Agenda and minutes

Any substitute members should declare their substitution.

There were no substitute Members present.

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, and with regard to agenda item 6.1, Bar 42, 42 Marine Parade, Worthing, he stated he had been the Chairman of a WBC Licensing Sub-Committee when an earlier application had been submitted for the premises.

Councillor Noel Atkins declared an interest as an elected Member of WSCC and in relation to item 6.3, 36 Valencia Road, Worthing, he advised he resided within Heene Ward.

Councillor Paul Baker declared an interest in item 6.2, Medical Supply Company, 24A Upper High Street, Worthing as he was employed in offices at 24 Upper High Street but came to the meeting with an open mind.

Councillor Jim Deen declared an interest in item 6.1, Bar 42, 42 Marine Parade, Worthing and item 6.2 Medical Supply Company, 24A Upper High Street, Worthing as Ward Councillor.  The Councillor advised he had corresponded and held conversations with interested parties mainly in relation to planning policy and other planning issues but came to the meeting with an open mind.

Councillor Helen Silman declared an interest as a Heene Ward Councillor.

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 Monday 10 August 2020. 

Where meetings are held remotely, no question will be permitted from the public unless such notice has been given. 

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 following question had been received in advance of the meeting.

Ms Paula Mitton, a resident of Worthing, asked:

Are the members aware that there is a body of scientific evidence showing a range of adverse effects from radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation well below the standards laid by the International Commission on Non Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP?)

The Planning Services Manager referred to the function of the Council where such documents were submitted.  He advised that these related to prior approvals for telecommunication masts that, Members would be aware, were not full planning applications and were time limited, whereby the Council had to make a decision within 56 days otherwise consent would be granted.  At present, if an applicant submitted a Declaration of Conformity, within the guidelines, then the Council would not be entitled to take into account any health considerations on a prior approval application. 

The Officer advised that Members were no doubt aware that there was presently concern being raised regarding 5G masts and health impacts, and Officers were now starting to receive applications for 5G masts in the Borough.  However, the NPPF guidance in terms of the Council’s role had not changed despite the upcoming 5G developments and therefore if a Declaration of Conformity had been submitted, then the Council does not need to take into account any health concerns beyond the submittance of that document.  The Officer was aware that in connection with a recent application for a 5G mast at Lyons Farm, residents had advised that the regulations were out of date however, he stated that this was not for the Council to determine, only the siting and appearance of the masts.

The resident raised a supplementary question as follows:

Are you aware that a Declaration of Conformity should comply with certain requirements under the Declaration of Conformity requirements - decision number 768/2008/EC of the European Parliament?

The Officer responded that the documents submitted state that they do comply with the ICNIRP guidance and therefore by association the EU Guidelines referred to, and if that were the case, it is not the Councils’ right or ability to question that any further. 

If the Council felt that those guidelines were not being complied with, at that stage the Council could refuse to accept the prior approval and send it back to the applicant.  However, it would not be a matter for the Committee, it would be the responsibility of an Officer. 

To approve the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings of the Committee held on Wednesday 22 July 2020, which have been emailed to Members.

RESOLVED, that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 22 July 2020 be confirmed as a correct record and that at a later date be signed by the Chairman.

A recorded vote was taken by the Democratic Services Officer which was as follows:

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

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 Chairman advised a change in the order the applications would be considered, taking item 6.1 first, followed by items 6.3, 6.2, 6.4 and 6.5.

The planning applications were considered, see attached appendix.