The West Sussex Council's Planning and Rights of Way Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 7 October 2025, to discuss several planning and rights of way issues. The meeting will include discussion of two Definitive Map Modification Orders (DMMOs) relating to bridleways and footpaths in the Chanctonbury and Horsham areas. The committee will also review a list of current planning applications, DMMOs, Town and Village Green applications (TVGs) and Public Path Orders (PPOs) under investigation.

Rights of Way in Nuthurst

The committee will be considering a report regarding DMMO 8/19, an application to add a bridleway from Sedgwick Lane to Bridleway 1713 in Nuthurst. Councillor Nigel Jupp is the local member for the Southwater & Nuthurst Electoral division.

The application seeks to add a bridleway along the north drive of Sedgwick Park, as shown on the report plan. According to the report pack, a previous application (DMMO 12/96) to add the north drive as a byway open to all traffic was unsuccessful after a public inquiry in 2005. The current application is based on what the applicant claims is new user and archive evidence.

According to the report pack, following publication of the July report, further evidence was submitted by Clare Skelton, an adjoining landowner and supporter of the application. It was felt that given the amount of evidence sent in that officers needed more time to review it so that a proper and reasoned recommendation and decision on the evidence as a whole could be made and so the decision was made to withdraw the matter from the Committee's agenda in July and to bring an updated report to a later Committee once the evidence had been examined.

The report pack states that the committee will be asked to consider whether a Definitive Map Modification Order should be made, under Section 53(2) in consequence of an event specified in sub-section 53(3)(c)(i) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, to add a bridleway to the definitive map and statement for Horsham between Sedgewick Lane and BW 1713.

Rights of Way in Chanctonbury

The committee will also consider a report about DMMO 6/24, an application to add a footpath along Springlands Lane in Chanctonbury, from the intersection with footpath 2563/1 to the intersection with footpath 2566/1. Councillor Sarah Payne is the local member for the Henfield Electoral division.

The application, received on 15 January 2024, is based on user evidence. The report pack notes that 47 user evidence forms support the application, attesting to use of the claimed route from 1940 to 2024. The landowners contest the application, believing the track is private.

The report pack states that the committee will be asked to consider whether a Definitive Map Modification Order should be made, under Section 53 (2) in consequence of an event specified in sub-section 53 (3) (c) (i) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, to add a footpath along Springlands Lane from the intersection with footpath 2563/1 and the intersection to 2566/1, to the definitive map and statement for Chanctonbury.

Planning Applications

The committee will be invited to note a report on current planning applications, DMMOs, TVGs and PPOs under investigation. The report pack includes tables summarising:

• Mineral and Waste (County Matter) Planning Applications
• Regulation 3 Planning Applications
• Current DMMOs under investigation
• Current Town and Village Green (TVG) applications under investigation
• Public Path Orders (PPOs)

Amongst the planning applications listed is a proposal from Wienerberger Ltd for the discharge of conditions relating to the working and restoration scheme at Langhurstwood Quarry.

Also included is an application from Britaniacrest Recycling Ltd for the variation of conditions relating to extraction and restoration at Washington Sand Pit.

A further planning application from Penfold Verrall Limited concerns a proposed extension to an existing haulage and plant maintenance depot at The Haulage Yard to enable an inert waste transfer and recycling facility.

The report pack also lists several planning applications from Southern Water, including one for the discharge of a condition relating to a drainage verification report at Cinder Hill Lane Wastewater Treatment Works, and another for the discharge of a condition relating to biodiversity net gain at Lavant Wastewater Treatment Works.

There are also two planning applications relating to Freshfield Lane Brickworks, one for the installation of carports fitting with solar panels and rainwater harvesting facilities, and another for the installation of a modular building.

The report pack also lists a planning application from WSCC Assistant Director of Property & Assets for the discharge of conditions relating to a landscaping scheme at land east of Lyminster village.

Another planning application from WSCC Assistant Director of Property & Assets concerns the demolition of a redundant outbuilding at North Lodge, County Hall.

The report pack also lists a planning application from WSCC Assistant Director of Property & Assets for the construction of a new four arm roundabout at Comet Corner, and another for the erection of temporary school buildings at Pound Hill Junior School.

Public Path Orders

The report pack notes that there are two Public Path Orders (PPOs) currently under consideration. These are a diversion of part of Footpath 814 in Loxwood, and a diversion of part of Footpath 2475 in Thakeham.