Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Thursday 2 January at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Cllr Don McBeth and Cllr Angus Neil.

In Attendance: Assistant to the Clerk – Tracy Forte.  1 member of the public.

P24/127 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Cllrs Kristian Berggreen, Robert Brewer and Bill Hatton.

P24/128 In the absence of Chair and Vice Chair, Cllr Don McBeth indicated that he would be happy to act as Chair for the meeting.  All Members present supported this and Cllr Don McBeth was appointed as Chair for the meeting.

P24/129 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.  There were no declarations of interest.

P24/130 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on
9 December 2024 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P24/131 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  The member of the public present did not wish to make any comments.

P24/132 APPLICATIONS.

DM/24/2612 16A The Quadrant Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BP Retrospective change of use of existing double garage to a one bedroom detached dwelling, which has had the addition of new windows, doors and rendering and the addition of a new porch as well as new pergola and decking. Updated plans received 03.12.2024 and 28.11.2024 showing vehicular access and parking area correctly, plus storage shed. 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/24/2902 Barn Cottage Ockley Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NX Variation of condition 1 of planning application DM/24/0407 – to amend the approved plans to allow for design changes. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

DM/24/2939 52 Parklands Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JZ Proposed wrap around single storey rear and side extension, enlargement of existing raised rear terrace. Addition of new 1.9 metre high screen fencing and trellis on northern garden boundary adjacent to flats at
Heron Tye. 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/24/1748 42 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NL Erection of two storey dwellinghouse with basement, alongside replacement two storey rear extension to existing dwelling, relocation of rear swimming pool and enclosure within new pool house. Amended drawings in addition to ecological appraisal and drainage statements received on 10.12.2024.  Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. The Council’s previous comments remain unchanged.  This application is not respectful of the neighbouring properties or the street scene in terms of scale or character. As such, the application is contrary to Policy 9, Character and Design of the Referendum Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan and DP 26 Character and Design of the District Plan. Furthermore the application is set within both the Hurst – Hassocks and Hassocks – Burgess Hill Local Gaps which are protected by Local Gap Policies DP6 of the Mid Sussex District Plan and HNP 1 of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan. These gaps should be protected from any future development.

DM/24/3004 3 Newlands Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8BG Proposed rear and side single storey 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/24/3010 52 Friars Oak Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PY 3 x Ash trees located in rear garden – fell all 3 trees. Response: Defer to MSDC Tree Officer’s assessment and decision.

DM/24/3058 101 Dale Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LR Proposed two storey front extension. Part two storey, part single storey rear extension. Garage to be re-built in thermally efficient construction with new 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/24/3028 1 Adastra Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DP Proposed front porch, fenestration alterations and rooflight. (LDC). Response: NOTED

DM/24/2701 58 Parklands Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JZ Rear extension and rear decking. Flood Risk assessment received 19.12.2024.  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/24/3034 White Lodge Ockley Lane Hassocks Burgess Hill West Sussex RH15 0BP Erection of detached dwelling with attached garage, associated parking and new access from Ockley Lane (Revision of application DM/23/2741). Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. 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.’

P24/133 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS. The committee noted the following applications for discharge of planning conditions.

6.1 SDNP/24/05012/DCOND The Cottage Clayton Hill Clayton Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9PQ. Discharge of Conditions 4 (Materials), 5 (Joinery), 6 (Hard and Soft Landscaping), 7 (Ecology) and 8 (Solar array) for SDNP/24/03728/HOUS.

6.2 SDNP/24/04751/DCOND Halfway Ditchling Road Clayton Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9PH.  Discharge of condition 2 for SDNP/22/03791/HOUS.

P24/134 RESOLVED that the observations on the planning issues as agreed above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration.

P24/135 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/24/2669 111 Keymer Road Hassocks	Noted	Certificate of Lawful Use or Development issued
DM/24/2416 67 Downsview Road Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/24/2665 3 Ockenden Way Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/24/2631 17 Stanford Avenue Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/24/2716 31 Hurst Road Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/24/2674 44 Ockley Lane Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted

 

P24/136 URGENT MATTERS at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda. There were no urgent matters.

P24/137 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Monday 20 January 2025 at 7.30pm.