E-mail: [email protected] Direct line: 01403 215465 Development Control (South) Committee TUESDAY 18TH MARCH 2014 AT 2.00pm COUNCIL CHAMBER, PARK NORTH, NORTH STREET, HORSHAM Councillors: David Jenkins (Chairman) Sheila Matthews Vice-Chairman) Roger Arthur Liz Kitchen Adam Breacher Gordon Lindsay Jonathan Chowen Brian O’Connell Philip Circus Roger Paterson Roger Clarke Sue Rogers George Cockman Kate Rowbottom David Coldwell Jim Sanson Ray Dawe Diana van der Klugt Brian Donnelly Claire Vickers Jim Goddard Tom Crowley Chief Executive AGENDA 1. Apologies for absence 2. To approve as correct the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 18th February 2014 (attached) 3. To receive any declarations of interest from Members of the Committee – any clarification on whether a Member has an interest should be sought before attending the meeting 4. To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Committee or the Chief Executive 5. To consider the following reports and to take such action thereon as may be necessary Head of Planning & Environmental Services Appeals Applications for determination by Committee - Appendix A Horsham District Council, Park North, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 1RL Tel: 01403 215100 (calls may be recorded) www.horsham.gov.uk Chief Executive - Tom Crowley Item Ward Reference Site No. Number A1 Chanctonbury DC/13/2328 Land South of Nyetimber Wine, Stane Street, North Heath A2 Cowfold,Shermanbury DC/13/1187 Land North of The Rise, & West Grinstead Partridge Green A3 Billingshurst and DC/13/1090 Nyewood Court, Brookers Road, Shipley Billingshurst A4 Cowfold,Shermanbury DC/09/2129 Capons Hill Farm, Station Road, & West Grinstead Cowfold 6. Items not on the agenda which the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered as urgent because of the special circumstances DCS140218 DEVELOPMENT CONTROL (SOUTH) COMMITTEE 18th February 2014 Present: Councillors: David Jenkins (Chairman), Sheila Matthews (Vice- Chairman), Roger Arthur, Adam Breacher, Jonathan Chowen, Philip Circus, Roger Clarke, George Cockman, David Coldwell, Ray Dawe, Brian Donnelly, Jim Goddard, Gordon Lindsay, Brian O’Connell, Roger Paterson, Sue Rogers, Kate Rowbottom, Jim Sanson, Diana van der Klugt, Claire Vickers Apologies: Councillor Liz Kitchen DCS/97 MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 21st January 2014 were approved as a correct record, subject to amendments to the two concluding paragraphs of item DC/13/1265, which where amended to: ‘Members discussed their concerns regarding the proposals at length, in particular: the impact of the scheme on the AQMA (Air Quality Management Area); additional pressure on local services and infrastructure; strong local opposition to the proposal; drainage and flooding issues in the light of the flooding history; and whether the application was premature, in the context of the emerging housing strategy within the Horsham District Planning Framework. Members were also concerned at non-compliance with CP1 and with the need for sustainability. ‘In conclusion and after careful consideration, it was proposed that the application should be refused because the potential benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the potential harm. It was proposed that "refusal be based on non-compliance with CP1 and was contrary to Council’s policies," which was carried.’ The minutes, as amended, were approved and signed by the Chairman. DCS/98 INTERESTS OF MEMBERS Member Item Nature of Interest Councillor Brian DC/13/2113 Personal and prejudicial – he is the O’Connell applicant DCS/99 ANNOUNCEMENTS There were no announcements. Development Control (South) Committee 18th February 2014 DCS/100 APPEALS Appeals Lodged Written Representations/Household Appeals Service Ref No Site Appellant(s) DC/13/1813 Granary Barn, Wyckham Lane, Mr & Mrs Barry Steyning Robinson DC/13/1537 Ferndene, Bracken Close, Mr R McCann Storrington EN/13/0259 Walden Hall, Cowfold Road, West Mr David Bostock Grinstead DC/13/1759 Well Adjusted Health, The Sports Mr Mark Jones Pavilion, Church Lane, Ashington DC/13/1677 2 Lock Farm Cottages, Lock, Mr & Mrs Nick Partridge Green Murphy DC/13/0964 60 – 62 High Street, Steyning Ms Jess Denny Informal Hearings Ref No Site Appellant(s) DC/13/0827 Southway Stud, Harbolets Road, Ms Melanie Edwards West Chiltington DC/13/1596 Whitebridge Farm, Wineham Lane, Mrs Susie Wineham Russell-Smith Appeal Decisions Ref No Site Appellant(s) Decision DC/11/1630 Downsview (land west of), Mr K Vangelov Dismissed New Hall Lane, Small Dole DC/13/1357 Little Bracken, 63a Roman Mr Alan Dismissed Road, Steyning Margodt DC/13/1604 6 Hillview, High Street, Mrs Katherine Allowed Billingshurst Charlwood 2 Development Control (South) Committee 18th February 2014 DCS/101 PLANNING APPLICATION: DC/13/2213 – REPLACEMENT OF THE EXISTING MOBILE HOMES WITH FOUR DETACHED BUNGALOWS AND ACCESS (OUTLINE) SITE: OAKLANDS, HONEYBRIDGE LANE, DIAL POST APPLICANT: MR G JOHNSON The Head of Planning & Environmental Services reported that this application sought outline planning permission for four detached bungalows. Matters for consideration under this outline application were the principle of the development and access, with all other matters reserved for future determination. The bungalows were to replace three mobile homes, which were used by the applicant’s family. The application site was currently a Gypsy site and the mobile homes had been permitted due to the Gypsy status of the applicant’s family. It was outside the built-up area to the west of Grinders Lane. Old Barn Nurseries garden centre was to the north and west of the site. The National Planning Policy Framework 2012; Local Development Framework Core Strategy Policies CP1, CP2, CP3, CP5 and CP16; Local Development Framework General Development Control Policies DC1, DC2, DC3, DC9, DC28 and DC32; the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs Assessment (GTAA); and the Horsham District Planning Framework Preferred Strategy were relevant to the determination of this application. Relevant planning history included: DC/13/1673 Replacement of existing mobile homes Refused with four detached bungalows and access (outline) WG/24/00 Replacement mobile home and shed Granted WG/50/92 The stationing of three caravans Granted WG/49/91 Construction of bungalow and access Refused Appeal Dismissed WG/52/82 Renewal of temporary permission Granted WG/41/79 WG/8/80 Stationing of a caravan site Appeal Allowed WG/41/79 Temporary stationing of a caravan Granted The responses from statutory internal and external consultees, as contained within the report, were considered by the Committee. The Parish Council supported the application. Fourteen letters of support had been received. One member of the public spoke in support of the application and the applicant’s agent addressed the Committee in support of the proposal. A representative of the Parish Council spoke in support of the application. 3 Development Control (South) Committee 18th February 2014 DCS/101 Planning Application: DC/13/2213 (Cont.) Members considered the principle of the development and noted that the existing mobile homes had been permitted in the countryside location as an exception to countryside policy due to the Gypsy status of the applicant. The site was therefore potentially suitable for traveller site development that would provide three pitches which would help fulfil the current backlog of unmet need. Members discussed the impact of the proposal on the character of the rural setting. Whilst local support for the proposal was noted, Members considered that the location was unsustainable and inappropriate for permanent housing. Members concluded that the proposal would lead to unsustainable overdevelopment of the site and to the loss of needed Gypsy accommodation. Members therefore agreed that the proposal was unacceptable. RESOLVED That application DC/13/2213 be refused for the following reasons: 01 The proposed development would result in the loss of Gypsy accommodation for which there is an acknowledged need and which outweighs the development of housing in this unsustainable location. The proposal therefore conflicts with policy DC32 of the Horsham District Council Local Development Framework: General Development Control Policies (2007) and policy CP16 of the Horsham District Local Development Framework Core Strategy (2007). 02 The proposed development of four detached bungalows would result in an over development of the site in an unsustainable location which would fail to protect or enhance the character of this rural area by virtue of the cramped form and layout which would impact on the visual amenity and rural character of the locality. Therefore the proposal is contrary to Policy DC1, DC2 and DC9 of the General Development Control Policies 2007, and Policies CP1, CP3, CP5 and CP15 of the Core Strategy 2007. 4 Development Control (South) Committee 18th February 2014 DCS/102 PLANNING APPLICATION: DC/13/1492 – CHANGE OF USE FROM AGRICULTURAL TO AN AGRICULTURAL AND CLASS D1 USE TO ENABLE PROVISION OF A EARLY YEARS NURSERY SITE: PEAR TREE FARM, WEST CHILTINGTON LANE, BILLINGSHURST APPLICANT: MRS TRACEY POULTON The Head of Planning & Environmental Services reported that this application sought permission for a change of use from agriculture to a mixed agricultural/ D1 use to allow for an Early Years Nursery which would provide for up to 35 children at any one time. The proposed nursery would focus on learning through nature and wildlife and operate on various parts of the land depending on the weather and time of year. The accommodation for the proposed nursery would be provided within timber ‘cabans’ which were non-permanent structures designed to take three hours to erect and one and a half hours to dismantle. They would be circular with a diameter of approximately five metres and a maximum height of approximately 2.5 metres. A car parking area for 20 vehicles would be provided at the south east entrance to the site, parallel to the existing drive, using permeable paving blocks, with a further six parking spaces for staff. The access track would be widened to six metres.