Planning Committee

Minutes

HASSOCKS PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Monday 20^th July 2026 at 7.30pm

in the Parish Centre, Adastra Park, Hassocks

Attendees: Parish Councillors: Cllr Kristian Berggreen, Cllr Bob Brewer, Cllr Lesley Cruikshank-Robb, Cllr Peter Reime, Cllr Don McBeth, Cllr Maria Angelaki-King, Cllr Bill Hatton.

In Attendance: Clerk – Elaine Langridge

P26/32 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. There were no apologies for absence. Cllr Clare Black was absent without apologies

P26/33 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST. There were no declarations of interest.

P26/34 MINUTES. It was RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 29^th June 2026 be signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record of the meeting.

P26/35 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. No members of the public present.

P26/36 APPLICATIONS:

P26/36.1 DM/26/1229 St Winifreds 44 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NL Variation of condition no 2 relating to planning application DM/24/2618 – to allow design changes.

RECOMMENDATION:  The committee recommend that permission is granted.

P26/36.2 DM/25/2046 Evergreen London Road Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9NA Outline planning application for 3 detached dwellings. (Amended plans received 09.03.2026, Heritage Statement and PEA received 21.05.2026, Tree Survey and Reptile Survey received 15.06.2026, Flood Risk Assessment received 17.06.2026, Planning Statement, DAS and BNG information received 18.06.2026 and amended Application form received 24.06.2026.)

RECOMMENDATION:

The committee considers that there is insufficient evidence to amend the previous recommendation that permission is refused.

• The transport statement is based on a proposed development from 2016; an up-to-date study is necessary.
• Development in this area will further erode the strategic gap between Hassocks & Burgess Hill.
• The committee supports the concerns and recommendation for Refusal of the MSDC Flood Risk and Drainage Team citing that ‘the proposal is contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, the Planning Practice Guidance for Flood Risk and Coastal Change, and Policy DP41 of the Mid Sussex District Plan.’
• The committee maintains its support of the continued concerns raised by Naturespace surrounding wildlife. The committee notes the submission of a full Tree Survey and Arboricultural Impact Assessment as requested by the MSDC Tree Officer, however, would continue to defer to any concerns or recommendations raised by the Tree Officer on this report.

P26/36.3 DM/26/1130 19 St Andrews Place Hassocks West Sussex BN6 9QE Proposed single storey side/rear extension (amended plans received 30.06.2026).

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend that permission is granted.

P26/36.4 DM/26/1448 Bridge End 26A Lodge Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NA Addition of 14 solar panels to existing slate roof.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend that permission is granted.

P26/36.5 DM/26/1621 Beechwood South Bank Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8JP  Beech (T1) – reduce overhang to garden by approx 1.5m, no further than previous pruning points.

RECOMMENDATION: Refer to Tree Officer.

P26/36.6 DM/26/1489 Rosewood House Ockley Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8NU Amendment to previously approved application DM/26/0978 to include a new dormer to the south elevation.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend that permission is granted.

P26/36.7 DM/26/1620 3 Orchard Lane Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8QE Demolition of existing conservatory and proposed single storey rear extension.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend that permission is granted.

P26/36.8 DM/26/1132 Land Parcel To The North Of Nos. 42-54 Hurst Road Hassocks West Sussex Proposed tractor parking area, donkey enclosure, donkey stable, 3 shepherd huts and a wildlife pond. Retrospective consent for 2.1m high boundary fencing and access gates. (Additional supporting photographs, information and fencing details received 11.06.2026). Arboricultural Method Statement, Tree Report and Tree Constraints and Protection Plan received 13.07.2026.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend that permission is granted.

P26/36.9 DM/26/1270 36 Kings Drive Hassocks West Sussex BN6 8DZ Part retrospective application for alterations to the existing garage and the proposed change of use of the garage to a residential dwelling (Amended description and plans).

RECOMMENDATION: The committee has considered the amended description and plans and recommend that permission is refused.  The development is considered incongruous with the streetscene and is contrary to District Plan Policy DP26 and Neighbourhood Plan Policy 9 Character and Design as it does not respect the character and scale of the surrounding buildings and landscape.

P26/36.10 SDNP/26/02213/FUL Millbrook, Underhill Lane, Clayton, West Sussex, BN6 9PJ Erection of chalet style bungalow attached to the existing exchange building.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend permission is refused.

The proposed dwelling is within the Clayton Conservation Area and will encroach on both the surrounding countryside and have a negative impact on the rural setting of the adjacent recreation ground.  The Committee considers that the application is detrimental to the special qualities and features of both the Clayton Conservation Area and the South Downs National Park and is therefore contrary to Policy 6: Development Proposals Affecting the South Downs National Park, Policy 7: Development in Conservation Areas and Policy 9: Character and Design, of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan and Policies SD4: Landscape and Character and SD15: Conservation Areas of the South Downs Local Plan.

P26/36.11 SDNP/26/02130/FUL Southdown Way Caravan and Camping Park, Lodge Lane, Hassocks, West Sussex, BN6 8LX Erection of no.11 accessible holiday lodges and refuse store with hard surfacing, drainage and landscaping.

RECOMMENDATION: The committee recommend permission is refused.

The committee is opposed to the application to install permanent lodges at this site; the quantity of proposed dwellings and the layout plans reflect to all intents a small close of bungalows.  This site is a rural camping location within the South Downs National Park and needs to be protected from any potential development proposals which may cause harm or be detrimental to the land in the park.  Furthermore, the committee considers that the location of this site is not suited to accessible holiday lodges; there is no safe or accessible connection by foot into the village.  Therefore, it is considered that this application is contrary to Policies NP6: Development Proposals Affecting the South Downs National Park and NP 9: Character and Design of the Hassocks Neighbourhood Plan; and Policies SD4: Landscape Character and SD5: Design.  The Council supports comments made by the Rights of Way and Access Officer regarding limited pedestrian and cycle access, particularly the absence of continuous footway provision on Lodge Lane. Section 2.3 of the Transport Statement acknowledges that there is no pavement on Lodge Lane which is being used for pedestrian access to and from the site toward Keymer village but makes no attempt to address this and provide a new footpath within the site boundary. Although the applicant appears to be exempt from CIL payment – please can it be recommended that a contribution is made to WSCC Highways towards the construction of a safe pedestrian access route in Lodge Lane. Also, the proposed site plan indicates a potential second entrance on land owned by the applicant, north of the site boundary.  The transport statement indicates this as an approved access point which may be used in future, and we would like clarity on this as it is not currently used for visitor vehicle access to the campsite.

P26/37 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:

P26/38 URGENT MATTERS.  The Clerk advised that, following a request from parish and town councils, Mid Sussex District Council will be updating the wording included within their neighbour consultation letters for planning applications. The additional wording will advise residents that their parish or town council will be consulted on planning applications and that, if they would like their parish or town council to consider their comments, they should check their council’s website to find out when the application will be discussed. The agreed wording is:

“Your parish or town council will be asked for their views on this planning application. If you would like your parish or town council to consider your comments, please check their website to find out when the application will be discussed.”

P26/39 DATE OF NEXT MEETING. Monday 10^th August 2026 – Adastra Hall