Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Monday 29 January 2024 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Carolyn Barton, Cllr Kristian Berggreen, Cllr Robert Brewer, Cllr Bill Hatton and Cllr Don McBeth

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk – Tracy Forte.  Cllr Lesley Cruickshank-Robb

P23/138 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. There were no apologies for absence. Absent without apology Cllr Angus Neil

P23/139 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST.  Cllr Barton declared a personal non-pecuniary interest in application DM/24/0042 5 Clayton Park Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JQ.

P23/140 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 8 January 2024 (not 18 December as listed on the Agenda) be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P23/141 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.  There were no members of the public present.

P23/142 APPLICATIONS

DM/23/3241 79 Ockley Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NT Two storey rear extension and garage conversion. 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/23/3223 18 The Fairway Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9JU Proposed ground floor 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/24/0006 Communal Land At 2 To 18 Orchard Lane Hassocks West Sussex 1 x Lime Tree – Reduce height by 3m, shorten lateral branches by 2m. Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL.  This Lime Tree has public amenity value. The Council accepts the need to shorten the lateral branches however it is opposed to a reduction in the height of the tree.  It is therefore considered that the tree could be trimmed and reshaped to reduce the overhanging branches without reducing its height.

DM/24/0042 5 Clayton Park Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JQ Proposed single storey side extension including a partial conversion of the existing garage to form an annexe ancillary to main dwelling, for a dependant relative. New porch to the front elevation of existing dwelling. Cllr Barton abstained from participating in any discussion on this application and from voting.  Response: RECOMMEND REFUSAL.  The proposed application represents significant overdevelopment of the site and is therefore contrary to Policy DP26: Character and Design of the District Plan and Policy 9: Character and Design of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan.

DM/23/2989 3 Ockenden Way Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HS A single storey, full-width, rear extension, loft conversion with rear facing dormers, elevation changes include new render finish and timber cladding to walls, demolition of existing chimney, new chimney, rooflights, and new glazing and doors throughout. (amended plans and description 11/01). 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/24/0041 Flat 1 And 2 Bridge House Station Approach East Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HN Proposed extension of rear 1st floor dormer to flats 1 and 2 with velux windows. New fire escape off existing balcony. 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/24/0059 13 Abbots Close Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8PH Proposed 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/24/0145 Principals House 6 Ewart Close Hassocks West Sussex 1 x Ash – Reduce spread on southern side by 1.5m. Response: No OBJECTION.

SDNP/24/00100/TCA Clayton Court Farmhouse Underhill Lane Clayton Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9PJ T1 – Crown and Height Reduction of 2.5 Meters. T2- Re-pollard both trees with an overall height reduction of 5m and crown reduced by 3m. T3 – Re-pollard both trees with an overall height reduction of 5m and crown reduction by 3m. T4 – Reduce crown height by 2.5m and balanced overall crown and sides. Carry out light thin of crowns. Response: RECOMMEND APPROVAL to the proposed work to T1, T2 and T4.  RECOMMEND REFUSAL to the height reduction of both trees listed as T3.  These tall established trees are an important feature of the locality and the National Park, therefore a reduction of 5m in height is considered unduly excessive.

P23/143 APPLICATIONS FOR DISCHARGE OF PLANNING CONDITIONS.  None.

P23/144 RESOLVED that the observations on the planning issues as agreed above be submitted to the relevant Planning Authority for consideration.

P23/145 PLANNING AUTHORITY DECISION NOTICES

The following decisions were noted:

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/23/3048 2 Hassocks Gate, Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted
DM/23/2975 40 Wilmington Close, Hassocks	Recommend Approval	Permission Granted

 

The following notifications of Prior Approval was noted:

Application details	Hassocks PC recommendation to Planning Authority	Planning Authority Decision (MSDC/SDNP)
DM/23/3084 13 Queens Drive, Hassocks	Not Consulted	Prior Approval not required.

 

P23/146 Urgent Matters at the discretion of the Chairman for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda.  There were no urgent matters.

P23/147 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Monday 19 February 2024.

There being no other business the Chair closed the meeting at 8pm.