Minutes of the Planning Committee Meeting of 30 April 2008 held at 7.30 pm. in the Reading Room Buxted.    

Present: Cllrs. Sheard (Chairman), Chalmers, Crowe, Daniel, Harding and Warner. Cllr. Dopson.

Public: 6. Mr. Guy Rogers of Mulberry Cottage spoke of his opposition to aspects of application WD/2008/0871/F for Tuckswood Etchingwood Lane Buxted. Mr. Julian Ahern spoke in support of his application WD/2008/0871/F for Tuckswood Etchingwood Lane Buxted.

1.

Apologies: Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr. Coxon and Rose.

Apologies also received from WDC Cllr. Buck.

2.

Declaration of Members Interests in respect of items on this agenda

Cllr. Chalmers declared a personal interest in respect of planning application WD/2008/0914/F for Wealden High St. Buxted by being an acquaintance of the applicant. Cllr. Crowe declared a personal interest in respect of planning application WD/2008/0371/F for Ashdown Limes Lane by being a neighbour of the applicant. Cllr. Warner declared a personal interest in respect of planning application WD/2008/0371/F for Ashdown Limes Lane as the applicant’s son was a member of the Buxted Youth Council for which she had responsibility.

3

Planning Applications

3.1.

Application No. WD/2008/0729/F

Location: Coxbrook Chillies Lane, High Hurstwood

Description: Two storey side and rear extension to existing house together with enlarged replacement double height bay window and alteration to internal arrangement. New porch and steps.

Applicant: Mr J A Franks & Mr R W Lane

Agent: Stephen Langer Associates

No objection, but the Council regrets that a further modest house in High Hurstwood is to be over extended.

3.2

Application No. WD/2008/0826/F

Location: Cringleford Five Ash Down

Description: Two storey side extension

Applicant: Mr Brian York

Agent: Douglas John & Partners

The Council objects to this application. The proposed extension will result in overlooking, loss of light and loss of privacy to the neighbouring property, 69 Five Ash Down.

3.3

Application No. WD/2008/0843/F

Location: Brownheath House Pound Green Buxted

Description: Conversion of existing single storey detached garage to provide bedroom and shower room accessed via new single storey lobby/sun room extension

Applicant: Dr J A Pereira

Agent: David Nicholson

The Council objects to this application. The proposal would be an overdevelopment as the property already has an annexe and it would also result in the unacceptable loss of the garage. The Council trusts that the Section 106 agreement for the property is still in place.

3.4

Application No. WD/2008/0854/F

Location: Wayside Buxted Wood Lane, Buxted

Description: Replacement dwelling incorporating a two storey chalet style Huf house with additional fully subterranean basement and detached double garage/carport following demolition of the existing main dwelling and all existing outbuildings

Applicant: Mr N Stiastny

Agent: Mr P Andrews Huf Haus

The Council objects to this application unless the proposed grey roof tiles are changed to a material more in keeping with the local vernacular and all permitted development rights, including for the interior, are removed.

The Council noted, on a site visit, that no planning notice was displayed but this has been drawn to the attention of the officer.

3.5

Application No. WD/2008/0871/F

Location: Tuckswood, Etchingwood Lane, Buxted

Description: Additions to front and rear of existing dwelling

Applicant: Julian Ahern

Agent: Michael Hill, Mike Hill Architectural Services

This house is out of character with the neighbourhood and the existing layout, with windows in the south east flank, remove all privacy from the adjoining neighbours land which is highly regrettable. The house is in need of work and some redevelopment could be of benefit if it reduced the negative impact on its neighbours.

Notwithstanding the letter of 23 April 2008 from the applicants agents offering some changes to existing plans, if WDC were minded to approve the application,the Parish Council objects to the application as it stands unless:
- the secondary (and existing) bedroom widows in south west elevation are removed
- new bathroom windows to be obscured glazed and limited/restricted opening
- quarter light only to avoid overlooking and loss of privacy of neighbour’s windows of utility room to be obscured glass and limited opening
- windows of the flat roof breakfast room extension to include quarter lights to reduce impact of overlooking when standing

- all window replacements to be of sustainable timber rather than UPVC
- roof of flat roof extensions specifically designed/controlled by strong conditions so as to not allow subsequent conversion for use as raised terrace/balcony to avoid overlooking/loss of privacy of neighbours
- consideration for roof of flat roof extension to be sedum or green roof construction to provide environmental improvement and mitigate the poor flat roof design
- consideration for reduction of roof pitch on front extension to reduce bulk on south west view and demonstrate the subordination of the extension
- full landscaping plan to be approved by WDC to mitigate the removal of the conifer tree line on north east boundary and removal of mature oak on rear south west boundary  - this Council requests consultation on the landscaping plan
- landscaping to provide native green screening between Tuckswood and Mulberry Cottage, including screening of existing and new proposed south west elevation flank wall to 1.75m from floor height plus replacement landscaping to rear south west boundary to avoid overlooking from proposed new breakfast room. As the Mulberry Cottage approval of extension and new drive (still to be implemented) requires landscaping so the requirement on Tuckswood would be reciprocal
- new driveway landscaping plans to be submitted for planning approval given the front extension and double garage will require substantive works not part of this application
- removal of all permitted development rights class A-D and E
- removal of existing dilapidated sheds on site to ameliorate the considerable floor space expansion of the front extension and rear flat roof extension – and the land should be tidied up
- consideration for removal of existing attic window in north east elevation and replacement with roof light to mitigate current overlooking and loss of privacy from removal of tress on boundary
The Council also notes that the applicant in preparation for the work not only removed all conifer tree screening of the site (of some benefit to overcome substantive overshadowing of immediate neighbours at Cedar Haven) has left the building exposed on the ridge - additionally the applicant
removed a mature oak causing no apparent issues other than through its removal they have further opened up their distant views. Considering the loss of trees on the property there should be a requirement for planting and maintenance of a suitable replacement oak and protection of all other substantive trees on the property.

3.6

Application No. WD/2008/0948/F

Location: Hadham House Burnt Oak Road, High Hurstwood

Description: Addition of first floor windows to recent extension.

Applicant: Mr R. C. Thomas

Agent: Mr Mike Hill, Mike Hill Architectural Services

No objection.

3.7

Application No. WD/2008/0963/F

Location: Anvil House Pound Green, Buxted

Description: First floor extensions and alterations

Applicant: Mr Michael Tinson

Agent: Mr Michael Tinson

No objection.

3.8

Application No. WD/2008/0992/LB

Location: Temple Grove Lodge, Herons Ghyll

Description: Demolition of existing flat roof extension and erection of part single and part two storey extension to east side of building (amended scheme following original approval ref. WD/2007/0443/LB)

Applicant: Christina Wilson

Agent: Kember Loudon Williams Ltd

No objection subject to Conservation & Design consent.

3.9

Application No. WD/2008/0991/F

Location: Temple Grove Lodge, Herons Ghyll

Description: Erection of single and two storey extension to east side of building (amended scheme following original approval ref WD/2007/0349/F)

Applicant: Christina Wilson

Agent: Kember Loudon Williams Ltd

No objection subject to Conservation & Design consent.

3.10

Application No. WD/2008/0819/F

Location: Arisaig Hurstwood Road, High Hurstwood

Description: Demolition of garage prior to undertaking approved works to form part of garage as habitable and new bedroom and ensuite over

Applicant: Mr A Beldham

Agent: RDT Design Associates

No objection provided the consent is for no longer than 3 years.

3.11

Application No. WD/2008/1007/F

Location: 12 Framfield Road Buxted

Description: Construction of detached dwelling

Applicant: Camic Developments Ltd

Agent: Michael Hill

The Council objects to this application. The proposal would be an overdevelopment on the site and would not be in keeping with the character of neighbouring properties. The access arrangements and impact on local road network would need very careful Highways consideration given the well known congestion and parking problems in the immediate area. The Council would want to see any development on the site provide parking space for 12 Framfield Road. Notwithstanding that some development may be possible on this garden site, this current house proposal is too large.

3.12

Application No. WD/2008/0914/F

Location: Wealden High Street Buxted

Description: Single storey rear extension

Applicant: M Todd

Agent: Mr. Ashley Jones

No objection

3.13

Application No. WD/2008/0371/F

Location: Ashdown Limes Lane Buxted

Description: To build a timber frame garage onto the side of our property

Applicant: Mr. Simon Grocott

Agent: Mr. Simon Grocott

The Council objects to this application.  The proposed garage is a poor design. The flat roof is regrettable – a low pitched roof would be more appropriate in this situation. 

4.

Any other matters properly notified

4.1

Cllr. Crowe reported that she had proposed a further meeting with Ward Homes/Barratts but there had been no reply as yet. She had also emailed WDC about the Planning Inspector’s clause of site layout, especially the location of the village green, and a reply was awaited.

4.2

Cllr. Crowe said that the officer’s recommendation was for approval of the Oast View Five Ash Down application. She had sent an email to Cllr. Buck covering the issues including the ombudsman’s recommendation.

5.

Announcements

None this meeting.

The meeting closed at 8.35 p.m.

Signed:                                                                         Committee Chairman

Date: