Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Tuesday 7^th April 2026 at 7.30pm in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Kristian Berggreen, Cllr Bob Brewer, Cllr Peter Reime, Cllr Maria Angelaki- King.

In Attendance: Deputy Clerk – Helen Valler and one member of the public.

P25/130 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Apologies were received from Cllr Don McBeth and Cllr Bill Hatton. Absent without apologies: Cllr Lesley Cruikshank-Robb.

P25/131 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. The committee declared a personal interest in item 5.6 DM/26/0696.

P25/132 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on
16^th March 2026 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P25/133 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. One member of the public present.

P25/134 APPLICATIONS:

P25/134.1 DM/26/0627 25 Dale Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8LP Proposed Outbuilding.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee considered the conclusions of the drainage report submitted by MSDC Flooding & Drainage Team and recommend the application is refused.

P25/134.2 DM/26/0596 The Royal British Legion Woodsland Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HE Change of use of the existing vacant social club (use Class F2) to six residential units (use Class C3), with a first floor extension proposed above the existing ground floor addition to the front of the building, together with the installation of new windows, roof lights, solar panels and heat pumps and a bin and cycle store. One member of the public spoke in support.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee have no objection in principle to development of the site into residential units, but feel the current design should be refused for the following reasons:

• Overdevelopment – DP26 Character & Design DP27 Dwelling space standards – Some of the units are small and lacking in sufficient natural light.
• There is no provision in the plans for electric car charging
• There is no provision for visitor car parking in an area of Hassocks already under pressure from on street parking.

P25/134.3 DM/26/0421 Hassocks Football Club The Beacon Brighton Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9PF Single storey pitched roof extension to the west elevation to enlarge the kitchen area (Amended plans received 16 March 2026 showing amended design).

RECOMMENDATION: The committee reiterate previous comments and recommend permission is granted.

P25/134.4 DM/26/0655 9 Adastra Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DP Proposed ground floor rear extension.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend permission is granted.

P25/134.5 DM/26/0713 DM/26/0713 16 Mackie Avenue Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NL Proposed single storey rear extension.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend permission is granted.

P25/134.6 DM/26/0696 Adastra Park Keymer Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8QE Construction of a two lane cricket net structure measuring approximately up to 35 metres in length and 9.3 metres in width and up to 4 metres in height.

RECOMMENDATION: The Parish Council fully support this application from the cricket club and recommend permission. We have agreed to allocate a suitable area for Biodiversity Net Gain, if required, details to be agreed by Planning condition.

P25/135.7 DM/26/0525 69 Downs View Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8HY Proposed single storey side extension to replace existing single storey side extension.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend permission is granted.

P25/135.8 DM/25/3128 8 The Crescent Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8RB Revised description: Application for a new fence to the northern boundary: Amended plans submitted showing revised design and cladding of posts and gravel boards.

RECOMMENDATION: No objection.

P25/135.9 SDNP/25/03633/FUL Land at Grid Reference 530024 114907, Brighton Road, Hassocks, West Sussex Development of southern field into a playable football pitch.

RECOMMENDATION: Although the committee have no objection in principle to the use of the land for additional sports facilities, considering the comments stated in the objection letter they feel the application in its current form should be refused. The committee have concerns about the lack of parking provision to support the increased capacity.

P25/136 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:

P25/137 INFORMATION ITEM:  At the Planning meeting of 23^rd February Cllr Reime raised that the Clerk had mentioned about arranging for a Planning Consultant to attend a meeting. The Deputy Clerk has spoken to the Clerk. She has been unable to contact our planning consultant and due to the government currently reviewing the NPPF, recommended this is put on hold whilst we await the outcome of the review.

The committee noted the above and stated they would still like a planning consultant to attend a meeting at an appropriate time in the future.

P25/138 URGENT MATTERS at the discretion of the Chair for noting and/or inclusion on a future agenda. There were no urgent matters.

P25/139 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Monday 27^th April 2026.