Address:       Land at roundabout at jnct of College Chase and Mander Farm Road, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4QP

Mixed use development including 5 no. mixed use commercial premises (use classes A1, A2, A3, B1(a)), 1 no commercial premises (class B1(A)) and 5 no. residential apartments (use class C3), together with associated parking and access.

Applicant:     GPS Estates Ltd

The Committee had before it a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/17/04986/FULL for a mixed use development including 5 no. mixed use commercial premises (use classes A1, A2, A3, B1(a)), 1 no. commercial premises (class B1(a)) and 5 no. residential apartments (use class C3), together with associated parking and access on land at roundabout at junction of College Chase and Mander Farm Road, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4QP.

The Committee noted that a notable difference between the current application and the previously approved scheme was the joining of the two units and the utilisation of the roof space with the addition of dormers.

No additional consultation/publicity responses, additional comments or additional/amended conditions were set out in the Late Sheet.  However, the planning officer advised of a comment from a local resident which had been received that morning.  Concerns had been expressed on the design, the potential for noise and disturbance as a result of the car parking and bus stop location adjacent to the site.  The planning officer responded to the issues raised.

Prior to consideration of the application the Chairman informed the Committee that Silsoe Parish Council had submitted a request to speak at the meeting earlier that morning.  As the request had been submitted after the deadline of 5.00 p.m. the previous day the request had been refused.  However, the Chairman asked the planning officer to respond to most if not all of the points raised by the Parish Council (as set out in the officer’s report) in order to show that consideration had been given to their concerns.

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

A Member sought clarification from the applicant’s agent as to whether any interest had been shown in the provision of an A3 (restaurant) use in the proposed development.  In response the agent explained that the application was for mixed use in order to establish what interest would be forthcoming.  The Member added that the restaurant use would be restricted due to the need to close at 10.00 p.m. (Mondays to Saturdays) and queried whether this restriction would not hinder a restaurant’s appeal.  The applicant’s agent replied that the location was geared towards the daytime and early evening economy rather than as a destination for diners.  He stressed that the restaurant use was only one of the possible commercial uses which could operate from the development and the application sought a flexible consent for this reason.

The ward Member stated that she had intended to speak on behalf of Silsoe Parish Council but would now leave this to the planning officer.  The ward Member then stated that she would focus on her main point which was a design principle.  She referred to the nearby, attractive Miller Homes cottages which had been designed to complement the cottage frontage of the mediaeval High Street and had blended in extremely well.  Turning to the application before Members she stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156