Planning Comments

Felbridge Parish Council consider planning applications at both full monthly meetings on the first Thursday of each month and at planning meetings held the third Thursday of each month.  The applications for consideration at each meeting can be found on the Agenda.  Felbridge Parish Council share their comments with the planning department at Tandridge District Council who recognise the considerable local knowledge, planning expertise and understanding of the local area which councillors are able to provide.  The final decision on all applications rests with Tandridge District Council or with the Planning Inspectorate should an application go to appeal.  To view each application in detail please visit https://tdcplanningsearch.tandridge.gov.uk/

21st March 2024

2024/207 Wildwood, Herons Lea, Copthorne, Crawley, Surrey, RH10 3HE

Resolved: No Action

2024/139 Yerba Buena, Herons Close, Copthorne, Crawley, Surrey, RH10 3HF

Resolved:  No Action

7th March 2024

2024/121 Rustings, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Resolved:  No Action

2024/103 The Barn, Pixewood, Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PA

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application for a new detached structure within the Green Belt within what was Pixiewood Farm. Pixiewood Farm was developed with a built volume far greater than the pre-existing volume and as a result permitted development rights were removed to avoid a proliferation of additional structures that would be detrimental to the openness of the Green Belt.  We therefore see that this proposal would have a negative affect on the Green Belt.  It is noted that there are no volume calculations provided so it is impossible to evaluate how this proposal would equate to the Green Belt policy.

1st February 2024

2023/1501 Ferndale, Domewood, Copthorne, Surrey RH10 3HD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council have considered this application and note the volume increase of the proposed house without the garage is +31% over the baseline within the levels previously approved by TDC.  It is noted that including the garage, the total proposed volume increase is +56% which is large is comparison to previous approvals.

2024/1 Farmside, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PE

Resolved:  No Action

2023/482 Land South of Crawley Down Road, Felbridge

Please note that the detailed response to this application can be viewed under the MSDC Developments page

18th January 2024

2023/1513/TPO Camelot, Heather Way, Felbridge, RH19 2RF 

T2) Oak – Crown lift to 3.5m from current average headroom of 2.5m T3) Apple - Remove

Resolved:  Defer decision to TDC Tree Officer

4th January 2024

2023/1341/T Semper Fidelis, Wire Mill Lane, RH7 6HJ

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council objects to this application as the final outcome is an additional mast in the Green Belt in close promximity to an existing mast in a location that is detrimental to the landscape.  The selected location for the new mast is further north than the existing and therefore further into the open Green Belt which is likely to increase its negative impace upon the Green Belt. Whilst the application states that this new mast will allow for relocation of the equipment from the existing mast to the new taller one, that relocation is not part of this proposal.  Page 9 of the IET paper "Allaying health concerns regarding 5G and exposure to radio waves" submitted by the applicant covers the benefits of seeking new tower locations between existing location to reduce RF exposure, particularly from users of smartphones, yet this proposal has only considered location close to the existing mast.  If TDC are minded to approve this new mast, then we would request that it is camouflaged in accordance with para.119 of NPPF-2023. Felbridge Parish Council would prefer to see a revised application for a single new mast, to replace the existing one (in that location)  including the relocation of the existing equipment to the new (higher) mast and for this new mast to be camoflaged in accordance with Para.119 of NPPF:2023.  This would provide the enhanced service that is being requested by the applicant and minimise the impact upon the local area.

2023/1447 5 Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NT

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to the development in principle but are concerned about the narrow gap between the proposed extension and the eastern boundary.  We would prefer to see a 1.5m boundary gap considering the one and a half storey height of the end gable wall to the half-hip roof line.  This would reduce the appearance of massing within the street scene.

2023/1470 St Mary's, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2RD

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to the change from conversion of the existing buildings to a new build single storey dwelling.  However, we have significant concerns about a new domenstic drive entrance on to the A22 on the bend at the bottom of Woodcock Hill with limited visibility.

7th December 2023

2023/1323 53 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PB

Resolved:  No Action

2023/1341 Yerba Buena, Herons Close, Copthorne, RH10 3HF

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application to increase the size of a dwelling in the Green Belt more than 40% beyond its volume in 1968 or when first built as per TDC Planning Policy.  This proposal represents a 47.8% increased volume over the 2017 planning application which in itself was significantly larger than the prior builds. It is therefore inappropriate in terms of scale within the Green Belt.

2023/552 Applegarth, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PE

Resolved: No Action

16th November

2023/1295 Foxglove Cottage, Domewood, Copthorne RH10 3HD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council note that the proposal is +11% on the existing built volume rather than upon the benchmark date volume. We welcome the modern design and single storey build.

2023/1286 The Stables, Wards Farm, London Road, Felbridge RH19 2QZ

Resolved: No Action

2023/909 Purbeck, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PE

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to redevelopment of this site and welcome the pre-engagement with the neighbours before making an application. We are however concerned about a 2-storey house with only little gaps between it and the boundaries. We still suggest a minimum of 2m is provided on both sides of the property.

2023/1270 Land East of Woodcock Hill, Felbridge RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council objects to this application. While the volume has dropped since the previous application (2022/1656), the same principles regarding the openness of the Green Belt being adversely affected by the buildings being moved into a more open area still apply. Felbridge Parish Council considers the building in the proposed position will ‘significantly impact’ the openness of the Green Belt contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, and TDC Policy DP13 (F) ostensibly because the new development is being pushed away and behind the curtilage of the existing dwellings and into the open field. FPC would prefer to see it hugging to the south boundary of the open area.

2023/1338 Sundore, Lake View Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QF

Resolved: No Action

18th October

2023/777/TPO Seven, Herons Lea, Copthorne, Surrey RH10 3HE

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council sees no evidence that these trees require any attention.  We are concerned that this work will generate lopsided trees and affect their health.  It was noted that the trees appear not to be located on the applicant's land.

DM/23/0810 Land South of Crawley Down Road (Proposed MSDC Development for 200 dwellings)

Resolved: None of the recent minor alterations to the submitted plans and documents has changed Felbridge Parish Council’s (FPC) comments regarding this application. We are concerned that the design is currently undergoing minor tweaks when there appears to be no effort to deal with the significant failings between the proposed design and the adopted MSDC design guide. 

In particular:

DG9: Reduce Reliance on the Private Car, 

DG11: Respond to the Existing Townscape, 

DG16: Create a Positive Development Edge and 

DG34: Managing Increased Density in Urban Extensions. 

Our detailed reasoning as to why the current proposals are contrary to these policies is explained in our previous response. FPC continues to consider that whilst it is accepted that development of this site has been agreed in principle by the adoption of DPD Policy SA19 following the examination in public, we do not believe that the development proposal as submitted meets the criteria necessary for the application to be considered viable.

We are concerned that our evidence regarding the frequency and extent of flooding has been responded to by a consultant who was not responsible for the hydraulic modelling. We would be happy to accept confirmation from RPS who did the hydraulic modelling that their model does adequately predict the frequency and extent of flooding recorded by the public photographs.

4th October 2023

2023/986 26 Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PA

Resolved:  No Action

2023/1069 Entrance Barrier, Lake View Road, Furnace Wood, Felbridge RH19 2QF 

Resolved: No Action

2023/1094 Development Site At Grid Reference 536568 141067, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council objects to this application.  While the volume has dropped since the previous application (2022/1656), the same principles regarding the openness of the Green Belt being adversely affected by the buildings being moved into a more open area still apply.  Felbridge Parish Council considers the buildings in the proposed position will ‘significantly impact’ the openness of the Green Belt contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, and TDC Policy DP13 (F) ostensibly because the new development is being pushed away and behind the curtilege of the existing dwellings and into the open field.

7th September

2023/981 Delaire, Lake View Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QF

Reseolved: No Action

2023/1036 Herons Bonsai Nursery, Wire Mill Lane, Lingfield, RH7 6HJ

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council always support local businesses where possible and consider this proposal to be an improvement to the site and to constitute no further impact on the Green Belt.

DM/23/0990 Walnut Marches, Crawley Down Road, Felbridge RH19 2PS (also under TDC reference 2023/1037)

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council strongly objects to this application.

1) This application is for development upon land covered by Policy DP12 Protection and Enhancement of the Countryside;

The countryside will be protected in recognition of its intrinsic character and beauty. Development will be permitted in the countryside, defined as the area outside of built-up area boundaries on the Policies Map, provided it maintains or where possible enhances the quality of the rural and landscape character of the District, and:

• it is necessary for the purposes of agriculture; or

• it is supported by a specific policy reference either elsewhere in the Plan, a Development Plan Document or relevant Neighbourhood Plan.

The density of the proposals will not maintain the quality of the rural landscape character and is therefore in direct conflict with this policy.

2) Felbridge Parish Council are very concerned about the creation of a new entrance through the mature western boundary of the site, the mature vegetation along this ancient hedgerow offers significant screening of the site from the footpath users. In an area protected by Policy DP12 we would expect the existing entrance to be used to align with that policy. The removal of hedgerow is also contrary to Policy DG16 ‘Development should nevertheless be sensitively designed so that it avoids imposing upon the rural edge and existing roads that are characterised by their hedgerows and tree belt.’

3) The Planning, Design and Access Statement presents a biased view of the surrounding housing density in the photographic analysis on page 4 by overstating the number of dwellings within two of the adjacent plots.

As stated on the illustration                                                                  As built on the ground

DM/12/00368— 10 new dwellings (Coppice Vale)                               6 dwellings

Various consents—6 dwellings (Walnut Grove)                                    5 dwellings

The total area enclosed in blue on the illustration is 3.37ha and the existing and approved dwellings within this area are 22 giving a total local housing density of 6.5dph. Thus the proposed housing density of 10dph is far in excess of the local density contrary to Policies DG11, DG16 & DG34.

4) The proposed access using the existing footpath does not support safe countryside access for the users of this Public Right Of Way.

5) The highway access onto Felbridge Road is at the County boundary and has limited sightlines. A recent speed survey (submitted for DM/23/0810) demonstrated that the 85%ile speed to the east of this proposed access was 40mph despite this being within a 30mph restriction.

6) No arboricultural assessment has been provided to justify the tree removals on the site or for the removals associated with the creation of the new access.

7) Whilst the number of proposed dwellings is only 6, this can only have a detrimental impact on the existing highways. The implementation of two lanes turning South at the Star Junction intended to mitigate the impact of 339 new dwellings [Hill Place Farm (200 units) and was relied upon for the future state transport modelling for 17 Copthorne Rd (26 units), 11a Crawley Down Rd (32 units), 15-39 Crawley Down Rd (63 units), 61 Crawley Down Rd (20 units)] has been abandoned by Surrey Highways who state that it cannot be implemented. Thus a junction that was already designated as severe before these developments were completed now has very significant additional vehicle movements and no proposed mitigation.

8) This proposal does not comply with Policy DG9 to reduce reliance on the private car. There is an inadequate bus service in Felbridge with few services at evenings and weekends. There are a lack of local facilities, for example no doctor or dentist; supermarket; leisure centre; restaurants; rail service or safe footpath option. The village is served by one single intake primary school that is already oversubscribed before all the 121 dwellings already approved on Mid Sussex District Council land off or near Crawley Down Road have been constructed or occupied.

2023/429/RC1 Land South of Crawley Down Road, Felbridge

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council strongly objects to this application. Whilst it is accepted that development of this site has been agreed in principle by the adoption of MSDC DPD Policy SA19 following the examination in public, Felbridge Parish Council does not believe that the development proposal as submitted meets the criteria necessary for the application to be considered viable.

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

Felbridge Parish Council does not recognise the latest modelling of the Star junction presented in that it has only provided revised traffic counts: there are no published turning counts or observed queue length studies. As such it is impossible to validate if the model correctly predicts the queues and average delay times experienced by residents. Only once the model has been shown to be capable of replicating the current observed conditions at this junction is it reasonable to use the model to predict the future state. This is fundamental, as Surrey Highways have already declared this junction as ‘severe’.

We believe a thorough current state traffic study is necessary to support this development particularly as the latest Transport Statement from the applicant shows the junction to be at 101% utilisation. The Tandridge traffic study, used as the basis for their emerging District Plan, which showed this junction already operating at 106% in 2018 with a MMQ (mean max queue length) of 48 cars, indicates a worse situation.

The junction severity was also evidenced by the Inspector for APP/M3645/W/18/3198090 who included in his decision (Para 34) data that demonstrates that the queue length of eastbound traffic on the A264 increases by 168 vehicles in the 2-hour period 4:15pm to 6:15pm. The throughput of the junction in the PM peak averages 719 vehicles per hour, thus the Inspector is recording that the junction was already operating at 112% of its capacity based upon 2018 traffic data. Since then, 120 additional dwellings have been approved within 500m of this junction.

This latest Transport Assessment also fails to model the Crawley Down Road (CDR)/A264 junction against a current traffic survey, instead it states that it has replicated the ‘15 Crawley Down Road’ [TA/2017/1290] modelling which was based upon 2018 surveys and is therefore 5 years out of date. Whilst it has reportedly been updated to reflect 2023 observed traffic flows, there is no queue length study and we do not recognise the modelling presented as the baseline for the CDR/A264 junction which states that there is effectively no queue with it ‘unloading every cycle’. During the peak hours (and well outside them) the queue on the eastbound A264 reaches back to Crawley Down Road (and regularly back to Rowplatt Lane), as such the opportunity to turn east out of CDR is about having a gap in the westbound lane at exactly the same time as the queue is not moving in the eastbound lane as the hatched box at this junction only clears when the eastbound traffic stops moving and the next queuing vehicle has complied with the hatching. Contrary to the TA, there is always a queue at the end of CDR and the current delays at this junction are the only thing that prevents Rowplatt Lane & CDR being a rat run to avoid the queue on the A264.The model is therefore inappropriate.

Felbridge Parish Council is still concerned about the poor Eastern sightline at 123 Crawley Down Road. The requirement for speed calming put forward by Surrey Highways would have to demonstrate significant compliance with the 30mph limit for the sightline to be satisfactory.

Felbridge Parish Council fully supports the East Grinstead Town Council amendment to the East Grinstead Neighbourhood plan that requires Mid Sussex District Council to issue a Grampian precedent condition for SA19 & 20. Should any future planning consent be granted for either or both of these allocated sites, then Mid Sussex District Council guarantee that Section 106/278 legal agreements will be executed prior to consent. This includes an upgrading of the A22/A264 ‘Star’ road junction to provide full mitigation for the existing over capacity of this junction; mitigation to negate the increased capacity caused by the proposed extra 775 dwellings; plus the additional accommodation for 120+ residents of the Retirement Community on the SA20 site. The relocation of Imberhorne Lower School from Windmill Lane in East Grinstead to the site, along with the addition of a two-form entry primary school will also increase vehicle movements for the site. This work is to be completed prior to the first housing occupations of either site mentioned above.

The Transport Assessment for this proposal has incorporated the Atkins proposal of 2-lanes turning south at the Felbridge junction within their baseline model ‘as this is a committed improvement project’. Surrey Highways has now determined that this improvement ‘will not and cannot be implemented’. This failed improvement scheme had been cited as the mitigation for the Hill Place Farm (200 units) and was relied upon for the future state transport modelling for 17 Copthorne Rd (26 units), 11a Crawley Down Rd (32 units), 15-39 Crawley Down Rd (63 units), 61 Crawley Down Rd (20 units) - a total of 339 units. Thus, these committed and mainly completed developments now have no highways mitigation to counter their impact upon this severe junction. Until mitigation of the impact of these 339 units upon an already severe junction has been delivered, it is impossible to see how an additional 200 units can be considered and the cumulative impact of the resulting 539 units without any mitigation would be ‘severe’ contrary to the NPPF.

The baseline used for the Transport Assessment does not use the same approach that SCC required for the initial 63 unit scheme at 15 Crawley Down Road (TA/2017/1290). For that scheme, the Transport Assessment was based on a June 2019 traffic survey. The 2019 baseline measured traffic level was then revised to include all subsequent local approved developments and completed developments to properly reflect baseline traffic levels. The revised baseline must then be adjusted using TEMPRO to uplift the revised baseline at the development completion date and the current development traffic added to properly assess the cumulative impact of all relevant developments. This data should then be used to model the future state scenarios with and without development. The latest TA has identified the large local schemes but has failed to include the cumulative smaller local commitments or the very significant SA20 site of 550 dwellings plus the Retirement Community that is part of that proposal.

Felbridge Parish Council fully supports the East Grinstead Town Council amendment to the East Grinstead Neighbourhood plan that requires Mid Sussex District Council to issue a Grampian precedent condition for SA19 & 20.

‘Should any future planning consent be granted for either or both of these allocated sites, then Mid Sussex District Council guarantee that Section 106/278 legal agreements will be executed prior to consent. This includes an upgrading of the A22/A264 ‘Star’ road junction to provide full mitigation for the existing over capacity of this junction; mitigation to negate the increased capacity caused by the proposed extra 775 dwellings; plus the additional accommodation for 120+ residents of the Retirement Community on the SA20 site. The relocation of Imberhorne Lower School from Windmill Lane in East Grinstead to the site, along with the addition of a two-form entry primary school will also increase vehicle movements for the site. This work is to be completed prior to the first housing occupations of either site mentioned above.’

SCC are quite rightly pushing for Sustainable Active Travel Plans to promote the use of non-car based transport. However, FPC have significant concerns regarding the failure of MSDC/WSCC to implement or monitor such Travel Plans for recent developments in and around East Grinstead even when they were subject to S106 agreements. FPC have already submitted detailed evidence obtained under FOI on this matter for application 2023/429. TDC need to ensure that legal requirements are put in place to secure the implementation and monitoring of Active Travel Plans, otherwise we fear this will become another example of failure by MSDC/WSCC. Without Sustainable Active Travel actually delivering a material transport modal change, our local highways will continue to be stretched beyond their capacity and Tandridge residents have to suffer long journey delays to go anywhere.

SCC Highways have requested further information from the applicant, which has not been provided within the latest revised documents, as such this application is not ready for determination by TDC. 

Inspector’s Minor Amendment to SA19 & SA20 Felbridge Parish Council draws attention to Surrey County Council’s agreement to undertake a study with West Sussex County Council to determine what junction mitigation can be implemented to alleviate the A22/A264 corridor issues both now (in light of cumulative development locally), and in the future state with the additional DPD sites and normal traffic growth. The agreement quotes “Working collaboratively with and to the satisfaction of both Surrey and West Sussex County Council Highway Authorities, mitigate development impacts by maximising sustainable transport enhancements; where additional impacts remain, highway mitigation measures will be considered”. The new study (which SCC and WSCC commissioned) has not started yet, let alone been concluded and as such SCC will not be able to say whether (or how) the Star junction could be mitigated to below its current ‘severe’ state. Felbridge Parish Council contends that until the joint WSCC and SCC transport study has been concluded and suitable and deliverable mitigation of the current severe junctions has been agreed, it is inappropriate to approve this application as the Highways elements of the adopted DPD policy SA19 cannot be delivered.

17th August 2023

DM/23/0810 Land South Of Crawley Down Road Felbridge (SA19/Barratt Homes) - Please see the MSDC Developments page

2023/866 47a Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NX

Resolved: No action

2023/892 Brackenbury, Herons Close, Copthorne, RH10 3HF

Resolved: No action

2023/909 Purbeck, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PE

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to redevelopment of this site and welcome the pre-engagement with the neighbours before making an application. We are however, concerned about an effective 3-storey house with what appears to be very little gaps between it and the boundaries. We would suggest that a minimum of 2m is provided both sides of the property.

2023/822 41 Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PP

Resolved: No action

2023/760 Dragons Farm, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved: No action

2023/848 Wildwood, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council notes that the volume of the existing built form has been used whilst the TDC Policy uses the original built volume or as existing in December 1968. We believe that the proposed structures are likely to represent a volume increase far greater than 30% using the 1968 benchmark. However, we considered the proposal and see that the proposal is a modern building with high sustainability criteria and therefore support this proposal on that basis.

3rd August 2023

2023/805 Yolake Cottage, West Park Road, Copthorne, RH10 3HG

Resolved:  No Action

2023/808 Dormer Cottage, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to using the volume of the Permitted Development approval to create two smaller dwellings within the Green Belt which supports the lack of smaller dwellings within Felbridge Parish.  We are unable to pass comment on the impact on the openness of the Green Belt as determined by volume as the applicant has failed to provide the existing volume; the Permitted Development volume or the proposed volume and has used only footprints.  Felbridge Parish Council would be happy to consider the application again when that information is available.  We also have significant concerns about the layout of the proposed dwellings. The continuous built form between the boundaries is an urban design and out of character with the rural surrounds. We consider it would be better to remove the garages from between the dwellings and reposition them individually within the extensive grounds to the front of the proposed building line.  We are also concerned about how close the buildings are to the boundary via the porches.  The measurements given on the drawings are calculated at the widest gap and ignore the size of the projecting porches which narrow the gap further.  

2023/833/NH Larksfield, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Resolved: No Action

2023/871 Education Unit, Beaver Farm, Eastbourne Road, RH7 6HL

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council strongly object to this change of use from what was a transient car park with vehicles coming and going in relation to the fishing use of the site to what is now a static visual impairment to the Green Belt.  We are concerned that granting permission for this area to be used as storage will lead to intensifying the number of skips stored there and thus exacerbating further the visual intrusion.  

2023/851 Copthorne Stud, Effingham Road, Copthorne, RH10 3HY

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned that increasing the hours of operation to much earlier in the morning and later into the evening and increasing the number of dogs seems likely create additional noise disturbance to the neighbouring properties when the dogs are arriving and leaving.  

DM/23/0810 Land South Of Crawley Down Road Felbridge 

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council note the new documents relating to Transport and await the submission of the amended Transport Assessment.

6th July 2023

2023/592 Edenbrook, Wire Mill Lane, RH7 6HU

Resolved:  No Action.  The additional information provided as requested enabled FPC to respond.

2023/673 Oast House, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RB

Resolved: No Action.

2023/552 Applegarth, Mill Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PE

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council recognise the value of the consolidation of the buildings on this site. It is noted that whilst the applicant has stated the volume increase against the existing dwelling, the baseline for the policy is December 1968 and on that basis this application represents a very large increase over the buildings as extant in 1968.

2023/647/NH Dragons Farm, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved: No Action

2023/652 Dragons Farm, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved: No Action

2023/718 Foxlands Farm, West Park Road, Newchapel, RH7 6HT

Resolved:  No Action

2023/719 The Shutters, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PE

Resolved: No Action

2022/1315 Ebor Lodge, London Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QS

Resolved:  FPC note the amendment of the acoustic wall to an acoustic fence but feel unable to determine what the visual impact and suitability of the boundary is within this rural area as the style is to be confirmed. Whilst accepting that some leniency should exist in the planning proposal we feel that there is a need here for at least a proposed materials and finish to be able to consider its suitability.  We await further information so this application can be reviewed.

2023/584 Paygate, West Park Road, Newchapel, RH7 6HT

Resolved:  No Action

2023/672 Long Acres Caravan and Camping Park, Newchapel Road, RH7 6LE

Resolved: No Action

2023/659/TPO 1 Eden Gardens, Felbridge RH19 2SQ

Resolved:  Defer to the Tree Officer.  FPC would prefer to see T3 and T5 replaced within the site.

15th June 2023

2023/515: Snowhill Business Centre, Snowhill, RH10 3EZ

Resolved: No Action

2023/580 Land to the North of Walnut Marches, Crawley Down Road, Felbridge

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application due to overcrowding of the site manifested by the very narrow gaps either side of the building with the western side of the building incredibly close to the mature tree and shrub boundary of footpath 45EG. We are concerned that despite planning condition 1 of approval 2019/2094 requiring the layout to be as per drawing 17-1167-PL1001 which showed the mature trees both sides of the access road to be retained, the trees were all felled. We therefore feel even more protective of the remaining vegetative western boundary of the site which screens the development from the footpath. We are very concerned that the proposal impinges upon the root protection areas of significant parts of this boundary and even if it does not cause damage to the trees there is the likelihood of a future request to fell the trees due to their close proximity to the proposed dwelling. It is quite possible to rearrange the layout of the dwelling to retain its size but not impact upon the western boundary. We are also opposed to the stone cladding depicted in the rendering of proposal, this is not a local vernacular material. We also wish to point out that the renders fail to show the west boundary of the site and its close proximity to the proposed dwelling and are therefore mis-representative of the application.  

1st June 2023

2022/1315 Ebor Lodge, London Road, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2QS

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to the intensification of this site and are  pleased to see the garage has been dropped to a single storey and support that as being a viable way forward.  Despite dropping the height of the rendered wall from 3m to 2.4m, we are still concerned about the potential reflective noise and the potential for that to have a negative impact on the opposite neighbours.  It is suggested that an independent noise assessment should be made to support the application before it is approved.

2023/446 The Granary, Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2PA

Resolved: No Action 

2023/470 81 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2PB

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council support this application

2023/483 Orchard Hey, The Limes, Felbridge, East Grinstead, Surrey, RH19 2QY

Resolved:  No action

4th May 2023

2023/385 The Stables, Wards Farm, Felbridge RH19 2QZ

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council strongly object to this application.  The removal of permitted development within the Green Belt in Tandridge is wholly relevant and justified. Only that protection prevents the sprawl of buildings under per permitted development which will have an effect of the openess of the Green Belt. It has already been proven that even with fencing and hedges hiding such development from view, this does not prevent an impact on the openess of the Green Belt.  The potential knock on effect would be the reinstatement of permitted development rights for all Green Belt dwelings within the Tandridge District. 

DM/23/0498 71 Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PP

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council strongly object to this application to demolish a perfectly acceptable house in lieu of potential planning application approval. At a time when there is a housing deficit, prompting the need for significant development in mid-Sussex, it seems wholly inappropriate to demolish a house that could otherwise be let out at a realistic rent and fulfil some of that shortfall.

20th April 2023

2023/241 Floreat, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PF 

Erection of single storey rear extension, front extension and attached garage

Resolved: No Action

2023/345 The Coach House, Wards Farm, London Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QZ 

Removal of existing 1m high close board wooden fence and erection of new 2m high fence. 

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about the urbanising effect of 2m high solid fences in the Green Belt.

2023/227 Poppy Place, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD 

Erection of a one bay secure oak framed outbuilding to match existing car port

Resolved: No Action

6th April 2023

2023/237 Doves Barn Nursery, Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PB

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council objects to this application on the grounds that businesses operating with this location should be horticultural.  It was noted that working on cars creates a specific noise. Whilst the existing footprint would not be expanded, the business itself could expand and the types of operation could increase within the footprint creating further noise nuisance and disturbance.  While supporting small business where possible, it is considered that this is the wrong location for this type of business.  There are also concerns that adding more businesses to this site could lead to a further increase in the number of advertising signs which are placed in the verge between the site and the Copthorne Road despite Felbridge being located within an Area of Special Control of Advertisements.

2023/50 10 Hedgecourt Place, Felbridge, RH19 2PJ

Resolved:  No Action

16th March 2023

2023/187 2 Wheelers Way, Felbridge, RH19 2QJ

Resolved:  No Action

2023/221 Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about this latest application for Chester Lodge. Again the application drawing shows a very small red area lined, yet the applicant is the same as that for the last applications. The area they stated they had an interest over on the previous application is not red lined in this application. This hides the overall scale of their site and the ever growing built form upon it. There have now been 25 planning applications for this site under various similar addresses since 2003. Whilst it is accepted that each application is for relatively small additions, there appears to be no consideration by Tandridge District Council of the cumulative impact upon the openness of the green belt. The graphic below shows the built footprint changes 2005 to 2021 this obviously does not show the significant increase in hardstanding or take any account of built volume which is the criteria used to control the cumulative impact of commercial property extensions within the Green belt. While Felbridge Parish Council support rural businesses, there is also a responsibility to protect the Green Belt.

2nd March 2023

2023/119 Annexe, Aros Shona, 20 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NS

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to this application per se as it increases the build form within the built up boundary which is preferred.  There are concerns that the two-storey build by the east bounday is shown to leave a 1m gap to the boundary which is contrary to the policy which requires a 1.5m gap.  Officers may want to consider the potential impact on future residents of No. 20 of the windows on the proposed first floor west elevation.

16th February 2023

2023/12 53 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PB

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to the roof over the garage, and its repurposing, or to the second storey addition at the rear and the ground floor rear extension.  However, we strongly object to the rear balcony as the height of the observer standing on it will have views on to 7 Rowplatt Close.

2023/43 Felbridge Showground, Copthorne Road, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2NU

Resolved:  No Action

2nd February 2023

2022/1520 The Cottage, 72 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NU

Resolved:  No objection although Felbridge Parish Council would have liked to have seen detail of the proposed new garage.

2022/1465 Seven, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned at what appears to be a proposal to build on two stories up to the boundary. As no volume calculation has been provided to compare the new volume with the volume as built or as existing in Dec 1962, it is not possible to determine whether this represents a material increase in volume within the Green Belt. Felbridge Parish Council expect that the Planning Officer will check the volume increase. No objection in principle otherwise. 

2022/1656 Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council objects to this application seeking consent for three new dwellings within the Green Belt. It is noted from the decision in the previous application (2021/1478/NC) that change of use of three disused agricultural buildings to residential did not require prior approval. However, Felbridge Parish Council  pointed out that two of the buildings appeared to be within the curtilage of a dwelling house, and that the buildings could not be economically repurposed for residential use.

This application seeks consent to demolish five existing buildings and construct three new dwellings within the Green Belt. Felbridge Parish Council considers the buildings in the proposed position will ‘significantly impact’ the openness of the Green Belt contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework, and TDC Policy DP13 (F).

DP13 (F)- ‘Replacement’ provides for an exception to DP13 where:

“The replacement of buildings in the Green Belt (outside of the Defined Villages), where the proposed new building:

Is in the same use as the building it is replacing;

Is not materially larger than the building it is replacing;

Is sited on or close to the position of the building it is replacing, except where an alternative siting within the curtilage demonstrably improves the openness of the Green Belt”.

Having considered the application in detail, FPC contends that:

• The new building does not have the same use as the existing buildings, which are disused agricultural/storage buildings.
• The new buildings, although smaller in volume and area than those to be demolished are a materially larger block of dwellings, including their curtilages, on the site proposed.
• Although one of the proposed buildings sits on part of the footprint of an original building, the location of the new buildings and their enclosed curtilages significantly impacts on the openness of the Green Belt.

Felbridge Parish Council are also concerned that the creation of a suitable access from Woodcock Hill, including for the provision for refuse trucks and vehicle turning, will cause further impingement on the Green Belt. Furthermore the site is c.1.3 miles from the nearest convenience shop and is served by the 485 bus route, which only has three buses a day between 11.17 and 13.17 hrs (weekdays only). Taking into account the walking distance along the proposed access road and then to the nearest bus stop at Wiremill Lane, the location of the proposed development cannot be considered sustainable.

Felbridge Parish Council wishes to draw the Officer’s attention to the recent decision on Oakcroft, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge (2022/388) which is adjacent to the application site. The applicant was seeking to demolish cattery buildings and construct a new dwelling on the site. Planning consent was refused by TDC in June 2022. The reason for refusal was given as:

“The proposal would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt and would have a significant impact upon the openness of the Green Belt. No very special circumstances exist to clearly outweigh the harm that would be caused and as such, the proposal is contrary to Policies DP10 and DP13 of the Tandridge District Local Plan: Part 2 – Detailed Policies 2014 and the NPPF 2021.”  FPC considers the same criteria to exist on this application and does not consider the arguments put forward in 6.7-6.40 of the Design and Access statement, as ‘very special circumstances’, are justification of this development.  FPC consider the application constitutes “inappropriate development in the Green Belt’ and is harmful to the openness of the Green Belt and requests that the application is refused.

19th January 2023

2022/1438 Pendinas, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

No Action

2022/1401 Stub Pond Fisheries, Stubpond Lane, Newchapel, Lingfield, RH7 6HU

Felbridge Parish Council would expect to see more clear evidence that this has been a permanent building.

2022/1603/TPO 42 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NS

Defer to Tree Officer

5th January 2023

2022/1315 Ebor Lodge, London Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QS

Felbridge Parish Council strongly object to a 3m high masonry wall in this location which would be completely out of character for a rural village. We also believe that as a flat acoustically-reflective surface, it has the potential to increase the road noise for the domestic dwellings on the opposite side of the A22 and as such an independent acoustic study should demonstrate that there is no negative impact on the opposite properties. We are also concerned that to achieve the noise abatement the owner desires would ultimately require extending the proposed wall to the northern boundary of the site, further impacting the rural street scene. Felbridge Parish Council do not object to intensification of this site but are concerned that the proposed garage block at two-storeys will potentially be overbearing and overshadowing to the neighbouring property in Glendale as it is to the South/Southwest of their garden and very close to the boundary for the much increased height compared to the existing structure in this location. Bringing this element of the proposed structure closer to the main road could alleviate this factor.

2019/1453/Cond2 11a Crawley Down Road, Felbridge RH19 2NT

Felbridge Parish Council are very upset that construction has started on this site without a Construction Management Plan (CMP) being in place. We are disappointed that even this week construction vehicles were parked in Crawley Down Road, contrary to the proposed CMP. While we consider this a good CMP generally covering the items that were agreed with Tandridge District Council and Mid Sussex District Council, we do have a few comments on the details;

(i) In 3.0 there is a typo in last line that needs correcting, as it refers to Guildford Borough Council and we feel it needs to be clear which District Councils (or both?) would need to agree changes to working times. 

(ii) We do not believe that the CMP adequately details the offsite vehicle routing requested by both District Councils. For example, Rowplatt Lane is designated ‘not suitable for HGV’s’ and the west turn out of Crawley Down Road on to the A264 cannot be achieved without impinging on the eastbound carriageway so needs to be avoided by turning east, then north at the Star to return along West Park Road; OR turn west out of the development and continue through Crawley Down to the Turners Hill Road and then either North or South as desired. A PDF plan with details of offsite routings is attached.

(iii) Section 5.2 the current wording is ‘should be considered’, that is not sufficient as these items are ‘musts’ rather than ‘wants’ and all are reasonable to achieve.

(iv) Section 9.1 – it is great that the public are given the contact details necessary as defined in the CMP, but they should not be redacted on the planning portal otherwise they cannot be used by the public.

2019/1453/Cond3 11a Crawley Down Road, Felbridge RH19 2NT

Felbridge Parish Council agree that the proposal is a compliant plan to Tandridge District Council policy, but are concerned there are significant opportunities being missed and would urge Tandridge District Council to press for additional improvements. PV is only proposed for some of the plots despite other roofs having the same aspect and therefore being suitable. This will generate some plots with significantly reduced energy bills whilst others have no reduction.

The discussion relating to a centralised CHP facility describes the downside of ‘locking the development into relatively carbon intensive gas-fired heating and hot water technology, and will not facilitate the transition to less carbon intensive solutions’ but Section 9 then rejects air source heat pumps (ASHP) ‘due to impact on the building façade’. There is no requirement for ASHP to be mounted on the façade and ground space in the rear gardens would be equally suitable for these units; we therefore feel that it is short-sighted to install gas-fired heating systems in all the houses when it is cheaper to build in a lower carbon heating system rather than residents having to change later, surely it would make houses more appealing/saleable and therefore a good investment. If you are going to force gas-fired boilers upon the new residents, then at least size the radiators for the lower water temperatures of ASHP to reduce the cost of resident’s later changes. We believe there is the opportunity to have a site that delivers far more than 10% CO2 reduction which could be marketed and be more desirable as such, particularly in reducing energy bills. The end result of the current proposal is that it will be residents who have purchased these new houses that have to further invest to reduce their energy bills when more could have been done during design and construction.

1st December 2022

2022/1182 Deerpark, London Road, Felbridge, RH19 2RA

Erection of a wooden garden potting shed

Resolved: No Action

2022/1151 Southern Water Compound, Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2QG

Resurfacing and other minor works to access road (retrospective application)

Resolved: No Action

2022/877 23 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NR

Formation of vehicle cross-over with associated driveway

Resolved:  No Action

2022/1510/TPO Tytherley, Snow Hill, RH10 3EY

1/1992/TAN, T1 Oak Tree – reduce by 30%, T2 Oak Tree – fell to ground level

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council would prefer to see a crown reduction for a tree with a Tree Protection Order.  The classification for this tree is identical to the other one for which a crown reduction is proposed.

2022/1500 : 2022/1407 : DM/22/3214 No. 71 Crawley Down Road and Land to the South of Crawley Down Road

The comments below were submitted against each of the three application references above:

DM/22/3214 No. 71 and Land South of Crawley Down Road

Felbridge Parish Council strongly objects to this application.  Whilst it is accepted that development of this site has been agreed in principle by the adoption of DPD Policy SA19 following the examination in public, Felbridge Parish Council does not believe that the development proposal as submitted meets the criteria necessary for the application to be considered viable.  It is unclear why the applicant is looking to bring this allocation forward in two phases. This does nothing to aid integration across the site and creates a greater risk of creating two separate developments. This is likely to have a further detrimental effect on the village and the adjacent neighbours. If the applicant is not minded to make a commitment on the site in one application we suggest that a design code that will apply to the full allocation is included as a condition, or ideally requested from the developer for consideration in advance of this application to secure a consistent approach to design across the site.  

HIGHWAYS AND TRANSPORT

Felbridge Parish Council does not recognise the modelling of the Star junction presented in that it is more than 3 years old and shows a junction operating within capacity, when more recent studies show that it is exceeding capacity and is declared as a severe junction by Surrey Highways. We believe a current traffic study is necessary to support this site and the future site to the west cited in the application. The Tandridge traffic study, used as the basis for their emerging District Plan, which showed this junction already operating at 106% in 2018 with a MMQ (mean max queue length) of 48 cars, draws a very different conclusion. The junction severity was also evidenced by the Inspector for APP/M3645/W/18/3198090 who included in his decision (Para 34) data that demonstrates that the queue length of eastbound traffic on the A264 increases by 168 vehicles in the 2 hour period 4:15pm to 6:15pm. The throughput of the junction in the PM peak averages 719 vehicles per hour, thus the inspector is recording that the junction was already operating at 112% of its capacity based upon 2018 traffic data. Since then 120 additional dwellings have been approved within 500m of this junction.

Felbridge Parish Council fully supports the East Grinstead Town Council amendment to the East Grinstead Neighbourhood plan that requires Mid Sussex District Council to issue a Grampian precedent condition for SA19 & 20.  Should any future planning consent be granted for either or both of these allocated sites, then Mid Sussex District Council guarantee that Section 106/278 legal agreements will be executed prior to consent.  This includes an upgrading the A22/A264 ‘Star‘ road junction to provide full mitigation for the existing over capacity of this junction; mitigation to negate the increased capacity caused by the proposed extra 775 dwellings; plus the additional accommodation for 120+ residents of the Retirement Community on the SA20 site. The relocation of Imberhorne Lower School from Windmill Lane in East Grinstead to the site, along with the addition of a two form entry primary school will also increase vehicle movements for the site. This work is to be completed prior to the first housing occupations of either site mentioned above.

The Transport Assessment for this proposal has incorporated the Atkins proposal of 2-lanes turning south at the Felbridge junction within their baseline model ‘as this is a committed improvement project’. This future improvement scheme has now been cited as the mitigation for the Hill Place Farm (200 units), 17 Copthorne Rd (26 units), 11a Crawley Down Rd (32 units), 15-39 Crawley Down Rd (63 units), 61 Crawley Down Rd (20 units) as well as SA19 (200 units) - a total of 539 units. All of these schemes have quantified the additional impact they will have individually upon the junction. The 2-lanes turning south was previously implemented and withdrawn when it had a significant detrimental impact upon junction performance and we believe there are significant doubts as to whether this proposal would actually deliver any junction capacity. There is also the Surrey County Council agreed need to improve pedestrian crossing facilities at this junction.

In the light of all of this, we ask that if Surrey Highways believe either a) That it is unlikely that the improvement scheme as shown in Appendix H of the SA19 Transport Assessment A will be implemented by 2026 or; b)That it is unlikely that the 2-lanes turning south, in conjunction with improved pedestrian crossing facilities, will actually deliver a junction capacity increase sufficient to meet the already quantified impact of the 539 units listed above, then the current Transport Assessment supporting the SA19 proposal is fundamentally flawed as it is solely based upon that scheme being in place and delivering a quantified benefit by 2026.

The baseline used for the transport assessment is not using the same approach that SCC required for the initial 63 unit scheme at 15 Crawley Down Road (TA/2017/1290). For the previous scheme, the approach was that if the Transport Assessment is based upon a June 2019 traffic survey for the baseline. To this measured traffic level it is necessary to add all the local completions, as well as all the approvals not yet completed, as this is all traffic that is guaranteed to exist before this development is completed. Then, use TEMPRO to uplift the combined ‘baseline’ traffic to the proposed completion date and add the development traffic to get the cumulative impact of development including this proposal, then model for the +10 year scenarios with and without development. If Surrey County Council insisted that the Transport Assessment was revised like that for 63 units why would they not want the same basis for a 200 unit proposal?

The severity of the Star junction will be challenged by the Examination Inspector for the Tandridge District Plan as the junction is impacted by the proposed South Godstone Garden Community of 4,000 dwellings. The emerging Tandridge District Plan included mitigation of the impact by the proposal to create two lanes turning south from the A264 into the A22. This proposal has already been identified for implementation as mitigation for the 200 houses approved at Hill Place Farm [APP/D3830/W/16/3142487] and the 121 dwellings approved along Crawley Down Road and Copthorne Road [APP/M3645/W/18/3205537, APP/M3645/W/18/3198090 & TA2019/1453]. Thus the proposed mitigation approach has already been put forward as the mitigation for numerous other sites that have been approved, and in some cases completed, despite the agreed mitigation not being implemented.

Inspector’s Minor Amendment to SA19 & SA20 Felbridge Parish Council draws attention to Surrey County Council’s agreement to undertake a study with West Sussex County Council to determine what junction mitigation can be implemented to alleviate the A22/A264 corridor issues both now (in light of cumulative development locally), and in the future state with the additional DPD sites and normal traffic growth. The agreement quotes “Working collaboratively with and to the satisfaction of both Surrey and West Sussex County Council Highway Authorities, mitigate development impacts by maximising sustainable transport enhancements; where additional impacts remain, highway mitigation measures will be considered”. We do not believe that the Atkins study (which SCC and WSCC commissioned) has been concluded and as such SCC will not be able to say whether (or how) the Star junction could be mitigated to below its current ‘severe’ state. Felbridge Parish Council contends that until the joint WSCC and SCC transport study has been concluded and suitable and deliverable mitigation of the current severe junctions has been agreed, it is inappropriate to approve this application as the Highways elements of the adopted DPD policy SA19 cannot be delivered.

DESIGN

We find a number of failings in relation to compliance with the MSDC Design Guide regarding the following principles.

Principle DG9 (Page 51): Reduce Reliance on the Private Car: There is an inadequate bus service in Felbridge with few services at evenings and weekends.  There is a lack of local facilities, for example no doctor or dentist; supermarket; leisure centre; restaurants; rail service or safe footpath option.  The village is served by one single intake primary school that is already oversubscribed before all the 121 dwellings already approved on MSDC land off or near Crawley Down Road have been constructed or occupied. There is reference in the application to a safe cycle route using the Gullege Bridleway and Worth Way to reach East Grinstead.  However, the bridleway surface is unsuitable for cycles (or wheelchairs/pushchairs), it regularly floods and the Worth Way has no lighting.

Principle DG11 (Page 52): Respond to the Existing Townscape. “New development should generally reflect the scale of adjacent areas and the settlement context within which it is located to deliver a coherent and consistent urban fabric”. This principle requires this site to have a comparable density and style of housing to the neighbouring areas whereas the application is for a considerably higher density with properties that are totally different in scale or design.

Principle DG16 (Page 63): Create a Positive Development Edge. “Development should nevertheless be sensitively designed so that it avoids imposing upon the rural edge and existing roads that are characterised by their hedgerows and tree belt. This may require additional boundary planting. At the rural edge lower density development will also normally be necessary. This requirement has not been met in the site plan as presented.

Principle DG34 (Page 87): Managing Increased Density in Urban Extensions. “A range of densities, building types and forms will normally be required with higher density development in the more accessible locations and lower density development in the peripheral areas.” It is noted that this application is referred to as Phase 1 therefore, it is expected that to meet this principle, the density of any further applications for the remaining site would be lower in density than those nearest the access road.

BIODIVERSITY/SUSTAINABILITY

The developer has failed to address biodiversity net gain and to effectively plan for the future. The Sustainability statement gives little comfort or commitment on any methods that will be included onsite. Given the phasing out of gas boilers in new homes from 2025, , the proposed installation of gas boilers and appliances will place an immediate burden on new residents. An air source heat pump solution (or other sustainable energy solution)  for all properties would be preferable and is becoming common on other housing schemes of a similar size. There is no mention of commitment to photo-voltaic or solar hot water and this should be clarified. Equally there is no confirmation of the scale of electric vehicle charging to be provided. There is no commitment in terms of a payment or length of the Biodiversity Action Plan and we would ask for a period of a minimum of 10 years to be added as a condition should the Council be minded to approve the application.  Given the rural nature of the site, consideration should be given to sustainable green features including green screens and rainwater gardens.

Play Area Felbridge Parish Council suggests a different consideration for teenagers and urges the developer and the Council to look at initiatives such as Make Space for Girls especially given the proximity to Imberhorne school. 

Affordable Homes: It is noted that the application shows 30% of dwellings would be affordable homes.  However, in the consultation feedback for the pre-application, East Grinstead Town Council suggested that the percentage of affordable homes delivered on greenfield sites in Mid Sussex should be 40%.

Flood Risk Assessment (P8): 

The EA flood map shows Zone 2 extending into the site and the RPS model shows virtually no flood risk zone within the site.  If the RPS flood model is shown to be overly optimistic this creates a concern relating to the SUDS infiltration basin. This is proposed within the EA Flood Zone 2 area of the site, thus when there is heavy rainfall the SUDS basin [which is intended to retain surface water from the site and release it slowly to reduce the risk of flooding] will already be inundated with Felbridge Water and thus serve no practical purpose.

Felbridge Parish Council challenges the suggestion that there is virtually no flood risk zone within the site.  Residents who walk these fields, and the adjoining bridleway, know there is regular flooding in this area extending to both sides of the Gullege Bridleway.

17th November 2022

2022/972 The Granary, Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PA

Erection of side and rear extension to dwelling with detached garden shed in back garden.

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application on the grounds that the original permission granted was on the basis that no further development of the site would be permitted in the interests of avoiding a detrimental impact on the Green Belt.  It was noted that the quality of the drawings was poor with annotations removed or unreadable.

2021/1503 Glenmore, West Park Road, Copthorne, RH10 3EX

Erection of extension to existing roof with two dormer windows to the rear elevation and two rooflights to the front 

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are unable to submit informed comments on this application based on the poor quality of the drawings submitted and the lack of detail provided.

2022/1186 Muskoka, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PE

Conversion of existing garage and erection of first floor side extension. Erection of two storey front extension. Erection of two storey rear gable extension with internal alterations. Erection of 1.8m brick boundary wall and electric double gates,

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council object to this proposal which is considered to be out of keeping with the street scene and appears to constitute overdevelopment of the plot.  The build increase is shown as 38% but it is unclear whether this includes the loss of the garage amenity.  We have concerns about a loss of privacy to neighbouring properties, particularly from the first floor balcony.  The proposed brick wall and electric gate to the front boundary of the property would be more suited to an urban environment rather than a property which is close to an SSSI.  

2022/1247 The Stone Cottage, London Road, Felbridge RH19 2QZ

Erection of garden timber pergola with tiled, hipped roof.

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this proposed construction shown as 3.5m high and located against the property boundary.  Enclosed on two sides, it would consititute a substantial built form so should not be permitted in its current form.  No very special circumstances have been put forward to justify building in the Green Belt.  Should TDC be minded to approve this application, it is suggested that the construction should be relocated further within the property boundary.

3rd November 2022

2022/1031 Land East of Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Erection of replacement fencing

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council object to this application as it appears to be the same as 2021/772 which was refused by the officer.  It is also noted that the images of fly tipping show these were in front of the fence line.

2022/972 The Granary, Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PA

Erection of side and rear extension to dwelling with detached garden shed in back garden

Resolved:  Councillors were unable to submit a comment on this application since the documents were not available on the TDC Portal in time for enough councillors to be able to view them in advance of the meeting.  It will therefore need to be carried forward to the next meeting on 17th November.

20th October 2022

2022/1108 Edenbrook, Wire Mill Lane, Lingfield, RH7 6HU

Erection of garage and storage building

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council are unable to determine their comments on this application as we consider the application to be incomplete in that;

1. The planning history does not extend to cover the full recent history of this site including a refused CLUED in 2020 for a retrospective building including a gym and pool house.
2. The photographs show a considerable sized ancillary building (the pool house), but this is not included in the site block plans.
3. The location plan shows the former house that has been demolished and therefore is misleading.

We therefore feel that it is currently impossible for us to determine the potential impact of the garage and store in relation to it being a dominant feature or its potential detraction from the rural character or appearance of the locality as required by DP14.  We would be happy to consider the application again with a suitable amended design and access statement and accompanying plans.

Other Applications

The applications below were included on the Planning Meeting Agenda but could not be considered due to ongoing issues affecting accessibility with the Tandridge District Council Planning Portal. They will therefore have to be deferred until councillors are able to gain access to the documents associated with each application and it is assumed that officer decisions will also be deferred.  The next Felbrige Parish Council meeting will take place on at 7.30pm on Thursday 3rd November. 

2022/972 The Granary, Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PA

Erection of side and rear extension to dwelling with detached garden shed in back garden

2022/1031 Land East of Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Erection of replacement fencing.

 

6th October 2022

2022/912 Rickstones, Lake View Road, Felbridge RH19 2QF

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council note the apparent significant increase in volume over the 1968 footprint but consider the reduction in height to single storey as having less visual impact on the Green Belt.  It is also noted that there is a lack of outbuilding/ancillary space which could potentially lead to further development in the future.

2022/987 Aburi, The Limes, Felbridge RH19 2QY

Resolved: No Action

2022/1252/TPO Brailands, Mill Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PE

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council support this application and note that it is accompanied by a detailed, professional report.

2022/973 The Granary, Pixiewood, Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PA

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council strongly object to this application which can only have a degrading affect on the ecological ground that was protected as part of the original planning permission.  It is clearly visible that other items have already been stored alongside the shed. Contrary to ecological conditions, the grounds do not appear to be hayed and kept as wild meadow.  Felbridge Parish Council are therefore concerned that the ecological benefit from this land is not being delivered.  Further, it is considered that amalgamating any part of the ecological land into the domestic curtilage would have a significant negative impact on biodiversity.  

2022/690 Churchview, 5, The Glebe, Felbridge RH19 2QT

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council objects to this application.  There are concerns that this proposal would fill the plot from side to side. It appears not to respect the 1m distance to the boundary and would have a negative affect on the street scene.  In general, this appears to be overdevelopment of the front of the site.  It is our understanding that a previous garage on this site was absorbed into the domestic space.  We believe that TDC have a policy against approving new garages in this scenario.

1st September 2022

2022/849 Oakwood, 99a Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PB

Resolved:  No Action

18th August 2022

2022/780 Copthorne Stud, Effingham Road, Copthorne, RH10 3HY

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council objects to this application. FPC considers the conversion and change of use of the stables to offices as ‘inappropriate development’ and harmful to the Green Belt. The application states that the buildings are of permanent and substantial construction but the plans and the statement give no information on the construction or whether the existing buildings are suitable for conversion to offices. With regard to the use of the fields for dog walking, FPC are concerned at the potential increased noise disturbance and the impact on neighbouring property. The increase in vehicular movement from car-based traffic is not considered to be ‘sustainable’ in this rural location. No information has been provided to explain the very special circumstances required for development in the Green Belt.

2022/781 Copthorne Stud, Effingham Road, Copthorne, RH10 3HY 

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council objects to this application. FPC considers the increased driveway and conversion and use of the sand school for parking to be inappropriate development in the Green Belt. The application provides no details for the materials, surfacing or drainage of the new driveway or the sand-school to suit parking of vehicles. The application states that the parking will be consolidated into one area, but gives no details of the removal of any hard standing. FPC are concerned that the increased driveway and overall increase in parking area negatively impacts on the Green Belt.  No information has been provided to explain the very special circumstances required for development in the Green Belt.

2022/1013 Land to the rear of 61 Crawley Down Road, Felbridge

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council very strongly objects to this application. The construction of a further twenty new houses will have a further detrimental impact upon the character of the Tier 3 village of Felbridge as a result of the over-bearing scale of development along its southern side within Mid Sussex District. The application site is an extension to the land to the east (DM/20/1078) that was approved on appeal when MSDC were unable to demonstrate a 5 year housing supply and this tipped the planning balance in favour of development. This situation has changed with the latest housing trajectory provided as MM11 of the DPD showing an over-delivery of housing and thus the planning balance is tipped in favour of the countryside protection policy.

Felbridge Parish Council accepts that the transport assessment for the adjoining site, through which this application is accessed, has been tested at appeal, but we still have significant concerns about the transport impact upon the already severe Felbridge junction.  The future state modelling is based upon the implementation of the Atkins proposals including two lanes turning south from the A264 on to the A22 and an extended northbound slip lane on to the A22.  There is no implementation schedule for these works and there are also concerns from the Highways Authority that they may not be deliverable or effective.  Felbridge Parish Council therefore strongly believe that it is premature to state that the additional traffic generated will be mitigated in the future. The Officer should note that the site plans show a cycle/pedestrian route in the southwest corner of the site that is not connected to any Right of Way and therefore does not provide any facility to enhance non-car based transport options.  It is also noted that the green space to the north west of the site has a lack of natural surveillance and could potentially become an area affected by anti-social behaviour.

4th August 2022

2022/992/TPO Development Site At Grid Reference 536568 141067, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge 

Resolved:  Defer to Tree Officer

2022/813 St. Michael’s, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved:  No Action

2022/470 Ellwood Cottage, Heather Way, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2RF

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council consistently raise concerns about development within the Green Belt and object to this application on the grounds that this latest proposal is 6.8% greater than the 35% increase in size originally approved under 2017/1783.  

19th July

2022/913 Crawley Down Garage, Snow Hill, Crawley Down, Crawley, West Sussex, RH10 3EQ

Resolved: No Action

7th July

2022/647 Felmere, Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QG

Resolved: No Action

2022/625 Acorns, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Resolved: No Action

2022/779/N Oast House, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RB

Action: While acknowledging that this is a GDPO application, Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about the potential increase in agricultural vehicle movements at the bottom of Woodcock Hill which is an area we perceive to be a Highways risk. 

2022/681 Wayside, Effingham Road, Copthorne, RH10 3HY

Resolved:  No Action

2022/900/TPO Pinewood, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved: Defer to Tree Officer to determine whether the works are necessary and appropriate

2022/622 Glenthorne, 142 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PD

Resolved:  No Action.  Felbridge Parish Council note the web comments regarding construction vehicles and support a restriction during construction to stop vehicles causing an obstruction by parking on the pavement and verge.

2022/623 Glenthorne, 142 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PD

Resolved:  No Action

16th June 2022

2022/722/TPO 11 Springfield Gardens, Felbridge, RH19 2SP

Resolved: Defer to Tree Officer to determine whether the works are necessary and appropriate.

26th May 2022

TA/2022/609 TPO 65 Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PP

Resolved: Defer to Tree Officer

TA/2022/136 Greengages, 2 Tithe Orchard, Felbridge, RH10 2PH

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council do not object to this application but ask that a condition be imposed that it must be used only as an annexe to the main dwelling.  There would be no support for approval which would allow the annexe to be split into a separate dwelling.

TA/2022/388 Oakcroft, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to the proposed building further into the open countryside and believe it will harm the Green Belt with the new access road encroaching on nearby woodland.  While recognising that the volume increase is not substantial, the proposed construction is not in the same position as the buildings which are to be demolished.  If Tandridge District Council are minded to approve this application, there should be a removal of Permitted Development Rights on both Oakcroft and the new building to prevent further development in the Green Belt. 

TA/2022/413 Stub Pond Fisheries, Stubpond Lane, Newchapel, RH7 6HU

Resolved: No Action.  Felbridge Parish Council note that Tandridge District Council won an appeal against concrete crushing at this location but enforcement wasn't pursued resulting in this CLUED.

TA/2022/501 Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge RH19 2RD

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2022/435 Wire Mill Hotel, Wire Mill Lane, Newchapel, RH7 6HJ

Resolved: No Action

5th May 2022

TA/2022/395 Felbridge Showground, Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2NU

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council support the growth of this local business and have no objection to the application.

TA/2021/2142 Land North of Walnut Marches, Crawley Down Road, RH19 2QJ

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council very strongly object to this application since no planning permission would be required to add render to the brick thus reverting to the design included in the original application.  The neighbouring developments to the west of this site on the south of Crawley Down Road all have post and rail fencing with brick piers so, as previously stated, Felbridge Parish Council consider that this development should be required to match that design.

TA/2022/470 Ellwood Cottage, Heather Way, Felbridge, RH19 2RF

Felbridge Parish Council object to this application on the basis of volume.  This proposal is against the Tandridge District Council policy of establishing the original volume at 31st December 1968.  While there is no objection to the design and appearance, this is a very large increase in volume.  2017/1783 added a volume increase of 35% to earlier works which took place in 2005.  This application would add a further 39% on top of that which would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

7th April 2022

2022/200 Four Beeches, 1b The Glebe, Felbridge, RH19 2QT

Resolved:  No Action

2022/194 Land East of Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council strongly object to this proposal for a new dwelling in the Green Belt. Works to service the building, vehicle movements and accessing the property will affect the ecology and Green Belt. It is also considered that the red line curtilage is inappropriately close to the building and should instead provide adequate space around the building.  There are further concerns relating to the affect of construction on trees in an area where there has been no movement for many years.

TA/2022/387 Land rear of 61 Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PP (MSDC Reference DM/22/0718)

Felbridge Parish Council request that Tandridge District Council urgently advise MSDC that the determination of this application should be delayed until Surrey Highways have been given the opportunity to comment. West Sussex Highways are the statutory authority for the land being put forward for development and they have handed over the Highways assessment to Surrey Highways who must be allowed to comment and their advice taken into consideration prior to determination. (The comments made on the MSDC application below were added to this response)

17th March 2022

DM/22/0718 Land to the rear of 61 Crawley Down Road

Felbridge Parish Council very strongly object to this application, which will have a detrimental impact upon the character of the Tier 3 village of Felbridge as a result of over-bearing scale of development along its southern side within Mid Sussex District. The application is upon land designated as an area of countryside protection and the applicant is using the emerging DPD policy map to indicate that this land is within the ‘built up area boundary’, but the DPD has not been adopted and therefore it is premature to base an application upon its policy maps.

The application site is an extension to the land to the east (DM/20/1078) that was approved on appeal when Mid Sussex were unable to demonstrate a 5 year housing supply and this tipped the planning balance in favour of development. This situation has changed with the latest housing trajectory provided as MM11 of the DPD showing an over-delivery of housing and thus the planning balance is tipped in favour of the countryside protection policy.

The last appeal relating to this site (D3830/W/17/3187545) was dismissed in June 2018, the inspector citing in his reasons (emphasis added);

8. The site is relatively contained by trees, however the open and arable landscape which forms the wider landscape character is clearly visible throughout the site, and it continues to make a valuable contribution to the rural and open backdrop of Felbridge.

10. The scheme comprises four substantial dwellings, with an associated access road, the provision of hardstanding and driveways. In addition the site would attract residential paraphernalia and an element of hard landscaping ancillary to the residential use of the site. In my view permitting further development to the rear of the properties along Crawley Road, outside of the built up area boundary, would result in the continued erosion of the open character of the countryside. This would be harmful to the intrinsic beauty of the countryside.

11. Reference is made to a previous appeal which considered a proposal for 5 dwellings on the appeal site. I agree with the inspector that, at the time of that decision, the introduction of additional layers of development would have been clearly at odds with the character of the area. Taking into account the additional development that has been allowed on two sites almost adjacent to the appeal site, development at this location would not in itself introduce the principle of layers of backland development. However, it would continue to build upon existing backland development, which would create an overly urban and layered form of development which would result in harm to the character of this semi rural site.

12. Having regard to the existing development allowed in the immediate and wider area, and the limited extent of the site, I find that the proposal would not have a significant effect on the coalescence of settlements, or on the strategic gap. However, this absence of harm in regards to the coalescence of settlements does not outweigh the fundamental harm to the character of the countryside that would be established through the development of this site.

Felbridge Parish Council contend that none of the above reasons for dismissal have changed in relation to this site which is still outside the built up area boundary.

Whilst FPC accept that the transport assessment for the adjoining site, through which this application is accessed, has been tested at appeal, we still have significant concerns about the transport impact upon the already severe Felbridge junction. The future state modelling is based upon the implementation of the Atkins proposals including two lanes turning south from the A264 onto the A22 and an extended northbound slip lane on the A22. There is no implementation schedule for these works and there are also concerns from the Highway Authority that they may not be deliverable or effective, we therefore strongly believe that it is premature to state that the additional traffic generated will be mitigated in the future state. The assumption that these mitigation works would be completed has also been the backbone of the transport assessments for the 121 MSDC dwellings along the south side of Crawley Down Road and Copthorne Road which are now completed or nearing completion, thus their traffic increase is occurring before the assumed mitigation has been implemented. Similarly the 100 houses approved at appeal [APP/D3830/A/10/2142385] in May 2011 have been occupied for a decade, yet the co-ordination of the traffic signals at the Felbridge junction and Imberhorne Lane junction funded by S106 and agreed with WSCC such that they withdrew their highways objection has never been implemented. In the light of this continued approval and completion of housing in Mid Sussex District without implementation of the highways mitigations upon which their transport statements were based, we believe that a condition should be imposed preventing occupation of the dwellings until such time as the Atkins highway mitigations have been implemented and demonstrated an improvement in the junction capacity. This is particularly relevant as Surrey Highways Authority has declared this junction as Severe, and therefore without mitigation the natural annual growth in traffic from the already approved housing in Mid-Sussex can only have a detrimental impact upon the local residents who suffer the growing congestion at this major junction.

Since the last transport statement was tested at Appeal where the inspector raised a number of observations that the actual queue length he saw both in video evidence and personally during the site visit far exceeded the Mean Max Queue [MMQ] determined by the LinSig model; JCT, the creators of the LinSig model have provided further details [Appendix 1 below]. The last two bullet points are directly relevant here, the last bullet is stating the definition of MMQ within the model and that it is based upon an initial queue length of zero, the penultimate bullet clearly stating that at saturated junctions queues present from before the modelled peak hour will continue to build. The combination of these two bullets is that the growth of the queue over the hour(s) prior to the modelled peak hours is not included within the MMQ output of the model.

The applicants own queue data and the TDC 3-day traffic survey demonstrate that the PM queue on the A264 already existed at 1600hrs (1500hrs for the TDC survey which covered a longer period), 2½ hours before the start of the peak hours modelled [17:30-18:30]. Thus the queue already present at 17:30 [which was recorded as >1km in the TDC 3-day survey] must be added the LinSig MMQ to provide the mean max queue during the peak hour. This is important as the MMQ is used to determine the average time delay experienced by road users during the peak hour (MMQ/rate vehicles go through the junction). For the future state modelling, this requires the hours prior to the peak hour to also be modelled such that the growth in queue can be determined and the summation of those queue lengths added to the peak hour LinSig MMQ. Thus without adding the large pre-existing queue to the LinSig MMQ, the average delays are massively understated, thus leading to a seriously flawed transport impact assessment.

2022/165 Mallards, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PE

Resolved: No Action

2022/209 The Cottage, 72 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NU

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council have no objections to the design but would have liked to have seen the volume calculations as we cannot identify the percentage increase over the original building.

2022/333/TPO Maracas, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council have no objections, but we would like to see a suitable native replacement tree planted within the site.

2022/59 Silvalyn, 37 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NX

Resolved: No Action

2021/2139 Wire Mill Inn, Wire Mill Lane, Newchapel, Surrey, RH7 6HJ

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council support the local business and the general improvements to the visual appearance of the lake side that have been implemented. We are however concerned about maintaining a welcoming and well signed public footpath width through the site. We are also concerned about the potential noise impact upon the neighbours, particularly late at night, with increased external seating.

3rd March 2022

2022/74 St. Mary's, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned that while the structures may be sound, they may not be capable of being insulated to current building standards and energy efficiency without rebuilding.  Felbridge Parish Council are also concerned that the narrow access may not be wide enough for Fire Engine access and are worried that the traffic using the track will increase with a move from 'infrequent car maintenance' to domestic use.  The route along the length of the neighbouring property would have a detrimental impact upon the neighbour.

2022/164 Orchard Hey, The Limes, Felbridge, RH19 2QY

Resolved: No Action

2022/243/PD Land to the rear of Mulberry Gate, Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2LJ 

Resolved: As discussed with Surrey County Council, there are now 421 dwellings either completed or nearing completion in the immediate area of Felbridge junction.  The approved highways mitigations, or the mitigations assumed to be in place in their transport assessments, have not yet been implemented.  The Highways impact assessment reguired by NPPF Para. 111 is therefore 421 plus the proposed two new dwellings in this application and not only an assessment of the two new dwellings on their own.  Felbridge Parish Council strongly contend that the negative impact of 423 dwellings upon what is already recognised by SCC as a severe junction cannot be anything other than severe and therefore failing the requirements of the NPPF.  Despite the junction already having been identified by SCC as severe, there is no impact assessment modelling of the A22/A264 Felbridge junction to support this application.   

This site is in an area of development restraint and countryside protection and as such Felbridge Parish Council fell very strongly about protecting this diminishing green space providing valuable biodiversity.  The application is weighted heavily upon the failure of MSDC to meet their housing targets.  However, the latest figures presented as part of the DPD show MSDC exceeding their housing targets therefore removing the balance in favour of development of protected areas.  The increase in vehicle movements generated by two domestic dwellings using the narrow track between 4 and 5 Mulberry Gate is likely to be detrimental to those properties.  The design does not confirm to the Approved Design Guide in terms of layout as an add on to the Mulberry Gate cul-de-sac.  

17th February 2022

2021/2068 Former Stables, 56 Hobbs Industrial Estate, Eastbourne Road, RH7 6HN

Resolved:  No Action

2021/2142 Land to the North of Walnut Marches, Crawley Down Road, RH19 2QJ

Resolved:   Felbridge Parish Council very strongly object to this proposal which is out of character with our rural village. It is not in keeping with local boundary materials and is a poor quality design. Felbridge Parish Council are not averse to gates but they need to be in keeping such as brick piers with post and rail fencing to the sides. Felbridge Parish Council also raise the issue that the entrance has not been built in accordance with plan 17-1167-PL1001 contrary to condition 1 of planning application 2019/2094 as the ‘trees to be retained’ marked on that drawing have all been felled.

3rd February 2022

TA/2021/2187 Land south of Double Dee, Eastbourne Road, Felbridge

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council (FPC) object to this application for the proposed erection of nine affordable residential dwellings with associated access, parking and open space, on land south of Double Dee, London Road, Felbridge.

Green Belt Development The site lies within the Tandridge Green Belt and is situated outside the defined village area of Felbridge. As such any development would be inappropriate unless ‘very special circumstances’ exist. Previously an application (2016/184) was made for a similar scheme to the current application but for nine open market homes. The application was dismissed on appeal. The Inspector said,  “I therefore conclude that the development would lead to a loss of Green Belt openness and would impact on the Green Belt purpose of safeguarding the countryside from encroachment contrary to the Framework and Policy DP13 of the LP”.  He went on to say,  “I have concluded that the proposal would be inappropriate development and would have an adverse effect on openness. It would therefore, by definition, be harmful to the Green Belt”.  In 2013, Felbridge Parish Council carried out a Parish Survey to determine the views of local residents as to the future development of the village, the requirements for housing, amenities and employment.  This has no legal standing as such, but the respondents were clear that the Green Belt should be protected and that any development should be restricted to the ‘Defined Village’ area.  Comments already submitted on the Planning Portal for this application and in the Housing Needs Survey indicate that these views are still maintained by the local community. 

Highways and Transport Considerations Felbridge Parish Council believe there is a potential conflict between the proposed right turn pocket into the site and the major highways scheme proposed at this junction as part of the Tandridge District Council (TDC) Emerging District Plan.  Thus, approval of this scheme could harm the future mitigation of the A22/A264 Felbridge junction. FPC contend that the proposed reduction in length of the southbound A22 right turn filter lane will impact upon the Felbridge junction.  Page 54 (Page 11 of Appendix E) of the Transport Report submitted with the application highlights this concern and states that “no traffic flow information has been provided to demonstrate that the reduction will still provide capacity for motorists wishing to turn right at the junction”.  It is proposed to reduce the filter lane by a total length of 45m.  The detailed three day TDC survey (July 2018) shows that the filter lane (arm A, lane 2) queue length exceeded 40m several times during the survey and was also observed reaching the capacity of the filter lane.  Thus, it is highly likely that the +10 year future case scenario will fill and exceed the existing length of the filter lane.  Therefore, any reduction in length would have a negative impact upon an already severe junction.

The TDC three day survey also identifies that the southbound queue regularly exceeds 250m in length and was recorded as 360m for almost an hour during the survey period.  Thus, any overspill of the shorter right turn filter lane will further impact upon what is already a severe situation.  As discussed with Surrey County Council (SCC), there are now 421 dwellings either completed or nearing completion in the immediate area of the Felbridge junction. The approved highways mitigations, or the mitigations assumed to be in place in their transport assessments, have not yet been implemented.  The highways impact assessment required by NPPF para..111 is therefore 421 plus the 9 proposed dwellings in this application, and not only an assessment of the 9 additional dwellings.  FPC strongly contend that the negative impact of 430 dwellings upon what is already recognised by SCC as a severe junction, cannot be anything other than severe and therefore failing the requirements of the NPPF.  Despite the junction having already been identified by SCC as severe, there is no impact assessment modelling of the A22/A264 Felbridge junction to support this application.  Contrary to the Transport Report (para 4.2), there is currently no safe pedestrian crossing at the Felbridge junction.  SCC are aware of this issue.  The inter-green periods have been reduced to increase junction capacity thus severely restricting pedestrians’ ability to cross at this junction.

FPC dispute the information provided about local bus services.  Route 485 has stops adjacent and a short distance south of the site.  The Transport Report states this to be an hourly service (para 6.11).  However, there are only 3 southbound services per day and they are all within a single two hour period.  There are 4 returning services from East Grinstead, 2 within that same two hour period and 2 in the evening.  Route 485 northbound from the site goes to Newchapel and then to Snow Hill which is the bus depot.  The only service this could connect to at Newchapel is the 410 service leaving Newchapel at 6.45am, four and a half hours before the first 485 service from the site.  Therefore, the northbound service does not provide transport to Lingfield, Oxted, South Godstone or Godstone which would be the desired destinations to the north of the site.  Whilst it is agreed that there is a good service to and from East Grinstead and Crawley, there is no service to the desired destinations north of the site and therefore FPC considered that the connectivity of the site by non-vehicular transport modes have been overstated.

FPC request that these Highways and Transport comments are provided to the appropriate Surrey Highways Officer such that they can be considered as part of their consultation response.

Failure to Adequately Prove a Current Housing Need

The present application is for Affordable Housing under a Rural Exception Site policy but FPC believe that the case for the need for Affordable Housing in Felbridge has not been adequately proven.  The applicant has based its case on a Housing Needs Survey carried out in May 2021.  The survey was carried out by Surrey Community Action at the request of, and with the costs paid, by the developer.  FPC does not believe that this survey can be considered as being impartial or independent.  It was not carried out by the District or Parish Council and attempts by FPC to work with Surrey Community Action to improve the survey were rejected.  FPC consider that some of the data is flawed and does not lead to the conclusion that the suggested number of affordable homes is required.

There were 134 responses to the survey, with only 14 respondents to Part 2.  Of these, four were looking for affordable housing and one person was looking to buy through ‘shared ownership’.   As to the 14 respondents who state they need assistance in finding a home, the report does not go so far as to examine the level of assistance that is required – if any. The recommendation to the report on page 17 concluded that there was a need for nine affordable homes, the same number of homes now being applied for which is seemingly more than the demand shown up in the survey. The Housing Needs Survey also failed to identify any timeline within which the perceived need is required.  Thus, these units could be completed before all of the identified persons required them. 

FPC draws the attention of the officer to the fact that Mid Sussex District Council (MSDC) were unable to secure a registered provider for the eight affordable units on their nearby development at 17 Copthorne Road.  In their document 210728 (Record of Action Taken by a Cabinet Member Under Delegated Powers) dated  28th July 2021 it was noted that “To date 12 Registered Providers, with whom we work to deliver affordable housing on section 106 sites, have turned down the opportunity to take on the affordable units on this site”.  MSDC therefore approved an alternative affordable housing tenure for this site through the Rentplus (Rent to Buy) model.  It has not been possible to ascertain whether Places for People were one of the housing providers who declined to take on the MSDC affordable housing units.

Although this application is for affordable housing there is nothing in the planning documents lodged with Tandridge District Council to specify the type or tenure of the dwellings.  While it is suggested that the properties would be retained in perpetuity,  FPC are concerned that if the application is approved and the uptake of homes is low, the units will be made available to persons outside of Felbridge (as was the case with the affordable housing at The Glebe in Felbridge), or rented or sold on the open market.

2021/2177 Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved:  No Action

20th January 2022

2021/2127 Long Acres Caravan and Camping Park, Newchapel Road, RH7 6LE

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council will always support local business where possible and welcome the positive elements to this outline application. These include an increase in employment; benefit to the rural economy; reduction in vehicle movements; improvement in landscape impact for adjacent neighbours and the biodiversity proposals included in the application.  Concerns include the affect on the openness of the Green Belt by replacing temporary buildings with permanent buildings and the spread of the built form into the eastern field compared to current restraints. As this proposal reserves all matters other than access, the final plan could look very different to the initial proposal.  Felbridge Parish Council would welcome more documents and plans which include specific restrictions defining the built form for the future, for example height and future use of the site and how the Biodiversity area of the site would be maintained over the long term.  

2022/7/TPO Twitten Grange, 10 Twitten Lane, Felbridge RH19 2NZ

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council object to the felling of a mature tree without independent expert advice showing it to be essential

2021/2157 Silvalyn, 37 Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2NX

Resolved: No Action

2021/2030 The Stable, Pixiewood, Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PA

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council very strongly object to this application on the grounds that it would negatively impact the openness of the Green Belt.  The historic built form on this site was far exceeded when permission was granted for these houses and therefore Permitted Development rights were removed to prevent further building.  This application would mean a 20% addition to the build volume of the property and is therefore inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

2021/2222/TPO 26 Birch Grove, Felbridge, RH19 2TS

Resolved:  No Action

6th January 2022

2021/2092 Orchards, Wire Mill Lane, Newchapel, RH 6HJ

Resolved:  No action

2021/2099 24 Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PA

Resolved:  Whilst acknowledging that this is an identical application to 2019/068 which has already been approved, Felbridge Parish Council would like to repeat their objections to that original application which are still considered valid.

"Felbridge Parish Council object to this proposal for the following reasons; The transport assessment has not demonstrated that cumulative impact of the development in conjunction with other committed development in the area will not be detrimental to the already severe A264/A22 junction contrary to paragraph 109 of the NPPF. This view is in line with the most recent Planning Inspector’s decision in Felbridge [APP/D3830/W/16/3156544]. The proposal should therefore be refused in line with the decisions for applications 2017/1290 and 2017/2452. The proposal represents over-development of the site, this is evidenced by the greater density of the development compared to the remaining shorter plots at the front along Rowplatt Lane, but also the much greater density than the ‘established residential area’ as defined in the addendum to National Planning Policy Statement 7. Further evidence of over-development is that the boundary separations distances of the proposed buildings do not meet the minimum requirements of 1m for single storey and 2m for two-storey, which gives rise to a minimum 2m separation between neighbouring single storey properties. Over-development is also characterised by the necessity for garages to be placed in front of the dwellings as is the case for plot 9. We believe there is inadequate visitor parking for the development as a whole and that the parking spaces for No.24 Rowplatt Lane are overly distant from the dwelling leading to a likelihood of on-street parking in front of the house which is narrow and already heavily congested. The entrance roadway is too close to what remains of No.24 Rowplatt Lane and will therefore negatively impact the amenity of that property. We are concerned that the narrow entrance roadway to the rear of the plot does not have passing spaces, nor does it have visibility of approaching traffic exiting from the north of the development which is likely to lead to vehicles meeting in the section without passing spaces".

16th December 2021

2021/2029 Land North of Eldawood, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council always wish to protect the openness of the Green Belt but in this instance a direct replacement, volume for volume, of redundant buildings would appear to be appropriate development with the Green Belt.

2021/2102/TPO Land East of Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved:  No action

2021/1946 Beaver Farm, Eastbourne Road, Felbridge, RH7 6HL

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council always support local business within the Parish where possible. Officers are asked to carefully consider the visual impact of this proposal on the Green Belt and consider whether there is a more appropriate location within the site to minimise that impact.  It was noted that the TDC Planning Portal doesn't show historic applications on this site.  These have been reassigned to Tatsfield so cannot be found through a search by address.  Previous officers' reports, which include the full application history, can be found on 2005/1631 and 2007/832.

2nd December 2021

2021/1903 Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about this latest application for Chester Lodge. Again the application drawings show a very small red area lined, yet the applicant is the same as that for the last applications. The area they stated they had an interest over on the previous application is not red lined in this application. This hides the overall scale of their site and the ever growing built form upon it. Whilst it is accepted that each application is for relatively small additions, there appears to have been no consideration by Tandridge District Council of the cumulative impact upon the openness of the Green Belt. The graphic below shows the built footprint changes from 2005 to 2021. This obviously does not show the significant increase in hardstanding or take any account of built volume which is the criteria used to control the cumulative impact of domestic properties extensions within the Green Belt. While Felbridge Parish Council supports rural businesses, there is also a responsibility to protect the Green Belt. 

2021/2047/TPO 5 Evelyn Close, Felbridge, RH19 2PL

Resolved:  Defer to Tree Officer

2021/1503 Glenmore, West Park Road, Copthorne, RH10 3EX

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council consider there to be insufficient information provided to enable councillors to comment on this application.  The Design and Access statement is misleading; there is reference to a small ground floor extension and no clear information on the proposed extension.  Councillors are disappointed that an application of this poor quality should have been validated  and would welcome the opportunity to consider this application at a future date should the required full documentation be provided.

2021/1958 Park Farm, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RB (Listed Building Consent)

Noted: When the Planning Officer was asked why there had been a delay in determining this application, their response was that this was due in part to the Historic Buildings Advisor not yet responding. This notification, issued shortly afterwards, indicates that the Historic Buildings element to this application had not been progressed when the application was initially submitted.  

4th November 2021

2021/1629 Herons, Wiremill Lane, Lingfield, RH7 6HJ

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council support this application as it offers a visible improvement to the Green Belt, creates no additional harm and supports a local employer.

2021/1690 Floreat, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PF

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned that this proposed application would potentially be out of keeping with neighbouring properties.

2021/1711 7 Wembury Park, Newchapel, RH7 6HH

Resolved:  No Action

21st October 2021

2021/1756 Land Rear of Southern Water Compound, Merriwood Barn, Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QG Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council object to this application on following grounds: The site is not considered sustainable in that it is reliant on car based transport for daily needs such as work and school and on weekly needs such as shopping. The site is remote from the 'built up area' boundary. The building density for more than a single unit would be too high when compared to neighbouring Domewood. The loss of a light industrial facility, when a need is included in the District Plan, would be a concern. It is questionable whether the suggested non-viability of the site has been tested over a long enough period to demonstrate a genuine lack of demand, particularly in a post-Covid market.

2021/1488 Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, Surrey RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council support this application in principle while acknowledging concerns regarding encroachment of the hard standing, particularly at the north.  This appears to form urbanisation alongside the road.  Felbridge Parish Council would much prefer to see grasscrete to minimise the impact.  The alterations to the gate and vehicle movement are supported.

2021/1797/TPO Woodlands, Domewood, Copthorne, Surrey, RH10 3HD

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council do not believe this application should have been validated.  Sections on the form have been left blank; there is no site location plan; there are no photographs or other information.  Felbridge Parish Council will comment once a plan and full information has been provided.

7th October 2021

2021/1604 Honeytrees, Herons Close, Copthorne, Surrey, RH10 3HF 

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are unable to comment on whether the volume is inappropriate since no figures have been provided.  While there are concerns about splitting the plot to generate a smaller plot within Domewood, it is recognised that this supports residents preference for smaller properties as expressed in the Felbridge village survey.  As an eco design the building would be sustainable which Felbridge Parish Council actively supports.  We would like to see a comprehensive Construction Management Plan to reduce the impact of building works on neighbouring properties should the application be granted.

2021/1706/TPO Wickham House, 15c Birch Grove, Felbridge, RH19 2TS

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application and are very concerned about the proposed works to this protected tree.  While the negative impact of bird fouling is recognised, the proposed works would create a canopy which is not balanced.

2021/1573 Park Farm, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RB

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council are always concerned about further development in the Green Belt and whether it creates a material impact on the openness of the Green Belt. 

16th September 2021

2021/1579 Camelot Cottage, Domewood, Copthorne, Surrey, RH10 3HD 

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council do not object to the small increase in scale as shown between existing and proposed, but are unsure what size the original dwelling was and whether the cumulative increase is disproportionate and therefore likely to cause harm to the green belt.

2021/1490 Sundore, Lake View Road, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2QF  

Resolved: No action

2021/1524 Pendinas, Herons Lea, Copthorne, Surrey, RH10 3HE 

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council acknowledge the large total volume approved by Permitted Development. But as this is a full planning application for a building that is more than twice the volume of the original dwelling, we have to object as this would clearly represent inappropriate development in the Green Belt. We also feel that the height and massing of the proposed dwelling against one boundary would have a negative impact on the neighbouring property and is out of keeping with the surroundings, compared to a more central position within the plot.

2nd September 2021

2021/1333 Derry Beg, Domewood, Copthorne, Surrey, RH10 3HD

Demolition of existing conservatory and Erection of a single storey rear extension to be used as a replacement conservatory

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application on the grounds that it exceeds the volume which Tandridge District Council typically allow beyond the ‘original building’ and therefore would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt.

2021/1478/NC Land East of Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Proposed Change of Use from agricultural buildings to 3 dwelling houses (C3 Use class) (Prior approval for change of use under Schedule 2, Part 3 Class Q).

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council carefully considered the documents as they are very concerned about construction in the Green Belt and the potential resultant harm to this designated area. Felbridge Parish Council wish to draw attention to significant evidence from residents which appears to show that the buildings are not able to be repurposed but would actually require significant re-building contrary to the planning statement.  The drawings appear to show that two of these were not agricultural buildings but stood within the curtilage of a domestic dwelling. Felbridge Parish Council are very concerned about the size of the proposed curtilages shown as they are inappropriate in the setting and do not afford suitable outdoor amenities for the residents. Felbridge Parish Council are very concerned that creating a suitable access including the provision for refuse trucks and vehicle turning would cause inappropriate development in the Green Belt.  We wish to point out that the access route is within a high risk flood zone according to the government's flood risk website. Residents' comments regarding a history of flooding in the field are noted.  Felbridge Parish Council conclude that the proposed development would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt and as there is sufficient evidence contrary to the permitted development being sought.

19th August 2021

2021/1181 Garfield Lodge, London Road, Felbridge RH19 2QZ 

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to the rebuilding of the swimming pool. Tandridge District Council should take note of the neighbour's comment regarding the siting of the pump house to ensure that this does not cause noise or vibration to the adjoining property. The proposed new roof is substantially higher than the existing and Tandridge District Council should ensure that this does not impact on the neighbouring properties.

2021/1237 Cameron House, West Park Road, Copthorne, RH10 3EX 

Resolved:  No Action

2021/1253 Carousel, Herons Close, Copthorne, RH10 3HF  

Resolved:  No Action

2021/1288 St. Marys, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD 

Resolved:  No Action

2021/1319 146 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PD 

Resolved:  No Action

2021/1276 The Old Pheasantry, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RB 

Resolved:  No Action

7th August 2021

2021/1151 Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved:  No Action

2021/1184 Yerba Buena, Herons Close, Copthorne, RH10 3HF

Resolved:  No Action

2021/1178 Pendinas, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council would like assurance that this application meets the requirements for permitted development in the Green Belt          

2020/1959 Land At Brooknook, Lake View Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QF (APPEAL)

Appeal Reference APP/M3645/W/21/3269932

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council confirm that their comments made at the time of the original application still stand and should be considered by the Inspector.

17th June 2021

2021/712 Former Stables, 56 Hobbs Industrial Estate, Eastbourne Road, RH7 6HN

Change of use of former stable building to provide new residential dwelling house.

Resolved: No Action   

2021/711 10 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NS

Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of replacement single storey rear extension

Resolved:  No Action

2021/732 Carousel, Herons Close, Copthorne, RH10 3HF

Erection of a detached triple garage

Resolved:  No Action

2021/719 Five Oaks, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Erection of a three bay oak framed garage outbuilding (third bay to be used as home office)

Resolved:  No Action

2021/772 Land east of Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Erection of replacement fencing

Resolved:  No Action

2021/571 The Boathouse, Twitten Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2NZ

Removal of glazed sections and replacement with block and rendered wall (CLUPD)

Resolved:  No Action

3rd June 2021

2021/711 10 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NS 

Resolved:  No Action

2021/732 Carousel, Herons Close, Copthorne, RH10 3HF

Resolved:  No Action

2021/719 Five Oaks, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Resolved:  No Action

2021/772 Land east of Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD

Resolved:  No Action      

2021/571 The Boathouse, Twitten Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2NZ

Resolved:  No Action

6th May 2021

2021/521 Ferndale, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Resolved:  No Action

2021/412 Land at Pixiewood Farm, Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PA

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about the erosion of open amenity space which could potentially be further eroded in future.  Tandridge District Council are asked to secure the remaining amenity space in perpetuity.  While not a specific planning matter, officers' attention is drawn to the congestion created on Rowplatt Lane during earlier construction on this site since the narrow access prevents HGVs from unloading on site. A detailed CTMP is required to address this matter.

2021/568 Derry Beg, Domewood, Copthorne, Crawley, Surrey, RH10 3HD

Resolved: No Action

2021/626 Snowhill Business Centre, Snow Hill, RH10 3EZ (CLPUD)

Resolved: No Action

2021/687 Pendinas, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE (CLPUD)

Resolved: This application has failed to provide the documented evidence to support that the proposal meets to permitted development requirements.

1st April 2021

General comments regarding applications at Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD 

Felbridge Parish Council wish to formally object to several issues relating to the presentation of recent planning applications by the owner of this site.  

The way in which the applicant 'red lines' their plans within the property boundary shows a sub division of the plot. The 'red lines' should continue to the ownership boundary of the site showing its true neighbours.  This is currently leading to a failure to notify the true neighbours to the plot as they appear not to share a boundary.  Up to 2017, the entirety of the plot was included within the 'red line' boundary with the fields to the north recorded within the 'blue line'.  In the last year, the owners appear to have deliberately chosen to show a restricted area within the site as the 'red line' area which is considered to be misrepresentation in terms of the avoidance of neighbourhood consultation. This issue is evidenced by the different 'red line' areas shown on the two applications below for the same site.  Furthermore, the location plans do not show the required 'blue line' stating the land under common ownership. 

It is also noted that different addresses are used for the same site which means that a search on the TDC Planning Portal no longer shows all applications as intended.  This includes the two applications below.  TDC should amend the Planning Portal records so all planning applications are listed when selecting the 'search all applications' option.  

Finally, it is noted that despite retrospective application 2016/1666 being refused, there are no planning enforcement notices associated with this site.

TA/2021/391 1 Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD (CLEUD)

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council can no longer support a business which flouts planning laws and continues to make retrospective planning applications in the Green Belt.  

TA/2021/405 Offices, Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RD 

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council strongly objects to this proposal as inappropriate development in the Green Belt.  The proposal is for a very large extension to a dominant building within the site which is industrial in appearance rather than rural.  This objection is in line with the appeal decision (3175824) which was specifically for this building and this site.  Felbridge Parish Council refer officers back to the original appeal which was dismissed due to this scale of development being inappropriate in the Green Belt.   

TA/2021/425 Collingwood, Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2NY

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application. Tandridge District Council have refused development at single storey within 1m of the boundary line and this application extends right up to the boundary at single storey.  They are also very concerned about the presence of a first floor window so close to the boundary line with opening lights overlooking the neighbouring property less than 1m away.  Further concerns relate to the Juliet balcony at the rear overlooking neighbouring properties in Tithe Orchard.

TA/2021/370 Bathsheba, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved:  While Felbridge Parish Council have no objection in principle to the creation of an additional detached garage, they are very concerned that this would be almost touching the boundary with Gnome Cottage.  Because of the slope of the site, it would be dominant in the street scene from their property.  Felbridge Parish Council would prefer to see a lower roof apex and the building moved further away from the boundary.

18th March 2021

TA/2021/277 Woodland Farm, Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QG

Resolved: No Action

TA/2021/280/TPO Hestia, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/1289 Camla, 55 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2PB

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2021/242/NH Derry Beg, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD.

Resolved:  No Action

4th March 2021

TA/2021/204 146 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned that this building may have already been extended and the proposed additions are quite large in area. This application would double the building's floor area.

TA/2020/2272 Long Acres Caravan and Camping Park, Newchapel Road, RH7 6LE

Resolved:  While Felbridge Parish Council would be unhappy with that area within the Green Belt being used for commercial enterprise, it is considered that forestry activity sits well within the Green Belt as an agricultural activity.  It is requested that any permission granted restricts the use to agricultural.  Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about an increase in vehicle users, shared use of the bridleway and increased use.  It is noted that the 1995 application only refers to drivers crossing the bridleway (needing signage) rather than drivers using the bridleway.  

TA/2021/245 Partney Oak, Domewood, RH10 3HD

Resolved:  No Action

18th February 2021

TA/2020/2229 Chestnuts, Herons Close, Copthorne, Surrey, RH10 3HF

Resolved: No Action

TA/2021/120 Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, Surrey, RH19 2RD

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council do not approve of retrospective planning applications in the Green Belt as they may have already irreversibly caused harm to the Green Belt by not first determining whether this might happen by going through the appropriate planning process.  We do not have any objection to the replacement of the stable with a similarly sized unit for the intended purposes as we do support this site for use as an equine vets. Felbridge Parish Council object to the use of MOT1 material for the ramp.  Whilst being permeable, this is not a 'Green Belt friendly' surface.  It would therefore fail to conserve and enhance landscape character of the Green Belt.  We would prefer to see permeable paviours being installed with a suitable infill soil.  This technology is the cellular replacement to Grasscrete and is suitable for HGVs and will maintain the landscape of the Green Belt.  

21st January 2021

TA/2020/2231/TPO: 4 Eden Gardens, Felbridge, RH192SQ

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council ask that the Tree Officer identify a suitable height for a mature tree in that setting

TA/2020/2257 Fairways, Mill Lane, Felbridge RH19 2SQ

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council objects to this application.  Councillors are concerned that following the approval of the recent application to extend the house, this additional building would make the amassing of structures on the site far greater in the street scene.  Felbridge Parish Council are very concerned that this is effectively a 12m long single storey extension on the front of the house immediately adjacent to the boundary.  This would present a considerable forward projection of the property and would lead to building in front of the traditional building line not built upon in that area of Mill Lane.  This application is for a detached garage replacing what was formerly an internal garage and we believe that Tandridge District Council have policies and guidance stating that it is not permitted to remove an internal garage to then replace it with an external one.   

TA/2020/1689 Unit 54a, Hobbs Industrial Estate, Newchapel, RH7 6HN

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/2280 Fir Tree Cottage, Domewood, RH19 3HD (CLPUD)

Resolved:  No Action

7th January 2021

TA/2020/2240 Plyewell, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PE

Resolved: No Action

17th December 2020

TA/2020/2108 Land adjacent to 72 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NU

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application on the grounds that the very special circumstances required to justify development in the Green Belt have not been met. The proposal suggests that a special circumstance for development within the Green Belt is the provision of a single additional house to meet the local housing need.  Felbridge Parish Council contends that the housing need should not be met by piecemeal construction causing harmful reduction in openness of the Green Belt surrounding Felbridge. Rather, additional housing should be provided within the built-up area.  It should be noted that within the ‘defined village’ 21 net additional dwellings were approved between 2015 and 2020, and 18 net additional dwellings approved between 2010 and 2014. This is without taking into account the 121 units consented to the land south of Copthorne Road and Crawley Down Road on the border of Felbridge and Mid-Sussex which the Inspectorate states should be considered in support of the housing need in Tandridge. [ref APP/M3645/W/18/3198090] Para 15 “The housing would also contribute to provision within the housing market area which includes Tandridge District, and thus the housing land supply position in that district is also relevant.” A previous application [TA/2019/155] on land further to the south and therefore closer to the defined settlement boundary was refused on the basis that:

1 "The proposed development would not be ‘infilling’ within a Defined Village or redevelopment of previously developed land. As such, the development would constitute inappropriate development in the Green Belt and would cause harm to the Green Belt.”

2. "No very special circumstances have been demonstrated that clearly outweigh harm to the Green Belt by reason of inappropriateness and any other harm. Felbridge Parish Council believe that as this latest proposed development would encroach further into the Green Belt than 2019/155 it would generate a greater harm to the openness of the Green Belt and should be refused as inappropriate development within the Green Belt".

TA/2020/2160 Jacaranda, 11 Wembury Park, Newchapel, RH7 6HH

Resolved: No Action

3rd December 2020

TA/2020/1959 Brook Nook, Lake View Road, Felbridge 

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application. Councillors feel it is detrimental to the openness of the Green Belt to move areas away from the existing buildings and structures into the open areas to the north closer to the SSSI.  We are repeatedly told by the Inspectorate that it does not matter if it is hidden from public view, the harm to the Green Belt still exists; therefore any reduction in visibility created by the fence and vegetation does not reduce the harm. It is of concern that the proposed new area is at high risk of surface flooding as demonstrated on the government website (map attached).  The existing use specified in the planning statement includes workshop buildings necessary for spraying and valeting but there is no reference to such buildings at the proposed new location. If Tandridge District Council are minded to permit this proposal, we would request that strong conditions are applied to prevent future construction of buildings ancillary to the permitted use of this area.

10th November 2020

TA/2017/1290/cond1 15-39 Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PP Development Land

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application as it does not address all the conditions imposed by the Planning Inspectorate to minimise the affect on local residents.  Condition 4 imposed by the the Planning Inspectorate requires that as part of the Construction Transport Management Plan, 'traffic routing' must be in place before works can commence. The information previously provided by Felbridge Parish Council is repeated below and a map is attached (map can be found uploaded at the bottom of this page)

Due to the narrow width of Crawley Down Road it is not possible for HGVs to wait in the road before entering the site. Therefore, vehicles are to wait in suitable locations away from the site and be called to approach when they will be able to enter the site immediately upon arrival.  The map indicates the acceptable routes for HGVs approaching and leaving the site. The reasons for the routing restrictions are:

• Rowplatt Lane has been designated unsuitable for HGVs by Surrey Highways and therefore should not be used for these vehicles.
• Due to the acute turn into Crawley Down Road from the eastbound A264 (Copthorne Road), HGVs are to approach Crawley Down Road from the Star Junction, they must also exit Crawley Down Road towards the Star Junction. Vehicles approaching the area from the west, for example from the M23/A264 should therefore take the B2028 to Newchapel and then the A22 south to the Star Junction to approach the site from the Star Junction.

There are no routing restrictions for vehicles smaller than HGVs which can use any classified road to approach the site. For clarity, the map indicates the three local routes that are not classified roads, these can only be used by cyclists or pedestrians.  To avoid conflicts with the start and end of school. HGV movements into and out of the site are not to take place between 0815 and 0915 in the morning and 1500 and 1600 in the afternoon during the school term. Felbridge Primary School operates staggered start and finish times to reduce congestion.  Felbridge Parish Council request that a copy of a monthly report of the routine noise and dust monitoring specified within the mitigation strategy is provided for their information.

TA/2020/1619 Clannaborough, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD 

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/1768/TPO 16 Whittington College, London Road, Felbridge, H19 2QU 

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1775 Fairways, Mill Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2PF

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this application.  There is a predominance of bungalows and chalet bungalows on this side of Mill Lane and the proposed height and elevations are not in keeping with the street scene.  The proposal is overly large and the lack of separation would have an overbearing affect. The roof window to the rear could have an impinging affect on the privacy of neighbouring properties.

TA/2020/1689 Unit 39, Hobbs Industrial Estate, Newchapel RH7 6HN

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1828 Thornhurst Place, 1 Rowplatt Close, Felbridge RH19 2RJ

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council are not adverse to an extension to this property but are concerned about the proposed location which is right against the roadside boundary.  As such, this would restrict rural views, remove vegetation screening on entering Rowplatt Close and be overbearing on the road. Felbridge Parish Council wish to retain a rural characteristic within the village.

TA/2020/1823 Applegarth, Mill Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PE

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1665 Felbridge Showground, Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2NU

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council support this application to expand a much used equestrian facility.

TA/2020/1774 Yerba Buena, Herons Close, Copthorne RH10 3HF

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/1896 146 Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2PD

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/1958 Farmside, Mill Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PE

Resolved:  No Action

15th October 2020

TA/2020/1595 Little Sandford, Snow Hill, Crawley Down West Sussex, RH10 3EY

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about the east facing dormer window overlooking the boundary and would prefer to see obscure fixed glazing.  Councillors would also like to see the option of establishing a condition to prevent any future splitting of the plot enforced.

TA/2020/1675 Derry Beg, Domewood, Copthorne RH10 3HD

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1553 Tree Tops, 85 Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2PB

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1612 Casa Inca, 47A Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2NX

Resolved: Despite Surrey Highways' approval, Felbridge Parish Council wish to repeat their concerns regarding the reduction in sight lines due to the 2m fence in place of the bell mouth design which was originally approved.

1st October 2020

TA/2020/1582 Pinecroft, 144 Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2PD

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1450/TPO Lovell Oaks, 120 Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2NU

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about the loss of trees and whether the removal could exacerbate the problem.The property was built with the trees in position so the foundations should have been designed accordingly.  The NHBC report is inconclusive.  The proposal to underpin appears to be designed to prevent damage from trees so once those works have been completed they will presumably protect the property from trees.

17th September 2020

TA/2020/1449 Stubpond Fisheries, Stubpond Lane, Newchapel, RH7 6HU

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1524 Oakhurst, Effingham Road, Copthorne, RH10 3HY

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/1417 Fir Tree Cottage, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Resolved: While the modern architecture in this proposal is welcomed, Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about such a significant volume increase in the Green Belt.   Further concerns relate to the east views from the balcony and windows which overlook a very close neighbouring property.

3rd September 2020

TA/2020/895 Pendinas, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1491 Pooks Hill Cottage, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/1505 Pooks Hill Cottage, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/1459 TPO Hestia, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/1435 TPO In front of houses along Twitten Lane, Felbridge, RH19 2NZ

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council object to works being undertaken on the historically significant Evelyn Chestnut trees at this location without the provision of full and detailed evidence of the need for all such works.  The trees are referred to only as Group 1 with generic data rather than data specific to each tree.  A second opinion would provide reassurance that the best quality of tree care will be provided.  

20th August 2020

TA/2020/1297 Copthorne Stud, Effingham Road, Copthorne, RH10 3HY

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council (FPC) objects to the application to build nine flats at Copthorne Stud, Effingham Road, RH10 3HY. FPC has reviewed the application and in particular the Design and Access Statement.  FPC considers that the construction of nine flats is ‘inappropriate development’ which would encroach on the countryside, result in material harm and cause a serious impact to the openness of the Green Belt. The applicant has not put forward a case for ‘very special circumstances’ as set out within the NPPF. The development does not accord with the Tandridge Local Plan Policies DP10, or DP13 as the proposed development is not within a Defined Village, or the replacement of an existing structure of the same use. CSP1 states that the location of development should take place in built up areas (which are listed) and where there is a choice of mode of transport, but this application does not accord with this policy. There are no substantial changes in the emerging local plan that would alter the position so far as this application is concerned. FPC reiterates that it does not consider this location to be ‘sustainable’ for housing within the meaning of the NPPF. Haskins garden centre and a Public House/Restaurant are close-by, but the provision of any basic amenities and services is approximately two miles away in Copthorne Village. There is no bus service along Effingham Road, and the nearest bus stop (with the exception of an infrequent service to East Grinstead from West Park Road) is at The Duke’s Head which is about 20 minutes walk. The development is therefore totally dependent on the use of the private car. FPC raised no objection to the application 2018/1871 (Demolition of the existing single storey front element and the erection of a replacement structure with rear extension to the main sand-school building and formation of new access), as this was a leisure amenity to be provided within the Green Belt under Paragraph 89 of the NPPF, and mirrored in the Local Plan. The applicant has attempted to show that the proposed development would have less of an impact on the Green Belt than the extant consent. However, the images in the Design and Access Statement supporting this claim are misleading and bear no relation to the consented building.There are no supporting ecological and biodiversity surveys with the application, and FPC considers such information to be essential before considering any development in the Green Belt. Felbridge Parish Council objects to this planning application to build nine flats and asks that the application be rejected for the reasons above.

TA/2020/1289: 132 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PD

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1295 The Lodge, Little Hedgecourt, Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2QQ

Resolved:  No Action

1st August 2020

TA/2020/1052 Garthfield Barn, London Road, Felbridge, RH19 2QZ

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council support the use of redundant buildings and the provision of smaller dwellings. However, Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about the sustainability of this location. It is considerably more than the 800m recommended walking distance from facilities and is therefore likely to cause a reliance on car based transport [ref:APP/D3830/W/16/3156544].  Vehicular access would be across an unmade track with no passing spaces and there would be a lack of residential amenity for the two dwellings with no garden being provided for the dwellings despite them being within a rural setting. It is also noted that this application would result in the loss of stables when applications to build stables elsewhere in the district and in Mid Sussex continue to be submitted, we are therefore concerned that removal of the stables could give rise to the construction of additional stabling within the Green Belt to fulfil this rural need. 

July 16th 2020

TA/2020/1121 Wychwood, Mill Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PF

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/825 Edenbrook, Wire Mill Lane, Newchapel, RH7 6HJ

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council are unable to comment on this application which will be determined by the Tandridge District Council legal team

TA/2020/1064 Ferndale, Domewood, Copthorne, RH10 3HD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned about the large increase in floor area and volume in the Green Belt. Additional concerns are raised regarding the potential impact on the neighbouring property of the long, flanking extension with windows.

TA/2020/1069 Churchill Stud, West Park Road, Newchapel RH7 6HT

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/1147 Hunters Oak, 102 Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2NU

Resolved: No Action

July 2nd 2020

TA/2020/909 17 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2NR (Advertisement)

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council object strongly to such a prominent advertising sign in an Area of Special Advertisement Control and note that previous similar signs in Felbridge were removed immediately.

TA/2020/831 Herons Bonsai, Wiremill Lane, Felbridge RH7 6HJ

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council support this type of proposal by a local business in the Green Belt supporting local employment.

TA/2020/999 Pooks Hill Cottage, Domewood, Copthorne RH10 3HD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned by the footprint increase caused by the proposed new garage.

TA/2020/788 Land to West of Arlington, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge RH19 2RB

Resolved: In principle, Felbridge Parish Council have no objection to the works, but wish to highlight that this application has been validated without a Heritage Statement.  A Roman Road runs across the site so works should not take place without Heritage advice.

June 2020

TA/2020/893 Casa Inca, 47A Copthorne Road, Felbridge (full response in document at foot of page)

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council object to this proposal. We are concerned that the amended existing and proposed plans for the application submitted on the 3rd of June show a material change to the front boundary of the property which has already been partially implemented, but the application description is only for additional drop kerbs.  Our reason for objection is on the grounds of impact upon Highway Safety. By the reduction in visibility sightline as a result of the change to the front boundary treatment which is not as per the approved landscaping plan approved by application 2016/299/Cond1 which approved the construction of a bell mouth brick entrance with railings above providing wider visibility splays, in particular to the east which is the nearside approaching traffic on the A264.

TA/2020/712 Woodland Farm, Copthorne Road, Felbridge RH19 2QG

Resolved:  No Action

21st May 2020

TA/2020/555 15-39 Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PP

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council would request that a planning condition is applied that appropriate signage is erected to ensure that 6 parking spaces specifically allocated to benefit the school drop off times (5.4 of the design and access statement) remain available for that purpose. For example, no parking 0730-0800 & 1430-1500 would prevent them being used for the whole day by residents, whilst retaining them for short duration visitors outside of the school drop-offs. Whilst enforcement of this could be difficult, we would prefer that something is put in place.

TA/2020/724 15 & 38 Crawley Down Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PP

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council are concerned that the group of dwellings in the north east corner of the site will have a greater massing effect upon the existing dwellings in Crawley Down Road. The latest layout shows a group of dwellings have been rotated in comparison with the outline layout, increasing the visual impact. We are also concerned about the loss of the bungalows from the housing mix as this was something that we had specifically requested during the community engagement as it was identified as a housing need in Felbridge.

TA/2020/744 Park Farm, Woodcock Hill, Febridge, RH19 2RB

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/811 Park Farm, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge, RH19 2RB

Resolved: No Action

7th May 2020

TA/2020/621 Long Ridge, Herons Close, Copthorne, RH10 3HF

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council consider this proposed extension to constitute inappropriate development.  Having gone from a bungalow to a two storey property, this extension would result in a 28.3% increase on the original dwelling which does not comply with DP13 Part E.

TA/2020/718 18 Warren Close, Felbridge, RH19 2PR

Resolved:  Felbridge Parish Council considered this revised application and found it suitable for approval. 

April 2020

TA/2020/643 Land between the Laurels and Oakview, London Road, Felbridge RH19 2QZ

The application is similar to a previous application to build three, albeit larger, detached houses submitted in November 2013 (2013/1637), which was refused by Tandridge District Council on 17th January 2014, and dismissed at appeal (APP/M3645/A/14/2219304) on 22nd October 2014. A further application (2015/2133) to build three houses was made by the applicant in December 2015 and refused by Tandridge District Council on 8th February 2016. The decision was not appealed.

Felbridge Parish Council (FPC) considers that the construction of three houses in the Green Belt is ‘inappropriate development’ which would result in material harm to the openness of the Green Belt. The applicant has not put forward a case for  ‘very special circumstances’ as to why the development should be granted consent. The development does not accord with the Tandridge Local Plan Policies DP10, or DP13 as the proposed development is not within a Defined Village, or the replacement of an existing structure. There are no substantial changes in the emerging local plan that would alter the position so far as this application is concerned.

The NPPF states that the construction of new buildings within the Green Belt will be considered inappropriate, unless ‘very special circumstances’ exist. There are certain exceptions to this but none of these apply in this case. The applicant appears to be relying on ‘limiting infilling within villages’. However the land in question clearly falls outside the built up area. The scattering of properties to the North does not form part of the built up area, or defined village.  The proposal would merge the village with the mainly rural properties surrounding and including Wards Farm, therefore creating a ribbon of development along the east side of the A22. This would cause harm to the openness of the Green Belt contrary to the NPPF.

FPC wish to draw attention to statements made by the Inspector in the 2014 appeal:

Para. 15: “Nevertheless, my impression is that the site does not display sufficient visual and practical characteristics, in terms of its physical proximity and relationship to key community features, to suggest it to be a discernible part of a village.”

Para.16: “The site comprises a substantial area of open land beyond this Defined Village boundary and its presence, far from reading as an undeveloped frontage within the village, marks some degree of transition from it to open countryside, in spite of the more sporadic pattern of residential development further to the north.” “I similarly find that the houses to the north also do not read as part of the village”.

 Para. 22: “I therefore conclude that the presence of the dwellings would result in a harmful reduction in openness and, accordingly, the development would be contrary to the Framework which seeks to ensure that the openness of the Green Belt is maintained. I attach substantial weight accordingly.”

 The applicant draws attention to housing need and how this will be met. The Examination of the TDC Local Plan was due to report just as the Covid-19 lockdown started. Therefore it would be premature to progress this application until such time as the Inspector has reached a conclusion relating to housing delivery.

In any event, FPC contends that the housing need should not be met by piecemeal construction causing harmful reduction in openness of the Green Belt surrounding Felbridge. Rather, additional housing should be provided within the built-up area.  It should be noted that within the ‘defined village’ 21 net additional dwellings were approved between 2015 and 2020, and 18 net additional dwellings approved between 2010 and 2014. This is without taking into the account the 121 units consented to the land south of Copthorne Road and Crawley Down Road on the border of Felbridge and Mid-Sussex

Felbridge Parish Council objects to the application and requests that it be refused.

TA/2020/405 Churchill Stud, West Park Road, Newchapel RH7 6HT. Erection of agricultural barn 

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/528 Lewiston , 107 Copthorne Road , Felbridge RH19 2PB . Single storey rear extension

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/620 Derry Beg, Domewood, Copthorne RH10 3HD. Single storey rear extension (CLUED) 

Resolved: No Action

2nd April 2020

TA/2020/353 11 Rowplatt Lane, Felbridge RH19 2PA

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/402 Haskins Snowhill, Snowhill Lane, Copthorne RH10 3EY

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/477 Taroona, Herons Lea, Copthorne, RH10 3HE

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/527 Lewiston, 107 Copthorne Road, Felbridge, RH19 2PB

Resolved:  No Action

19th March 2020

TA/2020/370 Chester Lodge, Woodcock Hill, Felbridge RH19 2RD

Resolved: Felbridge Parish Council support this proposal.  Councillors believe that the moderate enlargement to the office building does not represent inappropriate development in the green belt as it is directly supporting a rural business.

TA/2020/243 Pendinas, Herons Lea, Copthorne RH10 3HE (Revised Site Plan).

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/357 Long Acres Caravan and Camping Park, Lingfield RH7 6LE (CLUED)

Resolved:  No Action

TA/2020/352 Little Sandford, Snow Hill, West Sussex RH10 3EY

Resolved: FPC support this application as long as a suitable planning condition is applied to prevent the future subdivision of the plot such that the use of the new accommodation remains ancillary to the main property.

TA/2020/467 Ferndene, Lake View Road , Felbridge RH19 2QE

Resolved: No Action

TA/2020/86 Copthorne Stud, Effingham Road, RH10 3HY. Erection of nine dwellings with associated garages, access, parking and landscaping

Felbridge Parish Council objects to the application to build nine houses at Copthorne Stud, Effingham Road, RH10 3HY. FPC has reviewed the application and in particular the Design and Access Statement. However, Felbridge Parish Council would have liked to see the applicant lodging a clear plan showing the proposals and how they sit in respect of the whole site and the existing uses and the extant planning consent. From the information provided, FPC assumes that the existing framework of the barn building is demolished, but again there is no proper plan to compare showing the whole site as existing.

Felbridge Parish Council considers that the construction of nine houses in the Green Belt is ‘inappropriate development’ which would result in material harm to the openness of the Green Belt. The applicant has not put forward a case for  ‘very special circumstances’ as set out in Paragraph.145 of the NPPF. The development does not accord with the Tandridge Local Plan Policies DP10, or DP13 as the proposed development is not within a Defined Village, or the replacement of an existing structure of the same use. CSP1, to which the applicant also refers, states that the location of development should take place in built up areas (which are listed) where there is a choice of mode of transport, but this application does not accord with this policy. There are no substantial changes in the emerging local plan that would alter the position so far as this application is concerned.

Although the applicant has put forward a case that the site is ‘sustainable’, Felbridge Parish Council does not consider this location to be ‘sustainable’ for housing within the meaning of the NPPF. The applicant points out that Haskins garden centre and a Public House/Restaurant are close-by, but the provision of any basic amenities and services is, by the applicant’s own admission, approximately two miles away in Copthorne Village.

There is no bus service along Effingham Road, and the nearest bus stop (with the exception of an infrequent service to East Grinstead from West Park Road) is at The Duke’s Head which is about 20 minutes walk. The housing is therefore totally dependent on the use of the private car.

The Introduction to the Design and Access Statement states that the scheme would have regard to housing mix and affordable housing. However, in 6.27, the application states that the number of dwellings is under the threshold for the provision of affordable housing and therefore such provision is not required. The mix of housing is somewhat limited, being 9 x 3-bed dwellings and 1 x 4-bed dwelling.

Felbridge Parish Council raised no objection to the application 2018/1871 (Demolition of the existing single storey front element and the erection of a replacement structure with rear extension to the main sand-school building and formation of new access), as this was a leisure amenity to be provided within the Green Belt under Paragraph 89 of the NPPF, and mirrored in the Local Plan.  However, Felbridge Parish Councillors object to this planning application to build nine dwellings and asks that the application be rejected for the above reasons.