Up to 81 homes at Land North Of The Rosary, Partridge Green

The site and flood risk

Updated flood maps placed parts of the northern site in fluvial flood zones, while the proposed homes remained outside identified flood-risk areas.

“The March amendments to the flood risk areas now identify that the north and north western part of the site are now also subject to fluvial flooding from the adjacent stream (Flood Zones 2 and 3). Conversely, the areas prone to a medium and high risk of surface water flooding have shrunk back to along the northern site boundary and part of the western site boundary.”

“The FRA states that, in terms of surface water flooding, the majority of the site to the south and east, including all dwellings proposed, is considered at ‘very low risk’. The north west corner and an area on the central western site boundary of the site is identified as being at ‘medium’ and ‘high’ risk of surface water flooding.”

Officer report

Earlier committee decisions

The application had previously been considered in September 2024 and March 2025, when permission was agreed subject to a legal agreement.

“REASON FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA: The application has returned to Committee to allow further consideration since the resolution of Planning Committee South on 10 th March 2025 and 17 th September 2024 to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a legal agreement and appropriate conditions.”

“This scheme has been considered by the Planning Committee twice before, in September 2024 and March 2025. The September 2024 committee report addressed all relevant planning considerations, whilst the scheme was returned to committee in March 2025 mainly to consider an amendment to the proposed water neutrality solution. Both reports are appended to this item.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the revised flood assessment, drainage conditions and water-neutrality arrangements addressed the new material considerations.

“In response to the amended Flood Risk Assessment, the LLFA have consulted with the Environment Agency and commented that revised conditions are required to address the revised flood risk situation with this site. The amended conditions include a requirement for details of the management and maintenance of the sustainable drainage scheme to be submitted for approval of the Council prior to occupation of any dwellings.”

“Overall, therefore, the proposed development of this site continues to meet the requirements of Chapter 14 of the NPPF in respect of site location and mitigating any impacts of flood risk within the site itself. Appropriate conditions (as amended by the LLFA) remain recommended to ensure that the surface water drainage measures, including SuDS, are fully implemented and maintained thereafter. The amended conditions are nos.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Natural England raised no objection, the flood authority recommended revised conditions, and two further objections raised concerns about flooding, roads, locations and water neutrality.

“WSCC Local Lead Flood Authority: Comment [Summarised]. Following discussions regarding the EA mapping, the LLFA recommend permission subject to revised conditions.”

“Since the March 2025 committee, two further objections have been received on the following grounds: • Planning has been consistently denied for this site over the years. • The road is dangerous to cross. • There are more appropriate locations for development. • The previous reports attached weight to the draft local plan.”

Officer report

Further letters and agreements

Two further letters objected and one supported the application; the approved legal agreement secured affordable housing, travel planning, rights-of-way improvements and open-space management.

“Since the publication of the report, Members noted that the legal agreement had now been approved. The legal agreement secured affordable housing, a travel plan coordinator and auditing fee, public rights of way improvements and the management of the open spaces.”

“Since the publication of the report two further letters had been received objecting to the application and one letter had been received in support. A further objection had been received regarding the need for a sequential flood test and the scheme’s suitability.”

Minutes

Who spoke

One member of the public spoke in support, while West Grinstead Parish Council spoke against the application.

Members’ concerns

Members discussed the pumping station, sequential testing, drainage, river pollution, sewerage capacity, healthcare access and sustainable transport.

“Members requested clarification on the location of the pumping station and planning officers confirmed that it had been amended to remove it from the flood risk zone. Further clarification and assurance was sought by Members regarding sequential testing and the NPPF requirements were explained by planning officers. Concerns remained regarding drainage effectiveness, risk of river pollution, and sewerage capacity.”

“The Committee raised concerns regarding the absence of a doctor’s surgery in the village and the lack of sustainable transport to provide access to health facilities in neighbouring villages.”

Minutes

The committee vote

The committee approved the application in accordance with the officer recommendation, with the ward member not voting.

“[As a Ward Member for Cowfold, Shermanbury and West Grinstead Councillor Lynn Lambert did not vote on this application]”

“That DC/23/2279 be approved in accordance with Officer recommendation, subject to the following informative:”

Minutes

The final decision

Permission was approved subject to the legal agreement and an informative asking the applicant to consider homes meeting accessible housing standards.

“The applicant is advised to consider elderly and disabled accommodation in the reserved matters application through the delivery of homes to Part M4(2) and/or M4(3) standards, the need for which is identified in the Council’s latest Strategic Housing Market Assessment.”

Minutes