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, 11th January, 2007, commencing at 7.00 p.m.


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

In Attendance:  Mr. A. Aldridge, Mr. R. Carter and Mr. A. Head
   Mr. G. Moore, Mr. R. Jerman, Mrs. J. White (Tree Wardens).
              

56.    To Receive Declarations of Interest from Members.  Mrs. A. Worthington-Leese and Mrs. L. Wheatley declared personal interests in planning applications DC/06/2577 and DC/06/3007.

57.    To Approve and Sign the Minutes of the Last Meeting held on the 14th September, 2006.  Minute No. 40 - (Minute No, 24: DC/06/0637 – North Street Car Park), page 1, second line the word ‘has’ should read ‘had’.  Minute No. 45 (Planning Application Decisions – See Appendix II), page 3, second line of 3rd paragraph the word ‘current’ should read ‘currently’.  Minute No. 47 (Planning Application DC/06/1703), page 3, second line of second paragraph the words ‘has’ and ‘is’ should read ‘had’ and ‘was’.  Minute No. 49 (Tree Report) first, second and third lines of paragraph 2 the words ‘has’, ‘is’ and ‘reduces’ should read ‘had’, ‘was’ and ‘reduced respectively.  Minute No. 51 (Application to English Heritage to List 18 – 34, North Street and Flint Wall), second line the word ‘acknowledge’ should read. ‘acknowledged’.  With these amendments, the minutes were duly AGREED to be a correct record of the proceedings thereat and were signed by the Chairman.

    Matters Arising:-

58.    Minute No. 19: Abbey House – Update.  It was reported that this application had gone to H.D.C.’s Development Control Committee on 19th December 2006; however, to date no decision had been reported to the Parish Council.

59.    Minute No. 20: Storrington Character Assessment – Update from Mr. J. Macey.  Mr. Macey reported that he had not proceeded further since the last meeting.  He believed that members had not fully anticipated the amount of work that was required to complete this Character Assessment.  H.D.C. had offered to participate and it was agreed that H.D.C. should be brought on board to assist where possible.  It was AGREED that:-

Mr. J. Macey should arrange a meeting with H.D.C. via Hilary Conlon, involving  Mr. R. Dawe.

60.    Minute No. 21: Southern Water – Update.  Information had been received from Southern Water on 17th November which was not relevant to the Council’s request or legible.  The Office had written back stating that this information was worthless, notifying Southern Water that we would again be contacting the Information Commissioner’s Officer assigned to this case – asking that he re-open the file. 

Mr. Moss’ (I.C.O.) response was to write back to Southern Water stating that as they had withheld the requested information the Parish Council should demand they issue a refusal notice explaining what information they hold and why it had not been made available.  It was UNANIMOUSLY AGREED:-

    That a letter should be written to Southern Water stating:  “With reference to our recent conversations with Mr John Moss (Information Commissioner’s Office) we have been advised that in relation to any withheld information, you should have issued the Parish Council with a refusal notice, explaining what information is held and why it had not been made available.  Please issue that refusal notice without further delay.”

61.    Minute No. 24: DC/06/0637 – North Street Car Park Update.  Mrs Worthington-Leese and Mr. Dawe attended a meeting with H.D.C. on 19th December 2006.  H.D.C. had decided that this application was now not considered to be the best use for this piece of land.  The Parish Council strongly opposed this application and were looking at other options.  Mr. Mullard explained that the original purchase of this piece of land (by Storrington Parish Council) was with the objective of having a communal office built.

62.    Planning Applications Awaiting Comment – See Appendix I.  These were duly NOTED.

63.    Planning Application Decisions – See Appendix II:-

    DC/06/2348: Ashleigh House Stables – Stable Grooms’ and Assistant Trainers Accommodation.  It was noted that H.D.C., had refused this application despite the Parish Council having no objections.

    It was still considered opportune to have a meeting with H.D.C.’s Planning Department.  This Meeting would be arranged once the outcome of their Planning Review had been received,  bearing in mind also, other planning matters requiring further explanation.  This was AGREED.

64.    Planning Applications – Comment Summary – See Appendix III.  These were duly NOTED.

65.    Letters of Explanation from H.D.C., with regard to their decisions.  There were no letters of explanation. 

66.    Appeals Lodged :-

(a)    Planning Application No. DC/06/1274: Demolition of Knapweld and the erection of 2 x 3 bed Semi-Detached Dwellings, 3 x 5 bed detached dwellings, garaging and access.  A detailed letter up-holding the Council’s objections had been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate on 20th December 2006. 

 (b)    Planning Application No. SR/102/03. – Sullington Lane Enforcement Notice.  It was noted that the applicant had appealed against the Enforcement Notice and that an Appeal would be held by Public Inquiry.  Parish Council representations need to be in writing and it was AGREED that:-

Mr. J. Macey would construct a letter on behalf of the Parish
Council. 

67.    S.106 Monies

DC/06/0723    Land at 5, New Town Cottages, Storrington.  Community Facilities Contribution of £1,950.  Transport Infrastructure Contribution of £1,463.
DC/06/0991    Land at 2, New Town Cottages, Storrington.  Community Facilities Contribution of £2,550.  Transport Infrastructure Contribution of £1,462.
DC/06/0724    Land between 2 & 3 New Town Cottages, Storrington.  Community Facilities Contribution of £5,100.  Transport Infrastructure Contribution of £2,926. 

68.    Trees :-

Tree Report by Mr. G. Moore.

(a)    Storrington Pond.  Mr. Moore had been asked to look at a tall Willow Tree near Storrington pond by neighbours to the west of the pond.  He requested Mr. W. Jones of H.D.C. assistance, but to date had not had a response.  Mr Moore contacted Mr Pullen (Tree and Woodlands Officer at H.D.C.) who visited the site and said that the tree was perfectly safe and did not require any surgery.  Whilst visiting, Mr. Pullen also viewed a second Willow tree adjacent to the edge of the pond which was noted to be rotten and Mr Pullen advised that this tree should be felled. It was AGREED:-

That the removal of this tree should be put out to tender.

(b)    The Glade.  Mr Pullen had been most helpful and had also accompanied Mr. Moore to view The Glade.  Mr. Moore reported that the landscaping at The Glade had been done; although it had not been completed to a very good standard.  It was also reported that the Builders were to pay the Parish Council a sum of £250 in lieu of infilling the hedge along the eastern edge of the site. 

    There was an oak tree in between two properties to the west of The Glade (DC/06/1607) which was to be removed by the owners and a replacement tree planted to the east of the property (where more space was available).

    Mr. Pullen had also supplied Mr. Moore with a draft copy of H.D.C.’s Tree Management Policy, which had been copied to Mrs. White and Mr. Jerman.
   
(c)          Infrastructure Improvements – Recreation Ground.  Mr. Dawe had informed Mr. Moore that some trees would be removed when the infrastructure improvements at the Recreation Centre were carried out.  It was requested that Tree Wardens be kept informed regarding these works, as currently they were unaware of the situation.

(d)      Re-planting of Tree.  Mr. Moore reported that the Tree Wardens met earlier in the week to discuss various issues.  He requested that he be kept informed regarding the possible planting of a tree (to replace one which was there in the past) in front of Henry Adams Estate Agents.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese stated that she thought this was included within the new design plan for the village.


(e)    Mr. Jerman reported that he had finally received a response from Mr. Jones to his letter of 3rd September regarding the possibility of placing Tree Preservation Orders on various trees at the site to the west of New Town Road.  Mr. Jones had added this request to his list and would investigate the matter as soon as he could.

(f)    Tree Preservation Order No. 1316 – 1, Longland Avenue. 
Tree Preservation Order No. 1317 – 17–19 Pulborough Road. 
Tree Preservation Order No. 1318 – Land South of Oak Close. 
Tree Preservation Order No. 1319 – Land South of Oak End. 
These were duly NOTED.

69.    Future Meetings (bearing in mind Parish Council Involvement) inter-relationship with other Committees.  It was agreed that as the Parish Council ratified the Planning Minutes, there should not be an issue regarding planning application comments.  Mrs. Worthington-Leese stated that the Planning Committee only made recommendations and that final decisions were made by H.D.C.  Members of the public are invited to attend all Parish Meetings and indeed, Councillors receive copies of the agenda and appendices (which include all planning applications to be discussed) well in advance of the Planning Meetings, in order that they can attend the meeting should they wish to take note of the Committee’s recommendations or make comments.

    Chairman’s Announcements:-

70.    One Stop Convenience Store, 4-6 The Square.  Land South of Sandown, Amberley Road.  It was noted that these applications were to be considered at the Development Control Committee meeting scheduled for 16th January 2007.
   
71.    A283, Greenacre Farm, Washington Road.  Mr. Mullard read out Mr. V. Tipper’s letter from W.S.C.C. regarding the reopening of the entrance of Willow Tree Cottage.  It was AGREED:-

    To write to H.D.C.’s Enforcement Officer stating that it had been noted that on occasions the gate had been left opened.  We should request that they look into the matter, suggesting that the gate be removed and the entrance permanently sealed to prevent any further possible use.

72.    Flint Cottages - Number 18 – 24 North Street.  Mr Mullard read out a letter from residents who did not wish to have the abovementioned properties and flint wall listed.  There comments were NOTED.


There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20 p.m.