Address:       Public Convenience, Duck Lane, Woburn, MK17 9PT

Redevelopment of a brownfield site within the infill boundary with a residential development of 1 new dwelling. Demolition of the existing public conveniences.

Applicant:     Goldcrest Developments (MK) Ltd

The Committee had before it a report regarding the redevelopment of a brownfield site within the infill boundary with a residential development of one new dwelling and demolition of the existing public conveniences at Duck Lane, Woburn, MK17 9PT.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee’s attention was drawn to additional consultation/publicity responses and additional comments as set out in the Late Sheet.  The planning officer also advised the meeting of an error on line 1 of recommended condition 3.  The condition should be amended to read “All new doors and windows should be timber and detailed…”

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received representations from Woburn Parish Council and the agent for the applicant under the public participation scheme.  In addition the Chairman advised Members that a person who had been registered to speak on behalf of Bedford Estates, which objected to the application, had been unable to attend the meeting because of the weather conditions.  It was noted that she lived some distance from the Council Offices.  The Chairman advised, however, that the registered speaker had prepared a statement and he read out a copy on her behalf.

A Member sought clarification regarding reference in the absent speaker’s statement that the public convenience was currently in use.  In response the Chairman stated that the most recent use was as a public convenience for which it had not been used for some time.

Another Member sought clarification from the agent for the application regarding her use of the phrase ‘pastiche design’, used to describe those newer buildings which attempted to replicate the Georgian style found in Woburn, as being inappropriate for the proposed dwelling.  He also referred to her comment that Duck Lane was built in the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  He asked if she regarded the half-timbered building (3 Duck Lane) adjacent to the development site as a pastiche design.  In response the applicant’s agent stated that she did not know the age of the half-timbered building but she had assumed it was older than some of the others.  However, Duck Lane was possibly a service lane and the development which had taken place on the west side of the road was newer than other parts of Woburn.  There was a mock Georgian building (1 Duck Lane) on the corner with Leighton Street and the design was subjective with some believing the design fitted in whilst others would feel the attempt to replicate Georgian buildings failed because of the modern form and its execution.  Equally, on the southern side of the timber framed buildings was a row of four 1970’s buildings which were of a design which could be found anywhere.  Those buildings had not been designed specifically for Duck Lane.  The proposed dwelling represented an evolution in design terms in the local area and that it was not necessary to simply replicate what had been done before.  Further, whatever was done, it was important that it would be of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 138