Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the informal meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE held remotely on Monday 20 September 2021 at 7.30pm  

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Carolyn Barton, Kristian Berggreen, Bob Brewer, Leslie Campbell, Bill Hatton and Nick Owens,

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk: Tracy Forte.

P21/71 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.  Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Claire Tester.

P21/72 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.  There were no declarations of interest.

P21/73 MINUTES. Members noted the Minutes of the Meeting held on 31 August 2021 (previously circulated), for approval at the next Committee meeting.

P21/74 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  There were no members of the public present.

P21/75 APPLICATIONS

DM/21/3009 95 Dale Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LR Rear first floor flat roof side extension with external staircase and a Juliette balcony to the west elevation, to form an annex for ancillary accommodation to main dwelling. Replacement of existing windows and entrance door to front elevation including new cladding to existing dormers and fascias. New render to front elevation only painted white. Existing porch to be clad in timber effect cladding. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. This application is unneighbourly and represents overdevelopment of the site, and is therefore contrary to Character and Design, Policy 9, of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan and Policy DP26 of the District Plan.  The applicant is also 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/21/3097 13 Chancellors Park Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8EY Construction of garden room in rear garden. 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/21/2882 23 Oak Tree Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8YA Extend and enclose existing porch. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. This application is disproportionate to the size of the property and is not in keeping with the street scene.  Allowing this extension would set a precedent for future similar applications which would impact negatively on the character of the street scene. Therefore this application is contrary to Character and Design, Policy 9, of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan and Policy DP26 of the District Plan.

DM/21/2148 The Paddock London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NA Subdivision and remodelling of existing dwelling, and construction of a new dwelling.  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/21/3134 51 Ockley Way Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NF Small side extension with internal alterations, external render and replacement windows and doors from white to grey. 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/21/3131 7 Lodge Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LU Repair/Replacement of gutters, roof ridge tiles, central heating gas boiler and radiators. (Listed Building Consent) Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

DM/21/3230  Broadhill Cottage Ockley Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PA Oak (T1) – Reduce crown by 2m, raise crown to approx. 4m by removal of secondary growth only. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.   

DM/21/3233 Principals House 6 Ewart Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8FJ T26 Lime – Fell. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. This is a fine, mature Lime tree and the bar should be set high to justify felling it.  Unfortunately it is a fact that some lime trees do drip sap during the summer months, however this caused, not directly by the tree, but indirectly by aphids feeding on the leaves of the tree.  So logically if one can get rid of the aphids one can stop the problem. One suggested method is to spray the tree in Spring with a permitted anti-aphid product.

Therefore a preferred approach would be to recommend that the applicant uses professional help to mitigate the aphid problem next year. Then, if that fails, another application might be viewed more favourably.

DM/21/3255 Garage Block Clerks Acre Hassocks West Sussex  Ash (T1) and Lime (T2) (Meshed crowns) – reduce height from approx. 12m to 9. reduce radial spread on southeast and northern crown from approx. 8m to 5m. Balance crown to west. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

P21/76 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS. None.

P21/77 It was noted that the observations on the planning issues as recorded above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration in line with the Parish Council’s Standing Orders.

P21/78 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:              

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/21/2720 18 Keymer Road, Hassocks BN6 8AN.	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/21/2764 3 Highlands Close, Hassocks BN6 8LD	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/21/2875 46 London Road, Hassocks BN6 9NU	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/21/2697 3 Ewart Close, Hassocks BN6 8FJ	No comment submitted	Permission Granted
SDNP/21/04221/PNTEL Telecommunications Mast, Brighton Road, Hassocks.	Recommend Approval	No objection
DM/21 2484 32 Ockenden Way, Hassocks BN6 8HS	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/21/2716 18 Keymer Road, Hassocks BN6 8AN	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted

The following notifications of Certificate of Lawful Use or Development (LDC), General Permitted Development (GDP) and/or Prior Approval were noted:

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/21/2572 97 Mackie Avenue, Hassocks (LDC)	Noted	Refusal of Certificate of Lawful Development..
DM/21/2788 109 Dale Avenue, hassocks BN6 8LR (LDC)	Noted	Certificate of Lawful Development issued

P21/79 Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.  None.

P21/80 DATE OF NEXT MEETING.   Monday 11 October 2021 at 7.30pm. To be held remotely.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.30pm.