Planning

The local planning authority for Singleton and Charlton Parish is South Downs National Park. They consult on planning applications within the South Downs National Park. To see information on local planning applications go to, https://planningpublicaccess.southdowns.gov.uk/online-applications/

You can view all documents and comments associated with an application.

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council hold public meetings to discuss any complex applications. These meetings are advertised on the notice boards and website. If you have any comments or queries regarding planning applications, please contact the Parish Clerk via email – singletonparishcouncil1@gmail.com or telephone – 01243 811810.

Below are the current applications in this Parish.

Planning List – 12th September 2025 to 12th November 2025

Reference 25/00640/FUL

Matchbox Stable, A286,Grove Road, Singleton PO18 0EX

Change of use of Matchbox Stables annex from holiday/tourist accommodation to residential annex for use in association with Old Cottage

Planning Officer – Louise Kent

Deadline for Comments – 2^nd April 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment - We have studied this application and the supporting documentation and find nothing of concern. On balance, we feel that returning the property to residential use contributes to the ongoing stability of our community and we are therefore pleased to add our support to this proposal.

SDNP Comment – Refused

Reference 25/01812/HRA

6 Church Way, Singleton, PO18 0ET

Regulation 77 application – preliminary bat roost assessment report

Planning Officer – Jemma Frankland

Deadline for Comments – 19^th June 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment – Singleton PC supports the installation of domestic solar / loft insulation. This is in line with the SDNP Development Plan in which domestic solar for non-listed property is Permitted Development.

We are surprised at the number of applications for what we believe is Permitted Development, and we would encourage that these positive moves of installing solar / insulation which enhance life here in the National Park, are not disproportionately hampered by due diligence such as bat surveys without good cause.

SDNP Comment –

Reference 25/01818/HRA

13 Bankside Charlton Road, Singleton, PO18 0HT

Regulation 77 application – preliminary bat roost assessment report

Planning Officer – Jemma Frankland

Deadline for Comments – 19^th June 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment – Singleton PC supports the installation of domestic solar / loft insulation. This is in line with the SDNP Development Plan in which domestic solar for non-listed property is Permitted Development.

We are surprised at the number of applications for what we believe is Permitted Development, and we would encourage that these positive moves of installing solar / insulation which enhance life here in the National Park, are not disproportionately hampered by due diligence such as bat surveys without good cause.

SDNP Comment – Raise No Objection

Reference 25/01840/HRA

8 Church Way, Singleton, PO18 0ET

Regulation 77 application of the Habitats and Species Regulation (HRA) in relation to the installation of loft installation and solar panels on roof – Preliminary Bat Roost Assessment

Planning Officer – Jemma Frankland

Deadline for Comments – 18^th June 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment – Singleton PC supports the installation of domestic solar / loft insulation. This is in line with the SDNP Development Plan in which domestic solar for non-listed property is Permitted Development.

We are surprised at the number of applications for what we believe is Permitted Development, and we would encourage that these positive moves of installing solar / insulation which enhance life here in the National Park, are not disproportionately hampered by due diligence such as bat surveys without good cause.

SDNP Comment –

Reference 25/01815/HRA

9 Church Way, Singleton, PO18 0ET

Regulation 77 application – preliminary bat roost assessment report

Planning Officer – Jemma Frankland

Deadline for Comments – 17th June 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment – Singleton PC supports the installation of domestic solar / loft insulation. This is in line with the SDNP Development Plan in which domestic solar for non-listed property is Permitted Development.

We are surprised at the number of applications for what we believe is Permitted Development, and we would encourage that these positive moves of installing solar / insulation which enhance life here in the National Park, are not disproportionately hampered by due diligence such as bat surveys without good cause.

SDNP Comment –

Reference 25/01837/HRA

4 Church Way, Singleton, PO18 0ET

Regulation 77 application – preliminary bat roost assessment report

Planning Officer – Jemma Frankland

Deadline for Comments – 17th June 202

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment – Singleton PC supports the installation of domestic solar / loft insulation. This is in line with the SDNP Development Plan in which domestic solar for non-listed property is Permitted Development.

We are surprised at the number of applications for what we believe is Permitted Development, and we would encourage that these positive moves of installing solar / insulation which enhance life here in the National Park, are not disproportionately hampered by due diligence such as bat surveys without good cause.

SDNP Comment –

Reference 25/03682/TCA

Grove Cottage, Singleton, PO18 0EX

Notification of intention to reduce crown by 1-2m on 1 Magnolia Tree

Planning Officer – Henry Whitby

Deadline for Comments – 16^th October 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment –

SDNP Comment –

Reference 25/03096FUL

Northern and Western Transmitting Station, Trundle Hill, Singleton PO18 0AS

Replacement of 2 telecommunication masts

Planning Officer – Derek Price

Deadline for Comments – 22nd October 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment – We are requesting these conditions (specifically 1 and 3) because of the significance of the current extremely poor signal coverage in the villages, together with the importance of urgently improving this.

Despite what many mobile operators' coverage maps might say, there is very limited coverage across the villages themselves. This broadly and significantly impacts the village, community and even peoples' decisions to move to the villages. We would assume that this impact affects younger demographics more. As a Parish Council, we are working to improve the balance of demographics in the village. Performant telecommunications is now seen as a prerequisite for any house purchase.

The villages are sorely lacking.

With this context in mind, we request the following conditions.

1. Liaison & Consultation

We note that Goodwood Estate is the owner of these masts and the application. The Parish maintains an excellent relationship with Goodwood Estate, including regular participation in Aerodrome and Motor Circuit Consultation Committees, and many other engagements. For the period of time from application through to the end of the project, we request that Goodwood establishes a single point of contact as a Liaison (the Parish Council will do the same). Additionally, request that regular (cadence to be agreed) consultation meetings are held during the same time period, open to affected groups (similar to the Aerodrome and Motor Circuit consultation committees, but more regular and with an end

date)

The purpose of these sessions will be to ensure reasonable consultation on all matters of the project with the local community. To include, not exclusively, traffic and closures, access, long term communications assurance, short term communications disruption, for example as the project proceeds. For clarity, these consultations are not as part of any planning application, but assuming the application is granted, for consultation during the project.

2. Traffic Disruption and Goodwood events

We note that the application considers impact on traffic. It does not consider Goodwood events, some of which very significantly impact the traffic in the immediate area. This is a topic of continuous consultation between the Parish Council and Goodwood. We request that no traffic impacting activities for this application are undertaken during Goodwood events (including the short periods of time before and after when traffic is increased).

3. Improved Services

From the application documents:

3.3 from SDNP_25_03096_FUL-PLANNING_SUPPORTING_STATEMENT-2206400.pdf

states: "A modest increase in height (5 metres) to 35 metres in total and replacement of the collapsed east mast will provide a solution to the patchy signal coverage, and provide additional capacity."

Trundle Telecommunications Statement:

"4 The current temporary mast also provides network support for the Emergency Services Network, where all 4 emergency services use the EE 4G network. Currently the area lacks 5G infrastructure and the existing arrangement is both below expectations, and short term only. The proposed development will provide network coverage over a significant additional area. Improving the network is an important priority for the emergency services, and the required network coverage can only be achieved with the installation of the proposed development. An additional benefit would be the introduction of high capacity and greater range for 5G, thus reducing the need for additional installations."

As a Parish Council and residents subject to extremely poor signal coverage, we very much welcome improvements. However, there is an extremely vague 'coverage' document suggesting improvements, and comments such as above suggesting improvements. However there are no specific details. Radio engineering is a specific and complex engineering practice, not guesswork. As a Parish with these masts within the Parish and in close vicinity to the villages, there must be guarantees of 'Excellent' coverage across both villages from at least two independent mobile operators. We request that detailed radio planning coverage be shared with the Parish Council, including a consultation meeting to discuss as part of this application process.

Furthermore, that without this condition being met, the whole premise of the application be brought into question. We are not content with a vague promise of improvements.

SDNP Comment –

Reference 25/03913/TCA

Fiennes Cottage, Singleton, PO18 0EX

Notification of intention to reduce crown by 1.5m back to historic cut points on 1 Magnolia Grandiflora Tree

Planning Officer – Henry Whitby

Deadline for Comments – 3^rd November 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment – No Objection

SDNP Comment – Raise No Objection

Reference 25/04031/TCA

Little Meadow Cottage, Foxhall, Charlton, PO18 0HU

Notification of intention to crown reduce by 4m (all around) and to thin the interior of the tree by 10% on 1 Beech Tree.

Planning Officer – Henry Whitby

Deadline for Comments – 20th November 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment – No Objection

SDNP Comment – Raise No Objection

Reference 25/04301/TCA

The Fox Goes Free, Charlton, PO18 0HU

Notification of intention to reduce height by 2.5m (all around) on 1 Cherry Tree.

Planning Officer – Henry Whitby

Deadline for Comments – 8th December 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment – No Objection

SDNP Comment –

Reference 25/04408/LIS

Pricklows, Grove Road. Singleton PO18 0HA

Insertion of staircase from first floor to the attic

Planning Officer – Jemma Frankland

Deadline for Comments – 16^th December 2025

Singleton and Charlton Parish Council Comment –

SDNP Comment