Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Monday 13 February at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

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

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk – Tracy Forte

P22/129 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.  Absent without apology Cllr Bill Hatton.

P22/130 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.  Cllr Berggreen declared a non-pecuniary interest in application DM/22/3696 44 Ockley Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BD, Cllr Tester declared a non-pecuniary interest in SDNP/22/05279/LDE Millbrook Underhill Lane Clayton West Sussex BN6 9PJ.

P22/131 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2023 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P22/132 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  There were no members of the public present.

P22/133 APPLICATIONS

DM/23/0097 17 The Crescent Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RB Ground 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/22/3696 44 Ockley Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BD Conversion and extension of existing 2-bed bungalow to 4-bed house. Demolition of existing rear conservatory and garage replaced with new habitable rooms, conversion, extension and remodelling of existing bungalow roof to accommodate 2 no additional bedrooms. Cllr Kristian Berggreen did not vote on this application. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL.  The proposed application represents overdevelopment of the site, being overbearing and unneighbourly. The design is also out of keeping with adjacent properties and is detrimental to the street scene. Therefore it is considered that this application is contrary to Policy DP26: Character and Design of the District Plan and Policy 9: Character and Design of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan.

DM/23/0131 9 Fir Tree Way Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BT Proposed 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/23/0112 6 Highlands Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LD Existing hipped roof to be converted to a gable ended roof and a rear box dormer to be set into the rear slope. (LDC). Response: Noted

DM/23/0135 16 Parklands Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JZ Proposed loft conversion with rear dormer. (LDC). Response: Noted

DM/23/0149 6 Beaconhurst Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RE Alterations to existing porch roof extending across principal elevation and formation of parapet to garage, rear single storey extension roof, fenestration and external cladding materials, construction of new boundary fencing on south side. 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/23/0170 The Old Manor House 102 Keymer Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8QS T1 Beech – reduce canopy by up to 2 meters cutting no more than 30mm of dynamic wood. Response: The Council defer to the MSDC Tree Officer’s advice.

DM/22/3399 67 Downs View Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HY Two storey rear extension with juliette balcony to rear, single storey rear and side extension, first floor extension at front of property. (Additional drainage related drawing 008 and information received 23.01.2023).  Response: No further comments.

DM/22/3281 60 Dale Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LS Extension and conversion of the existing house to provide accommodation to the rear, roof raised with roof lights to front elevation and dormers added to rear. Amended plans received 24.01.2023 showing reduction in height of dormer windows. Response: No further comments

DM/22/3384  83 Parklands Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JY Proposed ground and first floor side extensions to existing dwelling, removal of existing dormers, addition of external rendering and a new roofline to house. 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/23/0191 5 Adastra Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DP Proposed rear extension to kitchen/dining room and loft conversion with rear dormer. (LDC). Response: Noted

DM/22/2543 6 Bonny Wood Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HR  Proposed two storey rear extension with pitched roof to an existing chalet dwelling. Addition of external insulation to entire dwelling. Amended plans received 30.01.2023 showing addition of first floor tile hanging finish to rear and part side elevations and reduced rear first floor window size. Response: No further comments.

DM/23/0291 14 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NJ Proposed first floor storey extension with new pitched roof over, existing chimney extended above new roof level, new aluminium windows and doors, new open porch canopy to front door.  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.

SDNP/22/05279/LDE Millbrook Underhill Lane Clayton West Sussex BN6 9PJ Erection and use of garden outbuilding and lean-to shelter for a period of more than four years (LDC existing). Response: Noted

P22/134 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS.  None

P22/135 RESOLVED that the observations on the planning issues as agreed above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration.

P22/136 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 was noted:

P22/137 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE APPLICATION.  Members were invited to consider a temporary road closure application for Semley Road in Hassocks, north of the Guide Hut, on Sunday 7 May between the hours of 09.00hrs to 20.00hrs.  The temporary closure application was to hold a Coronation Street Party.  Members had no objections to the closure.

P22/138 NEW STREET NAMES. Members were invited to consider a request from MSDC regarding a street name for the approved development of 4 dwellings at Mill Nursery, London Road, Hassocks – DM/22/0791.  This development will require 1 new street and the developer has suggested the name Hammonds Mill Place due to the proximity of the existing Hammonds Mill Cottages from whose access the new street will be created from. Members were invited to consider whether the Committee was in agreement with this suggestion or wished to propose an alternative.    Members were in agreement with the suggested name of Hammonds Mill Place.

P22/139 Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.  With the permission of the Chairman, the Deputy Clerk informed the Committee that due to an administrative error application DM/22/1159 26 Stanford Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JJ Retrospective application for the demolition of existing conservatory, side extension, and garage and replace with a new single-storey rear and side extensions, with replacement garage. (amended plans submitted 14/11/22) had been omitted from the current agenda. The closing date for the submission of comments on this application was the following day, 14.2.23 and the Planning Officer was not able to agree a further extension to this deadline.  The neighbours adjoining the property previously made a representation in objection to the original application to the Parish Council and had intended to do the same for the revised application.  However due to the omission and restricted time frame this opportunity was now not available to them.

The Committee had previously considered this application, however, were unable to make any decisions on the merits of the application due to the application details being deemed as inaccurate; a response was submitted on behalf of HPC to MSDC to reflect this.

It was therefore agreed that whilst the Committee could not consider the application itself, a response should be submitted to MSDC to clarify that any previous comments submitted on behalf of the Parish Council were based on the accuracy of the planning documents only.   It should be noted that due to the omission of the amended application from the agenda and the inflexible closing date for comments, the Committee had not had the opportunity to consider the details of the application based on its merits and to submit a response accordingly.

P22/140 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Monday 6 March 2023 at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.25 pm.