Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Tuesday 27 August 2024 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Robert Brewer, Cllr Lesley Cruickshank-Robb and Cllr Kristian Berggreen.

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk – Tracy Forte

P24/54 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Bill Hatton. Absent without apology Cllr Angus Neil.

P24/55 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.  Cllr Kristian Berggreen declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9 of the agenda – MSDC Licensing Consultations.

P24/56 ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR.

ELECTION OF CHAIR. Cllr Lesley Cruickshank-Robb proposed that Cllr Kristian Berggreen was elected as Chair of the Planning Committee for 2024/25 and this was seconded by Cllr Robert Brewer. All Members voted in favour.

P24/56.1 It was RESOLVED that Cllr Kristian Berggreen was elected as Chair of the Planning Committee for 2024/25.

ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR Cllr Kristian Berggreen proposed that Cllr Robert Brewer was elected as Vice Chair of the Planning Committee and this was seconded by Cllr Lesley Cruickshank-Robb. All Members voted in favour.

P24/56.2 It was RESOLVED that Cllr Robert Brewer was elected as Vice Chair of the Planning Committee for 2024/25.

P24/57 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 5 August 2024 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P24/58 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. There were no members of the public present.

P24/59 APPLICATIONS.

DM/24/1864 54 Adastra Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DR Demolition of Conservatory and Erection Single Storey Rear Extension. Amended Plans received 07.08.2024 showing altered window arrangement in the north west elevation of the proposed 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/24/1474 5 Wilmington Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8QB Rear two storey extension and replacement porch. 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/24/0807 Weald Lawn Tennis And Squash Rackets Club South Bank Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JP Provision of 2 floodlit padel courts including enclosure/roof structure to replace an existing all-weather tennis court. Erection of 3.1m acoustic fences to south and west of padel courts. Amended drawings, Design and Access Statement, Acoustic Assessment and Arboricultural Report received on 07.08.2024. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL The Parish Council maintains its recommendation for approval of this application in principle; however this is subject to adequate acoustic assessments being carried out and full consideration being given to addressing the concerns raised by neighbours around noise levels and disturbance. The Council also continues to support the recommendation made by the MSDC Environmental Protection Officer that the ‘restrictions on the evening timings for use of the courts, as offered by the applicant, are enshrined in a condition included in the decision notice.’

DM/24/1565 1 Newlands Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BG Proposed rear single storey extension with pitched roof. New high level slot window to ground floor of existing external side wall. Amended Plans received 08.08.2024 removing Loft conversion/extensions. 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/24/1904 Land Between Keymer Road And North Bank Hassocks West Sussex Poplar, Aspen – Fell to surface level. Also, fell to surface level the x2 dead trees immediately to the rear (North) of the Poplar. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL

DM/24/1837 21 Friars Oak Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PT First floor rear extension to match adjoining neighbours and side extension to create workshop. 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/24/1874 16A The Quadrant Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BP Removal of condition 10 relating to planning application DM/20/3160. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL

DM/24/1903 4 Station Approach East Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HN Proposed dropped kerb and new driveway. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL

DM/24/1928 1 Newlands Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BG The proposed works include a loft conversion with a gable roof extension and a rear flat roof dormer. (LDC). Response: NOTED

DM/24/1957 9 The Minnels Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8QW T12 Oak – raise canopy by 2-3 metres, thin crown by 10 percent and remove epicormic growth. T11 Poplar – re-pollard to previous pruning points. T30 Copper Beach – reduce crown by 2 metres. Response: Defer to MSDC Tree Officer’s decision.

DM/24/1999 28 Lodge Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NA T1 Cherry – Fell. T2 Cherry – Reduce crown by 1m. T3 Silver birch – Reduce height by up to 3m, reduce remaining crown by 1m. T4 and T5 Swedish birch – reduce height by up to 3m, reduce remaining crown by up to 1m. Response: Defer to MSDC Tree Officer’s decision.

SDNP/24/03249/TCA The Cottage Clayton Hill Clayton West Sussex BN6 9PQ Removal of 3 trees (G20) (Sycamore, Ash, Hawthorn) to the north side of the crossover onto Clayton Hill would require removal for sightlines. Response: Defer to Tree Officer’s decision.

SDNP/24/02211/FUL Land North of Holm Oak Brighton Road Hassocks West Sussex Erection of residential log cabin. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. This application is considered to be contrary to several Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan policies including SD1: Sustainable development, SD4: Landscape Character, SD6 Safeguarding Views and SD9: Biodiversity and Geodiversity of the South Downs Local Plan and Policy 3: Green Infrastructure, Policy 6: Development Proposals Affecting the South Downs National Park and Policy 9: Character and Design of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan.

The strip of land in question borders a significant and very well used Public Right of Way which joins Hassocks to the historic Conservation Area of Clayton. Walkers have a tree lined view across to the west as they walk along the path adjacent to the site; as can be seen in photo 6 of the application. The installation of a large cabin as proposed, would impact negatively on this view and the sense of space and rural setting it offers.   Therefore affecting the visual tranquillity and character of the landscape.

Furthermore this is a small rural area within the South Downs National Park which provides valuable, primarily undisturbed, wildlife habitats and should therefore be protected as such.  Whilst the Parish Council welcomes any efforts to conserve and restore existing wildlife habitats on the land, it considers that a proposal to turn the site into a residential location would be detrimental to such efforts.  The installation of a permanent home would result in ongoing disturbance to the setting through additional lighting, more frequent vehicular movements and a general more regular onsite presence.

There is no justifiable need for development to be allowed on this site and it is considered that permitting a residential cabin to be erected would cause significant harm to this setting.

P24/60 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS. None.

P24/61 RESOLVED that the observations on the planning issues as agreed above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration.

P24/62 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:

P24/63 MSDC LICENSING CONSULTATIONS:  Members were invited to review the following Mid Sussex District Council Draft Policy Consultations and consider if any representation was required for submission on behalf of Hassocks Parish Council. Details of each review were included in Appendices 1-4 of the agenda.

• Public Consultation – Statement of Licensing Policy 2025.
• Pavement Licensing Policy
• Proposed Amendments to the Taxi Licensing Policy
• Animal Welfare Policy.

Members noted each Policy and had no comments for submission.

P24/64 APPEAL INQUIRY NOTIFICATION. AP/24/0030 68 And 70 Keymer Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8QP.  Members were invited to note correspondence received from MSDC confirming the inquiry opening date as 10 September 2024 for the above planning appeal.  This was noted by Members.

P24/65 URGENT MATTERS at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.

P24/66 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Monday 16 September 2024 at 7.30pm

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.35pm.