Planning Committee

Agenda

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

To:   All Members of the Planning Committee (Cllrs Kristian Berggreen, Robert Brewer, Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Bill Hatton, Don McBeth and Angus Neil) with copies to all other Councillors for information.

A meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE will be held on 6 May 2025 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks.

Parish Clerk 29 April 2025

AGENDA

1. TO ACCEPT APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

2. TO ACCEPT DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Disclosure by Councillors of personal and/or pecuniary interests in matters on the agenda and whether the Councillors regard their interest as prejudicial/pecuniary under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

3. MINUTES. To accept the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2025 (previously circulated).

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.

5. APPLICATIONS (copies of each application can be viewed online via the Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) Website – https://pa.midsussex.gov.uk/online-applications/ or the
South Downs National Park Authority (SDNP) Website –https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/

5.1 DM/25/0828 42 Stanford Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JJ Demolish existing rear conservatory and replace with a single storey extension.

5.2  DM/25/0789 35 Queens Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DF Single-storey rear extension.

5.3 DM/25/0951 Delta South Bank Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JP Proposed garage conversion, alterations to the existing external materials, a single storey rear extension and creation of downstairs shower room.

5.4 DM/25/0998 34 Stafford Way Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8QQ Proposed garage conversion, new cladding to front elevation and changes to windows and doors.

5.5 DM/24/2531 Station Goods Yard Keymer Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JA The installation of 1 No. 25 metre high lattice tower mounted with 9 No. antennas, and 3 No. GPS modules, 12 No. cabinets, within a compound comprised of 2.4 metre high palisade fencing 1 No. electrical metre cabinet and associated development thereto. (Amended plans received 13.03.2025 and photo montage received 01.04.2025).

5.6 DM/25/0559 The Old Malthouse Ockley Manor Farm Ockley Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NX Installation of 15 solar panels. Installation of air source heat pump. Installation of outdoor therapy pool. To change the colour to existing timber cladding from brown to black and to replace bedroom, north bedroom and kitchen windows. (amended description 15/04).

5.7 DM/25/1047 The Oaks Southdown Farm Lodge Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LX First floor extension above link between house and swimming pool enclosure.

6. ROAD CLOSURE APPLICATIONS:

The Committee is asked to consider the following applications:

6.1 Farnham Avenue, Hassocks (junction of Mackie Avenue to Manor Avenue), Saturday 19^th July 2025. 1000hrs – 2200hrs. Street Party. (Appendix 1). To view Appendix 1 please click here.

7. PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

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

P24/192 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS

No notifications received.

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

10. Date of Next Meeting. 27 May 2025 at 7.30pm

Please Note
All members of the public are welcome to attend meetings of the Parish Council and its Committees.  Item 4 – a period of 15 minutes will be set aside for the public statements and questions relating to the published non-confidential business of the Meeting.
It may be necessary to consider particular items in confidential session and where this arises, these items will be considered at the end of the agenda.

FILMING, RECORDING OF COUNCIL MEETINGS AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
During this meeting members of the public may film or record the Committee and officers from the public area only providing it does not disrupt the meeting. The Confidential section of the meeting may not be filmed or recorded. If a member of the public objects to being recorded, the person(s) filming must stop doing so until that member of the public has finished speaking. The use of social media is permitted but members of the public are requested to switch their mobile devices to silent for the duration of the meeting.

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Tuesday 6^th May at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Kristian Berggreen, Cllr Lesley Cruickshank-Robb, Cllr Don McBeth.

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk – Helen Valler

Chair – Cllr Frances Gaudencio

P24/184 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllr Robert Brewer & Cllr Bill Hatton.

Cllr Angus Neil – Absent without apologies.

P24/185 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. Cllr Don McBeth declared a personal interest in DM/25/0789.

P24/186 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on
14^th April 2025 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P24/187 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. Two members of the public present.

P24/188 APPLICATIONS:

DM/25/0828 42 Stanford Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JJ Demolish existing rear conservatory and replace with a 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/25/0789 35 Queens Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DF Single-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/25/0951 Delta South Bank Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JP Proposed garage conversion, alterations to the existing external materials, a single storey rear extension and creation of downstairs shower room. 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/25/0998 34 Stafford Way Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8QQ Proposed garage conversion, new cladding to front elevation and changes to windows and doors. 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/24/2531 Station Goods Yard Keymer Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JA The installation of 1 No. 25-metre-high lattice tower mounted with 9 No. antennas, and 3 No. GPS modules, 12 No. cabinets, within a compound comprised of 2.4-metre-high palisade fencing 1 No. electrical metre cabinet and associated development thereto. (Amended plans received 13.03.2025 and photo montage received 01.04.2025). Two members of the public spoke in objection.

RESPONSE: Considering the amount of public opposition the Parish Council recommend the application should be refused.  

• DP23 Communication Infrastructure – New telecommunication equipment should not have an unacceptable effect on sensitive areas, including areas of ecological interest, areas of landscape importance, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the South Downs National Park, archaeological sites, conservation areas or buildings of architectural or historic interest and should be sensitively designed and sited to avoid damage to the local landscape character.
• Detrimental to the street scene of surrounding properties.
• DP12: Protection and Enhancement of Countryside – Ancient woodland nearby
• The coverage is not sufficient to benefit the residents of Hassocks; the only benefit is to passengers on the London-Brighton trainline.
• There is insufficient evidence available for or against the possible health risks of a telecommunications mast.

DM/25/0559 The Old Malthouse Ockley Manor Farm Ockley Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NX Installation of 15 solar panels. Installation of air source heat pump. Installation of outdoor therapy pool. To change the colour to existing timber cladding from brown to black and to replace bedroom, north bedroom and kitchen windows. (amended description 15/04).

RESPONSE: Application withdrawn.

DM/25/1047 The Oaks Southdown Farm Lodge Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LX First floor extension above link between house and swimming pool enclosure.

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.

P24/189 ROAD CLOSURE APPLICATIONS:

The Committee considered the following application:

Farnham Avenue, Hassocks (junction of Mackie Avenue to Manor Avenue), Saturday 19^th July 2025. 1000hrs – 2200hrs. Street Party. (Appendix 1).

RESPONSE: No objection

P24/190 RESOLVED that the observations on the planning issues as agreed above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration.

P24/191 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/Notification were noted:

P24/192 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS

No applications received

P24/193 URGENT MATTERS at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.

• For the next Planning Agenda – Proposal to remove the wording regarding ‘Future Buildings Standard’ from the minutes.
• Cllr Don McBeth raised a concern regarding the work recently completed at The Thatched Inn to extend the garden/decking area. Deputy Clerk to contact MSDC Planning.

P24/194 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Tuesday 27^th May at 7.30pm.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.12pm