Planning Committee

Agenda

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

To:   All Members of the Planning Committee (Cllrs Kristian Berggreen, Robert Brewer, Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Bill Hatton and Angus Neil) with copies to all other Councillors for information.

A meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE will be held on 16 September 2024 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks.

Parish Clerk 10 September 2024

AGENDA

1. TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

2. TO ACCEPT DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Disclosure by Councillors of personal and/or pecuniary interests in matters on the agenda and whether the Councillors regard their interest as prejudicial/pecuniary under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

3. MINUTES. To accept the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 August 2024 (previously circulated).

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

5. APPLICATIONS (copies of each application can be viewed online via the Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) Website – https://pa.midsussex.gov.uk/online-applications/

5.1 DM/24/1982 33 Grand Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DE Replace existing single storey extension flat roof with mono pitch to include rooflights, new bifold doors and glazed door in place of existing windows.

5.2 DM/24/1748 42 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NL Erection of two storey dwellinghouse with basement, alongside replacement two storey rear extension to existing dwelling, relocation of rear swimming pool and enclosure within new pool house.

5.3 DM/24/2095 3 The Crescent Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RB 2 x Ash – Fell.

5.4 DM/24/2045 Montrose 32 Woodsland Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HG Outline application for the erection of a single detached dwelling and garage (re-submission of DM/20/2760) with all matters reserved.

5.5 DM/24/2085 Land Rear Of 15 Priory Road London Road Hassocks West Sussex Ash – Reduce canopy by 2-3 metres.

5.6 DM/24/2071 9 Challow Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JW Demolition of existing conservatory and replacement with single storey rear extension. Proposed first floor front extension.

5.7 DM/24/2161 76 Friars Oak Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PY  Ash (T1) – fell – the tree has dieback.

5.8 DM/24/1896 17 Downs View Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HJ Removal of existing rear deck and external rear wall. Proposed single storey extension and new raised deck to the rear. Relocate and position an existing garden office on top of the proposed raised deck.

6. APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS. None

7. DECISION NOTICES.

8. GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED REFORMS TO THE NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK AND OTHER CHANGES TO THE PLANNING SYSTEM. Members are invited to note this consultation and to consider if any submission is to be made on behalf of Hassocks Parish Council. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system. (Appendix 1).

9. STAGE 1 MID SUSSEX LOCAL PLAN EXAMINATION HEARINGS. Members are invited to note correspondence received regarding the MSDC Local Plan Examination Hearings. (Appendix 2)

10. URGENT MATTERS at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.

11. Date of Next Meeting. 7 October 2024 at 7.30pm

Please Note

All members of the public are welcome to attend meetings of the Parish Council and its Committees.  Item 4 – a period of 15 minutes will be set aside for the public statements and questions relating to the published non-confidential business of the Meeting.

It may be necessary to consider particular items in confidential session and where this arises, these items will be considered at the end of the agenda.

FILMING, RECORDING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

During this meeting members of the public may film or record the Committee and officers from the public area only providing it does not disrupt the meeting. The Confidential section of the meeting may not be filmed or recorded. If a member of the public objects to being recorded, the person(s) filming must stop doing so until that member of the public has finished speaking. The use of social media is permitted but members of the public are requested to switch their mobile devices to silent for the duration of the meeting.

 Appendix 1  

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

To:      Planning Committee                                                   Date: 16 September 2024

Contacts for this report: Deputy Clerk

Subject: Agenda Item 8 – Government Consultation on Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system.

1. Members are invited to note the Government Consultation on Proposed Reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system. This consultation is seeking views on the Government’s proposed approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Government is also seeking views on a series of wider policy proposals in relation to increasing planning fees, local plan intervention criteria and appropriate thresholds for certain Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.

2. Full details can be on the Government website through the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system.

3. The closing date for comments is 24 September 2024.

4. Members are also invited to note a briefing note (circulated as a background paper) prepared by Steve Tilbury BA(Hons) MSc Assoc. RTPI, WSALC Planning Consultant, with the aim of assisting council’s with their responses.

5. Members are invited to consider the consultation and agree any comments to be made on behalf of Hassocks Parish Council.

Appendix 2 

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

To:      Planning Committee                                                  Date: 16 September 2024

Contacts for this report: Deputy Clerk

Subject: Agenda Item 9 – STAGE 1 MID SUSSEX LOCAL PLAN EXAMINATION HEARINGS.

1. Members are invited to note the following correspondence regarding the Stage 1 Mid Sussex Local Plan Examination Hearings.

Mid Sussex District Plan Examination

Inspector:  Louse Nurser BA(Hons), Dip UP MRTPI

Programme Officer: Ms Charlotte Glancy
c/o Banks Solutions, 80 Lavinia Way,

East Preston, West Sussex, BN16 1DD
Tel: 01903 776601
Email: bankssolutionsuk@gmail.com

28 August 2024

Dear Representor,

I am contacting you as a duly made representor to the Mid Sussex District Plan 2021-2039 Examination i.e., you submitted comments to the Regulation 19 consultation on the Submission Local Plan.

The Inspector
The Secretary of State has appointed an independent inspector, Louse Nurser BA(Hons), Dip UP MRTPI to conduct the Examination of the Plan.

Programme Officer Role  
I have been appointed as the independent Programme Officer working under the Inspector’s direction. I am responsible for managing the day to day arrangements of the Examination, dealing with all correspondence on the Inspector’s behalf and acting as first point of call for all communication between the Inspector, the Council and all other parties.

For more guidance on the examination procedure and my role, the Planning Inspectorate has produced a booklet ‘Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations’. A copy of this document is available on the Planning Inspectorate’s web site:
Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations

The Stage 1 Examination Hearings, Inspector’s MIQs, Guidance & Draft Programme
The Inspector has published a set of Stage 1 Matters, Issues and Questions (MIQs), a Guidance Note on how to engage in the examination and a stage 1 draft hearing programme. Full details on how to participate or observe will be made available on the Examination Webpage.  The Planning Inspectorate have produced a helpful set of videos here, setting out how to take part in a Local Plan Examination.  Stage 1 Hearings will take place in person between 22nd October- 31st October 2024 (including reserve sessions).

Please refer to the guidance note for deadline dates in letting me know about participating and Hearing Statements.  Please send hearing statements electronically to bankssolutionsuk@gmail.com and one hard copy as set out in the guidance note, to my address at the top of this communication.

Public Notice of hearings

A public notice for the stage 1 hearings will be published shortly with details of dates and the venue of the stage 1 hearings (this is set out in the guidance note also).

Examination correspondence
Email is the preferred method of communication as it is cost-effective, traceable and an accepted method for formal communication.  Please also add my email address to your address book to ensure future correspondence is received and not sent into your spam or junk folders. Please also note that all data held will be GDPR compliant.

Access to documents
All Examination related documentation is hosted on the Council’s examination webpage & examination library, which can be accessed here:
Examination Webpage.
Examination Documents.

Please make sure you keep checking the examination webpage and examination Library, for any updates or new documents (hit refresh for new updates).  Hard copies of documentation may be made available on a request basis.  If you require any assistance accessing documents relating to the Local Plan, please contact me in the first instance.

My usual working hours are between 9am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday, but I am happy to deal with a reasonable level of queries outside of those times, as I understand some people may not have the opportunity to contact me during work hours.

I will send out communications as the Examination progresses. If you have any queries throughout the Examination, please contact me on the below numbers or email.

Yours faithfully

Charlotte Glancy
Programme Officer
C/O Banks Solutions
Important Links
Examination Webpage
Evidence Library
Inspector’s MIQs
Inspector’s Guidance Note
Stage 1 Draft Hearing Programme
How to take part in an Examination.

Copyright (C) 2024 Charlotte Glancy, Programme Officer, Banks Solutions. All rights reserved.

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Monday 16 September 2024 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Kristian Berggreen, Cllr Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Cllr Bill Hatton and Cllr Angus Neil.

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk – Tracy Forte, Cllr Frances Gaudencio and five members of the public.

P24/67 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Absent without apology Cllr Robert Brewer.

P24/68 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.  There were none.

P24/69 ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.

P24/70 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 27 August 2024 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P24/71 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  The residents of 40, 44 and 46 Hurst Road attended the meeting to speak in opposition to application DM/24/1748 42 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NL.

Each of the residents had also shared written objections with the Committee prior to the meeting; these can all be viewed on the Mid Sussex District Council Planning Portal.  DM/24/1748 42 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NL

Members listened to the resident’s reasons for objecting to the application which included:

  • breaches in National, District and Neighbourhood Policies,
  • loss of light and outlook,
  • the proposed new dwelling being out of character and impacting negatively on the street scene,
  • a negative impact on biodiversity,
  • a lack of transparency about land ownership,
  • and concerns over the potential for additional future overdevelopment development on the site and within the local gap.

P24/72 The chair proposed considering application DM/24/1748 42 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NL first, which was fully supported by the committee.

P24/73 APPLICATIONS.

DM/24/1748 42 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NL Erection of two storey dwellinghouse with basement, alongside replacement two storey rear extension to existing dwelling, relocation of rear swimming pool and enclosure within new pool house.

RECOMMEND REFUSAL.  This application is not respectful of the neighbouring properties or the street scene in terms of scale or character.  As such, the application is contrary to Policy 9, Character and Design of the Referendum Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan and DP 26 Character and Design of the District Plan. 

Furthermore the application is set within both the Hurst – Hassocks and Hassocks – Burgess Hill Local Gaps which are protected by Local Gap Policies DP6 of the Mid Sussex District Plan and HNP 1 of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan.   These gaps should be protected from any future development.

The applicant has not provided details about the management of foul water drainage from the new dwelling; it is considered that clarification around this matter should be sought prior to any decision being made.

It is noted that this application has received a significant number of local objections and Hassocks PC would therefore request that consideration is given to the application before being decided by Committee rather than by an Officer under the delegation scheme.

Finally the Committee has been made aware that there appears to be some confusion over the expiry date for the submission of comments which is misleading for consultees, and may result in the correct deadline being missed.   It was understood that the expiry date was 17th September, however on the Planning Portal under Important Dates, the expiry date is shown as 27th September and on the site notice, the closing date for comments is given as 10th October.   Please could this be clarified for all consultees.

All members of the public left the meeting.

DM/24/1982 33 Grand Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DE Replace existing single storey extension flat roof with mono pitch to include rooflights, new bifold doors and glazed door in place of existing windows. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL. The applicant is advised that Government has committed to adopt a ‘Future Buildings Standard’ during 2021 which will change the Building Regulations requirements for alterations and extensions to homes to bring these alterations closer to that of a ‘zero energy building’.  This is supported by Policy 5 ‘Enabling Zero Carbon’ of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan which states that proposals that modify existing buildings (including extensions) should seek to maximise the inclusion of energy-saving measures and renewable energy generation.  Energy saving measures include floor, roof and wall insulation, and low u-value windows (which may need to be triple glazed).  These requirements may require amendments to your design which could affect the drawings submitted for planning permission. The applicant may wish to note that alterations that are built to a Nearly Zero Energy standard, are unlikely to need further retrofitting to minimise the carbon emissions that the nation is required to reduce to zero by 2050.  As retrofitting an existing home to be highly energy efficient is more complex than doing so for a new building, applicants may wish to look at the ‘EnerPHit’ standard that the Government is understood to be considering as the applicable “Nearly Zero Energy’ standard in this context, or at the Architypes published by the London Energy Transformation Initiative for u-values for your extension walls, windows etc. and for ventilation and overheating prevention standards to be achieved.

DM/24/2095 3 The Crescent Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RB 2 x Ash – Fell. Response: Defer to MSDC Tree Officer’s decision.

DM/24/2045 Montrose 32 Woodsland Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HG Outline application for the erection of a single detached dwelling and garage (re-submission of DM/20/2760) with all matters reserved. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL. The applicant is advised that Government has committed to adopt a ‘Future Buildings Standard’ during 2021 which will change the Building Regulations requirements for alterations and extensions to homes to bring these alterations closer to that of a ‘zero energy building’.  This is supported by Policy 5 ‘Enabling Zero Carbon’ of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan which states that proposals that modify existing buildings (including extensions) should seek to maximise the inclusion of energy-saving measures and renewable energy generation.  Energy saving measures include floor, roof and wall insulation, and low u-value windows (which may need to be triple glazed).  These requirements may require amendments to your design which could affect the drawings submitted for planning permission. The applicant may wish to note that alterations that are built to a Nearly Zero Energy standard, are unlikely to need further retrofitting to minimise the carbon emissions that the nation is required to reduce to zero by 2050.  As retrofitting an existing home to be highly energy efficient is more complex than doing so for a new building, applicants may wish to look at the ‘EnerPHit’ standard that the Government is understood to be considering as the applicable “Nearly Zero Energy’ standard in this context, or at the Architypes published by the London Energy Transformation Initiative for u-values for your extension walls, windows etc. and for ventilation and overheating prevention standards to be achieved.

DM/24/2085 Land Rear Of 15 Priory Road London Road Hassocks West Sussex Ash – Reduce canopy by 2-3 metres. Response: Defer to MSDC Tree Officer’s decision.

DM/24/2071 9 Challow Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JW Demolition of existing conservatory and replacement with single storey rear extension. Proposed first floor front extension. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL. The applicant is advised that Government has committed to adopt a ‘Future Buildings Standard’ during 2021 which will change the Building Regulations requirements for alterations and extensions to homes to bring these alterations closer to that of a ‘zero energy building’.  This is supported by Policy 5 ‘Enabling Zero Carbon’ of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan which states that proposals that modify existing buildings (including extensions) should seek to maximise the inclusion of energy-saving measures and renewable energy generation.  Energy saving measures include floor, roof and wall insulation, and low u-value windows (which may need to be triple glazed).  These requirements may require amendments to your design which could affect the drawings submitted for planning permission. The applicant may wish to note that alterations that are built to a Nearly Zero Energy standard, are unlikely to need further retrofitting to minimise the carbon emissions that the nation is required to reduce to zero by 2050.  As retrofitting an existing home to be highly energy efficient is more complex than doing so for a new building, applicants may wish to look at the ‘EnerPHit’ standard that the Government is understood to be considering as the applicable “Nearly Zero Energy’ standard in this context, or at the Architypes published by the London Energy Transformation Initiative for u-values for your extension walls, windows etc. and for ventilation and overheating prevention standards to be achieved.

DM/24/2161 76 Friars Oak Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PY  Ash (T1) – fell – the tree has dieback. Response: Defer to MSDC Tree Officer’s decision.

DM/24/1896 17 Downs View Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HJ Removal of existing rear deck and external rear wall. Proposed single storey extension and new raised deck to the rear. Relocate and position an existing garden office on top of the proposed raised deck. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL. The applicant is advised that Government has committed to adopt a ‘Future Buildings Standard’ during 2021 which will change the Building Regulations requirements for alterations and extensions to homes to bring these alterations closer to that of a ‘zero energy building’.  This is supported by Policy 5 ‘Enabling Zero Carbon’ of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan which states that proposals that modify existing buildings (including extensions) should seek to maximise the inclusion of energy-saving measures and renewable energy generation.  Energy saving measures include floor, roof and wall insulation, and low u-value windows (which may need to be triple glazed).  These requirements may require amendments to your design which could affect the drawings submitted for planning permission. The applicant may wish to note that alterations that are built to a Nearly Zero Energy standard, are unlikely to need further retrofitting to minimise the carbon emissions that the nation is required to reduce to zero by 2050.  As retrofitting an existing home to be highly energy efficient is more complex than doing so for a new building, applicants may wish to look at the ‘EnerPHit’ standard that the Government is understood to be considering as the applicable “Nearly Zero Energy’ standard in this context, or at the Architypes published by the London Energy Transformation Initiative for u-values for your extension walls, windows etc. and for ventilation and overheating prevention standards to be achieved.

P24/74 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS. None.

P24/75 RESOLVED that the observations on the planning issues as agreed above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration.

P24/76 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:

Application details Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/24/1599 17 Kings Drive, Hassocks Recommend Approval Permission Granted
DM/24/1904 Land between Keymer Road and North Bank, Hassocks Recommend Approval Permission Granted
DM/24/1474 5 Wilmington Close, Hassocks Recommend Approval Permission Granted
DM/24/0407 Barn Cottage, Ockley Lane, Hassocks Recommend Refusal Permission Granted
DM/24/1565 1 Newlands Close, Hassocks Recommend Approval Permission Granted
DM/24/1999 28 Lodge Lane, Hassocks Defer to MSDC Tree Officer’s decision No Objection
DM/24/1903 4 Station Approach East, Hassocks Recommend Approval Permission Granted

 

P24/77 GOVERNMENT CONSULTATION ON PROPOSED REFORMS TO THE NATIONAL PLANNING POLICY FRAMEWORK AND OTHER CHANGES TO THE PLANNING SYSTEM. Members were invited to note this consultation and to consider any submission to be made on behalf of Hassocks Parish Council.     https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system.  Cllr Frances Gaudencio informed the Committee that she had reviewed elements of the consultation proposals, drawing on the briefing document provided by WSALC which had been provided as a background paper.  Cllr Gaudencio shared some of her considerations with the Committee, noting in particular, questions around addressing infrastructure and flood mitigation as part of the planning process.  Members discussed Cllr Gaudencio’s observations and offered their support to her comments in general.

It was recognised by the Committee that the consultation is lengthy and detailed, and therefore that Members did not necessarily have the expertise or time required to make a full submission; particularly as the closing date was 24 September 2024.   However, the Committee was supportive of a partial submission being made on behalf of HPC and given the limited window of time, it was agreed that this would be delegated to Cllr Gaudencio. Cllr Gaudencio offered to prepare a proposed submission paper which would be circulated to Members in advance for comments/agreement prior to a formal submission being made by the Deputy Clerk.

P24/78 STAGE 1 MID SUSSEX LOCAL PLAN EXAMINATION HEARINGS.  Members were invited to note correspondence providing information on the MSDC Local Plan Examination Hearings to be held on 22-31 October 2024. This was noted by Members.

P24/79 URGENT MATTERS at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda. There were no urgent matters.

P24/80 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Monday 7 October 2024 at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.45pm.