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

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, contact Democratic Services before the meeting.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

1.1      In accordance with the County Council’s Code of Conduct, the following interests were declared:

 

·        Councillor Kitchen and Councillor Baldwin both declared a personal interest in planning application WSCC/049/20 Horsham Fire Station and Training Centre, as Councillors for Horsham District Council.

 

2.

Minutes of last Meeting of Planning Committee pdf icon PDF 205 KB

The Committee is asked to confirm the minutes of the last meeting of Planning Committee held on 8 September 2020 (cream paper).

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

2.1     Resolved - That

 

(1)     the Committee requires that Council Officers and the Chairman consider a request for updates on outstanding applications and delegated decisions for planning matters be provided either at each meeting of Planning and Rights of Way Committee or circulated to Committee members between meetings; and

 

(2)     the minutes of Planning Committee held on 8 September 2020 be agreed as a correct record, and that they be signed by the Chairman.

 

3.

Minutes of the last meeting of Rights of Way Committee pdf icon PDF 137 KB

The Committee is asked to agree the minutes of the last meeting of Rights of Way Committee held on 3 November 2020 (cream paper).

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

3.1     Resolved - That

 

(1)     the Committee requires that Council Officers and the Chairman consider a request for updates on rights of way matters – outstanding actions and delegated decisions – be provided either at each meeting of Planning and Rights of Way Committee or circulated to Committee members between meetings; and

 

(2)     the minutes of minutes of Rights of Way Committee held on
3 November 2020 be agreed as a correct record, and that they be signed by the Chairman.

 

4.

Urgent Matters

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

4.1     There were no urgent matters.

 

5.

Planning Application: Regulation 3 pdf icon PDF 509 KB

Report by Head of Planning Services.

 

To consider and determine the following application:

 

WSCC/049/20 – Erection of Horsham Fire Station and Training Centre, including training buildings, ancillary building, car parking, landscaping, access and emergency access onto A24.  Land at Highwood Village, East of A24, Horsham, RH12 1GF.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

5.1     In accordance with the Council’s Constitution on Planning and Probity on Planning and Rights of Way, Councillor Millson relinquished her seat as a member of Planning and Rights of Way Committee in order to speak on the application as the local member, County Councillor for Horsham Riverside.  Councillor Millson took no part in the debate and voting on the application.

 

5.2     The Committee considered a report by the Head of Planning Services, as amended by Agenda Update Sheet No. 2, which incorporated all previous updates listed in the original Agenda Update sheet (copies appended to the signed copy of the minutes).  The report was introduced by Edward Anderson, who gave a presentation on the proposals, details of the consultation and key issues in respect of the application.

 

5.3     Mrs Trudie Mitchell, Chairman, Horsham Denne Neighbourhood Council (HDNC) spoke on the application and raised some objections.  In general, HDNC supports the application and appreciates amendments made to reduce the overall size of building.  The gold coloured metal cladding on the Live Fire Training tower is building is too garish; the tower and proposed colour are completely out of character with the location and existing building materials, and because the building faces the setting sun there are safety concerns for traffic on the adjacent A24.  A more subdued colour should be considered.  Highwood roundabout presents problems for both motorists and pedestrians.  Confusing lane markings on the slip road approaching the roundabout means motorists switch lanes unexpectedly.  It is very difficult to access the only footpath to Broadbridge Heath due to poor sight lines at the crossing points and the 40mph speed limit means vehicles approach too quickly for safe crossing.  Problems will be exacerbated by the introduction of emergency vehicles and fire station traffic.  It was suggested that traffic signals should be installed during construction of the development.

 

5.4     Mr John Lacey, Assistant Chief Fire Officer, West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (WSFRS) spoke in support of the application.  Fire fighter training is mandatory and currently this is either undertaken at small fire stations or outside the county.  West Sussex has no purpose-built, specialist training facility. This would be the first new fire station in West Sussex since 1974.  Fire training has had to change to meet new risks and realistic training needs to be delivered, which needs to be done in a safe environment.  The development is designed to be a centre of excellence, using state of the art technology and training delivery methods.  The facility would also address some of the matters raised in the 2018 HMIC inspection by providing facilities that attract a more diverse workforce.  The site has been identified in planning policy for over a decade and was included in the outline planning permission for Highwood village.  WSRFS has engaged the community in plans for the site and will continue to do so during construction and operation.  The development has been adapted to make it more ascetically pleasing and to be environmentally sustainable.  The development is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Date of Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Committee will be held at 10.30 am on Tuesday,
2 March 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

6.1     The next scheduled meeting of Planning and Rights of Way Committee will be on Tuesday, 2 March 2021 at 10.30 a.m.

 

6.2     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.