Agenda item - BH2020/03029 - St Johns, 2 Vicarage Lane, Rottingdean

1.    The Planning Manager introduced the application.

Speakers

2.    Clare Lakehurst spoke to the committee as an objector and stated that the council prides itself on democracy, however the officer’s recommendation to grant planning permission is against the parish council and local opinion. It is noted that St Johns is two cottages, not three, as number one is a separate dwelling and number 5 is grade II listed. Please reject the application.

3.    Paul Joyce spoke to the committee as agent for the applicant and noted that they had worked closely with planning officers. The application achieves national space standards and the materials will be in keeping with the location. The development will not be visible from the public domain. The existing annex is approved and lawful. The new dwelling will be a modest addition to the housing supply and an efficient use of the land. The committee are requested to permit the application.

Questions for speaker

4.    Councillor Theobald was informed that the development would be connected to number 3 and the space standards were acceptable.

Questions for officers

5.    Councillor Fishleigh was informed that the no site visits had taken place to this site , and that it was noted that number 5 was listed, however, it was not considered to be affected by the proposals.

Debate

6.    Councillor Fishleigh stated they were shocked that no site visits had taken place. The councillor understood the housing targets needed to be met and many developers were coming to Rottingdean. It seemed to the councillor that sheds were being built then turned into houses. The councillor considered the structure to be too small and stated they were against the application.

7.    Councillor Theobald stated that they were not keen on this development in a conservation area with listed buildings nearby and noted the parish council objection. The councillor did not support the application.

8.    Councillor Miller considered the proposed dwelling may not work as it was too small and they were also concerned at the impact on the conservation area.

9.    Councillor Childs noted the objections but did not see any good material reasons to refuse and supported the application.

10. A vote was taken and on a vote of 7 to 2, with one abstention the Committee agreed to grant the application.

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