HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
To: All Members of the Planning Committee (Cllrs Carolyn Barton, Kristian Berggreen, Robert Brewer, Leslie Campbell, Bill Hatton, Claire Tester and Nick Owens) with copies to all other Councillors for information.
An informal meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE will be held remotely on Monday 7 March 2022 at 7.30pm
Parish Clerk – 1 March 2022
AGENDA
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
2. 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 note Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 February 2022 (previously circulated), for approval at the next Committee meeting.
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/21/2628 Land To The Rear Of Friars Oak London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NA Reserved Matters Application for the approval of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale at land r/o Friars Oak pursuant to Outline Planning Permission DM/19/1897, comprising of a residential development of 130 dwellings and associated access together with change of use of part of the land to country open space, following the provision of a new pedestrian tunnel under the railway. (Additional Biodiversity Report and Energy Strategy Report received 31 January and 1 February.)
5.2 DM/22/0314 17 Queens Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DF Rear extension of 5 metres to the full width of Bungalow. New roof with Dormer Windows to front and barn end to rear, providing 3 Bedrooms and Study on First floor. Re-arrangement of Ground Floor accommodation to provide facilities for disabled person.
5.3 DM/22/0335 8A Woodsland Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HE Relocation of front door, enlargement of Velux window and replacement of flat garage roof with pitched tiled roof.
5.4 DM/22/0395 5 Stonepound Ridge Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JG Proposed single storey front extension.
5.5 DM/22/0295 4 Pound Gate Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9LU First floor side extension over garage, single storey rear extension to replace conservatory with an outside covered area.
5.6 DM/22/0418 13 Ravenswood Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PB Single storey rear extension. (LDC).
5.7 DM/22/0488 47 Parklands Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JY Proposed single storey side extension to increase size of existing kitchen. (LDC).
5.8 DM/22/0575 14 Flowers Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8FF 1 x Mature sycamore, reduce canopy by 2.5 meters.
5.9 DM/22/0375 13 The Quadrant Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BP Construction of brick built flat roof ground floor side extension to create a separate utility room to the kitchen.
5.10 DM/22/0167 30 Parklands Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JZ Proposed single storey rear extension.
5.11 DM/22/0524 59 London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NU Dropped kerb to create vehicle crossover and parking area at the front of 59 London Road.
5.12 DM/21/3750 Land At Wellhouse Lane Burgess Hill West Sussex Outline application for 10x self-build plots for 6x 2-bedroom, 4 person bungalows and 4x 3-bedroom, 6 person bungalows. All matters to be reserved except for Access. (Additional supporting documents provided 25/02/2022)
5.13 DM/22/0215 8 Bonny Wood Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HR Proposed dormers, rear and side extensions. Amended plans received showing proposed increase in height of flue to rear extension and side extension to be set back from frontage of property. Plans annotated to show rear dormer will be considered under separate lawful development application.
5.14 DM/22/0625 8 Bonny Wood Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HR Dormer extension to rear roof slope. (LDC)
6. APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS.
6.1 DM/22/0465 Mill Nursery London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NB Discharge of conditions 4, 5 and 12 of application DM/21/0165.
6.2 DM/22/0514 Land Adj To 36 Ockenden Way Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HS Discharge of conditions 3, 5 and 6 in regards to DM/21/0398.
7. DECISION NOTICES.
8. NEW STREET NAMES. Members are invited to consider the feedback from MSDC regarding the suggested street names for the new development on the land North of Clayton Mills, which were agreed at the Planning Meeting held on 15.2.22. (Feedback previously circulated as a background paper.)
9. Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.
10. Date of Next Meeting: Monday 28 March 2022 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.
If you wish to attend this virtual meeting please email info@hassocks-pc.gov.uk before 9.00 hrs on the day of the meeting to be sent an electronic invitation by 12.00 noon on that same day.
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.
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the informal meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE held remotely on Monday 7 March 2022 at 7.30pm
Attendees: Parish Councillors: Carolyn Barton, Kristian Berggreen (Chair), Leslie Campbell, Bill Hatton, Nick Owens and Claire Tester.
In Attendance: Deputy Clerk: Tracy Forte; 2 members of the public.
P21/160 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Absent without apology, Cllr Bob Brewer.
P21/161 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were no declarations of interest.
P21/162 MINUTES. To note Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 February 2022 (previously circulated), for approval at the next Committee meeting. These were noted by the Committee.
P21/163 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Mr Paul Shoard, Queens Drive, Hassocks spoke regarding DM/22/0314 17 Queens Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DF Rear extension of 5 metres to the full width of Bungalow. New roof with Dormer Windows to front and barn end to rear, providing 3 Bedrooms and Study on First floor. Re-arrangement of Ground Floor accommodation to provide facilities for disabled person. Mr Shoard had previously shared of his written objections with the committee which have been submitted to MSDC (Appendix 1). He informed the committee that there has been a significant delay in these comments being uploaded onto the MSDC planning portal, which he has reported to the Planning Officer concerned. Mr Shoard asked the committee to note his concerns over the scale of the application and the accuracy of the measurements shown for the roof height. He believed that there would be an overall increase in roof height which is not demonstrated.
P21/164 The Chair proposed considering application DM/22/0314 17 Queens Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DF first. This was supported by the Committee.
P21/165 APPLICATIONS
DM/22/0314 17 Queens Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DF Rear extension of 5 metres to the full width of Bungalow. New roof with Dormer Windows to front and barn end to rear, providing 3 Bedrooms and Study on First floor. Re-arrangement of Ground Floor accommodation to provide facilities for disabled person. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. The rear extension is bulky and unneighbourly and of a very poor design, and is therefore contrary to Character and Design, Policy 9, of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan and Policy DP26 of the District Plan, and Policies DG 49 and DG51 of the Mid Sussex Design Guide SPD. Furthermore the application does not make any reference to compliance with Policy 5, Enabling Zero Carbon, of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan or DP 39, Sustainable Design and Construction, of the District Plan.
The two members of the public left the meeting.
DM/21/2628 Land To The Rear Of Friars Oak London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NA Reserved Matters Application for the approval of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale at land r/o Friars Oak pursuant to Outline Planning Permission DM/19/1897, comprising of a residential development of 130 dwellings and associated access together with change of use of part of the land to country open space, following the provision of a new pedestrian tunnel under the railway. (Additional Biodiversity Report and Energy Strategy Report received 31 January and 1 February.)
Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL.
Further to the comments made by Rydon Homes in response to Hassocks Parish Council’s previous submission, the Parish continues to recommend refusal to this application on the following grounds.
1. PROW 5K/Non-Car Route provision.
2. Allotments
The Council has noted the comments made by Rydon Homes in response to this request, however, would still ask that consideration is given to providing allotments to maximise the community benefit of this development. The Parish Council has significant excess demand for Allotments and the Northern Open Space would offer an opportunity to meet that demand. It is therefore requested that consideration is given to one third of the northern field being allocated to the Parish Council for allotments. The eastern part of the field would meet this need and have minimal effect on the proposed layout of the site.
3. Sustainable Design.
Rydon homes Energy Strategy is not sustainable
There is a legal requirement for local plans in England to ensure that they include policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change in their local plans, and fully take into account the UK’s net zero commitment under the Climate Change Act. Local authorities also have legal powers under the Planning and Energy Act 2008 to require new developments to set energy standards above the Building Regulations. After much lobbying, local authorities retain these powers.
In addition to legislation, the Government also issues guidance to local authorities shaping how they carry out their planning activities. The most important of these, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England was revised in 2021 and paragraph 11a now states:
“all plans should promote a sustainable pattern of development that seeks to: meet the development needs of their area; align growth and infrastructure; improve the environment; mitigate climate change (including by making effective use of land in urban areas) and adapt to its effects.”
MSDC Councillors therefore have the powers under the Planning and Energy Act 2008 and the guidance from the NPPF to ensure that new build developments (and alterations) are done in an energy efficient way to comprehensively mitigate climate change and it has already put in place policy DP39 and has adopted Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan Policy 5, so it fully has the powers to require maximised energy efficiency.
Every new build that does not fully mitigate climate change will have to be retrofitted in some way to do so. The anticipated costs of retrofit and climate mitigation should be taken into account by MSDC in determining this planning application. These costs include the costs of retrofitting every house to be net zero carbon: this is likely to include:
A) the cost of switching to a heat pump (approximately £6,000 – £8,000);
B) reducing heat losses further by replacing windows with triple glazing (say £10,000 – £15,000) and
C) adding 3kW of solar PV generation, around £5,000,
so a total of £21,000 – £28,000 per Rydon home.
These costs of mitigating climate change should be taken into account by MSDC when determining how to move forward with this planning application in the best interests of Mid Sussex residents.
As it stands the Rydon Homes still is not compliant with Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan Policy 5, which requires that the development proposal should maximise sustainable design features. But Rydon Homes’ Energy Strategy says, “The use of either heat pumps or PVs is not a firm proposal at this stage and is dependent on the timing of commencement of the Residential Element of the development and is relative to compliance with the Regulation at that time”.
Energy sustainability is not an afterthought, it is required by the DP39 / NP5 policies. Policy DP39 says renewable sources of energy should be used – it is not optional; but it has not been done. Compliance with these policies cannot be “deemed” to exist – that would be a charade and offensive to residents who have voted for the planning policies we have now. Averse local impacts have to be made acceptable. Not making the new build houses zero carbon but leaving the retrofit costs for the new residents to bear, would indeed be an adverse local impact.
Further proof of the inadequacy of the Rydon proposal can be found by comparing it with the National Design Guide published and updated by the UK Government on 30 January 2021, which says in section R1 para 138:
“Well-designed places and buildings follow the energy hierarchy of:
■ reducing the need for energy through passive measures including form, orientation and fabric;
■ using energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems, including heat pumps, heat recovery and LED lights; and
■ maximising renewable energy especially through decentralised sources, including on-site generation and community-led initiatives.”
So without heat pumps and maximisation of renewable energy the proposed development is not regarded by Central Government as well designed; and this is further evidence of non-compliance with MSDC Policy DP39 and NP Policy 5.
There is an easy way out of this. Rydon Homes have presented data in their Energy Strategy date 4th February that relies on a calculation method – SAP 12 – that will become obsolete in 91 days’ time. They are proposing houses based on the use of gas boilers that will burn more gas. They admit that MSDC Building Regulations managers could insist on the replacement calculation method that applies from 15th June 2022 – SAP 10.1 – being used which would make it impossible to use gas boilers.
It is time that MSDC stood up for the rights of residents to have their council properly mitigate climate change, and used its power to apply the Planning and Energy Act. Developers can and should be required to go much further in energy efficiency than the current low standard that the building regulations requires. Hassocks Parish Council therefore requests that MSDC places a condition on these houses that they are all built to the same energy efficiency standard, not a mix of standards; and that none of them have gas boilers but use heat pumps instead. It is quite clear that Rydon Homes is ready and willing to do this. Or MSDC can go further: the ideal undertaking by MSDC would be to require as a condition that the homes are built to the LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide standard, https://www.leti.london/cedg.
MSDC should invest in the future, not in the past.
4. Existing Hedgerow
The Parish Council is pleased to note that the hedgerow which borders the southern edge of the development is to be retained and is not included in the Tree Removal Plan.
5. Community Funding
The Council maintains its request that the Community Building Contribution from the development is prioritised for improvements to the hall at St Francis Church, Priory Road, Hassocks which is in close proximity to the proposed development and highly likely to be used by residents living there.
6. Biodiversity Report
The Biodiversity Net Gain calculation appears to have been carried out according to guidance, however the Defra Metric used only considers plant diversity. The two fields to be developed are therefore categorised as ‘poor semi improved grassland’ – the lowest possible score – even though the lack of management over the last decade means that it is brimming with wildlife. Therefore the calculations that there will be a 14.25% net gain in area habitat units across the site does not reflect the overall impact of this development on biodiversity.
DM/22/0335 8A Woodsland Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HE Relocation of front door, enlargement of Velux window and replacement of flat garage roof with pitched tiled roof. 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/22/0395 5 Stonepound Ridge Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JG Proposed single storey 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/22/0295 4 Pound Gate Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9LU First floor side extension over garage, single storey rear extension to replace conservatory with an outside covered area. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. This application creates the need to remove existing hedgerows and is therefore overdevelopment of the site, thus is contrary to Character and Design, Policy 9, of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan and Policy DP26 of the District Plan. It is also contrary to Policy DP51 of the Mid Sussex Design Guide SPD. Furthermore the application does not make any reference to compliance with Policy 5, Enabling Zero Carbon, of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan or DP 39, Sustainable Design and Construction, of the District Plan.
DM/22/0418 13 Ravenswood Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PB Single storey rear extension. (LDC) Response: NOTED.
DM/22/0488 47 Parklands Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JY Proposed single storey side extension to increase size of existing kitchen. (LDC) Response: NOTED.
DM/22/0575 14 Flowers Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8FF 1 x Mature sycamore, reduce canopy by 2.5 meters. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. The application is to reduce the canopy by 3 metres of this fine mature, but not old, sycamore which is alongside a footpath within the Flowers Close but just outside the boundary of Number 14. A previous application to raise the canopy by 2 metres to remove low branches was approved. The stated reason for this application is to “reduce shading over the rear garden and surrounding houses”, however this reason is not valid because the tree is located just beyond the northwest corner of the garden so there is no way the tree can cast a shadow over the garden. The same applies to the surrounding houses also mentioned in the application. The houses to the north are too far away to be greatly affected.
DM/22/0375 13 The Quadrant Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BP Construction of brick built flat roof ground floor side extension to create a separate utility room to the kitchen. 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/22/0167 30 Parklands Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JZ Proposed single storey rear 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/22/0524 59 London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NU Dropped kerb to create vehicle crossover and parking area at the front of 59 London Road. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. The location of the dropped kerb and vehicle crossover for this application would impact on a bus stop and pedestrian waiting area sited in front of the house. Whilst the Council appreciates the resident’s reasons for this application, there is vehicular access and the potential for parking at the rear of the property therefore it is considered unnecessary to compromise the access to the bus stop and the safety of waiting passengers.
DM/21/3750 Land At Wellhouse Lane Burgess Hill West Sussex Outline application for 10x self-build plots for 6x 2-bedroom, 4 person bungalows and 4x 3-bedroom, 6 person bungalows. All matters to be reserved except for Access. (Additional supporting documents provided 25/02/2022). Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. The Parish Council’s comments remain unchanged from those previously submitted. This proposed application is on agricultural land outside of the built up area boundaries and is not contiguous with an existing built up area. It intrudes on the countryside and is in the local gap between Keymer/Hassocks and Burgess Hill. The application is not sustainable; there is no safe pedestrian access from the site to local amenities and there is no evidence that the development would be energy efficient. Therefore the application is in conflict with District Plan policies DP6: Settlement Hierarchy, DP12: Protection and Enhancement of Countryside, DP15: New Homes in the Countryside and DP39 Sustainable design and Construction and Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan policies: Policy 1: Local Gap, Policy 5: Enabling Carbon Zero and Policy 14: Residential development within, and adjoining, the built up area boundary of Hassocks.
Furthermore, the proposed site is immediately adjacent to the boundary of the South Downs National Park and the building of ten additional dwellings in this rural area will negatively impact on the visual and special qualities of the Park including Dark Skies. Hence the application is contrary to District Plan Policies DP18: Setting of the South Downs National Park and DP29: Noise, Air and Light Pollution and Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan Policy 6: Development Proposals affecting the South Downs National Park.
There is considerable concern over the safety of vehicular access from Wellhouse Lane onto Ockley Lane. The combination of poor visibility at the access point and the speed at which oncoming traffic travels along Ockley Lane already poses a challenge for vehicles entering and exiting Wellhouse Lane. To potentially double the number of vehicles using this access would increase the risk of an accident significantly.
Finally, the application is for 10 self-build plots and there is a likelihood that the construction period could last over an extended period of time. The negative impact of prolonged disruption and access difficulties for the current residents is considered to be unacceptable.
DM/22/0215 8 Bonny Wood Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HR Proposed dormers, rear and side extensions. Amended plans received showing proposed increase in height of flue to rear extension and side extension to be set back from frontage of property. Plans annotated to show rear dormer will be considered under separate lawful development application. 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/22/0625 8 Bonny Wood Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HR Dormer extension to rear roof slope. (LDC) Response: NOTED.
P21/166 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS.
DM/22/0465 Mill Nursery London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NB Discharge of conditions 4, 5 and 12 of application DM/21/0165. Response: NOTED.
DM/22/0514 Land Adj To 36 Ockenden Way Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HS Discharge of conditions 3, 5 and 6 in regards to DM/21/0398. Response: NOTED.
P21/167 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.
P21/168 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES
The following decisions were noted:
| Application details | Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority | Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP) |
| SDNP/20/04255/FUL Field Opposite Clayton Wood Burial Ground | Recommend Refusal | Permission Refused |
| DM/22/0002 13 Hurst Road, Hassocks | Recommend Approval | Permission Granted |
| DM/22/0038 4 Lodge Lane, Hassocks | Recommend Approval | Permission Granted |
| DM/22/0163 10 Chancellors Park, Hassocks | Recommend Approval | Permission Granted |
| SDNP/21/06259/CND Barn Cottage, Underhill Lane, Clayton | 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/22/0030 White Lodge, Ockley lane, Hassocks | Noted | Refusal of Certificate of Lawful Development. |
P21/169 NEW STREET NAMES. Members were invited to consider the feedback from MSDC regarding the suggested street names for the new development on the land North of Clayton Mills, which were agreed at the Planning Meeting held on 15.2.22. (Feedback previously circulated as a background paper.) Further to the previously agreed preference to have street names that recognise local residents who have contributed to the village during their lifetime, Members noted that MSDC required written permission from direct relatives confirming that they are supportive of the name being used in this way. Members also noted feedback from MSDC regarding the need to remove specific names from the original list due to them being too similar to each other or to existing local road names.
Based on the feedback, Members reviewed and amended the suggested names and instructed the Deputy Clerk to endeavour to contact direct relatives of those on the revised list. (Appendix 2)
P170 Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.
P170.1 Pre-order making consultation – Diversion of FP5k at Woodside Crossing, Hassocks. Members were invited to note correspondence received from WSCC Public Rights of Way informing the Parish that the County Council has received an application from Network Rail for consideration to be given to the above proposal. As part of our consideration of the application, Hassocks Parish Council was invited to consider if it had any comments to make.
If the County Council proceeds to make and publish a Path Order relating to this application, the statutory public objection period will follow.
The Committee noted the correspondence and had no comments to add. However it was agreed that the PROW Officer at WSCC would be contacted to discuss the function and surfacing of the whole of Footpath 5K.
P170.2 LI/22/0291 BN6 Craft Beer & Tap, 54 Keymer Road, Hassocks BN6 8AR. Members were invited to note a minor application variation for this establishment to align the opening hours with the hours permitted for the supply of alcohol – Everyday 10:00hrs to 22:00hrs. The closing date for representation is 15th March 2022. Further information can be found on the MSDC website. https://www.midsussex.gov.uk/licensing-business/latest-licensing-applications/ . Members noted this application.
P171 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. 28 March 2022 at 7.30pm. This will be held at the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks.
There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 9.10pm.
Appendix 1
Mr Paul Shoard
Written Representation re: DM/22/0314 17 Queens Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DF Rear extension of 5 metres to the full width of Bungalow. New roof with Dormer Windows to front and barn end to rear, providing 3 Bedrooms and Study on First floor. Re-arrangement of Ground Floor accommodation to provide facilities for disabled person.
The design & character of the proposed two storey extension is not in keeping with other properties in the road, as none of the bungalows to the east or houses to the west appear to have added more than single storey rear extensions.
The design & character of the overall enlargement proposed is not in keeping with other properties in the road, as none of the bungalows to the east or houses to the west appear to have ever increased the overall roof height of the original property.
The application refers to a new roof and rear extension but does not specifically mention the overall increase in height proposed. From the drawings this can be estimated at approximately 1.5 metres above the existing roof. If the drawings prove to be inaccurate, as I believe they may be (see comments below), then the proposed increase in overall height could be more than 2.5 metres, but no clear measurement has been provided by the applicant.
The increase in overall height and the additional height required for the two-storey rear extension will obscure the open outlook from our study window, our kitchen/dining room windows and our west facing patio, over neighbouring gardens & trees.
The increase in overall height and the additional height required for the two-storey rear extension would significantly reduce daylight throughout the day and direct sunlight in the late afternoon & evening affecting our study window, our kitchen/dining room windows, conservatory and our west facing patio. This represents a loss of our Right to Light.
I therefore believe that the proposal does not meet the requirements of Policy 9 of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan, because it would cause unacceptable harm to our neighbouring property.
I also wish to comment on the possible inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the drawings presented by the applicant. The lack of stated measurements means relying on crudely drawn scales which vary from one drawing to the next, to try and understand the precise dimensions of the proposed enlargement. These issues make it difficult for us and others thinking of commenting, to clearly understand exactly what enlargement work is being proposed:
1.3.21
Appendix 2
HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL
LAND NORTH OF CLAYTON MILLS – Revised Street Names
Main Spine Road
Other Roads.
Other Pre-17th century the landowners:
20th Century residents
See full list of 2024/25 meetings, minutes and agendas here >
02/01/2025
Planning Committee
07/01/2025
Policy, Resources & Communications – please note this meeting has been rescheduled to 21st January 2025
See full list of 2024/25 meetings, minutes and agendas here >
The Council Office is located at:
Parish Centre, Adastra Park,
Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8QH.
Opening Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
10.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.
Wednesday CLOSED
Friday
10.00 a.m. to 12 noon.
