Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtual meeting with restricted public access

Contact: Tracey Guinea on 033 022 28679  Email:  tracey.guinea@westsussex.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

The Committee formally noted their thanks to the former County Planning Team Manager, Jane Moseley (who has now left the Council) for her many years of service and support to Planning Committee.

 

1.

Declarations of Interest

Members and officers must declare any pecuniary or personalinterest in any business on the agenda. They should also make declarations at any stage such an interest becomes apparent during the meeting. Consideration should be given to leaving the meeting if the nature of the interest warrants it.  If in doubt please contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.1        In accordance with the County Council’s code of the conduct, the following declarations of interest made by Committee members:

 

·        In relation to Planning Applications WSCC/078/19 and WSCC/079/19, Wood Barn Farm, Broadford Bridge:

-      Cllr Kitchen declared a personal interest as a member of Horsham District Council.

 

·        In relation to Planning Application WSCC/081/19, Kilmarnock Farm, Ifield:

-      Cllr Burrett and Cllr Quinn declared personal interests as members of Crawley Borough Council, and

-      Cllr Kitchen declared a personal interest as the local councillor for St Leonard’s Forest (Cllr Kitchen retained her right to speak on the application as a member of Planning Committee).

 

1.2     In accordance the County Council’s Constitution: Code of Practice on Probity and Protocol on Public Participation in Planning and Rights of Way Committees, all Planning Committee members in attendance declared that they have been lobbied in relation to Planning Applications WSCC/078/19 and WSCC/079/19, Wood Barn Farm, Broadford Bridge.

 

2.

Minutes of the last meeting of the Committee pdf icon PDF 106 KB

The Committee is asked to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2020 (cream paper).

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

2.1     Resolved – that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 February 2020 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

 

3.

Urgent Matters

Items not on the agenda which the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency by reason of special circumstances.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

3.1     There were no urgent matters.

 

 

 

4.

Planning Applications: Minerals pdf icon PDF 357 KB

Report by Head of Planning Services.

 

To consider and determine the following applications:

 

WSCC/078/19 - Amendment of condition no. 1 of planning permission WSCC/033/18/WC to enable the retention of security fencing, gates and cabins for a further 24 months.

 

WSCC/079/19 - Amendment of condition no. 1 of planning permission WSCC/032/18/WC extending the permission by 24 months to enable the completion of phase 4 site retention and restoration.

 

At Wood Barn Farm, Adversane Lane, Broadford Bridge, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9ED

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

WSCC/078/19 - Amendment of condition no. 1 of planning permission WSCC/033/18/WC to enable the retention of security fencing, gates and cabins for a further 24 months.

 

WSCC/079/19 - Amendment of condition no. 1 of planning permission WSCC/032/18/WC extending the permission by 24 months to enable the completion of phase 4 site retention and restoration.

 

At Wood Barn Farm, Adversane Lane, Broadford Bridge, Billingshurst, West Sussex, RH14 9ED

 

4.1     The Committee considered a report by the Head of Planning Services.  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.  It was noted that recent objections include one that states that the Loxley Well site and Horse Hill sites in Surrey have problems with water; an application for the former has been refused by Surrey County Council.  The agent for the application has confirmed that the applicant is still testing at Horse Hill and the data from Loxley Well is not determinate for the application being considered.  Therefore, the comments received would not alter the recommendation in the Committee report.

 

4.2     Dr Jill Sutcliffe, Chairman of Keep Kirdford and Wisborough Green, spoke in objection to the application.  Following drilling two years ago the applicant stated that the oil well produced “little of commercial value” and they would restore the site if nothing was found, so there is no economic gain in retaining the well.  During the drilling phase local residents were impacted by the increases in HGVs and damage was caused to the A29 junction, costing £27k to repair.  The continued production and use of hydrocarbons adds to greenhouse gas emissions and there is concern that temperate increases could cause loss of coastal land in West Sussex if sea levels increase.  The UK is not meeting emissions targets.  There is a legal requirement that planning authorities must address climate change.  The applicant’s financial position is a concern; a bond should be established to ensure site restoration takes place.  Contamination from chemicals should well integrity fail, and because of highlighted faults in the Weald, are a concern for the environment.  Nothing has been found at the site and both the NPPF and the Joint Minerals Local Plan require restoration and aftercare ‘at the earliest opportunity’.

 

4.3     During Dr Sutcliff’s presentation, the Committee paused at 10.55 a.m. due to Cllr Millson losing connection with the virtual meeting and resumed at 10.57 a.m. without Cllr Millson.  The Committee paused again at 10.59 a.m. due to Cllr Atkins losing connection and resumed at 11.00 a.m. when connection was re-established.

 

4.4     Mrs Caroline Instance, an interested party, spoken in objection to the application.  The County Council is hypocritical and inconsistent by making a climate pledge whilst allowing hydrocarbon extraction.  There is no need for the development; testing has not found anything of commercial value and will not do so in future.  The applicant has given no reasonable reason for the delay and should restore the site.  Hydrocarbons still  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Planning Application: Waste pdf icon PDF 388 KB

Report by Head of Planning Services.

 

To consider and determine the following application:

 

WSCC/081/19 – Proposed Temporary Concrete Crushing and Soil Recycling Facility.

 

Kilmarnock Farm, Charlwood Road, Ifield, RH11 0JY

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

WSCC/081/19 – Proposed Temporary Concrete Crushing and Soil Recycling Facility

 

Kilmarnock Farm, Charlwood Road, Ifield, RH11 0JY

 

5.1     The Committee considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (copy appended to the signed minutes).  The report was introduced by James Neave, Acting County Planning Team Manager , who provided a presentation on the proposals, details of consultation and key issues in respect of the application.  It was noted that the reference to the NPPF at paragraph 6.8 of the Committee report should read NPPW.  It was also noted that location of Burlands Farm as identified in the appendices is slightly further north than that shown.

 

5.2     During James Neave’s presentation, the Committee paused at 11.57 a.m. because Cllr Millson lost connection to the meeting, and reconvened at 12.00 p.m. without Cllr Millson.

 

5.3     The Committee adjourned at 12.09 p.m. and reconvened at
12.15 p.m.

 

5.4     The Committee noted apologies from Cllr Millson for the remainder of the meeting because she was unable to re-establish a connection.

 

5.5     A statement in objection to the application was read out on behalf of Richard Symonds, representing the Ifield Society.  There are safety concerns because Charlwood Road is a very busy, narrow country road with bends and no pavements that is rat run and dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists; horse-riders, including children, and slow moving tractors also use the road.  There has been one fatality.  The applicant’s HGVs thunder up and down the road continually and there are concerns this will increase if the Kilnwood Vale housing development goes ahead and the applicant’s contract there continues.  The applicant claims to be searching for a permanent site, but they said that seven years and more ago.  The application should be rejected on safety grounds.

 

5.6     Mr George Rayson, WS Planning and Architecture, agent for the application spoke in support of the application.  The proposal complies with climate change objectives to reduce carbon; the site is 0.6 miles from the applicants existing operation, thus reducing transport.  This is a local business that can help the economy recover.  The land meets NPPF categorisation of previously developed land.  A Planning Inspector previously considered that the site has easy access to Crawley and M23 and it is well placed, being only 1.4 miles south-east to nearest lorry route.  The site meets all criteria in Policy W3 of the Waste Local Plan: it is a brownfield site that meets the County’s needs for inert waste recycling.  The area is already affected by noise from other industrial use and from Gatwick.  Sensitive receptors have been taken into account.  The site is contained by woodland and hedgerow and the quality of the open view from the footpath could be improved with new planting.  A second runway at Gatwick has been not approved and even if it were it would not be in place for some years; this application takes into account the safeguarded land because it is for a 5-year temporary period.  Three other planning applications previously approved at Kilmarnock Farm  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Authorisation to discharge functions on behalf of West Sussex County Council pdf icon PDF 110 KB

Report by Head of Planning Services

 

To consider and determine a request to for authority, under an agency agreement with Horsham District Council under Section 101 of the Local Government Act, to allow that authority to discharge the County Council’s functions in relation to the part of the site that lies outside of the South Downs National Park.

 

Authorisation for Horsham District Council to discharge functions on behalf of West Sussex County Council

 

Land West of Ravenscroft, Storrington, West Sussex, RH20 4EH

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Authorisation for Horsham District Council to discharge functions on behalf of West Sussex County Council

 

Land West of Ravenscroft, Storrington, West Sussex, RH20 4EH

 

6.1     The Committee considered a report by the Head of Planning Services.  The report was introduced by James Neave, Acting County Planning Team Manager, who gave a presentation on the reason for and key points of the proposal.

 

6.2     During the debate, the Committee raised the points below and clarification was provided by the Planning Officers, where applicable.

 

·        The proposal is appropriate because Horsham District Council is responsible for determining planning applications for housing.

 

·        Clarification was sought about whether South Downs National both SDNPA and Horsham District Council.

 

·        It was queried whether this legislation applies only where the application site straddles the boundary because it is not clear from recommendation.  Park Authority (SDNP) could take on the application.  Planning Officers advised it is not certain if the legislation would allow this; however, the developer has been in discussion with Planning Officers confirmed that this is the correct.

 

6.3     The substantive recommendation was proposed by Cllr Kitchen and seconded by Cllr Atkins and was put to the Committee and approved unanimously.

 

6.4     Resolved – That West Sussex County Council enters into an agency agreement with Horsham District Council to allow that authority to discharge the County Council’s planning functions in relation to the part of the proposed development site on land west of Ravenscroft, Storrington that lies outside of the South Downs National Park.

 

7.

Update on Mineral, Waste and Regulation 3 Planning Applications pdf icon PDF 139 KB

Report by Strategic Planning, County Planning Manager.

 

To note the schedule of County Matter applications and the schedule of applications submitted under the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 – Regulation 3.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

7.1     The Committee received and noted a report by Strategic Planning, County Planning Manager on applications awaiting determination (copy appended to the signed minutes) detailing the schedule of County Matter applications and the schedule of applications submitted under the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 – Regulation 3.

 

8.

Report of Delegated Action pdf icon PDF 174 KB

Report by Strategic Planning, County Planning Manager.

 

To note the report of applications approved subject to conditions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 since the Planning Committee meeting on
4 February 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

8.1       The Committee received and noted a report by Strategic Planning, County Planning Manager (copy appended to the signed minutes) applications approved subject to conditions under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Regulation 3 of the Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 since the Planning Committee meeting on
4 February 2020.

 

9.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Planning Committee will be held at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday, 8 September 2020.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

9.1       The following scheduled meeting of Planning Committee will be on Tuesday, 8 September at 10.30 a.m. at County Hall, Chichester.

 

9.2       In accordance with regulations in response to the current public health emergency, this meeting may be held virtually with members in remote attendance and with public access via webcasting.