To receive any announcements from the Chairman and any matters of communication.

The Chairman advised the meeting that the order of business would be as set out in the agenda.

The Chairman also reminded Members of the Committee that they had to be present throughout the entire debate on an Item (including the officer’s introduction) in order that they could participate and vote upon it.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 19 July 2017 (copy to follow).

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 19 July 2017 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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

To consider the report of the Director of Regeneration and Business which provides a monthly update of planning enforcement cases where action has been taken.

The Chairman advised Members to raise any issues they might have with regard to planning enforcement cases with the Planning Enforcement and Appeals Team Leader.

NOTED

the monthly update of planning enforcement cases where action has been taken.

Address:       Former Dukeminster Estate, Church Street, Dunstable (nearest postcode LU5 4FF)

Erection of 270 dwellings with parking and associated works.

Applicant:     Persimmon Homes North London

The Committee considered a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/16/02972/FULL for the erection of 270 dwellings with parking and associated works at the former Dukeminster Estate, Church Street, Dunstable.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee’s attention was drawn to additional neighbour representations, additional consultation/publicity responses, an update to s106 contributions and proposed additional conditions as set out in the Late Sheet.  The planning officer advised that there was some duplication of conditions relating to access and the use of garages and these would be removed should the application be approved.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received representations from Dunstable Town Council, objectors to the application and the applicant’s agent under the public participation scheme.  Clarification was sought on from the applicant’s agent as to whether or not the footings for Flat Block 1 were already in place but the agent had not visited the site recently and so was unable to assist on this matter.

The Committee considered the application and in summary discussed the following:

·                                 Concern by a ward Member that, although the developer had agreed to remove Flat Block 2, Flat Block 1 remained in its original position.  The ward Member believed no footings had been laid for the latter and so he requested that the developers consider replacing the proposed Flat Block 1 with houses.

·         The proximity of Flat Block 1 to Priory View and the claimed overbearing impact of the former.  The planning officer referred to the revised positioning of the windows and balconies to reduce the likely impact of overlooking and these factors, in addition to the siting of the Flat Block 1, gave rise to an appropriate level of privacy.  She also reminded the Committee that the block’s siting and three storey height (with pitched roof) had already been approved under the extant reserved matters application although it was now proposed that the part of Flat Block 1 furthest from Priory View be increased to four stories in height.

·         The siting of Flat Block 1 was set at an angle to Priory View and not ‘back to back’ with it.  As such it did not need to meet the back to back distance requirement of 20 metres and the side on distance of approximately 14 metres between the two buildings was not considered inappropriate under the Council’s design guidance.

·         Concern regarding the possible loss of open space and two street trees from the site should the number of unallocated car parking spaces be increased by five in order to meet the Council’s visitor parking standard.  The planning officer felt that the proposal could actually be achieved without a detrimental impact on the level of amenity land at the site. Notwithstanding this it was proposed by a Member that the relevant condition (Condition 22 on the Late Sheet) be amended to read ‘…until details to include up to 5 additional unallocated parking spaces…’ and the amendment was accepted by the Members who had moved and seconded the motion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

Address:       Chiltern Aquatics Centre, Westoning Road, Harlington, Dunstable, LU5 6PA

Full planning permission for the redevelopment of the site to provide 10 no residential units, with associated landscaping, car parking and drainage.

Applicant:     McCann Homes

The Committee considered a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/17/01911/FULL for the redevelopment of the site to provide 10 no residential units, with associated landscaping, car parking and drainage at Chiltern Aquatics Centre, Westoning Road, Harlington, Dunstable, LU5 6PA.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee’s attention was drawn to additional consultation/publicity responses, additional comments and additional/amended conditions/reasons as set out in the Late Sheet.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received representations from Harlington Parish Council, an objector and the applicant’s agent under the public participation scheme.  Clarification on some of the points raised by the public speakers was sought by Members.

The Committee considered the application and in summary discussed the following:

·         A ward Member’s comments that most of the main issues of substance had been answered to his satisfaction including that with regard to pedestrian access from the development to the lower and upper schools.  He felt that if drivers observed the 30 mph speed limit then no major issue would arise.  If they did exceed the speed limit, which was commonplace problem, then it was a matter for legal action.  Provided the standard of driving was as it should be then the application was acceptable and he supported it.

·         The loss of employment through the closure of the Centre.  The planning officer advised that no details relating to the possible relocation of the Centre had been supplied and that, whilst the apparent loss of jobs had been considered, the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) clearly allowed redevelopment to take place.  A Member reinforced the officer’s statement and drew the meeting’s attention to the government’s desire to see local authorities develop brownfield sites before others.  As such it would not be possible to resist the application at appeal.

·         Reference to a horticultural tie on the bungalow sited to the front left immediately outside the site.  It was noted that the tie applied to the current occupant of the bungalow and would only need to be removed if the property were to be sold to someone not employed in horticulture.  As such the issue was not a material consideration.  The Committee noted that the nursery referred to on the plan accompanying the officer’s report no longer existed as the Chiltern Aquatics Centre had superseded it.

On being put to the vote 12 Members voted for approval, 0 against and 1 abstained.

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/17/01911/FULL relating to the Chiltern Aquatics Centre, Westoning Road, Harlington, Dunstable, LU5 6PA                       be approved as set out in the Schedule attached to these minutes.

Address:       Motorcycle Track south of Stanbridge Road, Great Billington (nearest postcode LU7 9JH)

Variation of condition 4 -The proposal is for the hours of operation to be changed to Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday 10am till 3pm. Org app SB/95/00176/Full

Applicant: AG Bunker & Sons

The Committee considered a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/17/02729/VOC for the variation of condition 4 of the original Planning Application No. SB/95/00176/Full to enable the hours of operation to be changed to Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10am till 3pm & Sunday 10am till 2pm at the motorcycle track, south of Stanbridge Road, Great Billington.

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.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received representations from Eaton Bray Parish Council, Stanbridge Parish Council and an objector to the application under the public participation scheme.  Clarification on the points raised by the objector was sought by Members with particular reference to the value and impact of the two hour ‘lunchbreak’ period between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. on Mondays – Saturdays when use of the track was not permitted.  The objector emphasised the importance of this restriction in controlling operations at the site and how it had, for the most part, proved a reliable means of doing so.  In response to a further query, however, the objector referred to a series of breaches of the existing conditions relating to the hours of operation, the difficulty in undertaking enforcement action and the current existence of three Breaches of Condition Notices.

The planning officer drew Members’ attention to an error in paragraph 2.3 of her report which incorrectly stated that the hours of operation Monday – Saturday commenced at 10.30 a.m. when they actually started at 10.00 a.m.  She also reminded Members that enforcement activity was not a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.

The Committee considered the application and in summary discussed the following:

·         The implementation of a previously approved planning application (CB/14/03678/VOC) which allowed the winter operation of the site during 1 October to 30 April.  This was subject to various requirements including an increase in the height of the bunding around the track and no planning permission for such works had been approved.  However, an application to carry out bunding works had been received though it was not envisaged that the winter operation of the site could commence until October 2018 should the application be approved.

·         The variation of condition 4 under the application currently before Members was on a temporary basis until 30 September 2017 only.  There would be no net increase in the operating hours of the track although the lunch break period would be lost.  However, the use of the track on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday would finish earlier, at 3.00 p.m. rather than 5.00 p.m.  Concern remained amongst some Members as to the detrimental impact on local residents arising from the track’s continuous use coupled with the difficulties in enforcing the conditions.  A member of the Committee, in his role as Executive Member for Regeneration, undertook to take up the issue of planning condition breaches.

·         The suggested future requirement for CCTV coverage or similar to be installed at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

Address:       St Andrew’s Lower School, Bantock Way, Biggleswade,

SG18 8UQ

To create a new nursery extension to the existing 6 classroom teaching block. The nursery will be in a position that enables it be accessed separately from the rest of the school, with minor changes to the route around the north of the existing school building to accommodate this access. One of the classrooms within the 6 classroom extension will be moved into the existing school to allow for the creation of the nursery.

Applicant:     Willmot Dixon Construction Ltd

The Committee considered a report regarding Planning Application No. CB/17/02252/FULL for the creation of a new nursery extension to the existing 6 classroom teaching block. The nursery would be in a position that enabled it be accessed separately from the rest of the school, with minor changes to the route around the north of the existing school building to accommodate this access. One of the classrooms within the 6 classroom extension would be moved into the existing school to allow for the creation of the nursery at St Andrew’s Lower School, Bantock Way, Biggleswade, SG18 8UQ.

The planning officer reported that he had received a transport assessment from the applicant which had been inadvertently omitted from the application.  The meeting noted, however, that the Highways Officer had been able to respond without the need to consider the missing document and it had made no difference to the conclusion reached.

In advance of consideration of the application the Committee received a representation from an officer from Central Bedfordshire Council’s Children’s Services Directorate who spoke in favour of the application.

Members considered the application and no issues were raised.

On being put to the vote 11 Members voted for approval, 0 voted against and 1 abstained.

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/17/02252/FULL relating to St Andrew’s Lower School,Bantock Way, Biggleswade, SG18 8UQ be approved as set out in the Schedule attached to these minutes.

To receive and note, prior to considering the planning applications contained in the schedules above, any additional information detailed in the Late Sheet to be circulated on 15 August 2017.

In advance of consideration of the planning applications attached to the agenda 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.

Under the provisions of the Members’ Planning Code of Good Practice, Members are requested to note that the next Development Management Committee will be held on 13 September 2017 and the Site Inspections will be undertaken on 11 September 2017.

NOTED

that the next meeting of the Development Management Committee will be held on 13 September 2017.

RESOLVED

that all Members and substitute Members along with relevant ward representatives be invited to conduct site inspections on 11 September 2017.