EAST WITTERING & BRACKLESHAM PARISH COUNCILMINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE
HELD ON 14 APRIL 2008 IN THE PARISH COUNCIL OFFICE, WITTERING WALK
PRESENT: Planning Committee Members
Councillors: Mr. G. Breeze (Chairman)
Mr. C. Munday (Vice Chairman)
Mr. R. Lowe
Mr. B. Lambert
District Councillor Peter Clementson
IN ATTENDANCE: District Councillor Peter Clementson, Mrs. J. Griffith (Parish Clerk) and 4 members of the public.
P08.27 Declarations of Interest. None
P08.28 Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
P08.29 Matters Arising from the last meeting None.
P08.30 Public Questions. None
P08.31 New Planning Applications.
The Committee had NO OBJECTION to the following applications:
P08.31.1 EWB/08/01281/DOM Mrs J Pine Bayside Tamarisk Walk East Wittering
Pitch roof extension projection over first floor balcony, minor amendment to EWB/07/05846/DOM.
P08.31.2 EWB/08/01446/DOM Mr And Mrs D Pardoe 6 Tile Barn Lane East Wittering
Two storey side extension with pitched roof extended to replace flat roof to entry lobby and cloak room.
The Committee had NO OBJECTION BUT COMMENTED on the following application:
P08.31.3 EWB/08/01216/DOM Ms Crena Watson. Starfish West Bracklesham Drive Bracklesham. Extension to existing garage and covered way to house.
Comment: The Committee felt that the proposed extension should not be used for residential purposes.
The Committee OBJECTED to the following applications:
P08.31.4 EWB/08/01241/DOM Mr John Cushing. Onaway Longlands Road East Wittering Chichester West Sussex PO20 8DD. Dormers to roof space to enlarge existing bedroom with ensuite. Reason: The Committee felt that this is overdevelopment, out of keeping with surrounding area and obtrusive. The Committee was also unaware of planning permission being granted for the ensuite bedroom in the roof space.
P08.31.5 EWB/08/01360/FUL Mr Mark Longland 31 Shore Road East Wittering
Construction of a two storey, two bedroom detached house. Reason: The Committee felt this is overdevelopment, backland development and out of keeping with the existing development. The proposal will be obtrustive to properties to the south. The narrowness of Shore Road at this point is unsuitable for additional traffic movement, especially as it has no pavement.
P08.32 EWB/08/00600/FUL Langstone Construction Ltd 186 Stocks Lane EW Construction of 6 no. 3 bed houses and associated external works (Revision to planning permission EWB/07/00627/FUL to meet building regulation requirements).
The Committee had objected to the original plans due to the heights of the roofs and wish to know why this failure to meet building regulations was not picked up in the initial application. District Councillor Peter Clementson reported that the revision to the original planning permission applying to raise the roof height retrospectively was permitted by the District Council. The Parish Council Committee raised concerns that inspections by the District Council have not picked up this deviation from the original planning permission at an earlier stage. Proposed by Cllr. Lambert, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed to write to Mr. John Marsland
P08.32 Enforcement Enquiries - updates
P08.32.1 EWB/06/00339/CONHH Green Tiles, 8 Beech Avenue, Bracklesham. Dog breeding query. A report has been prepared for the attention of Head of Service recommending that a notice is served with view to a material change of use at the property. CDC asked for any further information available from the Parish Council.
11.6.07 The Committee received two letters of objection which had been copied to CDC. Clerk was asked to investigate and pass any information to CDC.
10.9.07 CDC reported that an Enforcement Notice will be served. The Clerk was asked to find out when this notice will be served and any timings associated with this notice.
5.10.07 Enforcement Notice served - compliance is 3 months from when notice takes effect (29 Oct 07). Therefore compliance date is 29th Jan 08. Individual may appeal against notice.
18.12.07 Appeal Notice received. Committee to write to Planning Inspector objecting to the suitability of a commercial operation of dog kennels at this location.
11.02.08 Awaiting Appeal decision.
03.03.08 Appeal dismissed, awaiting details.
P08.32.2 Stubcroft Farm, Stubcroft Lane, E. Wittering - unauthorised building.
Cllr. Lambert attended the public enquiry on 21 June as representative of the Council and reported that the enquiry had received late paperwork from Mr. Green therefore the Planning Inspector decided to reconvene the enquiry on a date to be arranged in either August/September. The Committee was advised that a new date has been set as 13/14 September.
10.9.07 Mr. Lambert confirmed that he would attend the public enquiry.
5.10.07 Inquiry held on 13,14 and 20 Sep 07 - awaiting decision from Planning Inspectorate (anything between 4-10 weeks).
18.12.07 Committee advised that the decision can take up to a year.
21.1.08 Appeal dismissed. Enforcement notice EW/22 upheld, compliance by 4.4.08.
03.03.08 Awaiting compliance.
14.04.08 Compliance check carried out - building still in situ. Prosecution process commenced for non-compliance with enforcement notice.
P08.32.3 EWB/07/00366/CONBC Stubcroft Farm, Stubcroft Lane, E. Wittering - exceeding permitted number of caravans. The Committee received copies of three letters together with photographs which had been sent to Chichester District Council. The Clerk was asked to contact CDC to obtain an update on the situation and also ask District Councillor Peter Clementson to follow up this enquiry.
10.9.07 CDC reported that an investigation is in progress.
10.9.07 EWB Committee asked what is happening as conditions have not been enforced.
5.10.07 Report being submitted to CDC Head of Service for enforcement action.
5.11.07 Head of Service directed that a letter be sent to Mr Green stating more than 5 caravans have been stationed on the site at certain times. This is a breach of condition and is the result of the land being used for the storage of caravans
and motor homes. If not removed then enforcement action be pursued. Compliance check due this week.
18.12.07 CDC have forwarded a report to the Director of Environment for enforcement action regarding storage of caravans on the land.
21.01.08 Awaiting CDC action.
11.02.08 CDC drafting a breach of condition notice and checking the site to ensure that breach continues prior to serving. The Clerk was asked to write to CDC expressing the committee’s displeasure and great concern over the time taken to deal with this matter. The Clerk was asked to include the fact that the caravans are being inhabited as lights have been seen at night contravening planning.
03.03.08 Awaiting further information.
16.04.08 The Committee queried the location of the caravans in question.
P08.32.4 Land south of Stubcroft Place, Stubcroft Lane, EW. The Committee agreed to report this land being used for storage of vehicles and materials.
18.12.07 CDC have no record of this case. Case file will be raised and site visit will be conducted. Committee disappointed as e mail sent in November notifying CDC of this matter.
21.1.08 CDC investigating.
11.02.08 CDC awaiting site meeting with responsible individuals.
03.03.08 Awaiting further information.
14.04.08 No land registry or contact by owners - further investigations as to ownership of land continuing.
P08.33 Independent enquiries by Councillors. The Clerk read out Trevor Leggo’s (SALC)
recommendation for best practice as follows:
“It is important that all councillors abide by a Council’s corporate policy; you will be aware that it is
vital no confusion is created within the community with individual councillors perhaps giving the
impression that they are in a position to make a decision. Councillors acting alone put themselves at
risk, there have been cases where councillors have implied that they are in a position to order goods or
services, the Council has subsequently not confirmed the position and the individual councillor is
liable. All this must be balanced against the enthusiasm of councillors anxious to follow up on
their ideas. To protect Councillors and the Council I strongly recommend that if a Councillor wishes to
pursue ideas they obtain clearance in advance from the Council.”
Although Cllr. Lambert disputed this recommendation, the Committee agreed to take this
recommendation to the next full Council meeting for consideration and ratification.
