Agenda and minutes

36.1     The minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2020 were approved as a correct record.

Disclosures by all members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the member regards the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

37.1     Councillor Tom Liddiard declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 5:  Site 6 – Mark Lane, in that he is a friend of the owner of a business in Mark Lane, so withdrew from the Chamber during consideration of the particular site having made observations on the proposal.

38.1     Reports referred to in the minutes below are contained in the minute book.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

39.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.  Councillor Liddiard withdrew during consideration of Site 6 – Mark Lane having commented on the proposals. 

39.2     The following members of the public spoke about the following sites:

39.3     Councillor Pat Rodohan and Councillor Barry Taylor, the Local Members, spoke about the following sites:

39.4     Members have considered the report, together with the comments of the public speakers and comments of the local members expressed at the meeting and provided in writing, and agree with the conclusion and reasons for recommendations as set out in paragraph 3 of the report, with the exceptions set out below.

39.5     The following Members abstained from voting on the following sites:

39.6     Councillor Daniel voted against the officer recommendation in respect of Site 19 – Furness Road. 

39.7     RESOLVED to: (1) uphold the objections in Appendix 1 of the report;

(2) not uphold the objections in Appendix 2 of the report; and

(3) recommend to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport that the Order be made in part.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

40.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

40.2     The following people spoke against the recommendation for refusal of planning permission:

·         Lucy Binnie (Agent)

·         Sara Holley (Applicant) 

·         Stuart Curtis of Stamco (local business) 

40.3     The following people spoke in support of  the recommendation for refusal of planning permission:

·         Christine Howe (adjoining landowner)

·         Mike Collins on behalf of Councillor Ann Newton (local Wealden District Council ward member) 

·         Roger Simmons (local resident)

40.4     Councillor Chris Dowling, the Local Member, spoke to recognise the fine balance of the application in terms of merit and to support the recommendation.

40.5     Members have considered the report, together with the comments of the public speakers and Local Member, and agree with the conclusions and reasons for recommendation set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

40.6     RESOLVED unanimously to refuse planning permission for the following reasons: 

1.         The development generates dust which is deposited on adjoining land. This creates concern and nuisance for landowners, particularly regarding the undertaking of agricultural activities which is considered to be harmful. Consequently, the development is unacceptable and conflicts with Policy WMP25 (a), (b) and (c) of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Plan 2013, Saved Policy EN27 (2) of the Wealden Local Plan 1998 and the provisions of paragraph 127 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2019.