Two additional homes at 42 Hurst Road, Hassocks

What was proposed

The application proposed dividing the residential plot to create two additional homes while keeping the existing dwelling.

“Proposal: Subdivision of the existing residential plot to create 2no residential dwellings, alongside retention of existing dwelling.”

Officer report

The site

The site contained a large detached Edwardian house on a substantial plot in the countryside, outside Hassocks’ built-up area.

“Alterations to existing access with hard and soft landscaping and change of use of part ground floor to provide children's nursery. Permission. 8.4 12/04324 - Demolition of existing detached garage; erection of single storey side and rear extension; internal alterations, alterations to existing access with hard and soft landscaping; change of use to part of ground floor to provide children's nursery. Permission.”

“The area is characterised by other large, detached dwellings set within spacious plots and back from the road. They are of mixed architectural styles. There are notable gaps between buildings with trees and vegetation at the rear visible from the front which contributes positively to this rural location. The land immediately opposite the application site to the south is grassed and undeveloped with a ribbon of housing situated to the east.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions included a new dwelling and pool house, and the current proposal replaced the approved pool house with a dwelling.

“Place Services, Historic Environment Consultant (archaeology) No objection subject to a condition. Place Services, Ecology No objection subject to conditions. Hassocks Parish Council Observations 6.1 The committee reiterate their previous comments and continue to recommend the application is refused.”

“This current application proposes a new dwelling in place of the pool house (approved under DM/24/1748). Amended drawings have been received for the proposed dwelling in the garden to reduce the size of the proposed car port/plant room. The application proposes a subterranean (part built into the sloping levels) designed detached four bedroom dwelling.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended permission because the benefits of two homes, jobs, sustainable design and effective land use outweighed the policy conflict and other impacts.

“In these circumstances paragraph 11 of the NPPF provides for a presumption in favour of sustainable development which means that planning permission should be granted unless any adverse effects of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the Framework as a whole (having particular regard to key policies for directing development to sustainable locations, making effective use of land, securing…”

“In design terms it is considered to be of sustainable design and construction, seeking to minimise energy use and using renewable sources of energy. This is all positive in the planning balance. While the proposal conflicts with some policies in the development plan, it is not considered that it would lead to any adverse effects that would outweigh the benefits of the presumption in favour of sustainable development.”

Officer report

Objections received

Ninety-one objections raised concerns including overdevelopment, residential amenity, traffic, drainage, wildlife, trees, precedent and the area’s character.

“Summary of Representations 4.1 A total of 91 letters of objection has been received, and their concerns are summarised as follows: • Conflicts with DP12 to protect the countryside; • Conflicts with DP13 preventing coalescence; • Contrary to DP26 and fails to protect garden open spaces, valued townscapes and their identity; • Would cause significant harm to residential amenity (light pollution and glare from headlamps, noise disturbance from increased movements including…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The team leader introduced the application and drew members’ attention to two further objection letters and repeated concerns.

The committee vote

Members approved the recommendations by six votes to two, with three abstentions.

“The Chairman took Members to a vote on the recommendations in the report. These were approved with 6 in favour, 2 against and 3 abstentions.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was approved subject to the conditions listed in Appendix A.

“Planning permission was approved subject to the conditions outlined at Appendix A.”

Minutes