Agenda item - BH2025/01359 - Kap Ltd, Newtown Road, Hove - Removal or Variation of Condition

1.        The case officer introduced the application to the committee.

Answers to Committee Members Questions

2.    Councillor Earthey was informed that there was no evidence of the actions being undertaken for early credits and there were still available credits to be obtained.

3.    Councillor Sheard was informed that the BREEAM results should have been recorded at each stage of the development. Climate Change Project Manager stated that this did not mean the actions weren’t taken, only not recorded.

4.    Councillor Pickett was informed that the recorded actions related to each floor not the final building.

5.    Councillor Cattell was informed that 85% of the total 104 actions were available, 70% overall is needed to hit ‘Excellent’ and 59% was now suggested for this scheme. It was noted that ‘Excellent’ was standard requirement.

6.    Councillor Parrott was informed that it was not possible to see if the actions were taken.

7.    Councillor Nann was informed that mechanisms were now in place, therefore enforcement actions would not be expected but could still be taken if there was a breach of the condition.

8.    Councillor Winder was informed that the BREEAM requirements have been in the Development Plan since 2016.

9.    Councillor Thomson was informed that BREEAM only relates to commercial builds.

Debate

10. Councillor Cattell considered there was no reason to stop the building being completed and supported the application.

11. Councillor Theobald noted there were no objections from the Ecological team, and very good is very good.

12. Councillor Sheard considered it was disappointing to not to get the credits, however, the standards appeared to remain high.

13. Councillor Pickett supported the application.

14. Councillor Robinson considered the new developer was trying to do the right thing.

15. Councillor Earthey considered the development should be completed as soon as possible.

Vote

16. A vote was held, and the committee agreed unanimously to grant planning permission.

17. 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.