Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting of 26 February  2008 held at 7.30 pm. in the Reading Room Buxted.    

Present: Cllrs. Sheard (Chairman), Chalmers, Crowe, Coxon, Harding and Rose. Cllr. Treacher.

Public: None this meeting.

1.

Apologies: Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. Warner. Apologies also received from WDC Cllr. Buck.

2.

Declaration of Members Interests in respect of items on this agenda

Cllr. Rose declared a prejudicial interest in respect of the site Land West of Church Road Buxted  

by being a landowner of part of the site and left the room during the discussion on the proposed development.

3

Planning Applications

3.1.

Application No. WD/2008/0144/LB

Location: The Old Stables, Temple Grove School, Herons Ghyll

Description: Lowered ceilings to protect existing lath and plaster

Applicant: Portcullis Land and Property Ltd

Agent: FFBA Ltd

No objection subject to Conservation & Design department approval.

3.2

Application No. WD/2008/0205/F

Location: Hollymount, Burnt Oak Road, High Hurstwood

Description: Single storey rear extension to form a garden room built off line of existing old foundations

Applicant: Mr and Mrs A Ugland

Agent: G K Partnership

The Council has no objection provided development rights are removed, if they have not already been removed, and that this is the limit of development on the site. The Council notes that the apex of the proposed garden room is partially over the existing window in the main house.

3.3

Application No. WD/2008/0304/F

Location: Hollymount, Burnt Oak Road, High Hurstwood

Description: Erection of two detached summer houses

Applicant: Mr A O Ugland

Agent: Agrifactors (Southern) Ltd

The Council has no objection provided development rights are removed, if they have not already been removed, and that this is the limit of development on the site. The Council is concerned about the proliferation of buildings on the site.

3.4

Application No. WD/2008/0312/F

Location: St Johns Catholic Church, Herons Ghyll

Description: Extension to existing car park with mobility access. Provisions up to church entrance

Applicant: Arundel & Brighton Diocese c/o Mr B Clegg

Agent: M E Cassam Associates

The Council has no objection as it recognises the need for extra parking on the site but is concerned that the existing trees, including any landmark trees, are retained and protected. The Council would suggest that the application is referred to the Arboricultural department for their assessment, including an impact assessment of the proposed asphalt, and recommendations. The Council has concern about the use of green mortar instead of lime mortar on the original Victorian building.

3.5

Application No. WD/2008/0268/F

Location: Hillymead, Burnt Oak Road, High Hurstwood

Description: Demolition of existing 1.5 storey house. Construction of replacement single family dwelling using passive energy techniques and systems. New house is to be built partly into the topology of the site to reduce impact on the surrounding area

Applicant: Mr Ciaran Woods

Agent: Mr Daniel Weekes

The Council objects to this proposal. Whilst the Council has no objection in principle to the replacement of the existing dwelling, it has concerns as to whether the proposed dwelling is of sufficient architectural merit for a site within the AONB – and would therefore suggest that the application is considered by the Conservation & Design department. The Council also has some concerns about the impact of the new dwelling on the landscape to the rear.

3.6

Application No. WD/2008/0223/F

Location: Buxted Park Hotel, Buxted Park

Description: Conversion of 4 no. existing buildings to form 15 no. new bedrooms together with leisure facility. Minor extensions to form bedroom entrance/bathroom and gymnasium. External works to improve courtyard area between the above buildings.

Applicant: Handpicked Hotels

Agent: KKA

No objection subject to Conservation & Design department approval.

3.7

Application No. WD/2008/0101/F Amended

Location: High Hurstwood Lodge, Chillies Lane, High Hurstwood

Description: construction of building to provide shelter and feed storage for pigs.

Applicant: Mr. N Oliver

Agent: Mike Hill – Architectural Services

The Council objects to this application. This small area of land of 0.1 hectare, currently used to accommodate two pigs, already contains one fixed shelter, one moveable shelter and a covered water trough. This application is for a structure that would represent an unnecessary proliferation of buildings and equipment on the land. The application is considered to be contrary to Policy DC3 of the Adopted Wealden Local Plan and Policy DC3 of the Non Statutory Wealden Local Plan in that this large proposed structure has no agricultural justification given the small area of land to be served and which already has sufficient animal shelter and storage facilities and the design and appearance of the building would detract from the local amenities and setting. There strong local objections to the application.

The Council is also concerned that the application for this unnecessary structure, if granted, may lead to future undesirable development on the land.

The Council is concerned to see in the Design & Access that the applicant intends to keep more pigs on the land. It is considered that there is insufficient land available for that purpose and also that there is a potential public health risk from pig keeping in such close proximity to dwelling houses and the nearby High Hurstwood Primary School.

3.8

Application No. WD/2008/0318/F

Location: The Roaches (The Roches), London Road, Ringles Cross

Description: First floor rear and side extension to provide new bedroom and bathrooms

Applicant: Mr. P Kavanagh

Agent: John Butterfield

No objection.

4.

Any other matters properly notified

4.1

Grampian Site Five Ash Down

Cllr. Crowe reported that the site had been sold to Ward Homes, a part of Barrett Homes, and that an initial contact had been made so as to arrange a meeting. The developer was talking to Barchester Healthcare about the proposed care home.

4.2

Land West of Church Road Buxted – WDC meeting

Cllr. Crowe said that she and members of the LDF working group had had a meeting with David Phillips and Nigel Eveleigh of WDC to discuss the development of the site in the context of the Wealden NSLP and the LDF. As a result of the Inspectors review of the SE Plan, Wealden is required to accept a greater number of houses. As the LDF had been delayed, WDC were still working off the NSLP and were anxious to have a greater number of houses. Given central Government’s insistence in PPS3 on greater housing density, it was expected that the proposed 40 houses for the site would rise to around 70. There would be landscaping and infrastructure on the site.  WDC would like to know the Council’s views on where it would prefer to see development taking place in Buxted in the next 20 years.  There would be a benefit to the community in having a larger development rather then several smaller ones. The Council had already said in the LDF consultation that it would prefer development in the centre rather than to the east and/or the west. WDC’s and the PCT’s preferred site for the community hall and the new GPs surgery was now on the Ionides land and for them to be built by Ryhurst.

Cllrs. discussed the issues. The matter would be an agenda item for the 11 March Council meeting.

5.

Announcements

None this meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.30 p.m.

Signed:                                                                         Committee Chairman

Date: