Employment buildings and yards at Hilland Road, Billingshurst

What was proposed

The outline application sought employment buildings, yard areas, parking and access, with only access submitted for detailed approval.

“The application is made as an outline application covering a site area of some 1.3ha, for the delivery of some 4,558sq.m (GIA) of employment floorspace within use classes E(g)(iii), B2 and B8. Access and parking to serve the site would be delivered from the extended Billingshurst Trade Park estate road which currently terminates at the northern side of the adjacent DW Nye plot (Unit 12 on plan).”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 1.3-hectare site lies south of the business park, between existing development, Hilland Road, a pylon corridor and nearby permitted schemes.

“The application site comprises land to the south of the wider Billingshurst Trade and Business Park (Hilland Farm), which has an overall area of around 8.3ha, split into Phase 1 and Phase 2.”

“The application site lies to the south of the BTBP, and occupies part of a field which lies between the BTBP (to the north) and the A272 / Hilland Road and pylon corridor (to the south), with a site area of around 1.3ha.”

Officer report

Earlier planning decisions

Earlier applications included approved business park development, a permitted workshop, and refused employment proposals, while related applications remained subject to legal agreements.

“Application site and adjoining ‘Phase 2’ land DC/25/1697 Hybrid application comprising: Mixed use development, including detailed permission for means of access and 1,338 sqm business floorspace with the remainder of the development in outline, comprising up to 102no. homes and up to 5,605 sqm of business floorspace (Classes E g (iii)/B2/B8). Application remains outstanding pending completion of the legal agreement – committee resolution to approve…”

“DC/21/1107 Variation of Conditions 1, 56, 57 and 60 of previously approved application DC/21/1209 which varied applications DC/20/0171 and DC/19/1365 which were themselves variations of the originally approved Hybrid planning application DC/18/2122 (Detailed planning permission for up to 4,998sqm of B1c,B2 and B8 use floorspace, roundabout access junction from the A29, access, parking, servicing areas and associated landscaping [phase 1].”

Officer report

Why approval was advised

Approval was advised because the scheme would help provide employment floorspace on land surrounded by development, with impacts controlled through conditions and an agreement.

“Officers recognise that the application site is not allocated in the development plan for employment use, and lies on undeveloped land outside of the defined BUAB, thus presenting a policy conflict with Policies 2, 4, and 26 of the HDPF and Policy BILL1 of the BNP.”

“The proposed development would enable the standalone delivery of some 4,558sq.m of employment floorspace that would help to offset the loss of employment floorspace by way of the standalone outline proposal for residential development for the residual portion of the Phase 2 site under DC/25/1910, and could continue to help fulfil the district’s commitment to providing new, modern, flexible and fit-for-purpose employment floorspace, in line with policy expectations.”

Officer report

Who spoke

One member of the public spoke in support of the application.

The committee decision

The committee approved the application in accordance with the officer recommendation, and the ward member did not vote.

“[As a Ward Member for Billingshurst Councillor John Trollope did not vote on the application]”

“That DC/26/0033 be approved in accordance with officer recommendation.”

Minutes