the time, whether he would be able to attend on behalf of the Parish Council. It was AGREED that:
The office should let H.D.C. know that there would be a representative from the P.C. in attendance – name yet to be confirmed.
102. Laybrook Brickworks – WSCC/087/09/T. A member of the Thakeham Village Action Group had enquired as to whether the Parish Council would like to consider holding a Public Meeting at the Parish Hall. These had previously been held in Thakeham, Ashington and Shipley. The Village Action Group would be happy to organise the event, ensuring members from County and Cory Environmental etc. would be in attendance. It was AGREED that:
Should the hall be available for an evening in January, members would be happy that a meeting be held. However should there be no availability, a suggestion should be made to the Thakeham Village Action Group that they try either the Leisure Centre or Rydon School. It was also agreed that as the resubmitted application had minimal changes, our previous objections remained.
103. Planning Applications Awaiting Comment – Appendix I.
(a) DC/09/20251902 – St Joseph’s Abbey. It was agreed that before comments could be made on this application; members needed sight of the Archaeological report (yet to be submitted), further details on the sewerage issues, an update on the Edwardian glasshouses, confirmation that the Burmese doors would be protected, information on the widening of pavements in Church Street and who would be responsible for the public car park along with updated sketches/drawings showing the modifications made after H.D.C.’s Conservation Officer’s comments.
(b) DC/09/2028 – St Joseph’s Abbey – Conservation Consent. As per 102 (a) above.
(c) DC/09/2136 – 1, North Street. Mr. Roper kindly took this application away to comment on.
104. Planning Application Decisions – Appendix II. These were duly NOTED.
105. Planning Applications, Comment Summary – since the meeting on the 12th November, 2009. These were duly NOTED.
106. Appeal.
DC/09/1235 - Greenacres Farm and Holly Cottage, Washington Road. It was noted with surprise that this Appeal had been refused by the Planning Inspectorate.
107. Tree Preservation Order Confirmation.
Land Fronting 79-88 Meadowside. TPO 1399 had been confirmed on 2nd December for 1 x Whitebeam and 1 x Birch.
108. Chairman’s Announcements.
(a) Resignation of Co-Opted Member. Mrs Worthington-Leese read out the Clerks letter to Mr Aldridge dated 16th November 2009. .
(b) Letter sent to Storrington Camera Club. Mrs. Worthington-Leese confirmed that this had been sent on 30th November 2009.
(c) Gerston Farm. It had been confirmed that this site was not in the built-up area but was in the A.O.N.B.
(d) DC/07/1425 – Miramar (now Lionheart). Mrs. Worthington-Leese informed members that despite discussions between HDC and the property’s owner, no planning application had been received for the unauthorised fence (which has been erected since July). The Office has requested that this now go to Enforcement.
109. Documents for Councillors to Read.
(a) C.P.R.E Fieldwork – December 2009. An electronic copy of this document had been forwarded to those members on e-mail. Mr. Macey took away the hard copy to read.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.25 pm.
