Agenda item - BH2022/03894 - Land to the rear of 28-34 Longhill Road, Ovingdean - Full Planning

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

Speakers

2.       Ward Councillor Fishleigh addressed the committee and stated that one of the houses to be built was advertised as being raffled off online. The reduction of green spaces was an issue, given the development of 45 other homes in Ovingdean already under construction. The Community Infrastructure Levey (CIL) of £291,000 is too little. Originally the 4 homes were refused and then allowed in 2021. A library was promised, as was a better bus service, which have not appeared.

3.       Alex Bateman addressed the committee as the agent and stated that the application is an amendment to the existing approved scheme for 4 detached homes. The total will be six dwellings, with 2 being added to the approved 4. The relationship between the buildings will be the same as before. Consultations with ecology, trees and highways raised no objections. The proposals are policy compliant. The £291,000 commuted sum is acceptable. The committee were requested to approve the application.

Answers to Committee Member Questions

4.       Councillor Allen was informed that one elm tree would be removed, which was not known to have Dutch elm disease. Each dwelling will have an off street parking space and garage, also two visitor bays will be provided and the is provision for on street parking.

5.       Councillor Earthey was informed that the Community Infrastructure Levey (CIL) sum was achieved using the CIL calculator.

6.       Councillor Shanks was informed that the district valuer had agreed with the viability of the £291,000 sum in relation to the affordable housing commuted sum, and CIL money was also to come.

7.       Councillor Allen was informed that the original 4 dwellings did not attract a s106 agreement in relation to affordable housing, however, 6 dwellings was over the threshold and would therefore attract contributions.

8.       Councillor Loughran was informed that the street design was approved in the previous permission for 4 dwellings and two cars are able to pass on the access road. The objections received for this application were the same as those received for the previous application for 4 dwellings.

9.       Councillor Hamilton was informed that the plan on the agenda showed an extension that was not constructed, and the access road would not therefore pass through a house.

Debate

10.      Councillor Shanks supported the application.

11.      Councillor Allen supported the application and considered the development not to be out of character with the area.

Vote

12.      A vote was taken, and by 5 to 2, the committee agreed to grant planning permission.

13.      RESOLVED: That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in the report and resolves to be MINDED TO GRANT planning permission subject to a s106 agreement and the Conditions and Informatives in the report.