Agenda item - BH2023/03054 - Racehill, Warren Road, Woodingdean, Brighton - Full Planning

1.    The Planning Manager introduced the application to the committee.

Speakers

2.    Neighbouring Ward Councillor Rowkins addressed the committee and stated that they represented the view of the local residents, who considered they were on the fringe of the city and there the application would result in one large car park on Racehill. There are existing parking areas, and this would add to total parking. Surface water is a concern and the quote ‘unlikely to be significant’ is disputed. Any increase in surface water in the area would be an issue.

3.    Matthew Pardoe addressed the committee as the agent acting on behalf of the applicant and stated that the site was allocated to park-and-ride in 2013, the scheme would therefore not be creating additional parking but had sealed the area. The park-and-ride included 700 parking spaces and parking was a lawful use with planning permission. The character and appearance of the site was as parking, and the scheme would improve the visual appearance. The drainage was deemed acceptable as the proposed aggregate would be better than the existing mud. The traffic management will be good. The committee were requested to support the application.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

4.    Councillor Shanks was informed by the agent that the land was owned by the council and used as a park-and-ride for the football stadium and was suitable for parking.

5.    Councillor Loughran was informed that there was no extra risk of flooding on the site.

Debate

6.    Councillor Theobald considered it was better to have the ground treatment and native hedging than the existing situation. The councillor supported the application.

7.    Councillor Winder considered the site as recreational open space, that the proposed hedging was acceptable. The current parking is haphazard in this area of biodiversity.

8.    Councillor Allen considered the views from the site to be stunning and this site was always used for events. The councillor weighed up use and utility, with a lean towards parking. It was considered that the scheme could help the pressure on the roads.

9.    Councillor Sheard supported the application noting the extreme pressure on the area next to the stadium. The proposals were considered to alleviate the pressure and to be a benefit to the city.

Vote

10. A vote was taken, and by 8 to 1 the committee agreed to grant planning permission. (Councillor Galvin took no part in the decision-making process or vote).

11. RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to the Conditions and Informatives in the report.