Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Monday 6 November 2023 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Kristian Berggreen, Cllr Robert Brewer and Cllr Bill Hatton.

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk – Tracy Forte.

P23/93 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Carolyn Barton and Don McBeth. Absent without apology Cllr Angus Neil.

P23/94 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were no declarations of interest.

P23/95 MINUTES.

It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October 2023 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P23/96 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  The applicant for DM/23/2687 & DM/23/2688 Woodside Grange, Woodsland Road, Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8EX attended the meeting to observe.  He spoke briefly in support of the applications and confirmed that Woodside Grange has full right of access via Public Rights of Way 5K and 11K.

P23/97 The Chairman proposed considering both applications for Woodside Grange first and Members supported this proposal.

P23/98 APPLICATIONS

DM/23/2687 Woodside Grange Woodsland Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8EX Outline application to include access, layout and scale for two dwellings. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL on access grounds.  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/23/2688 Woodside Grange Woodsland Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8EX Erection of a 5 bedroom single storey wheelchair accessible home. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL on access grounds.  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 up 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/23/2573 New Close Farm London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9ND Variation of condition No: 2 relating to Planning Application DM/20/1384 in order to allow for the substitution of plans to change the appearance and usability of the previously approved 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/23/1905 South Bank Lodge Brighton Road Hassocks West Sussex Creation of one flat through the subdivision of lower ground floor flat. (Amended plans received 10/10/2023 removing subdivision and extension of first floor flat).  The Deputy Clerk informed the Committee that although an extension for the submission of comments had been requested and granted from MSDC, a notification of decision on this application had already been received from MSDC earlier in the day, therefore no further response could be submitted.  The Council had already submitted a response to the original plans.

DM/23/2623 46 Grand Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DE Demolition of existing garage and conservatory. Erection of 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/23/2613 21 Sunningdale Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9QQ Proposed side extension projecting beyond rear elevation and new wall to replace existing fence. 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/23/2126 36 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NL Erection of 1 No. dwelling house with car parking. (Amended Plans 19/10/2023).  Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL. The Council’s previous comments remain unchanged.  This proposed application represents development within the Local Gap 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/23/2563 Adastra Hall Keymer Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8QH Variation of condition number 2 relating to application DM/23/0771 to amend the approved plans with the alteration of the side entrance porch. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL.

DM/23/2692 9 Avenue De Warenne Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8FP Conversion of detached garage into home office/studio with shower room and with the addition of new windows to the East Elevation. Proposal is for use ancillary to the main dwelling. 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 West Sussex RH15 0BP Erection of detached 5 bed dwelling with new access from Ockley Lane and associated parking.  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.’

P23/99 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS.  None.

P23/100 RESOLVED that the observations on the planning issues as agreed above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration.

P23/101 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:

P23/102 EAST SUSSEX, SOUTH DOWNS AND BRIGHTON & HOVE WASTE AND MINERALS PLAN REVIEW – Main Modifications and Draft East Sussex Statement of Community Involvement Public Consultations.  Members were invited to note correspondence received from the East Sussex County Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and the South Downs National Park Authority regarding two public consultations and to consider any comments for submission on behalf of Hassocks PC.  The Committee noted the correspondence.

P23/103 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE APPLICATION.  Members were invited to consider the following road closure application and any comments they may wish to make on behalf of Hassocks Parish Council.

Newlands Close (between Nos 1-7), Hassocks from 14.00hrs & 22.30hrs Sunday 3rd December 2023 for Light Up Newlands Close to take place.

Members supported the temporary closure.

P23/104 Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.  There were no urgent matters.

P23/105 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. 27 November 2023.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8.10 pm.