Issue - meetings

Report by Head of Planning Services

To consider and determine the following applications:

WSCC/030/18/SW      Installation of new lighting layout to the existing car parking area.  The Glebe Primary School, Church Lane, Southwick, West Sussex, BN42 4GB

WSCC/030/18/SWInstallation of new lighting layout to the existing car parking area.  The Glebe Primary School, Church Lane, Southwick, West Sussex, BN42 4GB

70.1   The Committee considered a report, as amended by the agenda update sheet, by the Head of Planning Services (copy appended to the signed minutes).  The report was introduced by Sam Dumbrell, Planner who provided a presentation on the proposals, details of consultation and key issues in respect of the application. 

70.2   Mr Barry Candy, local resident, spoke in objection to the application.  The need for lighting is accepted, but the tall lighting columns in the car are intrusive and impact on residents’ amenity; they should be replaced with bollard style lighting.  A school governor has stated that the tall lighting columns in the car park had not been a requirement.  The installation of lighting was sub contracted to a company based in Birmingham that has stated it is not prepared to amend the design which was done without any visit to the location.  A consultation was then carried out, but the design has not been changed.  The Head Teacher has stated that she was not engaged regarding the design, and would be happy with an alternative.  The tall columns are out of scale with the size of the car park.  The intensity of the lamps in the lighting columns is greater than that of the nearby highway lighting.  Residents’ objections are supported by their current County Councillor, and by a previous one as well.  The Committee is urged to either prevent the use of the tall lighting columns in the car park or impose restrictions on their height.

70.3   Mr David Simmons, Member for Southwick spoke on the application.  He requested that this matter be brought before the Committee.  The tall lighting columns in the car park cause a loss of amenity to local residents and can be said to have a significant impact on adjacent properties.  Shielding of lamps on tall columns does not prevent light spill.  Due process has not been followed: the lighting columns were installed without planning permission and without consultation.  Consideration of the impact has not included the floodlights on front of the school.  Lighting levels are unacceptable; only ‘adequate’ lighting is required and this could be obtained by use of bollard lighting in the car park.  Where bollard lighting is proposed along the access road, which next to walls and vegetation, it is considered adequate.  The bollard lighting has no impact on the adjacent Conservation Area and so should be used throughout.  The person in support of the application lives on the school site.  The designers/engineers did not even visit the site before the tall lighting columns were installed.  The part of the application recommending lighting columns in the car park should be rejected.

70.4   In response to points made by the speakers, Planning Officers clarified the following:

·         On the last point made Mr Simmons, the Committee is required to consider the acceptability of the whole application.

·         In relation to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70