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

After 10.00am: 10, 7, 8, 9, 6 and 11

After 1.00pm: 13, 12 and 14

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

The Chairman announced that there would be a two-minute silence at 11.00am to mark Remembrance Day.  The Fire Alarm bell would sound to mark the start and finish of the time.

The scheduled meeting of this Committee, 27 April 2016, will be moved to Wednesday 11 May 2016 to allow for work associated with the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections.

The Chairman reminded Councillors and members of the public that the meeting would be filmed and available for viewing on the Council’s website.

The Chairman advised that a site inspection had been undertaken by most of the Committee in respect of all 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.

The Chairman read the following statement:

At the Council’s Executive meeting on 6 October 2015, Members resolved to recommend to Full Council that the Development Strategy be withdrawn.  The recommendation is expected to be considered by Full Council on 19 November 2015.  Until the Executive decision is ratified by Full Council, and the Development Strategy is formally withdrawn, the weight afforded to the Development Strategy as a policy document should be adjusted accordingly in the determination of planning applications.  In this respect, where relevant, Officers will highlight any implications of the Executive resolution which this Committee should be aware of in making their decision.

To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 14 October 2015.

(previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on the 14 October 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.

Address:       Land adj to Flitwick Filling Station, High Street, Flitwick MK45

1DU

Residential Development – 4 No.1 bedroom apartments.

Applicant:     Urban Fox Developments Ltd.

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/02248/FULL relating to Land adj. to Flitwick Filling Station, High Street, Flitwick be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address:       Land to the East of High Road, Shillington SG5 3LL

Erection of 19 dwellings following demolition of existing village hall, off road parking, private amenity garden space, landscaping, public open space and erection of double garage for No. 37 High Road.

Applicant:     Rowan Homes and Shillington Village Hall

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/02102/FULL relating to Land to the East of High Road, Shillington be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address:       Land at Memorial Playing Field, Greenfields, Shillington

SG5 3NX

Demolition of existing club house and construction of a purpose-built community facility together with associated car parking.  Relocation of existing storage container.

Applicant:     Rowan Homes & Shillington Village Hall

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/02104/FULL relating to Land at Memorial Playing Field, Greenfields, Shillington be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address:       Chalkcroft Nursery, The Ridgeway, Moggerhanger MK44 3PH

Outline Application: change of use from nursery to residential and the demolition of the existing nursery buildings and the construction of 9 dwellings, car parking and associated works.

Applicant:     Mrs E Aldridge

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/03228/OUT relating to Chalkcroft Nursery, The Ridgeway, Moggerhanger be refused for the reasons as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address:       Land rear of 197 Hitchin Road, Arlesey SG16 6SE

Variation of Condition No. 2 on CB/12/03535/FULL dated 17/12/2012.  No more than 19 static caravans to be stationed / occupied on the site at any one time and no more than 5 touring caravans shall be stationed on the site at any one time.  Of the 5 touring caravans stationed on the site, none shall be occupied.

Applicant:     Mr Rooney

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/03000/VoC relating to Land rear of 197 Hitchin Road, Arlesey be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address:       Woodcote, Woodside, Aspley Guise MK17 8EB

Erection of two detached dwellings each with a two bedroom annex used as ancillary accommodation over the detached triple garage, associated driveways, landscaping and tree work.

Applicant:     McCann Homes

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/03408/FULL relating to Woodcote, Woodside, Aspley Guise be refused for the reasons as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address:       55 Jeans Way, Dunstable LU5 4PW

Construction of 1 No. 1 bedroom detached house following demolition of attached garage.

Applicant:     Mr Edwards

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/03281/FULL relating to 55 Jeans Way, Dunstable be delegated to the Development Infrastructure Group Manager to refuse for the reasons set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address:       Leighton Middle School, 2 Church Square, Leighton

Buzzard LU7 1EX

The proposed school extension incorporates a new block which will provide 5 new classrooms for the Year 5 group, together with a new block providing a general classroom and technology room.  In order to meet the expansion plans, the proposed development will also include for the remodelling and refurbishment of the existing dining block.  Additional car parking spaces will also be provided to assist with the increase in occupants on the site.  Existing external elements will be amended to provide improved access arrangements.

Applicant:     Head teacher of Leighton Middle School

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/03064/REG3 relating to Leighton Middle School, 2 Church Square, Leighton Buzzard be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Councillor Bowater recorded his gratitude to all Council Officers involved throughout the planning process of this application.

1.                  To determine whether two applications which seek to extinguish parts of Houghton Regis Footpaths Nos. 33 and 36 should be approved and  public path extinguishment orders made.

2.                  One application seeks to extinguish a parallel path and narrow a wide section of footpath. The other seeks to extinguish a footpath through Sewell Farm’s yard and across a meadow and disused railway cutting.

The Committee received and considered a report of The Head of Highways seeking determination of two applications to extinguish parts of Houghton Regis Footpaths Nos 33 and 36.

The report set out the background to the application, a detailed description of footpaths to be extinguished and consultation responses.

RESOLVED

1.         that a public path order be made under Section 118 of the Highways Act 1980 to extinguish:

a.    Those parts of Houghton Regis Footpath No. 33 which abut and adjoin the northern side of Sewell Lane between points A-E-C-B and C-D as delineated by the shading on the plan at Appendix A whilst retaining a 2 metre wide strip for public pedestrian use between points E-D.

b.    Those parts of Houghton Regis Footpath No. 36 between points V-W-X to the south of Sewell Lane and between points Y-Z to the north of Sewell Lane as shown on the plan at Appendix A.

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

RESOLVED

that all members of the Committee be invited to conduct site inspections on Monday 7 December 2015.

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 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.