Agenda item - BH2013/02491 - Brighton Racecourse Race Hill - Full Planning Permission

Use of land at Brighton Racecourse for car boot sales on each Sunday throughout the year and additionally on Wednesdays during the months of April to October. 

RECOMMENDATION – GRANT

Use of land at Brighton Racecourse for car boot sales on each Sunday throughout the year and additionally on Wednesdays during the months of April to October.

(1)                   The Case Officer, Jonathan Puplett, introduced the application and gave a presentation by reference to photographs, plans and elevational drawings. Consent was sought for the use of the site in conjunction with car boot sales which had been ongoing for some time and the application was seeking to regularise the current activities – attention was also drawn to a minor typographical correction in relation to Condition 6. Traders accessed the site from an entrance at the south and the car boot sales were arranged around a loop. There was concern from local residents in relation to parking on the surrounding streets, and conditions sought to mitigate these issues through the provision of signage and stewards. The hours of use would also be restricted from 0830 to 1700, and a full management plan would also be sought through condition; as with the park and ride on the site a full schedule of events would also be submitted to seek to resolve any clashes between events. It was also noted that the ancient historic monument at Whitehawk Camp crossed over the southern end of the site, where the surfaced track accessed the site, and a condition was recommended for temporary barriers and stewarding to protect the site. For the reasons set out in the report the application was recommended for approval.

Questions for Officers

(2)                   Councillor Carol Theobald noted she was a trustee of the racecourse, and asked about the parking capacity and potential clashes. In response the Case Officer explained that the hours the car boot sale could operate were limited by condition, and the hours were considered were to be more than adequate; there was also a condition to ensure a schedule of events were submitted to avoid clashes. In relation to parking capacity it was explained that the average parking need for the car boot fare was approximately 408 and the site had capacity for up to 1500; the issue related more to where people were parking rather than capacity.

(3)                   Councillor Gilbey asked about noise from the signage being put up early in the morning to direct people into the site; in response the Case Officer explained that these requirements, including times, would be set out in the management plan and that a balance was needed to provide adequate signage and protect residential amenity.

Debate and Decision Making Process

(4)                   Councillor Robins noted that changes to parking restrictions in Hanover could add additional pressure to parking around the site, and it was important that the management plan was able to address this.

(5)                   Councillor Jones noted that he had some concerns in relation to the ancient monument site; however, he was reassured by the Case Officer’s comments and asked that proper monitoring be undertaken.

(6)                   Mr Gowans noted that the Conservation Advisory Group (CAG) had welcomed the condition in relation to the temporary barriers to protect the ancient monument, and he drew attention to comments from the County Archaeologist in the report.

(7)                   A vote was taken and planning permission was unanimously granted.

80.1       RESOLVED – That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in paragraph 11 and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.