Agenda and minutes

Any substitute members should declare their substitution.

There were no Substitute Members.

Members and Officers must declare any disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to any business on the agenda.  Declarations should also be made at any stage such as interest becomes apparent during the meeting.

If in doubt contact the Legal or Democratic Services representative for this meeting.

Members and Officers may seek advice upon any relevant interest from the Monitoring Officer prior to the meeting.

Councillor Paul High declared an interest as an elected Member of WSCC.

Councillor Noel Atkins declared an interest as an elected Member of WSCC and in relation to item 6.1 as Ward Councillor.

Councillor Helen Silman declared an interest in item 6.1 as she resided in High Salvington,  had visited the site, spoken to a resident, but came to the meeting with an open mind.

Councillor Jim Deen declared an interest in item 6.2 as a Ward Councillor and had requested the application be considered by the Committee.  The Councillor advised he had spoken to the applicant, and given advice on planning procedure, but had not predetermined the matter.

Questions from the public should be submitted by midday on Monday 22 June 2020.  A question cannot be put in relation to a specific planning application.

Where relevant notice of a question has not been given, the person presiding may either choose to give a response at the meeting or respond by undertaking to provide a written response within three working days.

Questions should be submitted to Democratic Services -

democratic.services@adur-worthing.gov.uk

(Note: Public Question Time will last for a maximum of 30 minutes)

The Chairman advised that there were no pre-submitted questions from members of the public about any matter for which the Council had a responsibility or which affected the Borough.

The Council’s procedure rules require advance notification of all public questions where a committee meeting is being held remotely.

To approve the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings of the Committee held on Wednesday 27 May 2020, which have been emailed to Members.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 27 May 2020 be confirmed as a correct record and that they be signed by the Chairman.

To consider any items the Chair of the meeting considers urgent.

There were no items raised under urgency provisions.

To consider the reports by the Director for the Economy, attached as Item 6.

The planning applications were considered, see attached appendix.

To consider the report by the Director for the Economy, attached as Item 7.

The Head of Planning and Development introduced the report.  In advance of the Local Plan, the proposal was to adopt an interim checklist to assist Officers to negotiate with applicants and encourage more exacting environmental standards secured through building regulations.  However, the Officer stated there had been a delay in bringing forward new Building Control regulations that would encourage these standards. 

The Officer stated the emphasis was on major developments however, they were keen to introduce the requirement, particularly for new builds, to meet the minimum co2 reductions being proposed.

The Committee Members were advised that the Head of Planning and Development and the Senior Planning Officer would answer any queries on the report.

The majority of Members were largely in support of the report.  During debate, a Member queried what difference Members would see as part of the information they received sitting on the Planning Committee.  The Officer stated it was necessary to have sustainability as a standard heading in committee reports but he was aware specific policies were needed to support what applicants were required to do.  He advised the more compelling policies would come through the Local Plan as they would be tested at examination.

As the report author, the Senior Planning Officer, clarified some points for Members and was thanked for her comprehensive report.

Another Member referred to page 31 of the Interim Checklist and requested the first sentence be amended to refer to excluding householder applications (to clarify that it only related to householder development).  It was also agreed that the major development requirements should be separated for all new build housing.

A vote was taken by roll call.  The proposal put forward was to support the need for an interim checklist pending the emerging Worthing Local Plan and the vote was as follows:

For: Councillors Atkins, Baker, Deen, High, Silman, Westover and Wills

Against: Councilor McCabe

Abstentions: 0

Decision

The Committee Members agreed the recommendation to support the need for an interim checklist pending the emerging Worthing Local Plan.  It was suggested that this should be amended to refer to excluding householder applications (to clarify that it only related to householder development) and that the major development requirements should be separated for all new build housing.

The Head of Planning and Development briefly outlined the report and advised a change in the Officer’s recommendation.    

A vote was taken by roll call.  The proposal put forward was to approve the introduction of a Section 106 monitoring fee and the vote was as follows:

For: Councillors Atkins, Baker, Deen, High, McCabe, Silman, Westover and Wills

Against: 0

Abstentions: 0

Decision

The Committee Members agreed the Executive Member for Regeneration APPROVE the introduction of a Section 106 monitoring fee.