Minutes of Wadhurst Parish Council’s Planning Committee
Meeting held on Saturday 10 May 2008

Present :- Cllrs Bell, Berger (Chairman) Kent, Price, Wheeler, Ms H Whatmore
Mr Paul Warley was also in attendance  whilst the Tennis Club application was considered
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WD/2008/0954/F  Sacred Heart School, Mayfield Lane
Removal of dilapidated timber storage shed and construction of pre-cast concrete replacement store on adjacent vacant screened lane.
Cllr Bell  declared an interest and withdrew.
We have no objection in principle to a replacemen store but would prefer a painted or rendered blockwork construction instead of pre-cast concrete.

WD/2007/0059/F  The Old Forge Building, The Forge Cottage, St. James Square.
Alterations, single storey extension and change of use to restaurant..
Amended plans - Amended extract details including new flue on end elevation. Drawings date stamped 13.03.08.
We support this application but hope that the flue will be painted black.
Cllr Price left the meeting at 9.45am

WD/2008/0765/F  Courts 1 and 2, Wadhurst Tennis Club, Sparrows Green, Recreation Ground, South View Road, Sparrows Green.
Erection of 9 static columns with attached floodlights alongside  court Nos. 1 and 2  only.
Amended description and plan - Amended block plan, Revised scheme 9 columns. Additional technical data. Plans and technical data date stamped  29.04.08..
Cllr Bell returned at  9.45am
Although not unanimous the Committee decided that our previous “objection” comments dated 12 April 2008  still apply but  with the omission of the reference to “light spill”
In view of the previous discussion with full Council it was also decided that it should be raised at the next  full Council meeting on 13 May.

WD/2008/1117/F  Rhoden, Buckland Hill, Cousley Wood.
Conversion/extension of existing triple ggarage to form new garden room and ancillary spaces. New detached triple garage.
No objection.

WD/2008/0942/F  Blue Caps Stud Farm, Sleepers Stile Road, Lower Cousley Wood.
Tool store
No objection.

WD/2008/1201/F  Frankham, Wadhurst Road, Mark Cross
Convert existing two cottages into two garages with servant’s  flat above. New 2 bedroom gatehouse to serve Frankham Manor.
We support this application providing a Section 106 Agreement  is entered into with regard to the gatehouse.

WD/2008/0841/F  Wigram House, Mayfield Lane
Automated timber gates supported by brick and sandstone pillars with adjacent close boarded fencing replacing post and rail and 2 No. manual five bar type gates
It is noted that this is a retrospective application although its number does not indicate it as such. We strongly object to the application as it is grossly ostentatious and suburban in character. The applicant’s claim that it is necessary to protect his children is irrelevant, as he must have been aware of the likely situation at the time of purchase of the property on a busy main road. Most families are able to control their children when negotiating the entrance to their homes without constructing one with such a fortress like appearance

WD/2008/1208/O  The Mission Hall, Monks Lane,
Replacement of existing redundant building with 3 bedroom dwelling.
We strongly object to this proposal and to the loss  of a historic building, particularly as apparently a similar Salvation Army building was lost in Sparrows Green in the early 1990’s. We also question whether it need be redundant if enough effort is made to find a suitable tenant.
A new dwelling would conflict with the requirements of local plan policy in that it is well outside any development boundary. In fact it is unlikely that any of the dwellings in Monks Lane, apart from that serving Nutlands Farm, would be allowed now for the same reason.
Further, clearly a dwelling would involve an additional traffic hazard in this narrowest part of the lane close to the junction with the B2100 road

WD/2008/1087/F  Wyverne House, Windmill Lane
Proposed infill to form new lobby and downstairs WC.No objection.

WD/2008/0886/F  Wadhurst Park, near Wenbans Farm, Wenbans Lane.
Demolition of redundant deer quarantine building and construction of a semi-detached pair of ECO cottages to accommodate estate workers employed by Wadhurst Park.
Although we had difficulty in identifying the precise location in the Park we have no objection provided a Section 106 Agreement is entered into and that the cottages are let only to estate workers
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B S D Berger  Chairman     10 May 2008