Agenda item - BH2022/01015 - Hove Town Hall, Ground Floor Front, Church Road, Hove, BN3 4AH - Full Planning

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

Speakers

2.       Ward Councillor Wilkinson addressed the committee and stated that they objected to the application as the proposals will impact on the residents with loss of trees and space for the community in this greatly used area. The decking for Platform 9 will be for them only and therefore a loss to the community. The area is a public space by design, is well liked and well off for seating. The loss of the tree and planting will impact on the biodiversity of the area and the proposed new planters will not be enough. The proposal will result in an increase in noise pollution. The community space will be lost to private use at no benefit to the community. Public space should remain as such. The committee were requested to refuse the application.

3.       The applicants addressed the committee. Dan Roper noted that the heritage team seemed to accept the proposals and the decking and planting will be simple. The large tree has already gone, and the existing trees and shrubs will stay. Only 1% of vegetation will be lost. Scott Currie considered the square was underused, was already a meeting place and therefore noise would not increase as a result of the proposals.

4.       James Forbes of the Conservation Action Group addressed the committee and stated their groups comments were in the late list not the report. The submitted drawings were poor and missing a block plan, the planting next to the south elevation doors was also missing. It was noted that the seating was needed and the square locally listed. The group considered the festoon lighting to be detrimental to the conservation area.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

5.       Councillor Moonan was informed by the case officer that no opening hours were proposed for the decking. Dan Roper stated that the closing time would be approximately 5/6pm, and later when being used for an event. It was confirmed that the applicant has an alcohol licence.

6.       Councillor Theobald was informed that the silver birch tree was to remain by condition, as would be the details of the planters which included a 5 year protection requiring any plants that die to be replaced. The exact size of the decking is not known. It was thought to be slightly larger than the existing shrub bed. The maximum number of persons on the decking will be 20.

7.       Councillor Ebel was informed that the decking would be fully wheelchair accessible.

8.       Councillor Yates was informed by the applicants that the chairs would be removed or chained together at night and there would be no fixed seating. The applicant stated they had a duty of care for the decking and furniture. The case officer confirmed that any change of signage would require advertisement consent and this application does not cover this.

9.       Councillor Moonan was informed by the applicants that local business’ have supported the proposals. The Planning Manager did not consider that a 7pm closing time for the decking would be reasonable given the surrounding bars and pubs in the area.

At this point the meeting was adjourned as the council chamber was flooded by rain water.

The chair closed the meeting and stated that the discussion on the application would continue at the next planning committee meeting on 6 July 2022.