THE PARISH COUNCIL OF HELLINGLY The Community Hub, The Drive, Hellingly, East Sussex, BN27 4EP

Tel: 01323 449415 e-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hellingly-pc.org.uk

Minutes of the Planning and Environment Committee held at the Hellingly Community Hub, The Drive, Hellingly, BN27 4EP On Wednesday 26th May 2021 at 6.30pm.

P.004.05.21 – P.012.05.21

Present: Councillors, G Ibbotson (Chair), S Davis, G Hesselgrave, C Jackets, P Strudwick and D White.

Officers in Attendance: Tracy Dean (Assistant Clerk)

Members of the Public in Attendance: Mr Smith & Mr Shelley (Lower Dicker).

Apologies: Cllr. W. Hesselgrave.

Declarations of Interest: None.

P.004.05.21 The Planning and Environment Committee Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 19th May 2021 were approved.

P.006.05.21 The Committee commented on the Planning Applications received as follows:

Land at Blackbrooks Garden Centre, (A22), Lower Dicker, BN27 4BJ WD/2021/0999/MAO Comments Due: 07-06-21 – Major Application – Outline Demolition of existing garden centre building and bungalow. The redevelopment of the site for up to 49 no. dwellings, gardens and parking and use of existing access to the A22. The provision of suds, open space, play space and strategic landscaping including retention of existing boundary screening. The Planning & Environment Committee OBJECT to this application on the following grounds: • The additional traffic flow the development would cause at peak times. The present traffic flow takes place over opening hours, the new proposed development would be higher at peak times on what is already an extremely busy road with tailbacks often caused by the volume of traffic heading to and from Hailsham in rush hours, • The site at present is a rural location, the proposed development would be inconsistent with the present street scene, Hellingly Neighbourhood Plan Policy LD1 & LD2, • The loss of employment and amenities within the Parish, • Drainage and sewerage concerns,

P.007.05.21 WD/2021/0769/LDE – Certificate of Lawful Development The Flat, Springham Farm, Grove Hill, BN27 4HF The existing and continuous use of ‘the flat’ at Springham Farm for residential use for a period of more than four years before the date of this application. The Planning & Environment Committee had enquired in the past if consent was required for this application, they were informed by Wealden District Council’s Planning Department that NO Permission was required.

P.008.05.21 WD/2021/0770/LDE – Certificate of Lawful Development Springham Farm, Grove Hill, BN27 4HF The existing and continuous use of a former agricultural building at Springham Farm as an auction house for a period of more than ten years before the date of this application. The Planning & Environment Committee had enquired in the past if consent was required for this application, they were informed by Wealden District Council’s Planning Department that NO Permission was required.

P.009.05.21 A discussion took place regarding the future pending Boundary Reviews within the District. There would be 3 options available to the Parish Council: 1. Hailsham Town Council take over south of Hellingly (the urban areas) leaving the rural areas for Hellingly Parish Council to continue to administer. Question: With the areas left would the Parish Council be sustainable? Heathfield Town Council and Waldron Parish Council have merged. 2. Hailsham Town Council take over the whole of the administration for Hellingly and the Parish Council disbands, 3. Hailsham Town Council take over south of Hellingly (the urban areas) leaving the rural areas to be divided between Hellingly, Horam, Herstmonceux and Arlington Parish Councils.

Cllr. White advised the Committee that Wealden District Council will be carrying out a Settlement Hierarchy survey to highlight what facilities each Parish/Town Council provide and what is needed within the Parishes.

The Committee AGREED to forward comments to the Chair of the Committee to formulate a report on the wishes of the Parish Council when the Review comes forward. This item will be readdressed at a later date on the Planning & Environment Committee agenda.

P.010.05.21 Wealden District Council’s Planning Committee South meeting due to be held on 13th May 2021 had been cancelled, the next meeting is due to take place 17th June 2021.

P.011.05.21 Clerk’s Report & Correspondence. • The Clerk had investigated the possibility of a replacement bridge being installed on the footpath that leads through the Bellway Development (Danum Wood, A271 – New Road Hellingly) The land is owned by Orbit 2020 Ltd. The Technical Manager of Bellwey Homes agreed to discuss this issue with Orbit at a meeting taking place later in the week, he will then inform the Clerk of any decisions made. • The Noticeboard that had been relocated at Lower Horsebridge Recreation Ground requires a Licence from East Sussex Highways, this is being sought. • The Clerk informed the Committee that the relocation of the Dog Bin in New Road would also require a Licence from Highways, Cllr Jackets confirmed that the bin in its present location is heavily used and requested a new bin be purchased for the other end of New Road, the Clerk will discuss with the Parish Council Clerk. • A directional sign had been requested by local residents to direct traffic to the Community Hub car park on Cricket Match days. The Clerk had contacted Highways to

request a sign is placed at the bottom of The Drive, directing traffic to the car park at the Hub. • After trying to form a Parish Litter Picking Team covering the whole of the Parish, it was found that only certain areas would be covered, this would be carried out by private individuals only wishing to do the location they lived in.

P.012.05.21 Issues within the Parish Raised by Councillors • Cllr G Hesselgrave reported that the road gullies in the Village had been cleared, but was unsure whether Highways had completed the works or Wealden District Council as a resident had report.

These are a true and accurate record of the meeting.

Signed: ………………………………………………………………………..

Date: ………………………………………………………………………..

Councillor George Ibbotson – Chair Councillor Gill Hesselgrave – Vice Chair

Meeting closed at 7.55pm

The next scheduled Planning & Environment Committee meeting is due 9th June 2021 at 6.30pm.

Tracy Dean 27th May 2021 Assistant Parish Clerk