Parish Cllr. K. Aldridge, T. Glitheroe, B. Reeves. 5 members of the public, County Cllr. Pieter Montyn and District Councillor Keith Martin

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1 1 EAST WITTERING AND BRACKLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2017 AT BRACKLESHAM BARN, BEECH AVENUE, BRACKLESHAM PRESENT: Council Members Cllr. S. Main (Chair) Cllr. G. Breeze Cllr. T. Dixon Cllr. P. Kensington Cllr. R. Lowe Cllr. O Sullivan Cllr. D. Parker APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Parish Cllr. K. Aldridge, T. Glitheroe, B. Reeves IN ATTENDANCE: 5 members of the public, County Cllr. Pieter Montyn and District Councillor Keith Martin (Abbreviations: West Sussex County Council (WSCC), Chichester District Council (CDC)) The Council sent best wishes to Cllr. Glitheroe and wished her a speedy recovery Declarations of Interest None Minutes of the last meeting The minutes of the meeting held on 10 August 2017 were confirmed by the Council as a correct record and signed by the Chairman Casual Vacancy The Council received the resignation of Kay Rivers, thanked her for all her hard work and wished her all the best in the future. The vacancy is following the normal procedure. The Parish Council will know on 19 September whether there will be a byelection or a co-option. This item will be on the October agenda. District Cllr. Susan Taylor arrived Public Questions. Concern was raised by a Parishioner that the large 4 axle, 40 ton delivery lorries were using the very narrow country lane, Bookers Lane, to access the site in Clappers Lane. Both County Councillor Pieter Montyn and District Councillor Keith Martin were asked if they could report this with a view to stopping the use of such an unsuitable lane. The Clerk was also asked to report this to CDC. The Clerk was asked to report footpath no. 2 to WSCC as being impassable. The Clerk was asked to instruct the litterpicker to clear some underwear from the entrance from Bracklesham Park to Harmony Drive Reports from County and District Councillors District Cllr. Susan Taylor reported that the Site Allocation document is being prepared which includes dedicated local centre proposal for East Wittering. As a result of a Government White Paper there may be an increase in planning charges of up to 20% but this will be ring fenced. CDC is introducing a new post in planning and dependent on the increase in charges may expand the planning department with 2 further new posts. District Cllr. Keith Martin reported that CDC may provide enforcement officers for litter offences and dog fouling. The Parish Council asked if it would be more efficient to give these powers to the existing Community Warden rather than employ another person.

2 County Cllr. Pieter Montyn reported that the mobile refuse site at Marine Drive Car Park will be altering its time by one hour during the winter. The traffic jam on the Friday before August Bank Holiday was partly due to roadworks Finance Cllr. Main had agreed and signed the bank reconciliation prior to the meeting The Council received a statement of the current financial position The Council received the following list of previously agreed payments withdrawn since the July meeting. STANDING ORDERS,DIRECT DEBITS AND PAYMENTS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED IN AUGUST PARISH COUNCIL CHQ Wittering Walk Office rent Ramar Accounting Payroll Processing HMRC Tax and NIC Lloyds Bank Charges 5.00 Konica Minolta Photocopier hire 0.00 BT Phone line Konica Minolta Photocopies 0.00 SMR Solicitors Land Registry J Griffith Salary 1, K Gardiner Salary WSCC Pensions A. Griffith Handyman and grass cutting 1, Joubert Bookkeeping Chawton Hill Architect new build 6, J. Manuel Refreshments for grd breaking ceremony Chairman's Allowance Cash Mountjoy Ltd Downview Hall build 221, Total 233, BRACKLESHAM BARN BT B Barn Mobile Broadband BT Phone line BT Phone line O2 B Barn Mobile Castle Water B Barn Water 9.71 Eon Electricity Eon Gas Aug Gas Aug Filmbank Film night Hinshelwood Sec dep return Snell Sec dep return Eberhardt Sec dep return Hicks Magee Sec dep return N Gardiner Duty Manager D Sarbutts Caretaker 1, Foremost Sundries - cleaning

3 3 E Wood Sec dep return D. Page Sec dep return Brandwave Sec dep return Total 4, Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Parker the following payments totalling 14, were agreed by the Council. PAYMENTS FOR APPROVAL PARISH COUNCIL CHQ Joyce Griffith Clerk's Salary 1, K Gardiner Clerk's assistants salary West Sussex County Council Pension Contribution-Aug Wages A Griffith Handyman services Aug A Griffith Grass Cutting Aug A Griffith Grass Verges Aug Ardhen Bookkeeping Bookkeeping services for Aug Wittering Walk Office Electricity PKF External Auditors Auditing services Chawton Hill Architect Downview Hall 6, SMR Solicitors Land Registry Henry Adams Parish lands tenancy agreement Cash Petty cash Total 13, BRACKLESHAM BARN A Griffith Grass Cutting Aug David Sarbutts Caretaking 1, Total 1, Total Payments 14, Receipts for the period to RECEIPTS FOR PERIOD 25 July to 31 August 2017 Parish Council - Including Precepts Woodger Trust /Downview Hall 184, VAT 3, Sub Total Parish Council 187,585.74

4 4 Bracklesham Barn Regular hirer income 1, Wedding Income 1, One off hire 1, Sub Total Bracklesham Barn 4, Total Receipts 192, Signatories. Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Dixon the Council agreed that Cllr. Aldridge become an authorised cheque signatory Internal Audit Procedure. Proposed by Cllr. Parker, seconded by Cllr. Lowe the Council agreed to appoint Mr. Stuart Dobbin as its internal auditor for External Audit Certificate. The Council received the external auditor s certificate noted the comments made by the External Auditor /02138/FUL Royal Oak Stocks Lane East Wittering Chichester West Sussex PO20 8BS Demolition of the former public house and erection of a two storey terrace of 9 no. dwellings (consisting of 7 no. 3 bedroom units and 2 no. 4 bedroom units) with under croft and parking to the rear and the erection of 1 no. 2 bedroom bungalow. The Chair clarified that the Parish Council does not make the final decision on planning applications but is invited to make recommendations. Chichester District Council makes the final decision. Cllr. Breeze spoke of reasons to object to this application. The Council fully supported his view. On a proposal by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Parker the Council unanimously objected to this application. District Cllrs. Susan Taylor and Keith Martin supported the Parish Council s decision. The Parish Council s recommendation forms an attachment to this minute but can also be found on the Chichester District Council s website Broken Glass The Chair read out two letters of apology received from local children who were found on CCTV breaking a bottle against Bracklesham Barn CCTV. The Clerk reported that the Government s Information Commissioners Office (ICO) has confirmed that the Parish Council can legally cover the play areas and parks with CCTV. There will be signs advising that this is happening. The CCTV will only be viewed by those with authorisation Tourism Policy. The Clerk provided a draft policy for consideration. Proposed by Cllr. O Sullivan, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed to adopt the policy with the inclusion of green links to Medmerry Christmas Lights. The Council received a report from Cllr. Dixon of the Working Party. Despite chasing up it is still waiting for a response from Paine Manwaring regarding the festive lights this year. The Clerk applied to WSCC for two tree pits and provided all the details they requested and has chased them to get a response but is still waiting. This will be on the next Agenda.

5 Winter Maintenance Plan Proposed by Cllr. Kensington, seconded by Cllr. Parker the Council agreed to adopt the Winter Maintenance Plan 2017/18 produced by the Clerk. Cllr. Brian Reeves arrived The Council agreed that the Councillors responsible for the Winter Maintenance Plan to decide on a suitable location for grit storage Proposed by Cllr. Parker, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed a budget of 1000 to cover the provision of a grit bin and payments to Andrews Ground Maintenance to tow the gritter as and when required. Cllr. Pieter Montyn left the meeting Funfairs in Downview and Bracklesham Park The Council unanimously agreed to abide by its policy of no funfairs in Downview because of disturbance to the nearby neighbours and the risk damage to the ground Proposed by Cllr. Reeves, seconded by Cllr. Parker the Council agreed to a one off trial for a children s funfair in Bracklesham Park for 7 days in August. Conditions were to agree a date that would have the least effect on users of the Barn, that the funfair closes at 7pm every night and the charge to be agreed by the Council. 2 members of the public left the meeting Downview Hall Very pleased with the speed of the work but unfortunately the recent bad weather has had an effect but hopefully not set back too much. The steel framework is going up fast and a smaller crane had to be ordered for it to fit into the site Bracklesham Park and Barn The Clerk reported that the previously agreed Wedding Licence is in the process of being renewed for another 3 years from November Proposed by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Kensington the Council agreed the Bracklesham Barn Fire Risk Assessment produced by the Clerk Electrical Certifcation. The Council considered whether to close the Barn during the week or spend more to have the work done at the weekend. In order to achieve least disruption to the hirers on a proposal by Cllr. Breeze, seconded by Cllr. Kensington the Council agreed to pay per circuit test for it to be completed at weekends Car Park Lighting Upgrade. The Clerk reported that weather permitting this work should be completed next week Cinema Ticket Sales procedure. This item was deferred to the October meeting Parish Lands Farm Tenancies. The Clerk reported that the two new Farm Tenancies for Mr. Stuart Strange and Mr. Adrian Strange have now been signed and completed.

6 Land Registry. The Clerk reported that the registration of the parish land at Downview has now been completed. District Councillor Susan Taylor left the meeting Noticeboards at Bracklesham Post Office and outside Footworks. Proposed by Cllr. Kensington, seconded by Cllr. Breeze the Council agreed a cost of 90 to refurbish the hinges and locks on these oak noticeboards Playground Repairs. The Clerk reported that there were two costly repairs required, one at Downview and one at Bracklesham Park. The Clerk to costs to Councillors when available Grass Verges extra cuts This item to be deferred to January Stubcroft Garden Neighbourhood Development. The Council noted the proposal put forward to the CDC Local Plan Review for approx. 800 houses north of Stocks Lane. It felt that the infrastructure would not cope and if necessary would be looking to address this proposal with other Parish Council s on the Manhood Peninsula Parish Council Office. To consider any matters regarding the office. None Urgent matters that the Chairman wishes to bring to the attention of the Council. None. Signed Chairman Date THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE AT 7PM ON THURSDAY 12 OCTOBER 2017 AT BRACKLESHAM BARN, BEECH AVENUE, BRACKLESHAM.

7 7 17/02138/FUL Demolition of the former public house and erection of a two storey terrace of 9 no. dwellings (consisting of 7 no. 3 bedroom units and 2 no. 4 bedroom units) with undercroft and parking to the rear and the erection of 1 no. 2 bedroom bungalow. Royal Oak Stocks Lane East Wittering Chichester West Sussex PO20 8BS The Parish Council objects to this application. There are four issues to consider here: (1) The Emerging Parish Neighbourhood Plan (NP). Which, includes several Policies relating to housing and tourism. (2) The Chichester District Council s Site Allocation Document, which deals with Settlement Hubs and Village centres. The Royal Oak has been included in that document and is therefore part of the Village Centre which means that it is classed as retail and shopping. Policy 29 of CDC s local plans confirms that such Village Centres will be protected. The Parish Council approved the decision to include the Royal Oak within the Village Centre and communicated this fact to CDC who also approved it (3) The East Wittering and Bracklesham Parish Council s Tourism Policy. (4) The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) The Emerging Parish Neighbourhood Plan (NP) is of major consideration in making a decision to object to this application. In the Applicant s Planning statement, on page 17, Point 5.6.6, he makes much of the fact that the Parish Neighbourhood Plan (EWBNP) states that the parish council have approved the site for housing and includes a map to confirm this. This is not strictly accurate as can be explained in Policy 2 of the EWBNP. The EWBNP required that we make a "call for sites" so that land owners had the opportunity to offer land for development. The EWBNP steering group then drew up a list of possible sites, most of which were considered unsuitable because at that time they could not provide or achieve the number of houses (180) required by the CDC. Point on page 17 of the applicant s Planning Statement says: The application site had been identified by the EWBNP Steering Group as a future development site (Site Number 2). This is not strictly true. Policy 2 of the EWBNP, which deals with housing sites, states on page 27, Para 5.13: The call for sites identified a number of previously developed sites and empty or underused buildings some of which have been considered for housing. (see Map Plan F) This includes the potential re-allocation of some employment and other land uses (Cobham and Co-op sites for example) for residential use, where it was felt land was no longer required or appropriate for the original purpose. In the second sentence, note the word potential and the phrase where it was felt land was no longer required or appropriate for the original purpose. That is not carte blanche identification of a site for housing for all time. Under Policy 9 of the EWBNP, which deals with employment it states: Proposals that result in the loss of an existing employment or business use, will be resisted, unless it can be demonstrated that its continued use is no longer viable. Proposals to expand an existing

8 8 employment or business use will be supported, provided their impact on flood risk, local amenity, traffic and landscape can be satisfactorily mitigated. The Royal Oak employed a small number of staff. We should try to at least use the site for employment if possible. The building of 10 dwellings will not provide any permanent employment in the long term once they have been built. Policy 11 of the EWBNP deals with the East Wittering Village centre. The statement reads: The Neighbourhood Plan designates an East Wittering Village Centre, as shown on the Policies Map, for the purposes of applying other development plan policies to manage applications for new development and changes of use. Within the centre, proposals that will result in the loss of any A1-A5 retail/commercial frontage to a non-retail/commercial use will be restricted. Proposals for new retail/commercial development in the centre will be supported, provided the scheme: i. Makes provision for additional car parking spaces; and ii. Either makes provision for, or makes a financial contribution towards the betterment of the village centre, and the seafront. This application does nothing to replace the loss of the Royal Oak commercial business. Policy13 of the EWBNP deals with tourism and states: Proposals resulting in the loss of an existing tourism use will be resisted, unless it can be demonstrated that its continued use is no longer viable. Proposals to expand on an existing tourist use will be supported, providing that the impact on flood risk, local amenity, traffic and landscape can be satisfactorily mitigated. This application does nothing to replace the loss of the tourism factor previously supplied by the Royal Oak. On four policies, this application is contrary to the parish EWBNP. There is an analogy here with Credowan who tried to market their site as a commercial site for over two years. Churchill put in an application for 26 dwellings but they had to wait for a further two years before CDC even considered the application. This was to ensure that no commercial company was interested in the site. The Royal Oak site should be subject to the same conditions. The Parish has already complied with the Chichester Local requiring 180 homes to be built in the parish. Already that number has been exceeded and we do not require further housing at this time. The application does nothing at all for the tourist industry on which the area is reliant. The site is ideal for a small hotel catering for those visitors who require something more substantial than caravan sites and B&B s. Tourism and its income are vital to both CDC and the Parish as per the Chichester Local Plan, Chichester Plan Local Review 2034 and the emerging Parish Neighbourhood Plan. As part of CDC's Site Allocation: Proposed Submission, which forms part of the Development Plan Document the Royal Oak site has been included within the boundaries of East Wittering Local Centre Site Allocation which has been submitted to the Planning Inspector for approval and adoption into the local plan. See Policy 29 of the Chichester Local Plan Key Policies pages The Royal Oak already had a small number of rooms for visitors and is ideally placed in the village close to its tourist facilities. It is vital to retain the site as capable of continuing to be used as holiday accommodation. In accordance with the Parish Neighbourhood Plan, the site should be retained for holiday use.

9 Parish Council s Tourism Policy States: As a popular coastal village on a peninsula approximately 7 miles south of Chichester its main economic activity is tourism. The Parish Council fully appreciates the importance of tourism to the village and the benefits gained by the community as a whole in terms of having, apart from employment opportunities, shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants which are viable only because of tourism, so it works with the local businesses to promote the village and the services offered to visitors. It further states: The local economy is heavily dependent on tourism, agriculture and horticulture, resulting in a relative lack of employment opportunities with many local jobs seasonal and poorly paid. The development of green tourism could extend the season and increase the viability of the tourism economy. Being located on the coast, tourism provides a major employment opportunity for the area; the aim of development on the Peninsula is to sustain and enhance tourism provision. The settlement has particular potential to develop water-based recreational activities, such as surfing and kite surfing. The facilitation of improved access to the seafront through development will be encouraged as will improved linkages between the village centres and the coast. The Parish Council will not support development that it considers would be detrimental to its tourism industry. The Parish Council would support the development of tourism that enhances the area and extends the tourist season which in turn would boost the local economy. This application does not conform to the Parish Council s Tourism Policy. The Parish needs holiday accommodation to encourage tourists back into the area and to provide much needed employment for locals and income for local businesses. Local businesses have reported losses since the closure of Richardson s. Although nowhere near the capacity of Richardson s nevertheless a hotel on the Royal Oak site would help counter the loss of tourist facilities in the area. East Wittering needs this site to remain as capable of providing holiday accommodation in order that the local economy can survive. Policy 30 of the Chichester Local Plan states that the loss of existing tourist accommodation will only be permitted where there is no proven demand for the facility and it can no longer make a positive contribution to the Local economy. The last tourism accommodation study carried out on behalf of Chichester District Council identified a shortage of holiday accommodation in the Manhood Peninsular and identified East Wittering as a good location for traditional holiday accommodation. The opportunity should not be lost. The analogy with Credowan must be taken into account and the applicant should wait for a period of two years to ensure that no commercial company is interested in the site. The Royal Oak site should be subject to those same conditions. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) outlines that the Government is committed to securing economic growth both in urban and rural areas. It supports tourism and a prosperous rural economy. This site is important to the local economy in East Wittering and Bracklesham and forms an important part of the tourism industry of the parish. This application is contrary to: 9 (a) The emerging Parish Neighbourhood Plan (b) The Chichester Local Plan, (c) The Chichester Local Plan Review 2034,

10 10 (d) The Parish Council s Tourism Policy and (e) NPPF. This site should remain available for tourism use. Only if it is shown that there is no demand after proper marketing, it should a change of use to housing be made. EAST WITTERING AND BRACKLESHAM PARISH COUNCIL TOURISM POLICY Adopted on 14 September 2017 As a popular coastal village on a peninsula approximately 7 miles south of Chichester its main economic activity is tourism. The Parish Council fully appreciates the importance of tourism to the village and the benefits gained by the community as a whole in terms of having, apart from employment opportunities, shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants which are viable only because of tourism, so it works with the local businesses to promote the village and the services offered to visitors. The Parish Council supports the Destination Plan produced by the Manhood Peninsula Partnership and the Chichester District Council Local Plan Policies on tourism in this area. The local economy is heavily dependent on tourism, agriculture and horticulture, resulting in a relative lack of employment opportunities with many local jobs seasonal and poorly paid. The development of green tourism and important green links with Medmerry could extend the season and increase the viability of the tourism economy. Being located on the coast, tourism provides a major employment opportunity for the area; the aim of development on the Peninsula is to sustain and enhance tourism provision. The settlement has particular potential to develop water-based recreational activities, such as surfing and kite surfing. The facilitation of improved access to the seafront through development will be encouraged as will improved linkages between the village centres and the coast. The Parish Council will not support development that it considers would be detrimental to its tourism industry. The Parish Council would support the development of tourism that enhances the area and extends the tourist season which in turn would boost the local economy.