Agenda item

DC/19/2396 - Land adjacent to number 81 Roman Way, Roman Way, Billngshurst

Ward:  Billingshurst

Applicant:  Horsham District Council

Minutes:

The Head of Development reported that this application sought permission for the erection of 3 dwelling houses, comprising 1 x 4 bedroom detached dwelling and 2 x 3 bedroom semi-detached dwellings. The detached dwelling would be adapted for those with disabilities and one disabled parking space would be located to the front of this dwelling. The scheme would deliver 3 affordable rented units that would be owned by the Council and managed by the Council’s Housing Company.

 

The application site was located within the built up area boundary of Billingshurst and was situated at the north-eastern end of Roman Way. The site comprised an area of grassed land which was bound on its northern and eastern boundaries by a mix of trees and hedge planting. The entrance to the site from Roman Way was gated with 1m high timber post and rail fence. A two storey semi-detached dwelling was located directly to the south of the site. To the west, the 2 storey brick building comprised four flats. The part of the road in which the application site was located was predominantly characterised by brick built pairs of semi-detached dwellings, most had side driveways providing off-street parking. Billingshurst Doctors Surgery was located further down the road to the south and there were a mixture of flats and semi-detached dwellings located further along Roman Way to the south.  To the east of the site there was a grassed area of land which formed part of a wider development site comprising land to the east of Billingshurst.

 

Billingshurst Parish Council objected to the application.  There had been 15 representations objecting to the application.

 

The Ward Councillors stated that they supported this application as it would bring much needed affordable housing to Billingshurst which was an important urban centre in the district.  The fact that one of these dwellings would have adaptations for disabled people was particularly welcomed.

 

Members considered the officer’s planning assessment which indicated that the key issues for consideration in determining the proposal were the principle of development, the affordable housing mix, the loss of open space, the design and appearance, landscape and trees, amenity, highways and parking and flooding and drainage.

 

There was a discussion around the location of electric vehicle charging points.  There was further discussion around the level of energy efficiency within the proposed dwellings.  Some councillors considered they should exceed current standards.  It was noted that energy efficiency requirements of new buildings would be strengthened in the new Local Plan.

 

            RESOLVED

That planning application DC/19/2396 be granted subject to the conditions as reported and with the following additional condition:

The proposed dwellings hereby permitted shall not be occupied until a scheme for the provision of electrical vehicle charging points has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall have regard to the requirements for electric vehicle charging within the latest West Sussex Parking Standards (2019). The approved scheme shall be installed prior to first occupation of the dwellings and shall thereafter remain as such.

Reason:  To provide electric vehicle car charging space for the use in accordance with Policies 35 and 41 of the Horsham District Planning Framework (2015) and the WSCC Parking Standards (2019).

Supporting documents: