Southwater

PLANNING COMMITTEE

08-Sep-2005

SOUTHWATER PARISH COUNCIL

The Minutes of the PLANNING COMMITTEE Meeting held on Thursday, 8^{th September 2005 in the Council Chamber, Church Lane, Southwater}

Present: Chairman: Mrs J.Oswald

Mr A. Bull Mrs P.Flores-Moore

Mr J. Forrest Mrs J. Oswald

Mr J. Senneck Mr P. Stainton

Clerk: Mrs J. Nagy, Deputy Clerk to the Council

District Councillors:

Press: Not present Members of the Public: None

P60/09/05 APOLOGIES

Apologies were noted and accepted from Mr Clarke, Mrs Hill,

P61/09/05 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

P62/09/05 MINUTES

It was proposed by and seconded by and agreed by all that the Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting held on 7th July 2005 be accepted as a true and proper record.

P63/09/05 CHAIRMANS ANNOUNCEMENTS

P64/09/05 CORRESPONDENCE

Items to be tabled:

Agenda for Horsham District Council Development Control (North) Committee held on Tuesday, 5th July 2005

South-East Plan: Revised Advice on Preparing the District Level Housing Distribution

Horsham District Local Development Framework to 2016: Submission Draft Statement

Horsham District Council?s Local Performance Plan 2005

a) CPRE Planning Conferences ? letter dated 29th June 2005

The Campaign to Protect Rural England had arranged two conferences ? one in West Sussex and one in East Sussex - on the new planning system. This will take place in Billingshurst on Thursday, 6th October 2005, from 2pm to 5pm at a cost of £5 per delegate.

The Deputy Clerk indicated that she would like to attend, together with Mrs Hill, Mr Forrest and Mr Clarke.

b) Felling of Trees in Denne Park

At the last Planning Committee meeting Mr Tony Bull asked the Deputy Clerk to investigate the felling of trees in Denne Park. Horsham District Council has replied that the Forestry Commission have a license to fell 24 large trees, including oaks for the purposes of thinning. The trees in question are very close to TPO 1 which has been in place since 1950. However, the District Council are happy for the work to go ahead, as it will improve the woodland in the long term.

c) Holy Innocents Church Press Release

The Churchwardens have announced the appointment of the Reverend Dominic Newstead as the new vicar of the parish. Dominic is currently Chaplain to the Anglican Church in Fontainebleu. He is married to Annie, and they have four young children. It is expected that Dominic and his family will move to Southwater in August and his induction as Vicar of Holy Innocents will take place on 15th September.

d) Queens? Award for Voluntary Service

We have received some flyers and posters advertising this award scheme, which is given for outstanding achievement by groups of volunteers. These will be put on the Council noticeboards, but in the meantime, would any Councillors wish to suggest any nominations for the award. The deadline for entry is 30th September 2005.

e) NHS Survey for Horsham Constituency

The Rt Hon Francis Maude has written to ask the opinion of a cross section of the community on local health services. He has asked that a questionnaire be distributed amongst Councillors.

f) Horsham and Chanctonbury Patient & Public Involvement Forum

The Forum has sent posters to advertise their recruitment drive to encourage volunteers to join the Forum. The PPI Forums exist to find out the views and concerns of the local population regarding health services, to monitor and review services from the patients viewpoint, and to represent patients? and the public?s views in order to effect positive changes to health services.

g) Stammerham Amenity Association

The Association have a meeting tonight at 8pm at Pineapple Cottage in Denne Park.

h) Arden, correspondence dating back to October 2004

It was reported at last month?s Planning Committee meeting that Ray Wright, Head of Developmental Control, had passed all the correspondence relating to the cladding of the two houses built on the site of the house Arden on Worthing Rd to Val Cheesman, the officer responsible for the original application.

However, the Parish Council have received no reply, or acknowledgement to its outstanding query.

P51/07/05 VILLAGE CENTRE REDEVELOPMENT

A new plan has been submitted DC/05/1522 which incorporates minor changes to the approved application DC/04/1901. These are as follows:

· alterations to Block G, the community building, to reduce circulation areas and provide a more compact plan form. Hilary Conlon is to advise if this will affect the area allocated to the Parish Council

· amendments to Block KL to allow an existing fibre optic cable to remain in situ.

· Additional parking to the east of Block G

· Amendments to parking adjacent to Village Surgery access road to allow the Telecommunications mast, junction box and lamp post to remain in situ.

· Alterations to the public recycling provision as it has been shown that the drainage of the pits to the foul drain system could not be achieved by gravitational flow, making the underground option unviable.

· Alterations to north boundary and refuse enclosures as existing concrete footings have proved unsuitable for founding the proposed brick walling and refuse enclosures. The brick will be replaced with close board fencing and timber screening.

· Alterations to the south boundary and refuse enclosures as the existing boundary wall is unstable and has been removed. This has exposed a neglected piece of land under the ownership of Horsham District Council; its inclusion within the curtailage of the scheme allows an increase in amenity space and improved circulation patterns. A close boarded fence will mark the revised boundary position.

All these amendments were considered, and no objections were raised to any of them, with the exception of the alterations to the north boundary, as it was thought important to retain the brick wall to protect the privacy and security of the residents of The Forge. A brick wall will also provide a degree of noise insulation for the residents.

It was agreed by all to raise no objection to the application in principle, but to object to the replacement of the brick wall with close board fencing, for the reasons as stated above.

P52/07/05 PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

Blakes Farm Road ? Persimmons

Coole & Haddock have sent the plan to the Land Registry for checking, and the four title documents are back with Persimmons with various questions outstanding.

The materials for the new fencing at Larkspur Way and Warren Drive play areas is due to arrive shortly, and the contractor will advise when the work is to commence.

Turners Close

The kissing gate and signage have been ordered.

Coole & Haddock have replied in response to the Clerk?s letter enquiring about the liability of the Council in the event of the grass-cutting contractor damaging the road surface in the area.

John Lacy has replied that the Council has no obligation to contribute towards the cost of routine repairs. However, if damage is caused to the surface which exceeds normal wear and tear, the person liable for the damage would be responsible to the owner of the roadway for the cost of making good the damage.

If this person is a direct employee of the Parish Council, then liability would fall on the Parish Council. If the person is a contractor, then the Parish Council would be entitled to look to the contractor for an indemnity if any direct action were successfully taken against the Parish Council.

Nutham Lane/Eversfield

Discussions are to resume with Horsham District Council to install a dog bin near the allotments.

Ben?s Field, Southwater Country Park

Skateboard Park

The next public meeting will take place on 12th July at the Leisure Centre. Horsham District Council is currently seeking planning permission to change the use of the land from agricultural to car park and street sports.

P53/07/05 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

It was proposed by Mr Clarke and seconded by Mrs Oswald that Standing Orders should be suspended in to order to allow members of the public to speak. All agreed.

There being no comments that those present wished to make, Standing Orders were reinstated.

P54/07/05 HIGHWAYS, DRAINAGE, STREET LIGHTING, FOOTPATHS AND

RIGHTS OF WAY

Monthly meeting with County Highways

The monthly meeting between the Clerk and Paul Addison of West Sussex County Highways department took place on Thursday, 30th June. Minutes of this meeting have been copied to councillors.

One item under discussion at the meeting was the problem of parking obstructing the bus-stop in Two Mile Ash Rd. A resident has sent some photos to illustrate the problem. The Clerk has already written to Neil Smith to request bus clearway markings.

Station Rd Parking

This matter was also discussed at the Highways meeting, as it is an ongoing problem with users of the Country Park parking on the footpath.

Neil Smith, Local Highways Manager, will look again at the original plans, as he was not involved at the time, to see what can be done to improve the situation. It was also pointed out to Mr Smith that the path is a two-way cycle path as well as a footpath, but there is no signage to indicate the fact. Mr Senneck said that there should be enough money remaining under the s106 agreement which financed the original work to pay for improvements to the path.

West Sussex County Council Highways Works Programme 2005/2006

Works planned for Southwater are:

· Carriageway surface redressing on A24 in 2006/7

· Enhanced infrastructure of bus Route 98 in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007

· Drainage improvements at Tower Hill in 2005/2006

· Carriageway resurfacing in College Rd in 2006/2007

West Sussex County Council Temporary Closure Order 2005

The County Council will be imposing a 30mph speed limit on a length of Tower Hill and Two Mile Ash Rd from Worthing Rd to Christ?s Hospital Rd. This is for health and safety reasons whilst drainage work is undertaken, and will last six weeks after commencement on 1st August 2005.

Government Office of the South-East Stopping-Up Order

GOSE have written to advise that a section of Station Rd will be stopped up to enable development work.

The Deputy Clerk will ask for clarification as to when this stopping up order will be put into force.

Wall at Porchester Close and Easteds Lane footpath

The wall adjacent to Footpath 1680/1 running through Porchester Close to Easteds Lane is badly cracked and appears to be in imminent danger of collapse. This has been reported previously, but Mr Clarke asked the Deputy Clerk to pursue the matter urgently.

Request for new Streetlight in Cripplegate Lane

Mr Senneck said that he had been approached by a local resident who asked if a streetlight could be installed outside Ranville in Cripplegate Lane. There is a layby at this point in the road, and it is very dark there at night. There is already a pole on the site which could be used for mounting the light.

The Deputy Clerk advised Mr Senneck that the lights along Cripplegate Lane were Parish lights. She will ask Streetlighting to cost the installation of such a light, and the implications of ongoing costs. A report will be submitted to the next Finance & General Purpose Committee.

Mrs Flores-Moore arrived at 8.15pm.

Shaws Lane

Mr Forrest reported that the road surface at the junction of Shaws Lane is badly damaged. The Deputy Clerk will pass this onto Highways.

A24 Crash Barrier

Mr Clarke asked the Deputy Clerk to ask Highways when the large dent in the crash barrier on the A24 Southwater by-pass would be repaired.

Mrs Oswald said that the barrier must have been hit with some speed to create such a dent, and it was fortunate that the barrier was in place to avoid a serious accident.

P55/07/05 NEW PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Both Mrs Hill and Mrs Flores- Moore declared an interest in the first application, DC/05/0719, as both owned adjoining properties.

Mrs Hill and Mrs Flores-Moore left the room and Mrs Oswald took the Chair.

Application	Applicant	Reason	Decision
^{DC/05/0719 AMENDED PLAN} Mr Clarke	^{Brookworth Dev. Land at Woodpeckers, St Helier and Roselynn, Southwater St} Southwater	Demolition of Woodpeckers, and erection of 3 pairs of semi-detached houses, and a terrace of 3 houses	Object to the terrace of 5 houses, as not in keeping with the village. No access to rear gardens. No provision for wheelie bins.

^{Mrs Hill resumed the Chair.}

Application	Applicant	Reason	Decision
^DC/05/1427 Mrs Flores-Moore	^{Mr Norris, 9, Quarry Way,} Southwater	Conservatory	No objection
^DC/05/1458 Mrs Hill	^{Mr Grove, 22, Millfield} Southwater	Two-storey side extension	No objection
^DC/05/1486 Mrs Oswald	^{Mr Ali Fatehnia, Southwater Bakery} Worthing Rd	Shopfront	No objection
DC/05/1522	^{Horsham District Council} Village Redevelopment	Alterations to DC/05/1901	Comment as minuted under P51/0705

^{P56/07/05 PLANNING APPEALS
The following appeal has been lodged:}

Application No	Appellant	Reason
^DC/05/0724	^{Mr & Mrs Westergaard, Stoneleigh, Tower Hill}	^{Conversion of outbuildings to dwelling}

^{The following appeal has been decided:}

Application No	Appellant	Reason	Decision
^{Enforcement Notice}	^{Mr & Mrs Holding, Birchwood House, Shaws Lane Southwater}	^{Change of use of annexe known at Birchwood Lodge to use as separate dwelling}	QUASHED

Mr & Mrs Holding have sent the Parish Council a copy of a press release in relation to this appeal in which allegations are made as to the inadequacy of the District Council planning process.

P57/07/05 HORSHAM DISTRICT COUNCIL PLANNING DECISIONS

Application No	Applicant	Reason	Decision
DC/05/0292	^{Wood End,} Cripplegate Lane	Replacement boundary fence	PERMITTED
DC/05/0631	81, Bluecoat Pond	Conservatory	PERMITTED
DC/05/0826	30 York Close	Surgery on 5 field maples and 1 oak	PERMITTED
DC/05/0856	^{Millstone Cottage,} Cripplegate Lane	Single storey rear extension	PERMITTED
DC/05/0913	93, Bluecoat Pond	Conservatory	PERMITTED
DC/05/0959	5, Reed Lane	Single storey rear extension	PERMITTED
DC/05/0973	^{Woodmans Hall,} Worthing Rd	Two-storey side extension	REFUSED
DC/05/0974	8, The Gables	Loft conversion with two dormer windows	REFUSED
DC/05/0975	^{IBM Ltd} Southwater Business Park	Installation of two oil tanks	PERMITTED
DC/05/1019	7, The Glen	Single storey rear extension	PERMITTED
DC/05/1054	^{Lawful Dev Cert at} 77, Charlock Way	Conservatory	CERTIFIED
DC/05/1095	21, Wealdon Close	Single storey side extension and conservatory	PERMITTED
DC/05/1096	5, Castlewood Rd	Conservatory	PERMITTED
DC/05/1111	5, Worthing Rd	Single storey rear extension	PERMITTED
DC/05/1133	^{Rose Cottage,} Worthing Rd	Two-storey rear extension	PERMITTED
DC/05/1126	36, Cedar Drive	Single storey side/rear extension and conservatory	PERMITTED

^{P58/07/05 ENFORCEMENT MATTERS
a) Land at Southwater St
Drainage work has now been carried out on the site.
b) 5, Poppy Close
This property is in the process of having a loft conversion with velux windows. However, it is permitted development.

c) Any other breaches to report
The Deputy Clerk asked Councillors if they had any other incidents which they wished her to report.

Mrs Flores-Moore said that work was being carried out to 78, Blakes Farm Rd, and she could not recollect a planning application for that site, although it may have come before the Council prior to her being a Councillor.

The Deputy Clerk will find out if the site has current planning permission for the work.}