Agenda and draft minutes

32.1     The Committee approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2025.

33.1     No apologies for absence were received.

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.

34.1     Councillor Field declared a personal interest in item 6 as a Member of Rother District Council. She did not consider this to be prejudicial.

Notification of items which the Chair considers to be urgent and proposes to take at the appropriate part of the agenda. Any members who wish to raise urgent items are asked, wherever possible, to notify the Chair before the start of the meeting. In so doing, they must state the special circumstances which they consider justify the matter being considered urgent.

35.1     There were none.

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

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport  

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

37.2     Mr George Massingham (agent for the applicant) spoke for the recommendation for granting planning permission.

37.3     Councillor James MacCleary, the Local Member spoke to highlight concerns regarding noise, emissions, odour, vehicle movements and visual impact associated with the site.

37.4     Committee Members have considered the report, together with the comments of the public speaker and Local Member and agree with the conclusions and reasons for the recommendation set out in paragraph 8.1 of the report.

37.5     The Committee unanimously RESOLVED to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the plans and documents listed in the Schedule of Approved Plans and Documents.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

3.         The temporary storage containers hereby permitted in the north of the site shall be removed by 31 August 2026. Prior to the area being brought into use for any other purpose, the applicant shall submit details of the permanent use of the area to the Wate Planning Authority for approval in writing, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport.

The approved permanent use of the area shall thereafter be implemented in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In the interests of the amenity of the locality in accordance with Policy WMP25 of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Local Plan 2013.

4.         Use of Berth 1, North Quay Road, Newhaven on land under the control of applicant for the importation, storage and processing of mineral, demolition and construction wastes pursuant to planning permission LW/574/CM shall cease on the implementation of any external processing activities allowed by permission LW/894/CM. If processing activities under permission LW/894/CM cease, the applicant shall notify the Planning Authority prior to bringing Berth 1 back into use for external processing.

Reason: In the interests of protecting the amenity of the locality in accordance with Policy WMP25 of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Local Plan 2013.

5.         Prior to the construction of the covered storage bay and the relocation of the crusher and screener to the north of the site an ecological design strategy (EDS) addressing enhancement of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport. The EDS shall include provision of a minimum of 190sqm of wildflower grassland along the northern boundary of the site. Details should include, location, dimensions, build-up/depth, low nutrient substrate/soil type, native plant species list and percentages, sowing density or turf type, initial aftercare and maintenance, long-term management which must include the removal of arisings, timetable of works and roles and responsibilities  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

Report by the Head of Planning and Environment

38.1     The Committee considered a report by the Head of Planning and Environment together with written representation from Councillor Bennett, the Local Member.

38.2     Committee Members have considered the report, together with the comments of the Local Member and agree with the conclusions and reasons for the recommendation set out in paragraph 8.1 of the report and the addendum to the report.

38.3     The Committee unanimously RESOLVED to grant planning permission subject to the following conditions:

1.         The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason: To comply with Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

2.         The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the plans and documents listed in the Schedule of Approved Plans.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.

3.         The scheme for the provision of a telephone line for dealing with complaints from members of the public which was approved on 3 March 2008 shall continue to be operated in full accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To secure the monitoring of the development in the interests of the amenity of the locality in accordance with Policy WMP25 of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Plan 2013.

4.         Notice in writing of any complaint made by a member of the public about any matter associated with the development shall be given to the Head of Planning and Environment no later than the next working day after the complaint was received. The notice shall include a description of the complaint, the name and address of the person making the complaint and the action proposed as a result.

Reason: To secure the monitoring of the development in the interests of the amenity of the locality in accordance with Policy WMP25 of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Plan 2013.

5.         The scheme for controlling dust during operations of the plant which was approved on 23 July 2008 shall continue to be carried out in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: To control emissions of dust in the interests of the amenity of the locality in accordance with Policy WMP25 of the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Plan 2013.

6.         During the operation of the centralised composting facility the noise rating level from all operational activities shall not exceed:

A) 45 dB LAeq, 1h (free-field) at any residential boundary between the hours of 07.00 - 18.00 Mondays to Fridays inclusive (save Bank Holidays) and 08.00 - 16.00 Saturdays and all noise sources will be free from any discernible characteristics, such as tonal or impulsive noise.

B) 40 dB LAeq, 1h (free field) at any residential boundary between the hours of 18.00 - 23.00 Mondays to Fridays inclusive, and 07.00 - 08.00 and 16.00 - 23.00 hours Saturdays, and 07.00 - 23.00 hours Sundays and Bank Holidays, and all noise sources  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

39.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport which detailed the enforcement and site monitoring undertaken under delegated powers for the period between 1 April 2025 and 30 September 2025.

39.2     The Committee RESOLVED to note the report.

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     Committee Members have considered the report and agree with the conclusions and reasons for the recommendations as set out in the report.

40.3     The Committee unanimously RESOLVED to:

1) not uphold the objections to the draft Order, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report; and

2) recommend to the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport that the Traffic Regulation Order be made as advertised.