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 Coxhill declared that, in relation to the first application on agenda item 6 he had, in March 2022, met with the owner of the site for general development discussions but the site of the application was not discussed.

Councillor Cochran declared that in relation to item 7, he was a Ward Councillor for Durrington.

Councillor Atkins declared that he was a member of WSCC and that, in relation to the first application in item 6 he had previously been a director of Bond International and worked at the application site. In relation to application 3 of item 6 he declared he was known to the minister of the application site and in relation to item 4 he was a resident of Heene Ward.

Councillor Evans declared that in relation to application 4 of item 6, she was a Heene Ward Councillor.

Councillor Silman declared that in relation to application 4 of item 6, she was a Heene Ward Councillor.

Councillor Turley declared he was a WSCC member.

So as to provide the best opportunity for the Committee to provide the public with the fullest answer, questions from the public should be submitted by midday on 22 August 2022.

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 Chair advised that there had been one public question submitted and that this would be addressed by the Head of Planning during item 7.

To approve the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings of the Committee held on Wednesday 22 June 2022, which have been emailed to Members.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 22 June 2022 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 applications were considered, see attached appendix.

To note a report by the Director of Economy attached as item 7.

This report was partly in response to the public question received.

Terry Woodjetts (NWDRA Chairman) asked -

Can the Head of Planning provide an update to the committee on progress of variation to the S106 that included the construction of Community Park Facilities on West Durrington Development?

The Head of Planning and Development delivered the report which was reviewing the s106 agreement signed in 2012, explaining that Officers were working closely with the West Durrington Residents Association on a number of matters.

Members agreed that the report was Noted.  Members to give consideration of which Councillors should be involved on the proposed Partnership Board.  Officers also agreed to update Members on where the Council has got to with implementing the green gym at Northbrook Recreation Ground.  The preference from Committee was for the money to be used for a skateboard facility rather than a green gym but this would be dependent on the Consortium agreeing to any alternative use re: funding.

To consider a report by the Director for the Economy attached as item 8.

The Head of Planning and Development explained that the provisional TPO had originally been placed upon the trees at the request of the owner to avoid inappropriate lopping of the branches. However, it was the opinion of some neighbouring residents that the trees were not being well maintained. Confirming the TPO would ensure that any future works could be considered and, if necessary, amended by the Local Planning Authority.

Members debated issues of biodiversity, visual impact and future benefits of shade and taking up rainfall through the roots.

It was proposed and seconded to accept the Officers recommendation of confirming the TPO. Members voted  four in favour and four against. The chair used his casting vote to Approve the recommendation to confirm the order. There was considerable discussion about whether Leyland Cypress were appropriate trees to be preserved, particularly where they were causing nuisance to adjoining residents but the Committee just decided in favour given the sustainability benefits of retaining mature trees and the fact that they were visible in the street scene.

To consider a report by the Director of Economy attached as Item 9.

The Head of planning delivered a report proposing the re-establishment of the Worthing Local Plan Members Working Group.

The recommendations were Agreed but the Committee concurred that the Terms of Reference be amended to ensure that the Members Working Group reflected the political balance of the Council and that this would mean that there would be 6 Members, 4 Labour and 2 Conservative and/or Lib Dem.  The Chair also suggested that this should be reviewed annually and that the Chair of the Planning Committee should be on the Working Group.