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

The Chairman advised that he intended to vary the order of business as follows: Item 6, 8, 9, 7, 10 and 11.

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.

To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 4 December 2013.

(previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 4 December 2013 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 as identified in the report where formal action had been taken were received.

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 some 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.

Address :      Land Opposite Boundary Farm North Of, Baldock Road, Stotfold

Erection of building and associated works for the public display of The Saunders Collection of steam engines, fairground rides, mechanical organs and associated memorabilia and change of use from agricultural land to form an extension to the Stotfold Mill Nature Reserve.

Applicant :    Mr J Saunders

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No.CB/13/03448/FULL relating to Land Opposite Boundary Farm North of Baldock Road, Stotfold be approved as set out in the schedule appended to  these Minutes.

Address :      8 Gardeners Close, Flitwick, Bedford, MK45 5BU

A rear projecting dual pitch two storey extension.

Applicant :    Mr Corbett

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/03813/FULL relating to 8 Gardeners Close, Flitwick be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Land at former Church of St Vincent, Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis

Erection of 58 Bed Nursing Home with associated parking and manoeuvring C2 use.

Applicant :    Innovations Consultancy  

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/03357/FULL relating to Land at Former Church of St Vincent, Tithe Farm Road, Houghton Regis be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Gravenhurst and Villages Pre-School, Orchard Close, Upper Gravenhurst, Bedford, MK45 4JF

Erection of covered area on south west side of building

Applicant :    Mrs A Stone

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/03280/FULL relating to Gravenhurst Pre-School, Orchard Close, Upper Gravenhurst be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Land South Of, Potton Road, Biggleswade

Reserved Matters: Change to Approval CB/11/02327/RM dated 19/10/2011 relating to Blocks 25, 26, 29, 34 and 36 of development south of Potton Road, Biggleswade - Replacement of 8no. Affordable Flats (Plots 153-160) in Block 36 with 4no. Houses (Plots 153-156) resulting in a reduction in dwelling numbers from 103 dwellings to 99 dwellings.

Applicant :    Martin Grant Homes

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No.CB/13/03560/RM relating to Land South of Potton Road, Biggleswade be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      25 High Road, Shillington, Hitchin, SG5 3LL

Change of Use: Residential to Office & Storage ancillary to garage use of the site.

Applicant :    F. C.  Dawes & Son Ltd

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/03594/FULL relating to 25 High Road, Shillington be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these Minutes.

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 5 February 2014 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 any site inspections to be undertaken in advance of the next meeting of this Committee to be held on Wednesday 5 February 2014.

Chairman (or his nominee)

Vice – Chairman (or his nominee)

Cllrs   P N Aldis

            R Berry

            M Blair