THE MINUTES OF FRANT PARISH COUNCIL PLANNING MEETING AND AN EXTRA-ORDINARY  MEETING
HELD AT FRANT MEMORIAL HALL ON MONDAY 3 September 2007 AT 19:30

Present: Councillors Crookshank (Chairman), Burgess, Gray, Harris, Hewes, Mrs Howell, Mrs Myers and Rowland.
Also in attendance: one member of the public.

1.             TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES AND REASON FOR ABSENCE
Apologies received from Cllrs. Hall, Jeal and Mrs Scarborough; reasons noted and accepted.

2.             DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr. Hewes declared an interest in item 4 as a trustee of Bells Yew Green Village Hall.
Cllr. Gray declared an interest in item 3.2 planning application WD/2007/2409/F as an acquaintance of the applicant.

3              PLANNING MEETING
3.1          OPEN FORUM FOR PLANNING MATTERS
None.

3.2          RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
It was resolved to approve the following recommendations:
WD/2007/2338/F Frant Place – single storey infill extension to front of dwelling.
No objection.
WD/2007/2409/F Saxonbury House, Frant – conversion of redundant outbuildings to residential accommodation.
No objection but would recommend that a planning condition tying the new dwelling to the main property be imposed.
WD/2007/2361/F Pococksgate Farm, Mayfield Road, Frant – extension to existing implement shed for storage and use of agricultural machinery, hay & straw.
No objection.
WD/2007/2180/F Reflex Printed Plastics, Bells Yew Green – continued use of 1st floor and part pf ground floor for business visitors as a variation of condition 1 of temporary planning permission WD/2004/1674/F.
No objection to a further temporary permission subject to the same conditions to ensure there is no permanent residential use.
WD/2007/2469/F & 2470 LB Stone House, The Green - single storey extension at rear.
No objection. If planning permission is granted then a condition should be applied for the village green to be reinstated following any damage caused by construction vehicles/skips.

3.3          TO NOTE DECISIONS FROM WEALDEN DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
WDC planning approval
WD/2007/1411/F Court Lodge Down – stationing 2 railway trucks, signal shed, container and caravan to 31.08.2012.
WD/2007/1865/F Stone Cottage, Tangier Lane – alterations to garage.
WD/2007/1952/F 4 Lime Close – extension, alterations and new garage.
WD/2007/1582/F 3 Rushlye Cottages – garage.

WDC planning refusal
The Oast House, Down Lane – greenhouse and outbuilding.

3.4          TO RECEIVE REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
Application WD/2007/0621/MAJ for business units at Benhall Mill Road has been approved for B1 use only.
Draft Wealden Design Guide has been published; consultation ends 15.10.07. Cllr. Burgess to review guide for Frant ward, Cllr. Hewes for Bells Yew Green ward and Cllr. Hall for Eridge ward.

Other Planning Matters
Appeal for land at Barelands to be held 9.10.07.
WDC Enforcement to investigate activities at Cokers Down Barn, Bells Yew Green.
Leaflets received from South East Planning Aid, an organisation offering free planning advice.

4.             EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING
4.1          OPEN FORUM
None.

4.2          TO REVIEW IMPACT OF PROPOSED HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AT BENHALL MILL ROAD AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES/RESOURCES
Charles Church is expected to submit a planning application for 70 homes in Benhall Mill Road. Chairman met with Chris Moore, Land Director of Charles Church, and Harry Hudson from Green Issues, to discuss the impact of the development on the facilities within the parish. Items discussed were repairs to Bells Yew Green Village Hall, new play equipment on Frant Green and funds for maintaining new play equipment on the housing site; developers were sympathetic to the needs of the parish.
Discussion on the merits of installing a new roof and floor at the village hall when the structure is an old WW2 RAF hut. It was considered that it would be preferable to work towards achieving a new building.

4.3          TO CONSIDER ADOPTING RECREATION AREAS
Three recreation areas are planned for the new site, one of which will have play equipment. It was resolved to adopt the recreation areas subject to:

• Sign off of the recreation areas by the Parish Council to ensure the areas are of an acceptable standard.
• Agreement of a lump sum to be paid to the Parish Council to cover future maintenance.

Cllrs. were reminded that observations on the planning application would not be affected by any negotiations for parish improvements.