Minutes of Wadhurst Parish Council’s Planning Committee

Minutes of a meeting of the Planning Committee held at Carillon Cottage on Saturday 29th October, 2011 at 9.30 a.m.
Present: Cllrs Berger, Goolden (chair), Kent, Konrad and Standley.  In attendance, District Cllr Wells.

AGENDA
1.      To receive apologies for absence
Cllrs Bell and Gadd

2.      To approve the minutes of the Meeting of 15th October, 2011
Approved

3.      To receive declarations of interest
None

4.      Public forum
No members of the public present

5.      To consider licence and planning applications received and make recommendations
WD/2011/1885/F for TAPSELLS, TAPSELLS LANE, WADHURST,TN5 6PL
TO PROVIDE A GARAGE AND STORE WITH A SMALL TRAINING STYLE SWIMMING POOL BEHIND
No objection.
WD/2011/2088/F for WYVERN HOUSE, WINDMILL LANE, WADHURST TN5 6DJ
GROUND AND FIRST FLOOR EXTENSIONS AND INTERNAL ALTERATIONS. EXTENSION TO GARAGE
We support the application; whilst this is outside the development boundary, it is an improvement on the present appearance, and it sits in a sufficiently large plot.
WD/2011/2262/FR for LONG VIEW, PRIMMERS GREEN, WADHURST, TN5 6DY
RETROSPECTIVE APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF OUTBUILDING WITHIN DOMESTIC CURTILAGE TO CREATE PORCH OVERHANG.
We object on the grounds that from the information provided it is not evident that the original conversion of the garage into residential use has been approved.
WD/2011/2275/F for YEOMANS, THREE OAKS LANE, WADHURST TN5 6PX
EXTENSION TO ANNEXE
No objection; we comment that, whilst the design guide (11 – 4.7) concerning the introduction of windows in roundels is not being followed, we would require the windows to be sensitively installed.
WD/2011/2065/LB for WADHURST YOUTH CENTRE, LOWER HIGH STREET, WADHURST TN5 6BA
REPLACE EXISTING METAL LATTICE WINDOWS LIKE FOR LIKE. CONVERT CURRENT OFFICE INTO A WC INCLUDING INSTALLATION OF A MECHANICAL VENT AXIA EXTRACT FAN TO COMPLY WITH BUILDING REGULATIONS
We support, and welcome the improvement to this much-used building.
WD/2011/1835/FR for COMBE MANOR FARM, COOMBE LANE, WADHURST TN5 6NU
RETROSPECTIVE ALTERATIONS TO WD/2006/1348/F AND WD/2007/3009/F
No objection, though from the information provided it appears that retrospective permission has been granted.

6.      To consider notices of decisions received
WD/2011/1812/F for SHEPHERDS FOLD, BEECH HILL, WADHURST, TN5 6JR   Approval
WD/2011/1554/F for CHERRY TREE COTTAGE, BASSETTS, NR MARK CROSS, TN6 3PE   Approval
WD/2011/1729/F for WOODBURY, CASTLE WALK, WADHURST TN5 6DB   Approval

7. and 8.      To consider impact of Localism Bill and to discuss Neighbourhood Plan and make recommendations to full council
It was agreed to recommend to the Full Council that, when the Localism Bill is enacted, we should give its provisions careful consideration.  We would recommend establishing a working party with a broad membership (including non-Council members) with a view to identifying the areas of interest or benefit to Wadhurst, and developing a Neighbourhood Plan.   We recognise that we are one of the larger parishes in the District and would aim to be in the forefront of this initiative.   

9.      Urgent issues at the discretion of the Chairman for noting
It was noted that the WDC Housing Allocations Policy Consultation includes a focus group meeting on 16 November; whilst no members of the planning committee are available, District Cllrs Standley and Wells would be present in their District capacities, and would report back to this committee.
Cllr Berger noted that some improvement work at Benge’s in Cousley Wood was being undertaken, apparently without having gone through the planning process.
The meeting closed at 11.05 am.

M C C Goolden
Chairman