Nine detached homes at Land At (Os 9999 4454), Field Barn Lane, Cropthorne

What was proposed

The application proposed nine detached dwellings with associated works, including new footpath enhancements.

“Planning Ref: Site: Ward Councillor Recommendation W/25/02460/FUL Land At (Os 9999 4454) Field Barn Lane Cropthorne Cllr Angie Crump Approval…”

“Proposal: Erection of 9no. detached dwellings and associated works (including new footpath enhancements)”

Officer report

The site and access

The site was outside the development boundary, with one car access and fire-engine hose access through gaps in the hedges.

“The Planning Officer explained that the site has a single vehicular access designed for cars. There is no proposal for heavy goods vehicles, delivery vehicles, refuge vehicles, emergency services to enter the site onto the private driveway. Such vehicles would service the site from the road, and access to fire hoses would be made through breaks in the hedges. Other considerations regarding emergency vehicles had been taken into account in the road safety assessment.”

“The Planning Officer addressed concerns regarding extant permissions in principle and the new local plan. On this occasion, the Planning Officer acknowledged that the development was outside the development boundary, but appropriate weight had been given to the history of the site and the form of development.”

Minutes

Planning history

Members discussed an existing permission in principle, the refusal of an earlier full application and the newly adopted local plan.

“Councillors CGJ Tucker and A M Rowley sought clarification regarding the relationship between the Permission in Principle and the refusal of the previous full application. The Planning Officer provided further clarification on the planning history and Councillor P Middlebrough applauded the Planning Officer’s clear notes on that matter in the report.”

Minutes

Highways and other responses

Highways concerns included fire-engine swept-path analysis, while archaeology requested trial trenching and updated contributions were to be secured through an agreement.

“Archaeology Consultation Response – 22 June 2026 The Council’s Archaeologist submitted a Consultation Response on 22 June 2026 requesting the addition of Trial Trenching Planning Condition to any planning permission granted. This would be added to the list of conditions if this application is approved. Action: Add Trial Trenching Condition…”

“Where these contributions are updated and increased within the now adopted Developer Contributions SPD, these updated contributions will be secured via s.106.”

Officer report

Objections raised

The parish council objected because of the location, village boundary hedge, narrow roads, pedestrian safety, traffic, accidents and construction access.

“Probably the most important factor is that the roads servicing this area of the village are not fit for purpose to support any further traffic, let alone the associated development traffic. There is no plan for a continuous footpath for access to the village, including the school.”

“Cropthorne Parish Council maintain that we are not opposed to development however due to wider local development the village has far more cut through traffic than 5 years ago. This, along with flooding events which cut off Brook lane and Main street create a high number of vehicles on these small, narrow village roads. The police have had to attend and expressed their shock at the speed and volume of traffic in this central part of the village.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support, while the local member’s statement opposed approval and raised concerns about history, safety, traffic evidence, the hedge and school capacity.

The committee’s decision

The committee resolved to delegate authority to grant permission subject to highways confirmation, a legal agreement and conditions, with signage and hedge amendments.

“A proposal to refuse permission was made.”

“To delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to grant planning permission subject to no objection from the Highways Authority being received, the completion of a S106 legal agreement to secure the obligations, and the planning conditions listed, including those planning conditions referred to in the officer’s written and verbal updates, allowing for any subsequent amendments to the obligations and planning conditions as required by the Director of…”

Minutes