Agenda item - BH2021/00795 - Benfield Valley Golf Course, Hangleton Lane, Hove - Full Planning

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

Speakers

2.    Ward Councillor Barnett addressed the committee and stated that the chalk has been dumped at the site and there was currently an ongoing Environmental Health investigation which the applicant is appealing against. The chalk needs to be removed and it is noted that it is still there after 6 weeks. The councillor considered the chalk to be a blot on the landscape and the site should be kept in proper order. The council have told the owners to tidy up the area where the biodiversity has been destroyed when bushes and shrubs have been ripped out. The owners have been told to replace these and this has not been actioned. (Having addressed the committee Councillor Barnett withdrew from the meeting).

3.    The applicant’s agent, Martin Carpenter, addressed the committee and stated that the application would have been dealt with under delegated powers if Ward Councillor Lewry had not called the application into committee. It was noted that part of the site is in a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) as part of the chalk downlands. The biodiversity has been enhanced by the tree clearance of infected elms. The proposals will be a good use of the chalk and help to screen the car park. The removal of the chalk would be unsustainable. The committee were asked to approve the application.

Questions

4.    Councillor Shanks was informed by the agent that the car park was free and accessible to the public and was shut at night.

5.    Councillor Hugh-Jones was informed by the agent that the car park had existed for many years and had changed shape over the last 20 years. The surface consists of chalk and plainings, which are offcuts from tarmac roads. The agent confirmed that there were no markings in the car park and the enforcement investigation was ongoing as the applicant was appealing the action. The councillor was informed by the agent that the chalk not used would be moved elsewhere.

6.    The East Sussex County Ecologist noted that the dumped chalk had integrated with the trees, no trees had been lost but there may be some damage. It was proposed to replace three trees whilst the scrub vegetation will look after itself. Any chalk remaining after creating the bunds would be spread around the car park, which is not in the SNCI, which surrounds the car park. All chalk would be pulled back from the boundary with the SNCI.

7.    Councillor Yates was informed by the County Ecologist that the existing geology of the site was chalk, and the proposals would form shallow bunds which would be seeded. The bunds would be good for the area and reptiles and keep the mosaic of the diversity in the area. The chalk would be a benefit to the area once the bunds are reduced in height and quantity.

8.    The Senior Solicitor informed the committee that if planning permission were granted for the development being enforced against the Council would not have a case to carry forward in the planning enforcement appeal.

9.    The agent stated that they would consider withdrawing the appeal if planning permission were to be granted.

Debate

10.Councillor Yates stated they were initially sceptical of the application. However, the environmental gains, the visual improvements to the area and car park are all good. The councillor did not want a precedent to be set. The councillor supported the application.

11.Councillor Shanks supported the application and considered the bunds to be a good idea, especially when well seeded and would be an improvement.

12.Councillor Hugh-Jones supported the application.

13.Councillor Ebel considered the proposals be an improvement and supported the application.

Vote

14.A vote was taken, and the committee voted unanimously that planning permission be granted. (Councillor Barnett was not present for the vote and took no part in the decision- making process).

15.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.