Agenda and minutes

19.1     The Lead Member approved as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2018.

Disclosure by all Members present of personal interests in matters on the agenda, the nature of any interest and whether the Members regard the interest as prejudicial under the terms of the Code of Conduct.

20.1     Councillors Richard Stogdon and Sylvia Tidy declared personal interests in Item 5, as the Chair and Vice Chair respectively of the Board of Conservators of Ashdown Forest, but they did not consider these to be prejudicial.

Report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport

21.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with written comments in support of the scheme from Councillor Rupert Simmons, the Local Member.

21.2     Ms Pam Lineham and Mr David Rice spoke in support of the objectives of the proposals.

DECISIONS

21.3     RESOLVED to (1) note the objections received to the Notice to introduce vertical traffic calming features (speed cushions and raised tables) along Ghyll Road and Sheepsetting Lane, Heathfield; and

(2) agree that the vertical traffic calming features along Ghyll Road and Sheepsetting Lane, as set out in the Notice, should be taken forward to construction with a modification to the set of speed cushions (reference 06) which shall be repositioned 2.5 metres further north along Ghyll Road.

Reasons

21.4     The result of the 2017 public consultation exercise showed significant support for the proposed traffic calming scheme with 73% of respondents either supporting or strongly supporting the introduction of traffic calming features, speed cushions and raised tables.  The consultation also demonstrated there was support for extending the scheme to include Sheepsetting Lane.

21.5     The repositioning of speed cushions at reference 06 would avoid future conflict with a proposed driveway extension that the resident has approval to implement.  Officers have consulted with the resident who made the objection and the two adjacent properties, and all three have no objection to the repositioned cushions.

22.1     The Lead Member considered a report by the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport, together with information regarding further work on transport and education provision modelling as a result of a late increase in the housing provision figure by Wealden District Council.

22.2     Mr Chris Elphick and Mr Nick Kersey spoke to raise highway concerns about proposed development in Heathfield.

DECISIONS

22.3     RESOLVED to (1) agree the views on the Local Plan summarised in paragraph 2.1 of the report, and set out more fully in the Appendix as the basis for representations on the Wealden Local Plan Proposed Submission; and

(2) authorise the Director of Communities, Economy and Transport to elaborate upon and add to those views as necessary for submission to Wealden District Council. 

Reasons

22.4     The County Council needs to agree the basis for representations being submitted on the Wealden Local Plan Proposed Submission.  The level of growth that is planned will require substantial County Council infrastructure.

22.5     Wealden District Council has increased its allocation by some 3000 new homes, that is to say  from 11,456 to 14,228 which leaves this authority exposed to a significant risk around our Capital Programme.  This is despite many years of close working through the joint “Roadmap” forum.  Previous planning by this authority will need to be re-worked in light of this significant change.

22.6     In order to manage the risks to public services, our own budgets, as well as that of infrastructural failure, the County Council will consider whether and when to request the inclusion of a “Grampian Condition” in permissions which would seek to prevent occupation of new housing until needed infrastructure, particularly around schools and roads, has been put in place.