Place of worship condition changes at The former Croft Surgery, Eastergate

The site and surroundings

The site is a single-storey detached building with a car park, extensive hedging, nearby homes and a new surgery behind it.

“Condition 6: The building and car park shall not be used at any time outside the hours of 08:00am to 22:00pm Monday to Saturday and 05:30am to 22:00pm Sundays. BOUNDARY TREATMENTThe site has extensive hedging bordering the site. BN/52/26/S73”

“SITE CHARACTERISTICSSingle storey detached building with an adjoining car park. CHARACTER OF LOCALITYThe area is predominantly residential. A new doctors surgery has opened to the rear of the site. RELEVANT SITE HISTORY”

Officer report

Earlier permission

Permission was previously granted for changing the doctors’ surgery and associated facilities into a place of worship.

“BN/130/25/PLChange of use of the existing building and associated facilities from a doctor surgery (Use Class E) to a place of worship (Use Class F) and all associated works and infrastructure. This application is in CIL Zone 2 (Zero Rated) as other development. ApproveConditionally 03-03-26”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because two chargers were acceptable and the revised hours would provide control and avoid significant harm to nearby amenity.

“Whilst it is noted the use of the building for worship activities may not result in excessive noise, it is still necessary to have some control over the opening hours, to ensure that should activities or hours of use change in the future, it can be controlled with regards to how early or late this takes place and the potential impacts this could have upon amenity.”

“SUMMARY The conditions are to be varied which ensures that the provision of sustainable transport is provided and hours of opening would not result in significant harm upon nearby amenity.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council objected to the charging change but not the hours change; Environmental Health raised no objection and Highways referred to parking standards.

“REPRESENTATIONS Barnham and Eastergate Parish Council (BEPC) - objection. - Object to the variation of condition 4 relating to the installation of charging stations in line with BEPC sustainability objectives and NPPF objectives to promote sustainable transport. - No objection to the removal of condition 6.”

Officer report

Who spoke

One public speaker, a supporter, addressed the committee.

What members considered

The planning team explained the cost of four chargers, the reasonableness of two, continued controls on hours and the basis for the recommendation.

“The Planning Team Leader presented the report seeking approval to vary Conditions 4 and 6 attached to planning permission BN/130/25/PL relating to electric vehicle charging provision and hours of operation. He advised that the application concerned the former doctor's surgery, which had previously been granted permission for a change of use to a place of worship.”

“He explained that the applicant had demonstrated that providing four EV charging spaces would require a significant upgrade to the electricity supply at a cost of approximately £60,000, and officers considered a revised requirement for two charging spaces to be reasonable.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The recommendation was proposed and seconded, and the chair put it to a vote without further comments.

“The recommendation was proposed by Councillor Lury and seconded by Councillor Blanchard-Cooper.”

“As there were no comments made, the Chair put the recommendation to the vote.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee resolved to approve the application conditionally.

“That the application be APPROVED CONDITIONALLY.”

Minutes