Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 23 November 2022 be approved as a correct record.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors James King and Michalowski, Councillors Hudson and Absalom attended as their respective substitutes.

To receive any declarations of interest.

Councillor Absalom declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 6 (Reigate Grammar School), as a family member attended Reigate Parish Church Primary School and would be abstaining during the vote.

Councillor Blacker declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 6 (Reigate Grammar School), as he had undertaken work via his business at the school.

To note the addendum tabled at the meeting which provides an update on the agenda of planning applications before the Committee.

PLANNING APPLICATIONS:

NOTES:

1.    The order in which the applications will be considered at the meeting may be subject to change.

2.    Plans are reproduced in the agenda for reference purposes only and are not reproduced to scale.  Accordingly dimensions should not be taken from these plans and the originals should be viewed for detailed information. Most drawings in the agenda have been scanned, and reproduced smaller than the original, thus affecting image quality.

To consider the following applications :

RESOLVED that the addendum be noted.

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 33 homes, including affordable housing, with access from Haroldslea Drive, associated parking, open space and associated works.

The Committee considered an application at Land at Laburnum and Branscombe, 50 Haroldslea Drive, Horley for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of 33 homes, including affordable housing, with access from Haroldslea Drive, associated parking, open space and associated works.

Catherine Pollard, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application, stating that the development would be a drastic change to the existing character and nature of the site. The previous application was at appeal stage however the applicant wished to push through this application as quickly as possible. There had been an overwhelming response in objection to the application from residents and Horley Town Council. Multiple examples of flooding had been presented since 2013, most recently being in November 2022. Residents of Haroldsea Drive were yet to see the benefit of engineering solutions to assist with flooding from the Thomas Waters Way Development built 10 years ago. Highway concerns around Haroldsea Drive were described, with 2 accidents having occurred at the junction of Balcombe Road since the original application was considered at this Committee.  Concern was raised around the lack of footpath beyond the junction of Castle Drive/Haroldslea and the proposed site and the frequent congestion and narrowness of Haroldslea Drive itself, not the access road the developers designed. The application was an overdevelopment, not only of the site but within the Horley area. This was supported by the statistics available on the Council’s website where it stated that Horley had seen the largest proportion of development across the entire borough. The latest Housing Monitor report published on the Council website stated that 39.5% of net additional dwellings have come from Horley since 2012 to present. Expansion of housing across the West Sussex border should also be considered for context. The most recent Housing Monitor report stated that the Council exceeded the Housing Delivery Test result target with a result of 151%.

Don Stredwick, a local resident, spoke in objection to the application, explaining that one of the many responses to the application was from the Environment Agency (EA), relating to the properties close to the application site that were particularly affected by the serious flooding over the winter of 2013/14. The planned development lay directly to the rear of these affected properties. The EA have reminded the Planning Department about the serious flooding, together with a reminder about known surface water drainage issues that continued to affect these properties. Following prolonged periods of rain, the current surface water drainage network was inadequate. The EA have advised the Planning Department that a detailed survey of the surface water drainage network for this area should be undertaken, to ascertain its suitability to cope with two additional outlets discharging surface water from the proposed development. The EA also advised that a hydraulic model of the Burstow Stream, a major watercourse close to this area, was being updated, with results expected soon. If the results indicated an increase in flood risk this would need to be considered in any future planning  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

Demolition of existing music drum room and 4 no. Multi use games areas and construction of a new sports centre, including ancillary facilities, and 4 no. New multi-use games areas, together with revisions to site levels, drainage, plant, landscaping and other associated works. As amended on 07/03/2022, 17/03/2022, 30/06/2022, 14/09/2022 and on 05/10/2022.

The Committee considered an application at Reigate Grammar School, Reigate Road, Reigate for the demolition of existing music drum room and 4 no. Multi use games areas and construction of a new sports centre, including ancillary facilities, and 4 no. New multi-use games areas, together with revisions to site levels, drainage, plant, landscaping and other associated works. As amended on 07/03/2022, 17/03/2022, 30/06/2022, 14/09/2022 and on 05/10/2022.

Frances Davis, Head Teacher at Reigate Parish Church Primary School, spoke on behalf of the Governing Body, Senior Leadership Team and parents to object to the application. The school supported the Grammar School to improve its facilities however the design gave little consideration to the Primary School. If built, the Primary School pupils and staff would be faced with the unattractive ‘rear end’ of the Grammar School’s flagship sports facility. The building would create a large barrier and restrict the view of 3 classrooms, giving them less sky to view. This was not good for mental health and wellbeing of staff and pupils, as well as negatively impacting the amenity of the classrooms. The proposal was far larger than what was required and was 10m longer and 6m wider than other sports halls in the borough. A more standard size sports building would fully meet the Grammar School’s educational needs, and enable the building to be pulled much further away from the Primary School and conservation area, reducing negative impacts on both. This was a poor design, contrary to Policy DES1 and paragraph 130 of the NPPF, and there was no clear educational need for such a large building.

Shaun Fenton, Headmaster of Reigate Grammar School, spoke in support of the application stating that the 1970s built sports hall was substandard and not within the current standards set by Sports England, furthermore there was no disabled access. Many local primary schools and community groups used the facilities at the Grammar School free of cost, however the school could offer much more with the new facility. The proposed building would be 34m away from the Primary School. 1600 pupils and 1000 families supported the application. No other place on the site works, for operational reasons and because of the Conservation Area. As a result, planting has been developed to enhance the Conservation Area. The new facility would allow the school to deliver its aims for the community and its pupils.

A reason for refusal was proposed by Councillor Kulka and seconded by Councillor Torra, whereupon the Committee voted and RESOLVED that planning permission be REFUSED on the grounds that:

1.    The proposed development, by reason of the proximity of the proposed sports centre to the southern and eastern boundaries and its significant height, width and depth would adversely impact the amenity of occupants of 3 Blackborough Close and the Reigate Parish Church Primary School by way of overbearing impact and obtrusiveness contrary to policy DES1 of the Reigate and Banstead Development Management Plan 2019 and provisions of the NPPF.

Demolition of 64 Shelvers Way and the erection of 3 x 4 bedroom dwellings with associated access, parking and amenity space. As amended on 23/11/2022.

The Committee considered an application at 64 and Rear of 62 Shelvers Way, Tadworth for the demolition of 64 Shelvers Way and the erection of 3 x 4 bedroom dwellings with associated access, parking and amenity space. As amended on 23/11/2022.

RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to conditions as per the recommendation and addendum.

For the Planning Committee to consider the Conservation Areas review and consider consultation on the areas identified.

This item be DEFERRED due to lack of time at the meeting.

To consider any item(s) which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There was none.