The Chairman read out a statement which informed the meeting that, following the Inspector’s letter indicating that Central Bedfordshire Council had failed the Duty to Co-operate in relation to the Development Strategy, full Council had approved a judicial challenge to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.  The first phase of the judicial challenge had taken place at a hearing on 16 June but the Judge had not supported the Council’s case to grant the Council leave to appeal.  As a result the Council lodged an appeal against the judgement and the weight accorded to the Development Strategy in decision making should be viewed in that context.

Councillors and members of the public were advised by the Chairman that the order of business would be varied and considered as follows:

After 10:00am: items 6, 7, 9 and 8

After 1.00pm: items 13, 11, 10 and 12

The Chairman reminded Councillors and members of the public to silence their mobile phones for the duration of the meeting.

The Chairman avised that a site inspection had been undertaken by most members of the Committee in respect of most of the applications on the agenda.

Subject to declarable interests all Members of the Committee have the right to vote on all matters of business considered by the Committee.

Rule No. 13.5.5. of the Constitution states that Members do not vote or take part in the meeting’s discussions on a proposal unless they have been present to hear the entire debate, including the officer’s introduction to the matter.

The  Chairman, under Part E3 paragraph 9.2 has a second or casting vote should there be equal numbers of votes for and against an item.  This provision makes it quite clear that the Chairman is entitled to vote on any item of business.  There is no restriction or limitation on how the second or casting vote should be exercised nor is there a requirement that the right be exercised at all.

To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 24 June 2015.

(previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on the 24 June 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest including membership of Parish/Town Council consulted upon during the application process and the way in which any Member has cast his/her vote.

AGREED

that the monthly update of planning enforcement cases where action has been taken, as identified in the report of the Director of Regeneration and Business, be received.

In advance of consideration of the following planning applications the Committee received a Late Sheet advising it of additional consultation/publicity responses, comments and proposed additional/amended conditions.  A copy of the Late Sheet is attached as an appendix to these Minutes.

During consideration of some of the applications the Committee received representations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 3 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Address :      Land West of Bidwell (Houghton Regis North Site 2), Houghton Regis

                        Outline ‘hybrid’ planning application with details of main access routes, primary road network and associated drainage in detail only and layout in outline with details of landscaping, appearance and scale reserved for later determination.  Development to comprise: Up to 1,850 residential (C3) dwellings (including affordable housing), 2FE Primary School (D1), employment land (Use Classes B1 [a-c], B2 & B8), local centre comprising retail (A1, A2, A3, A4 & A5) and community/leisure uses (D1 & D2), layout of public open spaces including sports pitches and changing rooms, natural wildlife areas and all associated works and operations including engineering operations and earthworks.           

Applicant :    Bidwell West Consortium

RESOLVED

That, subject to the prior consultation of the Secretary of State, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009, the completion of a Section 106 Agreement the Development Infrastructure Group Manager be authorised to grant Planning application No. CB/15/00297/OUT relating to Land West of Bidwell (Houghton Regis North Site 2), Houghton Regis subject to no call in being made by the Secretary of State and Conditions as set out in the Schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Land at Thorn Turn, Thorn Road, Houghton Regis

                        Outline appliacation: B1, B2 & B8 employment with associated infrastructure and ancillary works.  All matters reserved except means of access. 

Applicant :    CBC Assets

RESOLVED

That, subject to the prior consultation of the Secretary of State, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2009, the completion of a Section 106 Agreement the Development Infrastructure Group Manager be authorised to grant Planning application No. CB/15/01928/REG3 relating to Land at Thorn Turn, Thorn Road, Houghton Regis subject to no call in being made by the Secretary of State and Conditions as set out in the Schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Land East of Hitchin Road South of 159 Hitchin Road, Stotfold Hitchin SG5 4JH

                        Outline Application: new lower school (All matters reserved).           

Applicant :    Lochailort Stotfold Ltd

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/01355/OUT relating to Land East of Hitchin Road South of 159 Hitchin road, Stotfold, Hitchin SG5 4JH be granted, subject to the completion of a S106 Planning Obligation and as set out in the Schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Former Pig Unit, Hitchin Road, Stotfold, Hitchin, SG5 4JG

                        Demolition of all existing buildings and dwellings.  Erection of 116 dwellings and a 70 bedroom care home with access, parking, open space and ancillary works.          

Applicant :    Lochailort Stotfold Ltd

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/14/04048/FULL relating to the Former Pig Unit, Hitchin Road, Stotfold, Hitchin SG5 4JG be granted as set out in the Schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Leighton United Football Club, Stanbridge Road, Tilsworth LU& 9PL

                        Installation comprising 1no. 17.5m Column A Mast, 3no antennas, 2no. 0.6mdia dishes, 6no. cabinets and ancillary equipment thereto, enclosed within 2.2m high chainlink fence around 5x7m compound, with 1no. meter cabinet within fenceline.

Applicant :    EE Ltd

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/01762/FULL relating to Leighton United Football Club, Stanbridge Road, Tilsworth LU7 9PL be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Mount Pleasant Golf Course, Station Road, Lower Stondon, Henlow SG!6 6JL

                        9 hole extension to existing golf course through the importation of inert waste, incorporating landscaping works and water harvesting system.       

Applicant :    Edward Landor Associates

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/01454/MW relating to Mount Pleasant Golf Course, Station Road, Lower Stondon, Henlow SG16 6JL be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Larkswood Ltd, Bedford Road, Aspley Guise, Milton Keynes MK17 8DJ

                        Part demolition of existing buildings, erection of 10 dwellings and retention of existing office building on site frontage.   

Applicant :    RBC Property Developments Ltd

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/01111/FULL relating to Larkswood Ltd, Bedford Road, Aspley Guise, Milton Keynes MK17 8DJ be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Hillside, Chalk Hill, Houghton Regis

                        Change of use from private dwelling to HMO   

Applicant :    Mr Peter Wright

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/01095/FULL relating to Hillside, Chalk Hill, Houghton Regis be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these minutes.

Under the provisions of the Members Planning Code of Good Practice, Members are requested to note that Site Inspections will be undertaken on Monday 17 August 2015.

RESOLVED

That all members of the Committee be invited to conduct site inspections on Monday 17 August 2015.