NUTHURST COUNCIL Minutes of the `Virtual’ Full Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday, 7th April 2021 commencing at 7.30pm.

PRESENT: Cllr O Hydes OBE (Chairman), Cllr J Assassi, Cllr J Bromley, Cllr N Bryant (Vice Chairman), Cllr R Cato, Cllr J Chaytor, Cllr D Harber, Cllr C Kenny, Cllr J Mercer and Cllr T Nelson.

ALSO, IN VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE: Sarah Hall (Parish Clerk), County Councillor Nigel Jupp, District Councillor Toni Bradnum and eleven members of the public.

244-20/21 CHAIRMANS WELCOME The Chairman welcomed Councillors from neighbouring , , , Shipley, County Councillor Nigel Jupp, District Councillor Toni Bradnum, Parish Councillors and the members of the public to the meeting. Jason Emrich from Knepp Castle was also welcomed, he had been invited to attend the meeting to speak about the rewilding initiative at Knepp Castle and the effect that the Buck Barn development would have on Knepp Castles pioneering work.

245-20/21 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE It was RESOLVED to NOTE that there were no apologies for absence.

246-20/21 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Cllr J Assassi declared a Personal Interest in DC/20/2399 (Winterbourne House).

247-20/21 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE FULL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING It was RESOLVED the Minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 3rd March 2021 be confirmed as a correct record of the meeting and be signed by the Chairman. (Vote – unanimously approved).

248-20/21 CHAIRMANS ANNOUNCEMENTS The Parish Survey is now available online and will remain open until 23rd April 2021, paper copies are also available from the Clerk. The questions will take approximately 10 minutes. Hopefully, there will be an excellent response, providing a clear view of what is important to residents.

The survey has been widely advertised, with posts on the Parish Councils Facebook page, website, banners strategically placed around the parish and flyers inserted in the Link magazine. The members were asked to remind parishioners to complete the survey.

249-20/21 KNEPP CASTLE REWILDING PROJECT Jason Emrich spoke about the rewilding project at Knepp Castle. In 2001 the landowners gave up extensive farming and over the next 20 years a lot of changes occurred. Basically, the animals were allowed to manage the land, there was an extraordinary bounce back of nature which has captured the public imagination.

The Burrell’s have now found themselves in an extraordinary situation and are being asked by the Government for advice on how to mitigate climate change. 72

It is estimated that 50,000 people (30,000 up to September) walked the 26 miles of footpaths on the estate last year. The landowners embraced the visits, but they did come with problems, litter, badly behaved dogs, ignorance of how the countryside footpath system worked, deliberate trespassing, petty theft and crime. There was also a massive effect on the local community, with inconsiderate parking and little respect for residents. This level of footfall is unsustainable for a nature project. Hopefully the visitor numbers will drop when the Covid restrictions are lifted.

There are two issues that the development at Buck Barn might cause to the project: • 10,000 extra people on the doorstep of Knepp Castle, many more people will be walking on the footpath network. The nature conservation project will not be able to survive. • Sir John Lawton (President of the Institute of Environmental Services) advised the Government that the system of nature conservation in Britain was broken. Nature reserves had become isolated and were simply not working as a system to restore nature. During the last 20-year period of decline the Knepp Castle statistics of conservation have risen.

HDC commissioned the Wildlife Trust to develop the Wilder District initiative. It worked out where areas of nature conservation could be linked throughout the District.

For every degree that the climate warms all of nature will have to move somewhere to survive. If we do not allow the areas of nature to connect all the nature will become isolated and therefore extinct. Nature corridors are incredibly important, it is going to be a core theme in the years ahead. HDC were very forward thinking commissioning the report and it shows that there is a potential corridor through Newhouse Farm on the outer regions of the . Unsure why HDC are now ignoring the Wilder initiative in the leadup to the Local Plan.

The landowners have been speaking with landowners in the south for the last 5 years and are about to launch a scheme with Natural to connect the Sea at Climping with Ashdown Forest.

Working very hard to stop the proposed development at Buck Barn, the Guardian, Observer, County Times and ITV Today have been contacted, a letter signed by 25 scientists has also been sent to Robert Jenrick MP.

Questions - Councillors (Q) Has anything been done about the Adur Canal corridor? (A) The idea of a nature corridor going north east is very new concept and has not been designed as yet. The development at Buck Barn would stop this nature corridor. (Q) Noticed that the livestock feed is very poor sometimes, are you doing any supplementary feeding? (A) No, only supplement the bulls feed, only supplementary feed the other livestock when it snows. The herd sizes are managed through culling. (Q) There’s been a feature in WSCT where the developer argues that the A24 is already a major barrier to the nature corridor for Knepp Castle. Please can I have your views. (A) Roads are clearly a huge problem, in Europe eco/wildlife bridges are constructed over roads. Knepp Castle have been speaking to Highways England for a number of

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years in an attempt to get one over the A24, very difficult, only a few have been built in Britain. Nature can get through when surrounded by roads, but not ideal, must give space to nature projects. (Q) Does Knepp Estate own all of Pollards Farm? (A) No, Pollards Farm is owned by another branch of the Burrell family. Questions - Public (Q) The presentation has been very passionate and knowledgeable; do you think you’ve managed to engage with the residents who will be affected by the development? Have MP’s been contacted? (A) The landowners are targeting the Government; Jeremy Quinn MP is toeing the party line. West Grinstead Action Group recently re-engaged when Jason Emrich and Dave Tidey were told by HDC Cllr J Chowen that they were invisible. They had been waiting for the Regulation 19 consultation.

250-20/21 JOINT LETTER RE THE INCLUSION OF BUCK BARN (WEALDCROSS) IN THE LOCAL PLAN The draft letter was discussed at length by the Councillors representing West Grinstead PC, Shipley PC and the members of Nuthurst Parish Council. Jason Emrich screen shared a map, which included a northern access to the proposed Wealdcross development, a new roundabout and a large 50 acre industrial site were also included.

District Councillor, Toni Bradnum, advised that she had requested `proper plans’ on several occasions, to date nothing has been forthcoming and the District Councillor will chase this up at the next Local Plan meeting.

There was general support for a joint letter from the four Parish Councils.

It was RESOLVED to update the letter and circulate the new draft for prompt agreement by the representatives from Cowfold, West Grinstead and Shipley Parish Councils. Delegated powers to approve the new draft were given to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of Nuthurst Parish Council. Once agreed the letter will be sent to all the Horsham District Councillors, Jeremy Quin MP and Andrew Griffith MP.

251-20/21 COMMITTEE MINUTES / REPORTS It was RESOLVED that the minutes approved by the following Committee be ADOPTED. Roads and Footpath Committee Meeting – 20th January 2021

252-20/21 DISTRICT AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS District Councillor Toni Bradnum provided the following update on District Council business; • Attending many meetings on the Local Plan. • In semi purdah due to West Sussex County Council elections on 6th May 2021 • Local Plan examination due to take place early 2022, scheduled for adoption November 2022 and will run until 2038. • Once the Regulation 19 consultation has passed the Local Plan will carry considerably more weight with the decisions made by the Planning Inspector. • Money granted for the refurbishment of St Peter’s Hall/RAFA Club, this will be funded by grants and HDC. County Councillor Nigel Jupp provided the following update on County Council business; • In purdah pending the West Sussex County Council elections on 6th May 2021. • WSCC Libraries will be opening on 12th April 2021 to limited browsing and pre- booked IT sessions, usual social distancing will apply.

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• Bridleway 1796, runs east from Broadwater Lane, is programmed for surface improvement works in 2021/22, estimated cost £30,000.00 • WSCC found reserves/resources to fund free school meals during the Easter holidays for qualifying families, estimated cost £450,000.00 • Additional help later this year will be provided for children and Head teachers who maybe suffering from stress/tension due to COVID and lockdown. • 1 million people have been vaccinated throughout Sussex (East & West Sussex / & Hove). • 125,000 residents in categories 1-9 yet to be vaccinated. • The booking system at Hopoast HWRS has been introduced and when the County Councillor used the facility the experience was favourable with a turn around of 8 minutes, there were queues at HWRS. • Nigel Jupp has been the County Councillor for Nuthurst and for 4 years, he thanked the Chairman, his predecessors and the Councillors for how they had dealt with matters and hoped he had been able to keep members updated on County Council matters.

253-20/21 PUBLIC SESSION A member of the public spoke of her concerns about speeding in the parish, with particular reference to Nuthurst Street outside St Andrew’s School.

`The speeding of cars on this stretch of road has been monitored by the Speed Watch team and the results have been reported to the community at large and at Parish Council meetings.

The Speed Watch team have made a recommendation to the Parish Council to reduce vehicle speeds, improve road safety and install an electronic speed warning sign, similar to the one in , which has proved to be very effective. I have not seen any reference in the minutes of the council meetings in 2020 for the adoption or progress of this recommendation.

In December 2020 the Parish Community Group reported to the Parish Council that they had allocated the sum of £1,000.00 towards the speed warning signs in Nuthurst Street.

Now that the Architectural Plants site has been leased for the benefit of the community as allotments, with specific areas allocated for the use of St Andrew’s School children the hazard of speeding vehicles in Nuthurst Street has hugely increased with the children and teachers crossing the road.

The Parish Council have declared the sum of £7,000.00 in the 2021/22 budget for traffic calming in the parish. The Roads and Footpath Committee, at their meeting on 27th March 2021, resolved to wait for the analysis of the Parish Survey data before discussing this further with the Full Parish Council. Surely it is vital that this project is carried out now rather than waiting for a child to be injured. This must be a top priority for a responsible Council, if no action can be taken until the next Full Council meeting may I request that this item is included on the agenda for the May meeting.’

The Chairman replied, `we have noted your comments, this matter was discussed at a Roads and Footpath Committee and it was decided to wait for the results of the Parish Survey which is currently underway. There are a number of questions about road safety in the

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parish together with a box where residents can add any further comments, they wish to make on road safety’.

The request to include the installation of a SID on Nuthurst Road on May’s agenda was noted.

Cllr N Bryant commented that when the school was open it was impossible to exceed the speed limit and that the installation of flashing signs may antagonise local residents. Cllr R Cato disputed this comment and advised that he had carried out over 34 Community Speed Watch sessions outside the school at 7.30am and vehicles were speeding.

A member of the public spoke of his concerns about DC/21/0459 (Holme Farm Orchard) and the new proposed access onto Winterpit Lane.

`The new access is situated beyond the BUAB of the village where the lane becomes entirely rural, whist geographically in the Parish of the proposal would impact the residents of to a significantly greater extent. Considering the application wonder what is the purpose of the new access.

• Access to the triangular piece of agricultural land already exists from Holme Farm Orchard, via a field with an internal gate, remote from the highway. • The independent access is not a natural entrance to the very small, triangular parcel of agricultural land. • The proposed new accessway is sited near a sharp and dangerous bend with poor sightlines, add to this a single lane carriageway, the risks appear to be unnecessarily increased, where a safe and low risk access already exists from the adjacent field. • If the building of the access did proceed there would be two consequences to the local environment, firstly, the unnecessary disturbance of the eco system and natural habitat and further, the disturbance of the root system of mature Oak trees adjacent too the proposed access point. • If the application was supported by the planning policies within HDPF 2015, specifically Strategic Policy 24 on Environmental Protection, Strategic Policy 25 concerning the natural environment and landscape character and Strategic Policy 26 on countryside protection. • The construction of an access at this countryside rural location, outside the BUAB would permanently impact this ancient lane. • Why is this access necessary?’

254-20/21 PLANNING MATTERS i. NEW APPLICATIONS Comments to Horsham District Council (HDC) on current planning applications were unanimously agreed.

Number Applicant & Reason

DC/20/2399 Change of use of agricultural/equestrian land to garden land/residential 03.12.2020 curtilage to facilitate the construction of a tennis court, together with the (Replacement erection of a pool barn and swimming pool, relocation of garden application buildings and associated landscaping. Winterbourne House, Sedgwick Park, Horsham

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form) The Parish Council concludes that there are no material changes to the RESOLVED original application and therefore it strongly objects to the amended planning application for the same reasons as submitted for the original planning application; 1) Both buildings, the pool barn and the garage are excessively large and are not sympathetic to the existing house or the surrounding rural environment, including the Grade II listed Sedgwick Park, in contravention of policy 33 of the Horsham District Planning Framework (HDPF) and policy 10 of the Nuthurst Neighbourhood Plan (NNP), both of which require the scale, massing, height and design of developments to reflect the architectural and historic character and scale of the surrounding buildings. 2) The pool barn contains rooms and facilities that are not associated with the pool and could easily be converted to provide residential accommodation. 3) The garage has doubled in size with two floors and the majority of the rooms are not associated with the housing of vehicles and again could easily be converted to provide residential accommodation. 4) The growing areas and the three large polytunnels are excessive for one property and are likely to become a market garden business. 5) The large pool barn and garage and the other facilities buildings represent over-development of the site. 6) This over-development would have a deleterious adverse effect on the setting of Sedgwick Park, a Grade II listed Park and Garden. 7) There is no screening of the pool barn, garage and poly tunnels from the nearby roads to prevent the appearance of urbanisation. Finally, the Parish Council is concerned that the pool barn or the garage or both could easily be converted into dwellings in the future. If HDC is minded to approve the planning application, the Parish Council recommends a condition that “the development hereby permitted, particularly the pool barn and the garage, shall be occupied solely for purposes ancillary to the enjoyment of Winterbourne House as a dwelling and shall not be used as a separate unit of accommodation. DC/21/0044 Removal of existing lean-to conservatory. Erection of a single storey rear 26.03.2021 and side extension. 1 Crofton Cottages, Church Road, Mannings Heath RESOLVED The Parish Council maintains its previous position that it has no objection in principle to the proposed extension, but it asks the Case Officer to consider carefully whether the proposed extension has any material effect on the adjacent properties. DC/21/0319 Installation of an outdoor swimming pool and associated pump house. 26.03.2021 Farm, Copsale Road, Copsale RESOLVED The Parish Council has no objection to DC/21/0319 provided that there is a condition that “the facility hereby approved is for the private domestic

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use and enjoyment of the occupants of Copsale Farm and their relatives and friends. DC/21/0459 Formation of vehicular access off Winterpit Lane. 26.04.2021 Holme Farm Orchard, Winterpit Lane, Lower Beeding RESOLVED SUMMARY - The Parish Council strongly objects to this application for an access onto Winterpit Lane on the grounds that: • The proposed access is not necessary as the applicant already has access to the triangular piece of land through a gate in an adjacent field to the west. • The proposed access would create an additional safety hazard on Winterpit Lane because the lane is very narrow and the access would be very near a sharp, dangerous bend and the sight lines would be very poor. • The work needed to create the proposed access would damage the local ecosystem and require the felling of two mature oak trees. This would contravene strategic policies 24 on Environmental Protection, 25 on the Natural Environment and Landscape Character and 26 on Countryside Protection in the Horsham District Planning Framework 2015. ii. DECISIONS It was RESOLVED to NOTE the details of HDC Planning Decisions, Enforcement Numbers and Planning Inspectorate decisions. iii. PLANNING UPDATES It was RESOLVED to NOTE that there were no planning updates.

255-20/21 FINANCE i) It was RESOLVED that the schedule of invoices totalling £5,350.35 be APPROVED for payment. Cheque/Ref Payee Name Details Net VAT Total £ £ £ Direct Debit SSE Energy Unmetered 114.83 5.73 120.56 16 Mar 2021 (Feb) Electricity Supply S/Order Profitable Website/Email Support 30.00 0 30.00 1 Mar 2021 Website (Feb 2021) S/Order S Hall (Clerk) Office Allowance 87.50 0 87.50 1 Feb 2021 002114 S Hall (Clerk) Expenses 140.73 0.00 140.73

002115 WSCC Clerks Salary February 1,499.19 0 1,499.19 (Inv 8001519475) 002115 WSCC Clerks Salary March 2,637.19 0 2,637.19 (inv 8001524084) 002116 WSCC Payroll Administration 39.42 7.88 47.30 (inv 8001524233) 002117 WSALC WSALC/NALC Subs 595.17 0 595.17 2021/22 (inv 1199) 002118 SSE Repair Street Light 160.59 32.12 192.71 (Park Lane, Maplehurst) Total 5,304.62 45.73 5,350.35

It was RESOLVED to NOTE the receipts in February 2021 totaling £0.60

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Payment Payer Details Net VAT Total Method Name £ £ £ FPI Nat West Interest Feb 2021 0.60 0 0.60

Grand Total 0.60 0.60

ii) It was RESOLVED to APPROVE the Nat West Current account and Nat West Savings account bank reconciliations for February 2021. iii) It was RESOLVED to APPROVE the Detailed Receipts & Payments by Budget Heading for February 2021.

256-20/21 LOCAL ASSOCIATION, OTHER BODIES AND TRAINING REPORTS It was RESOLVED to NOTE members attended the following Local Association meetings; West Sussex Chairman’s Forum 09.03.2021 - Chairman It was proposed that the key staff would transfer to WSALC and that they would continue to provide advice to Parish Councils. The Chairmen present at the forum fully supported the proposal and this will be put to the next WSALC board meeting for approval. HDOPF Public Meeting Rookwood 25.03.2021 – Cllr D Harber HDC outlined their proposals for Rookwood and people from different groups were given the opportunity to give their views, most of which were in objection to the proposal. The development was referred to as being in a `garden setting’, the objections were on the basis that it would have an impact on reducing leisure facilities in the district and affect Nature Reserve. Further concerns were the incursion into the countryside, building on a greenfield site, looking like a Centre Parcs, real issues on a practical level, site of proposed primary school in inappropriate location.

257-20/21 PARISH SURVEY It was RESOLVED to NOTE the following update on the Parish Survey: • AirS will analyse the responses sometime after 23 April 2021. • Do not know how long this will take, this will be dependent on the amount of free text comments and how many hard copies will have to be input, it is unlikely the analysis will be available for the May meeting.

The Chairman thanked Cllr N Bryant for erecting the parish survey banners.

258-20/21 ROADS AND FOOTPATH COMMITTEE MEETING It was RESOLVED to APPROVE the recommendations from the Roads and Footpath Committee meeting on 17th March 2021: i) RFC055-20/21 Reconstruction of the footpath alongside Winthrift To consider a further letter to WSCC PROW Officer and HDC’s Enforcement Officer about the reconstruction of the footpath alongside Winthrift.

A considerable amount of time has been spent on this issue and it has caused distress to local residents and people wishing to use the footpath. The owner of the land, which includes the right of way to the public footpath, has failed to adhere to any influence that HDC Enforcement have tried to make. District Councillor Toni Bradnum advised that Enforcement is not a Statutory obligation and is discretionary to the District Council. County Councillor Nigel Jupp advised that he would liaise with PROW and the Parish Council.

It was RESOLVED to SEND the letter to WSCC PROW and HDC Enforcement.

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259-20/21 OPEN SPACES IN THE PARISH Mannings Heath Village Green i) It was RESOLVED to NOTE the contents of the monthly report (March) on the children’s play area. ii) It was RESOLVED to APPROVE a licence being issued (in line with COVID restrictions) for the Cricket Club, in conjunction with the Millennium Group, to hold a Village Day event on the village green on 4th July 2021

260-20/21 LOCAL AUTHORITY MEETINGS Virtual meetings will no longer be permitted after 7th May 2021. It was RESOLVED for the Clerk to continue looking for venues in the Parish for Parish Council meetings after 7th May 2021.

261-20/21 MATTERS RAISED BY COUNCILLORS TO BE INCLUDED ON THE NEXT AGENDA It was RESOLVED to NOTE Councillors did not ask for any items to be included on the next agenda.

262-20/21 DATE OF NEXT MEETING It was RESOLVED to NOTE the next meeting will be held on 5th May 2021 (Annual Meeting of the Parish Council).

The meeting closed at 9.24pm

Cllr O Hydes Date Chairman of the Parish Council

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