Slinfold Parish Council
PO Box 315, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 9XX
Tel: 01403 785864 Email:clerk@slinfold-pc.gov.uk
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Thursday 26th February 2015
7.30pm in the Parish Room, Village Hall
24/15 Attendance and Apologies for Absence
Those present: Councillors S Bailey (Acting Chair); G Constantine; P Redmond; E Skeates; G
Stenton Chandler; H Sherwin-Smith and M Wellesley- Wood
Also present, acting Clerk J Bromley
Apologies: Cllrs: C Gibson; L Day.
There were 9 members of the public present.
25/15 Declaration of Interests and Notification of Change to Members’ Interests
No interests recorded.
26/15 Public Speaking
None
27/15 Chairman’s Announcements
The Chairman reminded all Councillors to check the pink document box as there was quite a lot of
information available in there.
An E-mail had been received from a resident of Hayes Lane bringing the attention of the Parish
Council to a Facebook page that has been running since the Taylor Wimpey consultation, the
comments give an insight into what residents feel about the development (many expressions of angst
at the loss of yet more countryside habitat for wildlife and further negative impact of more traffic on the
Lane). A gathering at the site was arranged on 15th February for residents to have their say and over
200 attended which was covered by WSCT. A biologist lives opposite the field and has recorded: glow
worms; bats and nightingales all thriving on the site.
A letter had been received from Taylor Wimpey dated 24th February 2015 querying the Parish
Councillors’ concern noted at the previous meeting that the consultation was held at short notice
thereby not allowing all Parish Councillors to attend. Taylor Wimpey confirmed that standard timings
were used and they considered they had a good turnout form the village of 188 people.
Parish Councillors confirmed that the minutes of the last meeting remain unaltered and that
insufficient notice had been given to enable Parish Councillors to be consulted prior to the public
consultation.
Notice was given that a public consultation from Slinfold Developments Ltd had been arranged for 27th
February 16.30 to 19.30 in the village hall with regard to a development proposed for behind the
cricket Club Pavilion.
28/15 Approval of the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 29th January 2015
The draft minutes having been circulated were taken as read. Cllr Stenton Chandler asked that the
minutes were amended on one point and all agreed. It was RESOLVED that the amended minutes be
approved and signed as a true record.
1
29/15 Matters arising from item 5 for information only (as circulated or on the agenda for this
meeting)
HDC had approved the Parish Council’s decision to name the new development lane at Cherry Tree
Farm as Brick Lane. HDC writing to Cherry Tree Farm owners to get their views and if they were in
agreement to officially name the road, HDC asked if PC would have any objection – none raised.
30/15 Matters arising from the last Public Session
None
31/15 Taylor Wimpey presentation – Lane East of Hayes Lane
Presentation from Lynn McIver (LM) (Taylor Wimpey – developers); David Abraham (DA) (Vue
Point Consulting – community consultation); Glenn Chambers (GC) (C & A Consulting Eng.
Ltd- transport highways, drainage); Andrew Williams (AW) (Boyer – planning consultant)
The Chair asked the representatives to introduce themselves and explain their area of responsibility.
The notification period with regard to the public consultation was discussed and the developers
confirmed that standard times had been adhered to for optimal turnout. Chairman advised it would
have been desirable if Taylor Wimpey (TW) had come to the Parish Council earlier and worked with
the PC to achieve maximum feedback from all, for both TW and the PC. TW confirmed that 188
attended and 109 feedback forms were completed.
DA gave some feedback from the consultation: 20% support with reservations; 70% opposed; 10% no
views. Approx. 50% had concerns re flooding and drainage; 1/3 traffic concerns and the ability of
Hayes Lane to cope with the added traffic; 50% with ecology and walks around the site being lost.
The Scout hut had been repositioned to the North of the plan to accommodate comments. There were
many more one off comments.
Cllr Wellesley-Wood reported that there had been a protest meeting at the site of over 200 people and
that the group should consider public feeling shown by that protest.
District Councillor Youtan commented that she thought this to be a tick box exercise going through
process that was expected and not having real concern for the village.
Cllr Redmond commented that she had spoken to attendees at the consultation who had thought the
feedback they were giving was for the Parish Council as well as Taylor Wimpey and this may not have
been made clear.
AW confirmed that there was a process to be gone through and that this had been followed correctly.
HDC had identified the site as a SHLAA site for development between 0-5 years and due to car
parking and access points this then became 0-10 years.
The Parish Council confirmed that the SHLAA information was incorrect and had now been amended
by HDC to a potential site in 5-15 years on the SHLAA report. The Parish have never seen it as a
desirable site.
GC had met with Richard Speller WSCC re the drainage on the site. A sustainable urban drainage
scheme was proposed to take the watershed of the site to the north west. Porous paving; water butts
and a wet ecological pond were amongst the proposals for the site.
Cllr Wellesley-Wood advised that a bottle neck occurs at the culverts not in the ditches which were all
clear.
GC confirmed that the watershed from the site by their proposals would be reduced by 70% compared
to what it was currently.
2
Cllr Skeates advised that this subject was very technical and would have to be considered by those
technically skilled in due course and as such councillors could offer no response.
GC advised that a traffic survey had been carried out where required which was at the access point to
the site and speed was below 30mph on average. Approximately 600 vehicles per day which was well
within capacity. Car parking was haphazard but ultimately does have a positive impact on traffic
speed.
Councillors expressed serious concerns that the traffic survey had failed to recognise the ‘pinch
points’ of Hayes Lane and the knock-on impact on traffic flow through the village. The impact of the
new Cherry Tree site as well as extra proposed site traffic from this site should be factored in to see if
the traffic could still be accommodated.
District Cllr P Youtan asked who TW had spoken to at HDC.
TW responded: Rosemary Freeman on 11th February 2015 and Ian Glenn from Transport who had
written a scoping note but had not visited on the site.
The proposed outline site plan was circulated to councillors. 50 units genuine mix 1- 4 beds, with 35%
affordable. A pre-planning process had been gone through and an outline plan would shortly be
submitted to HDC.
The Chairman then asked if any members of the public had any questions or any comments.
A resident gave some local knowledge that Hayes Lane was on a ridge the Northern side of which
headed to the River Arun. Heavy rain caused the ditches and Lane to flood and the proposed
development will add to problems further down in the village.
A resident expressed concern that the error on the HDC SHLAA had resulted in this proposed
development which was not suitable for the area.
A resident asked when the villagers of Slinfold would be able to assess the potential development
sites.
Cllr Wellesley-Wood confirmed that there would be a public consultation on 17th and 18th April hosted
by the Slinfold Neighbourhood Plan Working Group at the school. The Working Group were aware
that the sites were at various stages some at the pre application stage.
A resident asked that the Parish Council look at the public enquiry that was held regarding the
development of the site some 20 year ago and councillors confirmed this would be a good idea.
A discussion regarding the ecology of the site took place, residents had seen: glow worms;
nightingales; uncommon butterflies; lizards all on site recently. LM agreed to take a further look into
their ecology report.
32/15 Village Shop
Cllr Skeates confirmed he had reviewed the lease and consent has now been given in writing to the
shop. The valuation and survey were to be put on hold, until the current public survey was finalised.
33/15 Police
The report from PCSO Tracy Field was noted, a scam involving victims being telephoned and told
their debit card had been used fraudulently was being carried out. Attempts to obtain pin numbers
and cards, even to the extent of sending a taxi round for collection, had been made and residents
need to be alerted to this. 53 incidences so far in Horsham and a flyer is to be sent out by the police.
Report of a suspicious person down Spring Lane was made but nothing further on this.
Report of milk stolen from Spring Copse Business Park
Report of a suspicious vehicle In Hayes Lane where an attempt at covering the number plates had
been made, police attended but the vehicle had left.
3
A meeting is to be arranged with Sgt Miller to address speeding issues in the Village. After this initial
meeting there is the possibility of a multi- agency meeting to address all issues and concerns.
34/15 Local Plans and Neighbourhood Planning
Cllr Stenton-Chandler presented the Planning Report to the Parish Council. The report was reviewed,
approved and the Parish Council RESOLVED the decisions made by the Planning Advisory
Committee as appropriate. Details follow:
New planning applications:
The Planning and Development Committee has reviewed the following applications. HDC has been
or will be advised of the Parish Council’s recommendations as follows:
HDC
Application
number
DC/15/0134
DC/15/0089
Date
validated
by HDC
Address & Post Code
of application
Nature of application
Name
Applicant
or Agent
Comment
21-Jan-15
Stone Cottage, Lyons
Road, Slinfold Horsham
West Sussex RH13 0QT
Single storey link
extension, single storey
rear extension and garage
conversion to form dining
room
Dr S Webb
No objection 4/4
23-Jan-15
Waterland Farm Cottage,
Waterlands Lane,
Rowhook West Sussex
RH12 3PX
Demolition of existing
cottage and construction
of new 2 storey, 3
bedroom house
Mrs E
Armstrong
Refer to HDC
for clarification
re anomalies on
site drawings
and purpose of
build
Applications permitted, refused and withdrawn:
HDC
Application
number
Address & Post
Code of application
Nature of application
Status
Feedback to HDC
Planning Committee
(Date)
DC/14/2717
Eastedfield Wood,
Five Oaks Road
Slinfold Horsham
West Sussex RH13
Replacement of existing cabin to be used for
Woodland Management purposes and recreation
(amendments to DC/2280 involving re-siting of
cabin)
Application
Permitted
Objection - future
development rights
should be restricted
New detached 2 bedroomed house
Application
Refused
No Objection
Replacement swimming pool equipment enclosure
Application
Refused
No Objection
Conversion and extension of existing brick shed to
provide residential use as a annexe to the main
dwelling Affects the setting of a Listed Building
Application
Permitted
No objection provided
annex is tied to the
main dwelling
DC/14/2621
DC/14/2558
DC/14/2009
DC/13/2280
DC/13/1685
4
1 Railway Cotts,
Spring Lane, RH13
0RT
Park Farm, Park
Street, Slinfold RH13
0RB
Stablehayes, Five
Oaks Road, Slinfold
Horsham West
Sussex RH13 0SX
Eastedfield Wood,
Five Oaks Road
Slinfold Horsham
West Sussex RH13
Replacement of existing cabin to be used for
Woodland Management purposes and recreation
Application
Permitted
19/12 - Resolved
Objection. Concern
that this will become a
permanent dwelling.
The size is
inappropriate for the
intended use.
Rapkyns Care Centre
Guildford Road BBH
West Sussex RH12
3PQ
Variation of Condition 22 (The development hereby
approved shall be used for nursing care of adult
patients with mental and/or physical impairment and
for no other purpose (including any other purpose in
any class of the schedule to the Town and Country
(Use Classes) Order 1987) of planning permission
DC/10/1889 (Additional special care facilities)
Application
Permitted
HDC 27/9, No
Objection
2014/5 Planning applications pending consideration or decision by HDC (for information only)
HDC
Application
number
Date
received
by HDC
Address & Post
Code of
application
Nature of application
Name
Applicant or
Agent
Feedback to HDC
Planning Committee
(Date)
DC/15/0001/2
23-Dec14
The Cowshed,
Nowhurst Lane,
West Sussex
RH12 3PJ
Proposed rear extension,
replacement front door and
screen set and provision of
1No. section of wall infill
Mr & Mrs
Hutchinson
No Objection
30-Dec15
Ironwood House
Clapgate Lane
Slinfold
Horsham West
Sussex RH13
0QU
Works to 2 trees (Trees in a
Conservation Area)
Mr R Simms
No Objection
DC/14/2453
20-Nov14
Aptos, Nibletts
Yard, Hayes
Lane Slinfold
Horsham West
Sussex RH13
0SA
Conversion of Barns
Mr Phil
Pavey
No Objection
DC/14/0812
20-May14
Lane End, Lyons
Road RH13 0QS
Replacement Barn
Mr D
Williams
No Objection
DC/15/0030
Appeals: Cllr G S-C asked to attend APP/Z3825/A/14/2224668
Planning Inspectorate Reference: APP/Z3825/A/14/2224668
Horsham District Council Planning Application Reference: DC/13/2408
Name of Appellant(s): Gleeson Developments Ltd and Trustees
Description of Application:
Outline application for the erection of up to 165 residential dwellings
(use class C3) including affordable housing, a 60-bed care home (use
class C2) with separate staff accommodation, two new vehicular
accesses, associated infrastructure, ground works, open space and
landscaping (Outline)
Enforcements: None
Neighbourhood Planning Update
1. Over 50 Plans have now been approved at referenda in England. The latest in West Sussex
was Hurstpierpoint
2. Initial contact has been made with Abingdon Strategic Ltd on site in Spring Lane. No plans
available yet.
3. Dowsett Mayhew’s Scoping Report for the Sustainability Appraisal was approved.
4. The WG has now received notice of 8 potential sites. Since these sites more than fulfil any
potential housing need in the Parish it was decided to hold a Public Consultation on these in
April
5. Slinfold Developments has decided to move directly to a Public Consultation on its site to the
North of the Cricket Pitch
6. The target date for production of the Draft Plan will be advanced. Dates to be confirmed at the
next meeting.
7. Further funding from Locality will be available in April, which should meet planned costs until
submission of Draft Plan.
8. Next Meetings Wednesday 18th March & Tuesday 21st April
5
35/15 Reports from the District Councillor(s) and County Councillor
Cllr. Kitchen (County) spoke on Local and National traffic controllers having acknowledged that there
was a difference in flight paths pre and post the summer trials and that this was being looked into.
Cllr. Youtan (District) spoke regarding the East of Hayes Lane site and that she had asked to be
informed by HDC planners if they were approached by anyone regarding this site. No such notification
had been received. Advised that Mr S Ali (Prime UK Land Ltd) had approached HDC re development
of Lower Broadbridge Farm and Lyons Farm but the consensus of opinion among the planners was
not to support such an application. HDC had agreed their budget last night and there were to be no
Council tax increases.
36/15 Finance
SPC
Ref
Payee
£
Saxon
Weald
DD
N/A
Saxon Weald
£58.98
CLERKS
SALARY
200779
121
MRS M BURROUGHS
CLERKS
EXPENSES
200780
122
MRS M BURROUGHS
ECO
SALARY &
EXPENSES
200781
123
MR T MOTHE
Pension
200782
124
WSCC Pension Fund
£229.16
Hall
Rental
200783
125
Slinfold Village Hall
£69.50
NP
200784
126
Jane Bromley
Clerk
200785
127
Jane Bromley
Survey
Monkey
200786
128
MRS M BURROUGHS
Chair Allow
200787
129
Camilla Gibson
Grant
200788
130
CAGNE
TOTAL
i)
£29.04
£26.00
£500.00
2,275.42
Comment
Monthly
charge for
garage rental
VAT
Salary
0.00
Expenses
0.00
Salary &
Expenses
0.00
Clerks & PC
Hall Rental
December PC
£27.50, NP
£42.00
NP Admin
Acting Clerk
hours and
expenses
Feb to March
2015
Chairman's
Allowance
Grant
awarded Jan
2015
9.84
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
4.33
0.00
0.00
14.17
It was RESOLVED to approve payments totalling £2275.42 for February 2015 (as reviewed by
members present). Details of salaries are available upon request.
ii) Bank Account updates -Lloyds account is now open but the Coop account will be run down
before it is used. Cllrs Bailey and Gibson to provide Clerk with passport and utility bill to enable
them to apply as signatories. A complaint was made to Lloyds Group Chief Executive for the
delay in opening the new account which resulted in the account being opened the same day
and a compensation payment of £286.
6
37/15 Communications with Councillors
To be carried forward to the next meeting.
38/15 Land behind Hayes Lane/Cherry Tree
Tree removal on the site is to occur commencing 2nd March.
39/15 Highways & Footpaths
Hayes Lane drainage update – Cllr Wellesley-Wood with regard to proposed works under Operation
Watershed, proof of flooding is required; therefore no progress at the moment.
The lights had gone out on the corner of Hayes Lane.
40/15 Consultations, Meetings and Projects
Nothing to report
41/15 Clerks Announcements and Documents for Circulation
Parish Councillor nomination packs had been circulated. A timetable of important dates for
submission of nominations was included and councillors were reminded that the nomination forms
must be delivered by hand.
42/15 Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies
The Youth Club is going well (20 children at the last meeting). If attendance numbers continue they
would be looking for permanent premises.
Parish Cottages should be included in the Parish Conservation area or an application for their listing
made.
43/15 Member’s questions and comments
If was anticipated that the Clerk, Mary Burroughs would be back at the next full Parish Council
meeting.
44/15 Items for the monthly Slinfold Magazine
Bank scam as reported by PCSO Tracy Field.
Upcoming Neighbourhood Plan Consultation on 17th and 18th April 2015
45/15 Next meeting(s)
7
Thursday
05-Mar-15
Finance - CANCELLED
7.30pm
Thursday
26 - Mar- 15
Parish Council
7.30pm
Thursday
23-Apr-15
Highways
6:30pm
Thursday
23-Apr-15
Finance
7.30pm
Thursday
30-Apr-15
Annual Parish Meeting
7.00pm
Thursday
30-Apr-15
Parish Council
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