Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Monday 8 January 2024 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Carolyn Barton, Cllr Kristian Berggreen, Cllr Robert Brewer,
Cllr Bill Hatton, Cllr Don McBeth and Cllr Angus Neil.

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk – Tracy Forte.

P23/128 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. There were no apologies for absence.

P23/129 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Cllr Kristian Berggreen declared a non-pecuniary interest in application DM/23/3211 44 Ockley Lane, Hassocks BN6 8BD.

P23/130 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 18 December 2023 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P23/131 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  There were no members of the public present.

P23/132 APPLICATIONS

DM/23/3108 73 The Quadrant Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BS Proposed two 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/23/3106 75 The Quadrant Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BS Proposed first floor 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/23/2688 Woodside Grange Woodsland Road Hassocks West Sussex Erection of a 5 bedroom single storey wheelchair accessible home. Amended site layout plan and supporting information received 11.12.2023. Response: The Council continues to RECOMMEND REFUSAL on access grounds and its previous comments remain unchanged.  It is acknowledged that Woodside Grange is permitted full vehicular access via Public Rights of Way 5K and 11K, however this is for the one existing property.  The Council has significant concerns over this access being extended to three further properties thus increasing the amount of vehicular traffic on a public bridleway/footpath.  These additional dwellings should be accessed via a purpose built road, not a Public Right of Way.

DM/23/2687 Woodside Grange Woodsland Road Hassocks West Sussex Outline application to include access, layout and scale for two dwellings. Amended site layout plan and supporting information received 11.12.2023. Response: The Council continues to RECOMMEND REFUSAL on access grounds and its previous comments remain unchanged.  It is acknowledged that Woodside Grange is permitted full vehicular access via Public Rights of Way 5K and 11K, however this is for the one existing property.  The Council has significant concerns over this access being extended to three further properties thus increasing the amount of vehicular traffic on a public bridleway/footpath.  These additional dwellings should be accessed via a purpose built road, not a Public Right of Way.

DM/23/3132 29 Damian Way Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BH Single storey front and two storey rear extensions. Loft conversion including dormer and partial garage conversion. 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/23/2741 White Lodge Ockley Lane Hassocks Burgess Hill Erection of detached 5 bed dwelling with new access from Ockley Lane and associated parking. (Further highways drawings received 05.12.2023. Updated Drainage Strategy Report received 14.12.2023. Updated tree information received 15.12.2023).  Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. The Council’s previous comments remain unchanged, this proposed application represents development within the Local Gap between Keymer/Hassocks and Burgess Hill as defined on the Proposals Map of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan (HNP).  Therefore this proposal is contrary to HNP Policy 1 which states that these defined gaps will be safeguarded with ‘the objectives of preventing coalescence and retaining the separate identity and amenity of settlements.’

DM/23/2697 8 Wentworth Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9SQ To extend the existing front and side garden fence forward and create two new access gates.  Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. The proposed application would be detrimental to the street scene and is therefore contrary to Policy DP26: Character and Design of the District Plan and Policy 9: Character and Design of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan.

DM/23/3206 20 Newlands Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BQ Proposed loft conversion incorporating a rear hip to gable extension, removal of a chimney and installation of rooflights to the side and front roof slope. (LDC). Response: NOTED.

DM/23/3211 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 replaced with new habitable rooms, conversion, extension and remodelling of existing bungalow roof to accommodate 2 no additional bedrooms. 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/23/3181 Land To The Rear Of 2 Keymer Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HA Proposed single storey residential dwelling, to the Rear of 2 Keymer Road. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL.  Whilst off-road parking is provided, the dwelling itself does not have direct vehicular access.  This therefore raises significant concerns on both practical and safety grounds.

P23/133 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS.  None.

P23/134 RESOLVED that the observations on the planning issues as agreed above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration.

P23/135 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/23/2948 11 Kymer Gardens, Hassocks BN6 8QZ	NO Objection	Permission Granted
DM/23/2613 21 Sunningdale Road, Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/23/1928 Land to the Rear of Friars Oak, London Road, Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/23/2978 10 Lodge Land, Hassocks	Defer to MSDC Tree Officer	No Objection
DM/23/2573 New Close Farm, London Road, Hassocks.	Recommend Approval	Permission Refused
DM/23/3095 6 The Crescent, Hassocks	Recommend Refusal	No Objection
DM/23/2900 30 Wilmington Close, Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
SDNP/23/04629/TCA Bankside Cottage, Underhill Lane, Clayton	TCA – Not consulted	No Objection
DM/23/2857 11 Hamfield Drive, Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted

 

The following Withdrawal of Application was also noted:  DM/23/2764 10 Downs View Road, Hassocks BN6 8HJ.

P23/136 Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.  There were no urgent matters.

P23/137 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Monday 29 January 2024.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.05pm.