Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the informal meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE held remotely on Monday 1 November 2021 at 7.30pm

 Attendees: Parish Councillors: Carolyn Barton, Kristian Berggreen (Chair), Bob Brewer, Leslie Campbell, Bill Hatton, Nick Owens and Claire Tester.

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk: Tracy Forte.

P21/92 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.  There were no apologies for absence.

P21/93 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.  There were no declarations of interest.

P21/94 MINUTES. Members noted the Minutes of the Meeting held on 11 October 2021 (previously circulated), for approval at the next Committee meeting.

P21/95 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  There were no members of the public present.

P21/96 APPLICATIONS

DM/21/3543 40 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NL Two storey and single storey side extension. Single storey rear extension, demolition of existing detached garage/storage building. 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/21/3554 38 Grand Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DE First floor extension, replace existing pebble dash render with smooth render and new bi-fold doors to rear. 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/21/3602 26 Ann Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NB Creation of a new-build two-bedroom bungalow (C3). Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL.  Despite the amendments which have been made to the previously refused application for this site (DM/21/1547), the Parish Council maintains its reasons for refusal.  The proposed application represents overdevelopment of the site even more so than the similar recently built dwelling at 1 Ann Close (DM/19/1008).  This site is slightly smaller and much shallower resulting in almost no private amenity space to the rear of proposed new dwelling.  This application therefore continues to be contrary to Policy DP26: Character and Design of the District Plan and Policy 9: Character and Design of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan.

Furthermore, in its refusal of the previous application (DM/21/1547) MSDC stated that:

‘Insufficient information has been submitted detailing the sustainable design and construction of the proposal, the application would therefore conflict with policy DP39 of the Mid Sussex District Plan, policy 5 of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan, the Mid Sussex Design Guide and the relevant provision of the NPPF.’

Hassocks Parish Council considers that this application continues to fail to comply with Policy 5 of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan or DP 39, of the District Plan and that the reasons for refusal as given by MSDC remain unchanged.  The Parish Council is also concerned over the proposed loss of a healthy chestnut tree to accommodate a drainage solution which is again contrary to the requirement for sustainability.

DM/21/3451 21 Grand Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DA 2-storey rear extension. Response: The Parish Council is unable to comment on this application as the Proposed Plans are not available to view on the Planning Portal.  It appears that the Existing Plans have been uploaded twice in error.

SDNP/21/04783 Cottage Garth Underhill Lane Clayton BN6 9PJ Extension and alterations to the existing garage, including replacing existing windows and doors, relocation of one window, and replacement of the garage flat roof with a pitched roof containing storage space; and construction of new gazebo, with related works. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.  The Parish Council is unable to comment on the proposed gazebo as its location is not shown on the plans.

LI/21/1183 BN6 Craft Beer & Tap 54 Keymer Road Hassocks BN6 8AR New Premises Licence. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

P21/97 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS.

DM/21/3542 New Close Farmhouse London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9ND Discharge of condition 2, 3 and 4 relating to application DM/21/1144. Response: NOTED

DM/21/3669 Mill Nursery London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NB Discharge of condition 8 and 13 relating to application DM/21/0165 Response:  Condition 8 cannot be fully discharged as it requires the implementation of archaeological works, as opposed to just details of proposed work, to be submitted.  Details of the access as required by Condition 13 are not on the portal and therefore it is not possible to know if this condition has been met.

P21/98 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.

P21/99 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE APPLICATION.  Members are invited to consider whether Hassocks Parish Council wishes to make any comments regarding an application to Mid Sussex District Council for a Temporary Road Closure on Newlands Close, Keymer, on Sunday 28^th November 2021 from 14.00hrs to 22.00hrs for a Christmas Street Party to take place. Response: NO OBJECTION.

P21/100 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:

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

P21/101 Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.  The Chair invited Members to consider whether Planning meetings should return to in person meetings or continue as remote meetings.  Given the increasing Covid numbers in Mid Sussex, all Committee members expressed a preference for meetings remaining as remote, particularly as this enables unlimited public attendance when required.

P21/102 DATE OF NEXT MEETING.   Monday 22 November 2021 at 7.30pm. To be held remotely.

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

Signed………………………………      Date……………………………………………..