Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the informal meeting of the PLANNING COMMITTEE held remotely on
Monday 13 December 2021 at 7.30pm

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Carolyn Barton, Kristian Berggreen (Chair), Bob Brewer, Leslie Campbell, Bill Hatton, Nick Owens (for Urgent Matters) and Claire Tester.

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk: Tracy Forte;

P21/114 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.  There were no apologies for absence.

P21/115 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.  There were no declarations of interest.

P21/116 MINUTES. Members noted the Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 November 2021 (previously circulated), for approval at the next Committee meeting.

P21/117 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  There were no members of the public present.

P21/118 APPLICATIONS

DM/21/3956 21D The Crescent Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RB Proposed single storey side extension and replace two doors on rear elevation with bi-fold 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/21/3919 27 Queens Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DF Demolition of existing garage and erection of new 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.

Cllr Nick Owens joined the meeting.

P21/119 At the request of Cllr Owens, the chair proposed considering item 8, Urgent Matters, at this point in the meeting.  This was supported by the Committee.

P21/120 Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.

DM/21/2841 Land North Of Clayton Mills Hassocks West Sussex Approval of reserved matters (appearance, layout, landscape and scale), for 500 dwellings, (Class C3), with associated infrastructure, open space and landscaping, pursuant to outline planning permission DM/18/4979. (Amended plans received 4th November relating to the design and layout of the scheme, including the submission of a sustainability statement). 

The Parish had received notification from Mid Sussex District Council that this application was to be considered by the District Planning Committee on 16^th December 2021, and was recommended for Permission.  With the Committee’s support, Cllr Nick Owens will represent the Parish Council at the District Committee meeting to reinforce the Council’s concern that further conditions must be applied to improve the sustainability of the development. The draft content of Cllr Owen’s proposed representation was considered and supported by the Committee, subject to the general consensus that any reference to Building Regulations should be omitted on the basis that they are not planning considerations.

Cllr Nick Owens left the meeting.

P21/121 Applications

DM/21/3995 13 Ravenswood Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PB Outbuilding in rear garden. 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/21/4103 13 Flowers Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8FF T1 Elm – Reduce canopy by approximately 2 m in height and lateral spread and raise canopy to provide 4-5m ground clearance. Response: NO OBJECTION

DM/21/3738  54 Keymer Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8AR  Change of use of premises from Class E to Micropub (sui generis). Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

P21/122 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS. The following applications were noted.

DM/21/4156 7 Lodge Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LU  Discharge of conditions 2 and 3 in relation to DM/21/3131.

DM/21/4159  Wayside London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NT  Discharge of condition 3 in relation to DM/18/4140.

P21/123 It was noted that the observations on the planning issues as recorded above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration in line with the Parish Council’s Standing Orders.

P21/124 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/21/3451 21 Grand Avenue, Hassocks. NM6 8DA	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/21/3602 26 Ann Close, Hassocks	Recommend Refusal	Permission Refused
DM/21/3543 40 Hurst Road, Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/21/3554 38 Grand Avenue, Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted

 

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

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/21/3268 4 Parklands Road, Hassocks	Noted.	Certificate of Lawful Development issued

 

P21/125 DATE OF NEXT MEETING.   The date of the next meeting is to be Tuesday 4 January 2022 NOT Thursday 6 January 2022 as previously advertised.  To be held remotely.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.00pm.