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, 8th January, 2009, 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. G. Peck (HDC’s Development Control – South Team Leader) and Mr. A. Head.

86.        Apologies for Absence were received from Messrs. R. Dawe (prior engagement), Mr. A. Aldridge (personal reasons) and Mrs. G. King (prior engagement).  The reasons for absence were duly ACCEPTED.

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

88.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 13th November 2008.  These minutes were duly APPROVED as being a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were duly signed by the Chairman. 

89.    HDC Changes to Permitted Development Rights – Presentation by Gary Peck.  The Chairman proposed that this item be brought forward before Matters Arising.

    Gary Peck took the floor and distributed handouts to all attendees on the Changes to Householder Permitted Development Rights (attached).  He explained that these new Development Rights came into effect on 1st October 2008; they had been quite confusing as some of the guidelines were not particularly clear and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) had left some decisions to “local interpretation”.  The DCLG’s aim was to reduce the number of householder planning applications by up to 30%, however to date the changes had in fact resulted in an increase in letters and telephone enquiries.  Gary Peck explained that this reduction would be quite difficult to gauge at present due to the economic down-turn, however it was felt that the 30% reduction would probably not be reached.

    Mrs. Worthington-Leese asked that if a particular development did not require planning permission, how neighbours/local residents could put forward their opinions.  Gary Peck stated that they would not be able to; there would be no application so no means to appeal.

    Mr. Peck emphasized that the size limits etc. related to the size of the property as it stood currently and not when it was originally built.  Members were interested to note that planning permission would now be required for hard surfacing (i.e. driveways) of an area of more than 5 metres if the surface was non-permeable or non-porous, even if replacing an existing surface.

    There were no changes for development rights for new builds, listed buildings and properties in the conservation area.

    Concern was expressed regarding the automatic allowance of some extensions and that there was now no requirement to maintain style.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese asked how people would know what they could and could not do regarding development; to which Gary Peck responded that the planning portal website was of great help www.planningportal.gov.uk. 

Individuals would be able to launch an interactive house where they could click on various parts of the house/garden/hedge etc. and the site would instruct them on the rules and regulations for that particular item.  Of course HDC Planning Department were still expecting people to write in and telephone them with enquiries.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED to:

Point out the changes to the householder permitted development rights in the next edition of Storrington News and publish details of the portal website and HDC’s Planning contact details (for those without internet access).

Matters Arising:-

90.    Minute No. 72: Tree Issues.

    (a)    Tree Works around Storrington Pond.  Mr. A. Gale had been very busy and had not had time to revisit the site and speak to the occupier of 5, The Willows.
    (b)    Works to Ash Trees at Parish Hall Car Park.  These works had been completed on 1st December 2008.
    (c)     Tree Works at Recreation Ground.  Mr. A. Gale’s quotation of £117.50 (inc VAT) to uplift and laterally prune lower branches around a street lamp (including chipping and disposal) had been accepted on 14th November 2008.  Work was due to commence during the week of 5th January.
    (d)    Planting along fence line with Pulborough Road.  Mr. A. Gale’s quotation of £320 (+ VAT) had been accepted on 4th December 2008 and we were currently awaiting a date for this work to be scheduled in.

91.         Minute No. 73: Listing of The Old School Building.  The office had contacted Mr. E. Hues who had kindly agreed to provide some information on the building and its history.  He would call the office when he had collated the relevant information.  The office would then hopefully be able to put forward a strong case to English Heritage requesting the building be listed.

92.    Minute No. 74: Enforcement Issues.

(a)    A complaint had been received regarding a wire fence that had been erected adjacent to the highway in front of the Catholic Sanctuary (Shrine) near the Monastery Lane/Fern Road junction.  Mr. E. Hughes (HDC’s Enforcement Officer) had visited the site and reported to the office that there was another access to the shrine about 10 metres along from the one fenced off; so there was not an issue regarding the area being inaccessible to the public.  
(b)    Satellite Dish outside Martins.  Mrs Worthington-Leese reported to members that this dish had been removed.

93.    Planning Applications Awaiting Comment – Appendix I. 

(a)    DC/08/2500 – Washington Pit, Hampers Lane – Variation of Conditions 1, 6
     and 13 for the extension of sand extraction operations.  All Committee Members
     viewed this application and it was UNANINMOUSLY AGREED that:
    Members would wait until the site visit (arranged by County Councillor
     Mr Frank Wilson) on 15th January at 11am had taken place, before
     sending comments to W.S.C.C.  Office would check that this was
     acceptable with W.S.C.C. Once a conclusion was reached, a copy of our
     comments would be forwarded to Washington Parish Council for
     their information.

(b)    DC/08/2565 – 19, Hillside Road – Re-positioning of Southern Boundary Fence. 
     Discussions took place regarding this application and it was UNANINMOUSLY
    AGREED to:

        Object to this application as it was felt to be out of keeping with the
         surrounding area and detracted from the street scene.

(c)     DC/08/2576 – Rectory Cottages, West Street – Surgery to various trees.
Discussions took place regarding this application and it was UNANINMOUSLY
AGREED that:

Provided Will Jones (HDC’s Arboricultural Officer) felt the work was necessary, members had no objection to this application.

(d)    DC/08/2616 – Oakwood, Spierbridge Road – Various Tree works.  Mrs.
Wheatley discussed the application with members and as the applicant had consulted a reputable Tree Surgeon and the trees were in need of some attention, it was UNANINMOUSLY AGREED to:

        Support this application.

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

95.    Planning Applications, Comment Summary – since the meeting on the 13th November, 2008.   These were duly NOTED.
   
96.    Appeals Lodged.

(a)    DC/08/1934 – Land Adjacent to Le Fleur De Sel, Manleys Hill, Storrington.
     Erection of 3 Terraced Cottages.  An Appeal had been lodged against HDC’s
     decision to refuse to grant planning permission.  A letter had already been sent to the
     Planning Inspectorate reiterating our Strong Objections to this application
(b)    DC/08/1403 – M J Garages, Old Mill Drive, Storrington. Retention of 1 x
     internally illuminated double sided, pole mounted display unit.  An Appeal had
     been lodged against HDC’s decision to refuse to grant advertisement consent.
(c)     DC/08/0918 – 3-7, Church Street.  Demolition of existing single-storey
     residential building and the erection of 2 single storey 2-bed residential units.
     Mrs. Worthington-Leese announced that the Appeal had been withdrawn.

97.    Appeal Decisions

(a)    DC/07/2230 – Land North of Catholic Cemetery, South of Kithurst Lane.  Eight
         Ecological Secure Dwellings for the Elderly. APPEAL DISMISSED.
    (b)    DC/08/0419 – Holly cottage, Washington Road.  Erection of a Single Storey
         Conservatory to the rear of the Existing House.  APPEAL GRANTED.   

    (c)     DC/07/2389 – No. 4, Byre Cottages, Sullington Manor Farm.  Proposed erection
         of attached Conservatory. – APPEAL DISMISSED.

98.    Tree Preservation Order.

TPO No. 1383 – Ketrey, Woodpecker Lane.  1 x Oak and 1 x Silver Birch CONFIRMED.
 
99.    Chairman’s Announcements.

(a)     HDC’s Members’ Involvement in Planning Decisions Document.  This document had been circulated to all members in advance of the meeting.

    (b)    Digital Mapping for Parish and Town Councils.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese 
     announced to all members that Mr John Cowling (of Pear Technology) would be
     giving a presentation on the digital mapping system and how best it would suit the
     Parish Council’s requirements at our next Planning & Development Committee
     Meeting – Thursday 12th February 2009.  The office was asked to inform all Parish
     Councillors of this presentation.

100.    Documents for Councillors to Read.

Mrs. Worthington-Leese took away HDC’s LDF to 2018 – Horsham Town Design Statement Supplementary Planning Document to read.


There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20 pm.