The Chairman asked all persons present 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 8, 9, 7, 10, 11 and 6.

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 discussion 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 vote 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 5 February 2014.

(previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on the 5 February 2014 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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 the Applications the Committee received representations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure set out in Annex 3 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Address :      Land South of Potton Road, Biggleswade.

Erection of new mixed use local centre to include 51 residential units, approximately 1156sqm (net) of floor space for a mixture of uses (A1, A2, A3, B1 & D1) a 60 bed (C2) care home, central square kiosk, community building and associated infrastructure.

Applicant :    Martin Grant Homes & Taylor Wimpey Homes

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/13/03494/FULL relating to Land South of Potton Road, Biggleswade be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.  In addition the Council will alert the Applicant to the concerns of the Internal Drainage Board (IDB) and reports their response to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Executive Member for Sustainable Communtiies – Strategic Planning and Economic Development for their information.

Address :      Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford.

Extension to office car park for 146 car parking spaces.

Applicant :    Central Bedfordshire Council

RESOLVED

That Planning Application CB/14/00389/REG3 relating to Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford be deferred for one cycle to allow Officers to provide a more detailed scheme.

Address :      Land Adjacent 82 and 84 Station Road, Ridgmont

Change of use of existing car park to area for the storage of cars.   

Applicant :    Mr M Boyce

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/04425/FULL relating to Land adjacent 82 and 84 Station Road, Ridgmont, Bedford be approved a temporary permission for a period of 12 months expiring on 31 March 2015 as detailed in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Crossways Park, Hitchin Road, Arlesey.

Alterations to access road incorporating changes to road layout and incorporation of new footpath to Hitchin Road from development approved under planning permission CB/10/02584/REN and CB/11/02358/RM.         

Applicant :    UK Construction

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/04451/FULL relating to Crossways Park, Hitchin Road, Arlesey be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes, subject to further consultation with the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Ward Councillors and the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development on additional measures to protect the safety of pedestrians.

Address :      2 High Street, Stotfold

Resubmission of approved Planning Application  CB/13/00892 – New Detached dwelling.           

Applicant :    Mr McNeill

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/14/00077/FULL relating to 2 High Street, Stotfold, Hitchin be approved subject to the combination of conditions 6 and 12 as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Land off High Street and Lodge Road, Cranfield

The erection of 20 dwellings for residential purposes along with garage, sewers, roads and all ancillary details.

Applicant :    Charles Church Development Ltd

RESOLVED

That Planning Application No. CB/13/04201/FULL relating to Land off High Street and Lodge Road, Cranfield, Bedford 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 2 April 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 2 April 2014:

Chairman (or his nominee)

Vice-Chairman (or his nominee)

Cllrs:  P N Aldis

            R Berry

            D Bowater