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Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting of 9th June 2019 held at 7.00 pm. in The Reading Room, Buxted.
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Present: Cllrs.Rose (Chairman), Blandford, Coxon, Humphrey, McQuarrie and Roberts. Also in attendance Cllrs. Moss, Illingworth (7.14pm), Wells (7.25pm), Bolton (7.32) and Clerk - Beccy Macklen.
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Public: 7
The owner of Rowan (item 4.2 on the agenda) advised that amended plans have been submitted to WDC and provided the committee with a copy. Amendments include the reduction in the size of the dwellings by 55m2 and the properties are now situated 1.5m away from the inside boundary fence.
A local resident spoke in connection with item 4.2 on the agenda. Concerns are summarised as follows: This application is a ‘full’ plan application but is submitted with limited information. There are no drainage details and no SUDS. It describes the surface water run-off into the main sewer whereas all properties in this area are drained into the soakaway. No landscaping details No specific material details. Although most of these details would be dealt with in conditions, it is considered that the planning officer does not have enough information prior to making a decision and therefore it would be difficult to assess the application on basis of what has been submitted. No transport, and no safety audit stage 1. ESCC have not been consulted even though the application includes a new access onto the A272. No splay details. Insufficient parking spaces and there are no specific details of the driveway other than a turning space and one vehicular space. Prior to the amendment, the garages were not of the minimum standard of ESCC requirements. So, if reduced, concern that still not of sufficient size. Proximity of the neighbours is overbearing even at 1.5m distance. Rowan sits nicely within the setting alongside the other properties in the road and the WDC 2018 assessment of Buxted and DPH around the village states this area of the high street has a lower density. Scale and height are going to be as high as next door but 3′ higher than Briars the other side, therefore imposing from the road and not in keeping. Distance between two new dwellings is approx. 3 metres, again not in keeping, and the roof mass is overbearing. It is considered that there is insufficient information to decide on this proposal. However, if WDC are minded to approve, the minimum the neighbours would require is strong conditions to ensure that the development adheres to boundary distance and biodiversity statements are corrected as there was evidence of wildlife before the garden was completely cleared.
Resident of Beechbrook Park – speaking on behalf of Beechbrook Management Company – I am a resident of Beechbrook Park, and the father of 2 children aged 3 & 5 years. My children, along with many, many other children who live at Beechbrook Park use and enjoy, for recreational and play purposes, the land where the proposed development will take place. Our children use this amenity in safety and near their homes. The amenity therefore facilitates and fosters a sense of community and is an important tool in the learning and the social development of the young children who enjoy the benefits which the amenity land provides. As a parent, it is my strong desire to see my children grow to become useful, productive and caring members of our society, and this land makes an invaluable contribution to that outcome. I am not alone in this view. If you care to read the several comments which have landed on the WDC planning portal in relation to this application, the common theme threading through them is that this land is a safe learning environment for our children. I quote but a few: “It has become essential for all families…[for] the future development of the children’s social & behavioural growth”. Another says …”a critical thing is that children from all backgrounds and social economic groups come together to play”. and another “many children in the area use this land as a safe place to play where their parents can keep a close eye on them”. Now, there is a recreational area close to the medical centre. However, that facility is located on the other side of the very busy and very dangerous A272 main road. I am aware of several endeavours by both Buxted residents and the Parish Council to address road safety concerns with East Sussex Highways – especially so as to ameliorate crossing conditions for pedestrians from the North side to the South side of the A272 at a location which is near to the natural desired pedestrian crossing point - that location being close to the junction with Framfield Road. To date all these endeavours have failed, either due to cost or practicality. Indeed, when the Beechbrook Park development was first developed, an island was present in the road close to the mini roundabout, but for practical reasons was quickly removed. This clearly demonstrates that “something” is needed. I ask the Parish Council to support my objections to this application unless and until such time as a practical and safe road crossing facility is in place. Since to countenance the proposal in the absence of such a facility would not only be to leave unrecognised the detrimental impact on the general quality of life of the residents of Beechbrook park, but it would also be to subjugate the matter of the safety of the half a hundred or more children who live at Beechbrook park against other interests of cost or profit or whatever they may be. In short, I ask that the interests, the safety and of the lives of our children be put before any other interest.
Chairman of Beechbrook Park Management Company prepared notes circulated to all councillors based on WDC plan. He reiterated a lot of what was said by the previous speaker but added that WDC have clearly left this specific piece of land outside of the development boundary within the emerging Local Plan and that the council is seeking to protect the amenity green space and children’s play space which local residents consider is the case with this piece of land. The new Local Plan also specifically refers to the Beechbrook Park site when it states that “Along the western edge of the village, the development boundary incudes land to the west of Church Road and north of the Buxted Inn where residential development has now been completed”.
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| 1. |
Apologies: Apologies were received and accepted from Clerk – Claudine Feltham and Cllrs Cox and Hoggan
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| 2. |
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of 11th June 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.
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| 3. |
Declaration of Members Interests in respect of items on this agenda.
Cllr. Rose declared a personal interest in relation to item 4.2 on the agenda by virtue of knowing the applicant. Cllr. Rose declared a personal interest in relation to 4.1 on the agenda due to owning property adjoining the site.
Cllr. Moss declared a personal interest in item 4.1 on the agenda by virtue of living within Beechbrook Park.
Cllr. Illingworth declared a personal interest in item 4.1 on the agenda by virtue of living within Beechbrook Park.
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4.
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
5
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Planning applications
Application no: WD/2019/1114/O Location: LAND AT QUEENSTOCK LANE, BUXTED, TN22 4AR Description: Outline application for the erection of up to 9 no. dwellings, access and other associated infrastructure. Applicant: Landacre (Buxted) Ltd Agent: Parker Dann Buxted Parish Council response to Wealden District Council:
Recommend refusal due to overdevelopment of the site and the site falls outside development boundary in the emerging Local Plan.
Chairman suspended standing orders, for resident to confirm green area shown on the Planning Agreement is ecological land and managed as such
Application no: WD/2019/1009/F Location: ROWAN, HIGH STREET, BUXTED, TN22 4JZ Description: Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 2 no. detached dwellings with new access onto High Street Applicant: MJD Property Investments Agent: ASP Buxted Parish Council response to Wealden District Council:
Recommend refusal. The development is considered out of keeping with neighbouring properties and overdevelopment of the site. Concern is also raised that a new access is being created and there has been no apparent consultation with the Highway Authority.
Application no: WD/2019/1177/F Location: THE COTTAGE, CHILLIES LANE, HIGH HURSTWOOD, TN22 4AA Description: Demolition of existing garages and construction of a new holiday let with a replacement detached garage. Applicant: Mr Straulthan Agent: Richardson Architecture Buxted Parish Council response to Wealden District Council: Recommend approval.
Application no: WD/2019/1238/F Location: OLD BAKERY COTTAGE, HOWBOURNE LANE, BUXTED, TN22 4QD Description: Demolition of concrete garage. Conversion of disused bakery building to annexe with single storey rear extension Applicant: Mr M Robertson Agent: Weald Designs Buxted Parish Council response to Wealden District Council: Recommend Approval
To discuss any planning applications received from Wealden District Council after the publication of the agenda that are available on the District Planning website.
Application: WD/2019/1324/F Location: WEST DALLING, ROCKS LANE, HIGH HURSTWOOD, BUXTED, TN22 4BN Description: Proposed single storey flat roof extension to rear and new pitched roof to sitting room. Terrace area to rear. Applicant: Mr & Mrs Dickman Agent: Julian Bluck Designs Ltd Buxted Parish Council response to Wealden District Council: Recommend Approval
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| 6. |
Planning applications considered by email consultation, due to the deadline set by Wealden District Council for the parish council’s response: None during this period.
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| 7. |
Matters for information:
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| 8. |
Any other matters properly notified:
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| 9. |
Announcements: None this meeting.
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The meeting closed at 7.33pm hours.
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