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 6, 9, 8, 10, 13, 14, 11, 12 and 7.

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 Special meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 28 February 2014 and the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 5 March 2014.

(previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the Special meeting of the Development Management Committee held on the 28 February 2014 and the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 5 March 2014 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 was 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 :      The RSPB Reserve, Potton Road, Sandy, SG19 2DL

                        Erection of one wind turbine, with a maximum overall height of up to 100m together with access tracks, crane pad area, electricity sub-station, temporary construction compound and amended vehicular access on land at the RSPB Reserve, near Sandy.         

Applicant :    The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Sandy Wind Turbine Ltd

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/13/02916/FULL relating to the RSPB Reserve, Potton Road, Sandy SG19 2DL be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      46 Maple Way, Kensworth, Dunstable LU6 3RT

                        Construction of a garage on land in front of property. 

Applicant :    Mr R Hoffman

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/14/00213/FULL relating to 46 Maple Way, Kensworth, Dunstable LU6 3RT be refused as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Chiltern Gateway Centre, Dunstable Road, Whipsnade, Dunstable LU6 2GY

                        The erection of two 4.85m ‘Sun Sail’ canopies – single column kite style tensile structures.  These are to be located in the outdoor seating area to the South East of the Visitor Centre.           

Applicant :    Central Bedfordshire Council

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/14/00018/REG3 relating to Chiltern Gateway Centre, Dunstable Road, Whipsnade, Dunstable LU6 2GY be  approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Russell House, 14 Dunstable Street, Ampthill, Bedford MK45 2JT

                        Erection of 16 no. residential dwellings, a 67 bedroom Care Home with ancillary buildings, associated landscaping and car parking to include demolition of existing buildings and removal of trees.      

Applicant :    Lochailort Ampthill Ltd & Lochailort Ampthill Retirement Living

RESOLVED

That subject to no further objections being received the Head of Development Management Committee be delegated authority to approve Planning Application No. CB/13/03499/FULL relating to Russell House, 14 Dunstable Street, Ampthill, Bedford MK45 2JT as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Land adj. to 2 Windmill Way, Cranfield, Bedford MK43 0HL

                        Change of use of land from council owned amenity grassland to residential garden.     

Applicant :    Mr Nigel Perrin

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/14/00038/FULL relating to Land adj. to 2 Windmill way, Cranfield, Bedford MK43 0HL be approved  as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      115 Bedford Road, Cranfield

                        Log Cabin in rear garden  

Applicant :    Mr Brightman

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/14/00019/FULL relating to 115 Bedford Road, Cranfield be approved  as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Stone Lane Quarry, Woburn Road, Heath and Reach

                        Variation of condition 9 of planning permission BC/CM/2008/27 to increase HGV movements from 110 to 150 per day.      

Applicant :    Arnold White Estates Ltd.

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/13/04006/MW relating to Stone Lane Quarry, Woburn Road, Heath and Reach be approved  as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Sundon Landfill Site, Common Lane, Sundon, Luton LU3 3PF

                        Variation of condition 17 of planning permission CB/12/03266/MW to permit an increase in the number of HGVs entering the site from 111 to 175 per day.        

Applicant :    Central Bedfordshire Council

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/14/00134/MW relating to Sundon Landfill Site, Common Lane, Sundon, Luton LU3 3PF be approved                        as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ

                        Extension of office car park for 146 car parking spaces.         

Applicant :    Central Bedfordshire Council

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/14/00389/REG3 relating to Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ be approved                         as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

To receive an update on Houghton Regis North 1 site.

The Committee noted an oral update on Houghton Regis North 1 Site.  It was advised that Luton Borough Council had lodged a Judicial Review of the Secretary of State’s decision not to call in the planning application for the Houghton Regis North1 Site.  An update report would be an agenda item at future Development Management Committee meetings.

In accordance with the guidelines contained in the Code of Conduct for Planning Procedures, the Committee is invited to attend site visits to the sites which will be considered at the next meeting of this Committee to be held on 7 May 2014.

RESOLVED

That in accordance with the guidelines contained in the Code of Conduct for Planning Procedures, all Members of the Committee and Substitutes be invited to attend site visits to be convened on Friday 2 May 2014.