PLEASE NOTE THESE MINUTES ARE UNADOPTED - THE MINUTES BELOW ARE DUE TO BE APPROVED AT THE START OF THE NEXT EASEBOURNE PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE PLANNING PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD Present: Mr J Stringer (Vice-chairman), Dr A Guyatt, Mrs J Deacon-Ford, Mr F Martin, Mrs A Marchand, Mrs J Macdonald-Lawson, Mr J Dabson, Mr D Pack, Mr B Gowar, the Clerk and 15 members of the public. In the absence of Mr Heustice (Chairman), Mr Stringer (Vice-chairman) took the chair for the meeting. 10/11 55 Apologies for Absence: Mr I Heustice and Mr M Taylor 56 Planning applications EB/10/04389/FUL and EB/10/04390/LBC – re-development of the King Edward VII Hospital Mr Stringer outlined the proposal as follows: The public were then asked for their comments With over 650 parking spaces in total, and therefore a great increase in traffic Will access to the 3 proposed houses in Pine Walk not necessitate cutting through woodland designated for measured walks? Will this development help the older residents of Midhurst and area, by providing much-needed accommodation for elderly people, not necessarily “care” facilities? Will the price of the properties make them affordable for this age group? Why will English Heritage not fund the renovation of the Listed Building without the necessity of building a new “village” that will increase the population of Easebourne by a third? Why can the redevelopment not be considered in conjunction with the Sygenta site in Fernhurst? Can the history and fond memories of the old hospital be allowed to justify the building of a “housing estate” that contributes nothing to the area. Who will the houses and apartments sell to? Do we have the infrastructure in Easebourne to cope with such an influx of residents ie: schools, doctors, and other vital services? We should find out if the Riverbank Medical Centre is already up to capacity. Concerns about the water pressure, water supply and sewerage services ability to cope with such an increased demand in a very rural location. Storm water is also a problem. Will the bank, who owns the site, get planning permission and then sell-on the property? Will the new houses be built first, before re-development of the Listed Building is started, with the possibility that the renovation element will never happen? It is understood that the service charge for residents of the new development would be £6000 to £8000 per annum. Far too much for most people to pay. Concern was expressed about the disruption to wildlife that currently inhabits the area. It was suggested that the Parish Council should seek advice from outside consultants before responding to the application. It was suggested that the site would be better served by building fewer properties, but developing these in the £1 million+ price bracket. As it is not the Parish Council’s responsibility to preserve the Listed Building should the application not be considered purely in terms of the amount of new build proposed and exclude reference to conservation of the old? Is it worth accepting this large development, and its impact on the area, just to save a listed building that only appears to be of sentimental, rather than architectural, value to residents of the area? The public meeting ended and the Parish Councillors then discussed the application. Taking into consideration the comments from Councillors and from the public meeting a motion to object to the application was proposed by Mr Dabson and seconded by Mr Gowar. 8 for the motion and 1 against. The reasons to be given for the objection are: 1 The quantity of new homes on the site is excessive in such a sensitive area, namely an AONB and part of the South Downs National Park. 5 We also, at this time, lack confirmation from the District Valuer that the proposal is viable, bearing in mind that previous applications were not so, and resulted in the collapse of the project. The meeting closed at 9.15pm The next full Parish Council meeting will be on Wednesday 10th November 2010 at 7.30pm in the Refectory, Easebourne. All are welcome.
Mrs Carole Allan, Clerk to Easebourne Parish Council |