Agenda item - BH2022/00287 - Land Adjacent Hillside, Ovingdean Road, Brighton - Reserved Matters

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Agenda item

BH2022/00287 - Land Adjacent Hillside, Ovingdean Road, Brighton - Reserved Matters

Minutes:

1.       The Planning Manager introduced the application to the committee. The case officer informed the committee that the wording ‘unlawfully felled’ was incorrect as the trees were not protected.

 

Speakers

 

2.       Ward Councillor Fishleigh noted that officers has visited the site, not committee Members. The damage to the existing trees was against the law and the applicant will benefit if the committee agree planning permission. The Councillor wanted to increase the protection of trees generally in the city as agreed at full council in a Notice of Motion, which was unfortunately ‘watered down’. The councillor considered there was not enough space for the proposed house.

 

3.       Pam Wright addressed the committee as a resident and stated they spoke for a number of neighbours and residents, and locals were concerned at this development on a blind corner, with much traffic, speed of the highway traffic was a concern. The number of trees to be removed was regretted and would have a considerable impact. In July 2022 neighbours persuaded trees works to be stopped. Following this there was no confidence in the landscaping scheme, which will need checking. Future occupiers knocking down trees was a concern; therefore, a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was requested for all the trees on site, which has high amenity value.

 

4.       Craig Sweeney addressed the committee as the arboriculturist acting for the applicant and stated they were an independent tree consultant and noted that the tree works carried out were not unlawful and it was noted at the officer’s site visit that no criminal acts had taken place. The tree planting and removal has already been agreed in October 2022. The native hedging and planting have been agreed on site. The ground levels require the removal of trees, and a method statement has been submitted. 18 trees will be removed due to the excavation works not 22.

 

Answers to Committee Member Questions

 

5.       Councillor Hugh-Jones was informed that the access to the site did not form part of the discussions. The Council Arboriculturist noted the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) was for the area, within which the sycamore trees next to the highway were listed. The elm trees on site have been lost many years ago. Eight sycamores are to be removed, four have planning consent to remove and the others are within the footprint of the new building.

 

6.       Councillor Theobald was informed that the application was for reserved matters and the previous application had been for outline planning permission. The case officer confirmed the existing electricity substation was owned and operated by UK Power Networks and access was part of the proposals. It was noted that there were no

transport details at the outline stage, therefore the transport officers could not comment.

 

7.       Councillor Shanks was informed that the four sycamores would be felled for access and another four for the house. It was noted that the access was already agreed, as was the house position. The council arboriculturist had no objections.

 

Debate

 

8.       Councillor Theobald considered the proposals far too big for the site, located at the top of dangerous hill, with 21 trees being removed so near to the South Downs National Park. It was noted that there had been 25 objections received. The councillor did not support the application.

 

Vote

 

9.       A vote was taken, and by 6 to 1 the committee agreed to grant planning permission.

 

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

Supporting documents:

 


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