Decision details

[Councillor Edwards re-declared his Personal Interest made at the start of the meeting. Councillor Charles declared a Personal Interest as a Member of West Sussex County Councillor.]

5 Public Speakers

Cllr Dennis Thompson – Bersted Parish Council

Gary Bottwood - Objector

Graham Wingate – Objector

Daniel Delaney – Applicant

Tom Hayes – Agent

Replacement of blockwork boundary wall with fence and new vehicular access (resubmission of BE/149/21/PL)

The Planning Team Leader presented his report. This was followed by 5 Public Speakers.

Members then took part in a full debate on the application where a number of points were raised including:

·       the presence of small or medium commercial vehicles in the vicinity of the proposed access

·       that parking could not be controlled on Bedford road (the site of the proposed access) and that West Sussex County Council had tried by previously installing bollards which were no longer there

·       parking on the pavement in a crowded residential road being a District matter

·       another road immediately opposite the proposed access and the need to ensure the plan is located precisely

·       visibility splays and maintaining them, especially when the road is full of parked cars

·       concerns over the height condition and whether the applicant could control this

·       ensuring that conditions were enforced, and whether double yellow lines could be installed to this end

·       the addition of a non-commercial vehicle condition

·       the lack of photographs of the site in the report to understand the implications of the decision

·       the need for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for reoccurring parking issues or whether a TRO would just shift parking issues elsewhere

·       the lack of objection from the Highways Authority, and this being an issue if the Committee was minded to refuse the application

·       whether representation from the Committee should be sent to West Sussex County Council

·       only being able to decide on the application based on the information available now and not on any future interventions that may or may not take place

·       the lack of room on the pavement for pedestrians and those with disabilities, wheelchair users, people with prams etc

·       whether a new access would further reduce parking space on this road

The Planning Team Leader and Director of Place provided Members with answers to all points raised during the debate. It was confirmed an additional condition ensuring the use of the land to the rear of the building should remain associated to 339 Chichester Road and not for separate business use in accordance with policy D DM1 of the Arun Local Plan and the NPPF would be added to the decision notice if the application were approved by the Committee.

The Committee

RESOLVED

That the application be APPROVED CONDITIONALLY as detailed in the report and report update subject to the conditions as detailed.