Address:       Co-Op Supermarket, High Street, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5QT

Temporary use of land as car park with minor works, temporary stationing of 2 no. portable buildings for ancillary use as security and shelter and temporary stationing of lighting.

Applicant:     Whitbread Group plc

The Committee had before it a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/18/00077/FULL for the temporary use of land as a car park with minor works, temporary stationing of 2 no. portable buildings for ancillary use as security and shelter and temporary stationing of lighting at the Co-operative Supermarket, High Street, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5QT.

No additional consultation/publicity responses, comments or additional/amended conditions were set out in the Late Sheet.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received a representation from the agent for the applicant under the public participation scheme.

A ward Member referred to the sensitivity regarding the site since the fire in 2005.  The Member stated that, whilst content to leave recommended condition 1 relating to the end date of the use of the site as a temporary car park unamended, she sought assurance from officers that if the Council needed to extend the period beyond the recommended end date, then consultation would take place with local Members, Houghton Regis Town Council and the local community.  The ward Member stated that she wished to see the matter be dealt with in as transparent manner as possible.  She also felt that any extension should not exceed one month.  The ward Member again referred to public scrutiny around the application and to the recommended condition that stated that the site would be returned to its pre-development condition.  However, a number of local residents had pointed out to her that this could not happen because a tree had already been felled on the site.  Whilst not a material planning issue she felt it worthy of note given the public interest in the site.

The planning officer responded to the points raised so far as follows:

·         Should an extension to the temporary use was sought a new application would be required to vary the condition.  Consultation would take place with relevant parties.  The Chairman queried whether, if the requirement was for, say, one month, it would fall within the officer’s authority to grant the extension without the need for a new application.  In response the planning officer referred to the content of the recommended condition which stated that the use of the site as a temporary car park would cease on 31 July in accordance with the proposed six month period.  He added that in view of the Independent Living Scheme for Older Persons (which was due to be built on the site) there would be a reluctance to extend the period.  However, if a request to extend the period was sought there would need to be a variation.  The Chairman assured the ward Member that the need for a new application would therefore arise and consultation would take place.

·         A Member stated that the recommended temporary use cessation date was a condition and the Committee could make that more open ended until such time that work was ready to commence on the Independent Living Scheme.  This would remove the need the matter to return to the Committee.

·         With  ...  view the full minutes text for item 141