If any

The Chairman of the Committee advised that the Order of Business would be varied as follows:

Items 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 15, 14 would be considered in the morning session.

Items 16, 13, 11, 10 and 17 would be considered in the afternoon session.

The Chairman advised the Committee that Item 7 – Toddbury Farm, Slapton Road, Little Billington had been withdrawn due to outstanding consultation responses and information both of which had not been received and therefore prevented the report being finalised.

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

Subject to the 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 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.

To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 24 April 2013.

(previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on the 24 April 2013 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

1) CB/13/01069/FULL St Christopher Lower School, Dunstable : Condition 4 should read as follows:

Development shall not begin until details of the Traffic Regulation Orders to be made in respect of Gorham Way have been submitted to the Local Highway Authority and the said Traffic Regulation Orders shall, if made, be implemented within 3 months of the proposed building being occupied in accordance with the approved details.

Reason: In order to minimise danger, obstruction and inconvenience to users of the highway and the premises.

2. Under Members’ Interests it should show Cllr Mrs P E Turner MBE and not Cllr A Turner.  The nature of the interest should show met with residents.

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.

To consider the report of the Director of Sustainable Communities providing a monthly update of planning enforcement cases where action has been taken covering the North, South and Minerals and Waste.

RESOLVED

That the update on Planning Enforcement cases where formal action has been taken be noted.

In advance of the consideration of the Planning Applications, the Committee received a Late Sheet advising of additional consultation / publicity responses, comments and proposed additional conditions.

Address :      Paradise Farm, The Causeway, Clophill, Bedford MK45 4BA

                        Change of use for the stationing of one residential static caravan and two touring caravans, and parking for two associated vehicles and a portaloo.       

Applicant :    Mr Gumble

RESOLVED

That the Planning Application No. CB/13/00985/FULL relating to Paradise Farm, The Causeway, Clophill, Bedford be deferred for one cycle to allow for a site visit by the whole Committee.

Councillor T Nicols moved approval of the recommendation.  The recommendation was seconded by Councillor A D Brown. 

The recommendation was lost: 6 for, 8 against and 1 abstention. 

A request for a recorded vote upon the decision of this planning application was made and voted upon.  Upon being put to the vote to refuse the application, the following vote was recorded:

Councillors: L Birt and M Blair.

Voted in accordance with the proposal  to refuse the application.

Councillors: R Berry, D Bowater, A D Brown, I Dalgarno, K Janes, T Nicols and A Shadbolt.

Voted against the recommendation to refuse the application.

Councillors: I Shingler, Mrs R Gammons, N Warren, P Williams and K C Matthews abstained.

Councillor A R Bastable did not vote as he was not present for all of the debate.

The recommendation was lost: 2 for, 7 against, and 5 abstained.

Councillor T Nicols moved deferral of the application for one cycle to allow a site visit by the whole Committee to be undertaken.  The recommendation was seconded by Councillor A Shadbolt. 

The recommendation was approved 13 for, 0 against and 2 abstentions.

Address :      Toddbury Farm, Slapton Road, Little Billington, Leighton Buzzard LU7 9BP

                        Extension to the existing Gypsy Traveller Caravan site to provide two additional pitches for members of the immediate family.  Each pitch to contain one static caravan, one touring caravan, one utility block, one shed and parking for two vehicles together with hardstanding and a shared septic tank with associated extension to access road and a turning circle. 

Applicant :    Mr & Mrs McCarthy

The Committee noted that Planning Application No. CB/13/01044/FULL relating to Toddbury Farm, Slapton Road, Little Billington had been withdrawn due to outstanding consultation responses and information both of which had not been received and therefore prevented the report being finalised.

Address :      Houghton Hall Park, Houghton Hall Business Park, Houghton Regis

                        New Heritage Hub (visitors centre) with expansion of the existing car park.    

Applicant :    Central Bedfordshire Council

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/01022/FULL relating to Houghton Hall Park, Houghton Hall Business Park, Houghton Regis be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      4A Moor End Lane, Eaton Bray, Dunstable LU6 2HW

                        Two storey side extension (Resubmission 12/04505)    

Applicant :    Mr A Barber

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/00810/FULL relating to 4A Moor End Lane, Eaton Bray, Dunstable be approved as set out in Schedules appended to these Minutes.

Address :      31 – 35 Cambridge Road, Sandy SG19 1JF

                        Erection of a new four bedroom detached dwelling with the access from Malaunay Place.   

Applicant :    Miss R Hooker & Miss N Owens

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/00723/FULL relating to 31-35 Cambridge Road, Sandy be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      6 Shaftesbury Drive, Stotfold, Hitchin SG5 4FS

                        Change of use of store and lobby adjoining detached garage and annexe over detached garage from ancillary residential accommodation to separate self contained residential accommodation. (Retrospective).  

Applicant :    Mr Watts

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/12/03287/FULL relating to 6 Shaftesbury Drive, Stotfold, Hitchin be deferred for one cycle to allow the newly elected Fairfield Parish Council time to be consulted on the application.

Address :      2 High Street, Stotfold, Hitchin, SG5 4LL

                        New detached dwelling, revised plans.                 

Applicant :    Mr McNeil

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/00892/FULL relating to 2 High Street, Stotfold, Hitchin be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Land at Boot Lane, Dunton

                        Construction of 24 houses and associated garaging, roads and sewers.        

Applicant :    Linden Homes

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/00371/FULL relating to Land at Boot Lane, Dunton be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      34 Mill Road, Cranfield, Bedford MK43 0JL

                        Erection of 2 No. 3 bedroom dwellings with associated garages.

Applicant :    Mr Jones

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/12/04398/FULL relating to 34 Mill Road, Cranfield, Bedford be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Land off Biggleswade Road, Upper Caldecote, Biggleswade SG18 9BD

                        Proposed development of 10 new dwellings including parking, private amenity for each dwelling and associated landscape.         

Applicant :    Grand Union Housing Group

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/00554/FULL relating to Land off Biggleswade Road, Upper Caldecote, Biggleswade be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Brogborough Club House, Bedford Road, Brogborough, Bedford MK43 0XY

                        Reserved Matters: Development for 16 Residential dwellings with associated roads and landscaping.  Following Outline application CB/11/4171/OUT Development of site for up to 16 dwellings, alteration to vehicular access, new pedestrian access, associated engineering works, associated landscaping and car parking following demolition of existing buildings.   

Applicant :    Orbit Group

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/00967/RM relating to Brogborough Club House, Bedford Road, Brogborough be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes with the addition of one planning condition 6.

The Committee considered a report which recommended a change to the Development Management Committee recommendation made at the meeting held on 17 October 2012 (Minute No. DMC/12/247 refers).

The previous approval had been subject to a Section 106 agreement to provide appropriate travel management matters.  Due to a lack of highway considerations, the agreement would have covered physical alterations to the layout of the road and signage detailing, all on the unadopted Kestrel Way to allow the opening of the school in September 2013.

The scheme of required highway works has been produced by AMEY in consultation with Central Bedfordshire Council Highways.  The scheme has been agreed in writing by the landowner Arnold White Estates.  In light of the written agreement from the landowner, the Committee are asked to alter the previous recommendation to withdraw any need for a legal agreement. 

It was noted that an additional condition 17 would be added, an amendment to condition 18 and an amended Reason for Granting were agreed.

RESOLVED

That the Head of Development Management be authorised to GRANT Planning Permission subject to the following additional/amended conditions and amended Reason for Granting:

Additional condition:

17. The school shall not be occupied until all highway markings and signage detailed on the approved plan, drawing number 700341-000-001, have been carried out in accordance with the approved plan.

Reason: In the interests of driver and pedestrian safety, to reduce congestion and to promote the use of sustainable modes of transport.

Amended condition:

18. The development hereby permitted shall not be carried out except in complete accordance with the details shown on the submitted plans, numbers M5288/A/001.P0; M5288/A/010.B; M5288/A/101.B; M5288/A/107.B; M5288/A/120.C; M5288/A/130.A and 700341-000-001.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt.

Amended Reason for Granting:

The principle of the development has previously been established as acceptable with the grant of the outline planning permission in 2007 for the development on Sites 15B, 15C and 15D.  Subject to the appropriate planning conditions, the development is considered acceptable in terms of the proposed parking and access arrangements.  The proposal would not be detrimental to the character or appearance of the locality or the amenities of neighbouring residents and is in conformity with the development plan policies comprising the South Bedfordshire Local Plan Review, the emerging Development Strategy for Central Bedfordshire and national advice contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.

In the event of any decision having been taken during the meeting requiring the inspection of a site or sites, the Committee is invited to appoint  Members to conduct the site inspection immediately preceding the next meeting of this Committee to be held on 19 June 2013 having regard to the guidelines contained in the Code of Conduct for Planning Procedures.

In the event of there being no decision to refer any site for inspection the Committee is nevertheless requested to make a contingency appointment in the event of any Member wishing to exercise his or her right to request a site inspection under the provisions of the Members Planning Code of Good Practice.

RESOLVED

That the following Members be appointed to conduct Site inspections to be undertaken in advance of the next meeting of this Committee to be held on Wednesday 19 June 2013:

Chairman (or his nominee)

Vice-Chairman (or his nominee)

Cllrs:  Aldis

            Berry

            Blair