Agenda item - Chairman's Communications

              Web casting

51.1       The Chairman explained that afternoon’s meeting of the Planning Committee was being web cast. Members were reminded to speak directly into the microphones and to switch them off when they had finished speaking in order to ensure that they could be heard clearly both within the Council Chamber and in the public gallery above.

              South Downs National Park

51.2       The Local Development Team Manager briefed Members on the current position in respect of the establishment of the South Downs National Park (SDNP)and detailed the implications for the local planning authority, future planning arrangements, the intended boundary, and key changes to the intended boundaries (for copy of briefing note see minute book).

51.3       The Local Development Team Manager also explained that the intended boundary, running from east to west, followed the City boundary with Adur to the A27 and then generally followed a route north of the A27 (apart from being north of the water works at Mile Oak). It dipped south to the built up area boundary at a number of places:

·        Foredown Ridge

·        Hollingbury Hill

·        Coldean Wood

·        Land between Woodingdean and the coast

·        Woodingdean, Ovingdean and Rottingdean would not be in the SDNP.

51.4       The Local Development Team Manager explained that the following key boundary changes were proposed:

              Inside the National Park

·        Patcham Recreation Ground – had been included in the SDNP as part of the Coney Hill area, as sought by the Council. The boundary would now run in a more logical manner alongside the A23.

·        Land at Roedean – Land rear of Roedean Crescent.

·        Embankments – Alongside Mill Road and the A27 between the Dyke Road intersection and the A23/27 junction.

              Outside the National Park

·        Toads’ Hole Valley - had now been excluded from the SDNP.

·        Green Ridge – The land west of the access to the windmill originally proposed for inclusion in the SDNP had been excluded. No clear planning reason had been given for this and the City Council had formally objected to the exclusion of this part of Green Ridge.

51.4       RESOLVED – That the position be noted.