Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Monday 3 October 2022 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Carolyn Barton, Cllr Kristian Berggreen (Chair), Cllr Robert Brewer, Bill Hatton and Cllr Claire Tester.

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk – Tracy Forte, David Brown – HPC Tree Warden

P22/66 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.  There were no apologies for absence.

P22/67 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. None

P22/68 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2022 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P22/69 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  There were no members of the public present.

The Chair welcomed David Brown to the meeting.  David has been the Hassocks PC Tree Warden for almost twenty years and will be retiring in November.  He spoke to the Committee briefly about his time as a Tree Warden and more recent challenges in arranging to view trees due to changes in Data Protection.  The Committee expressed their thanks to David for his long standing commitment to the role.

P22/70 APPLICATIONS

DM/22/2862 11 The Crescent Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RB 1x Beech Tree – Reduce Crown by 1.5 meters and lift crown by up to 1 meter. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

DM/22/2861 26A Lodge Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NA Acacia- Remove, Cherry Tree – Trim and reshape up to 1 meter, Willow – Trim and reshape up to 1 meter, Hawthorne – Trim and reshape remove up to 1 meter, Birch Remove approx. 2 meters from height and reshape crown removing 1 meter. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

DM/22/2866 17 The Crescent Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RB  1x Oak Tree reduce branches by up to 2 meters 1x Chestnut Tree reduce to previous points to a height of 2 meters 4x Sycamore tree – Re-pollard to previous points. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

David Brown left the meeting.

DM/22/2158 107 Mackie Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NJ Proposed gables to front of property. 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/22/2694 17 And 18 Ravenswood Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PB Proposed single storey front extension between number 17 and number 18, with a pitched roof over both extensions and existing porch, to create additional kitchen for num.17 and bedroom for num.18. 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/22/2834 29 Silverdale Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RD Double story side and 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/22/2850 16 Lagwood Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HZ Proposed replacement pitched roof to form habitable accommodation with front and rear velux roof lights, and single storey side 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/22/2847 Crossways Belmont Lane Hurstpierpoint Hassocks Proposed front porch, detached carport, greenhouse and bin store. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

DM/22/0791 Mill Nursery London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NB Proposed demolition of existing buildings and the erection of 3no. four-bedroomed and 1no. four bedroom replacement dwelling with associated parking, amenity space and landscaping. Changes to previously approved application DM/21/0165 including to the red line boundary, the access and the layout, scale and form of the dwellings. (Revised description agreed 13.04.2022) (Updated Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy received 30.05.2022). (Revised plans for plot 4 received 21.09.2022) Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL.  The Parish Council’s previous comments remain unchanged. The proposal to widen the access road to 5 metres is excessive for a rural agricultural setting, a narrower access with passing places would be far more in keeping with the locality.  Such a wide access road does not demonstrate a sensitivity to the character of the area and would create a feeling of urban development.  Furthermore the materials proposed for the dwellings, buff bricks, bath stone and slate, are not locally distinctive materials and therefore conflict with the Sussex barn style design which this development was supposed to represent. Therefore it is considered that this application is contrary to District Plan Policy DP 15 New Homes in the Countryside, District Plan Policy DP26 and Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan Policy 9, Character and Design.

P22/71 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS. None

P22/72 RESOLVED that the observations on the planning issues as agreed above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration.

P22/73 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/22/1797 Manor House, 104 Keymer Road, Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Listed Building Consent Granted
DM/22/1798 68 Church Mead, Hassocks BN6 8BW	Recommend Refusal	Permission Refused

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

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/22/2478 The Gables, Brighton Road, Hassocks (LDC)	Noted	Lawful development Certificate issued.

 

The following were also noted:

Withdrawn Applications:
DM/22/2549 123 Grand Avenue, Hassocks BN6 8DH. (LDC) 

SDNP/22/02659/HOUS Fosters, Underhill Lane, Clayton BN6 9PJ.

P22/74 Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.  There were no urgent matters.

P22/75 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Monday 24 October 2022 at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.15pm.