Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Planning Services.

The Committee is asked to consider and determine the following application:

WSCC/004/20 – Restoration of the former Standen Landfill site with a woodland and pasture landfill cap system. Evergreen Farm, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, RH19 4NE.

WSCC/004/20 – Restoration of the former Standen Landfill site with a woodland and pasture landfill cap system.  Evergreen Farm, West Hoathly Road, East Grinstead, RH19 4NE.

6.1     The Committee considered a report by the Head of Planning Services, including an additional condition as amended by the Agenda Update Sheet (copy appended to the signed copy of the minutes).  The report was introduced by Chris Bartlett, Principal Planner, who gave a presentation on the proposals, details of the consultation and key issues in respect of the application.  The Committee was asked to note a plan showing cross-sections A-A, B-B and C-C that was missed from the printed version of the agenda papers.

6.2     Zara Luxford, General Manger, Standen House (National Trust), spoke in objection to the application.  Standen House is dependent on its 150,000 visitors a year to make a profit and continue with its conservation work.  Having to negotiate heavy HGV traffic to access Standen House is likely to deter visitors.  The proposed window for HGV movements including return journeys would mean one HGV movement every 6 minutes, and more likely would mean HGVs moving in convoys at times.  Therefore, the Transport Assessment is incorrect and out of date.  62 HGV movements is a 60+ percentage increase in HGV movements along West Hoathly Road.  This should not be considered to be negligible nor would it be easily accommodated.  The narrow road would present major problems for HGVs and cars trying to pass an HGV travelling in the opposite direction, potentially causing congestion or accidents.  There are also concerns about the sandstone rock outcrops on the road around the entrance to Standen House.  The following mitigation measures were recommended: signage, traffic lights, speed limited, priority for visitors to Standen House, briefings to haulage contractors, marshals/banksmen, community liaison and a Construction Manager. 

6.3     The Committee noted a written statement in objection to the application from Mr Philip Wade, local resident.  The transport plan is strongly biased.  The proposed additional 62 HGV movements per day would be totally dangerous.  It would be an increase from 25 to 87 HGV movements per day.  The features and concerns of the proposed route from Imberhorne Lane to Evergreen Farm were described; these include the width restrictions at certain points, bends, bridges and road sections at risk of collapse or damage.  The route was not built to take the proposed frequency of heavy traffic, which would likely lead to further damage and need for repairs.  An alternative route from the Felbridge traffic lights, south on the A22 via Brooklands Way, Turners Hill Road and Saint Hill Road to Evergreen Farm was proposed.

6.4     The Committee noted a written statement in objection to the application from Mr Peter McNamee, local resident.  The proposal does not accord with Policy W13(c) of the West Sussex Waste Local Plan because it does not protect landscapes.  The Committee report has not explained the criterion for proving what an “overriding need for the development” is.  The need would be shown if the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6