Issue - items at meetings - St Aubyns former school site, Rottingdean - Planning Brief

Report of the Executive Director, Environment, Development and Housing (copy attached)

RESOLVED - That the Economic Development and Culture Committee approve the St Aubyns draft planning brief attached as Appendix 1 to the report for consultation with members of the public and other stakeholders.

12.1    The Committee considered a report of Executive Director of Environment, Development and Housing seeking approval to consult on a draft planning brief (attached as appendix 1 to the report) that had been prepared in respect of the former St Aubyn’s school site in Rottingdean. The main school building, including its chapel, was a Grade II listed building and lay within the Rottingdean Conservation Area. The main objective of the planning brief was to provide a planning framework for the future development of this  strategically important site within a heritage sensitive context.

12.2    It was explained that the draft planning brief was intended to establish development principles that would meet the both needs of the local community and the landowner, whilst respecting the character of the existing heritage assets (conservation area and listed buildings) within the site and the surrounding areas both within the site and in surrounding area. These principles had been balanced against the need to provide for a financially viable development to attract the necessary development finance streams to secure the site’s deliverability.

12.3    The Chair welcomed Councillors John and Bryant (Treasurer of Rottingdean Parish Council) and thanked them for the valuable input that the Parish Council had given into the Draft Planning Brief which had been prepared in partnership with the parish council.

12.4    The Senior Planning Officer. Planning Projects, Mrs Flowers gave a presentation in relation to the brief and explained that the vision for the site sought to deliver a high quality and sustainable redevelopment which respected the character of the existing heritage assets and the recreational opportunities arising from the existing open space.

12.4    Councillor Mears stated that whilst generally supportive of the Brief she was concerned that the open space should be protected and was concerned regarding the level of affordable housing which could be provided on-site, which could if it was of too great a density have a negative impact on neighbouring amenity and compromise the existing open space.

12.5    Councillor Hawtree stated that the playing field was an important part of the setting of the conservation area and the way that the draft plan moved forward was key to the positive future development of the site. The Chair requested that Councillor Mears’ concerns be minuted in order that these issues could be pursued as part of the further consultation process.

12.6    Councillor Mears sought clarification regarding whether there would be any flexibility in providing an element of any affordable housing off site. The Head of Planning stated that although this was not generally the case this could be considered if it was deemed to be appropriate. Councillor Mears requested that she receive confirmation of this in writing as she considered that it was a very important issue in relation to the potential future development of the site, this was agreed.

12.7    RESOLVED - That the Economic Development and Culture Committee approve the St Aubyns draft planning brief attached as Appendix 1 to the report for consultation with members of the public and other stakeholders.