Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting of 29 January 2008 held at 7.00 pm. in the Reading Room Buxted.    

Present: Cllrs. Crowe (Chairman), Chalmers, Coxon, Daniel, Harding, Rose, Sheard and Warner. Cllrs. Rogers, Downing (part) and Wilkes (part).

Public: 2. Mr. Ken Kelly spoke of his objections, on the grounds of overlooking and loss of privacy, to application WD/2007/3586/F for Roselea Coopers Green.

1.

Apologies: None this meeting.

2.

Declaration of Members Interests in respect of items on this agenda

Cllr. Harding declared a personal interest in respect of planning application WD/2007/3586/F for Roselea Coopers Green by being an acquaintance of the applicant. Cllr. Warner declared a personal interest in respect of planning application WD/ 2007/3586/F for Roselea Coopers Green by being an acquaintance of the applicant and declared a personal interest in respect of planning application WD/2008/0012/F for Old Maypole Farm by being an acquaintance of the applicant.

3

Planning Applications

3.1.

Application No. WD/2007/3586/F

Location: Roselea, Coopers Green

Description: Rear dormer, loft conversion, rear terrace with access steps

Applicant: Mr & Mrs A Barnes

Agent: Mr G A Parr

The Council objects to this application. The proposed first floor terrace will overlook the neighbour’s conservatory and the steps from the terrace to the garden will result in overlooking and loss of privacy for the neighbours. The design of the proposals is out of character with the area. The size and position of the proposed dormer will have a detrimental visual effect and are not in accordance with the Wealden Design Guide Section 10.7 para 7.5. Not all trees on the site are shown on the plans. Any removal of trees and hedges will results in overlooking of neighbours. The chimneys shared with the neighbouring property are not shown on the elevations. It is understood, although not indicated on the application, that the applicants intend to split the property into two dwellings.

There are strong neighbour objections.

3.2.

Application No. WD/2007/3595/FR

Location: 6076 Cypress Wood, Howbourne Lane, Buxted

Description: Retrospective consent for cladding and roof to mobile home

Applicant: P J Cottenham

Agent: Madgwick & Dottridge

The Council objects to this application. The proposed changes are unnecessary and undesirable for a mobile home that is only permitted to be stored on the site and would be detrimental to the character of this area in the open countryside outside any development boundary within the High Weald AONB.

3.3.

Application No. WD/2007/3641/F

Location: Budletts Rock, Coopers Green, Buxted

Description: Sub divide property back to original semi detached cottage. Remove existing small extension and rebuild two storey extension to accommodate kitchen and bathroom

Applicant: Mrs J Brooker

Agent: Mrs J Brooker

No objection provided that the hedge adjoining the road is retained. It is noted that a new garage will require a further application.

3.4.

Application No. WD/2007/3651/F

Location: Newnham Park Farm, Poundgate

Description: Change of use of rural buildings to dwelling house and offices

Applicant: Newnham Park Farm

Agent: J A Farquhar

The Council objects to this application. The proposal is for the unacceptable introduction of an excessive number of windows into the structure. The applicant has not complied with Wealden Adopted Plan Policy DC8 nor Wealden Non Statutory Plan Policy DC8 by seeking business reuse before seeking permission for a dwelling house. It is requested that Consultation & Design are consulted about the application in respect of the old barn. If the District Council is minded to permit this or any future application for the property the proposals should be in accordance with the Design Guide.

3.5.

Application No. WD/2007/3703/F

Location: Greenfields, Five Ash Down

Description: Conversion of attic to provide bedroom with extension to roof and provision of attic windows

Applicant: Mr D Spillard

Agent: Mike Hill - Architectural Services

No objection.

3.6.

Application No. WD/2008/0034/F

Location: Land at Temple Grove Herons Ghyll

Description: Creation of underground car park

Applicant: Temple Grove House Ltd

Agent: Kember Loudon Williams Ltd

The Council has no objection to this application provided that the construction has no adverse impact on the adjacent walled garden, that a separate pedestrian access is provided, that suitable provisions are made for disabled access, and that the current provision for above ground parking is reduced by an appropriate amount and replaced by garden.

3.7.

Application No. WD/2008/0077/F

Location: Little Potters, Limes Lane, Buxted

Description: Remove existing lean to extension to side. Construct new one and a half storey extension to side providing new main entrance, utility area, kitchen/breakfast room and sitting area.  Provide first floor bathroom and new principal bedroom with ensuite on first floor

Applicant: Mr & Mrs M Hawkins

Agent: David Jenkins Design

The Council objects to this application. Little Potters is an attractive Sussex vernacular building of C18 origins build from local materials and these proposals are not in sympathy with the character of the property. This Council is particularly concerned excessive amount of fenestration proposed – including floor to ceiling height windows – and the Juliette balcony. It is recommended that Consultation & Design are consulted about the application and that any proposals meet their requirements.

3.8.

Application No. WD/2008/0012/LB

Location: Old Maypole Farm High

H.0urstwood

Description: Re-instate medieval style windows at ground floor living room to replace two modern windows

Applicant: Mr. & Mrs. P Lorrimore

Agent: Paul Reed

No objection

3.9.

Application No. WD/2008/0101/F

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 requested the Clerk to contact WDC Enforcement about the commercial vans that used the property as a base.

4.

Any other matters properly notified

4.1

Three new planning applications had been received and these were distributed.

4.2

Cllr. Crowe reported that WDC had received and dealt with two separate screening applications from developers for the Land west of Church Road and also for a proposed 60 house development on Land west of Lower Totease Farm. It was very disappointing that WDC Planning had not contacted the Council about these applications. Cllr. Crowe had raised the matter with WDC Cllr. Buck.

4.3

Cllr. Chalmers reported that he had attended part of the Appeal hearing for the Granary Lower Totease Farm.

5.

Announcements

None this meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.00 p.m.

Signed:                                                                         Committee Chairman

Date: