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

The Chairman advised the Councillors and members of the public that the order of business would be varied as follows:

15, 11, 7, 12 ,8 , 9, 13, 14 & 10.

The Chairman advised that a site inspection had been undertaken by all Members of the Committee in respect of every application on the agenda.

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 14 January 2015.

(previously circulated)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on the 14 January 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to a replacement Condition 8 in respect of Planning Application No CB/14/03678/VOC Motorcycle Track South of Stanbridge Road, Great Billington as follows:

The development hereby approved shall not commence until a noise management plan has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority and in the event that the development commences or is carried out in breach of this condition, the use shall cease forthwith until such a time as the operation of the use permitted complies in full with the approved noise management plan.  The noise management plan shall include:

i)                A detailed monitoring methodology for assessing noise levels from individual motorcycles in accordance with the Code of Practice on Noise from Organised Off-road Motor Cycle Sport (1994) and ACU standards and a procedure for recording motorcycles using the track and excluding motorcycles that do not meet the specified noise limits.  No motorcycles with customised silencers fitted will be permitted on the track and exhausts fitted on all motorcycles shall be restricted to the manufacturers standards.  This record shall be kept on site and made available on request to the Local Planning Authority.

ii)               A detailed layout of the track including information on track construction, jumps, direction of flow and bunds around the track shall be in conformity with condition 7 of this permission.

iii)              A detailed noise monitoring scheme to assess noise levels at the boundary locations as identified in condition 12, including measurement intervals, a monitoring record sheet and action to be taken should the boundary limits be exceeded.

iv)             The approved noise management plan shall be reviewed and submitted to the Local Planning Authority annually for approval prior to October 1st in any given year and thereafter, following written approval, the use of the site shall be carried out in strict accordance with those approved details.

Reason: To protect the amenities of the occupiers of nearby properties.  (Policies BE8 & R16 SBLPR and 43 & 44 DSCB)

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 Regeneration and Business providing a monthly update of planning enforcement cases where action has been taken covering the North, South and Minerals and Waste.

AGREED

that the monthly update of planning enforcement cases as identified in the report where formal actionhad 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.

The report proposes that a Definitive Map modification order be made to add a public bridleway to the Definitive Map and Statement through the Crown Hotel and its rear yard between High Street and Church Street, Biggleswade.  It is also proposed that enforcement action be taken to remove security fencing that obstructs the bridleway to enable free use of the bridleway ahead of a legal order being made.

Due to legal advice determination of this item was withdrawn from the agenda.

Address :      15a High Street, Langford

                        Single and two storey rear extension, garage conversion and internal alterations.           

Applicant :    Mr and Mrs J Price

RESOLVED

that Planning Application no. CB/14/04856/FULL relating to 15 a High Street, Langford  be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Westmead Farm, Sheep Tick End, Lidlington

                        Erection of a replacement detached dwelling.  

Applicant :    Mr A Mullan

RESOLVED

that Planning Application no. CB/14/04585/FULL  relating to Westmead Farm, Sheep Tick End, Lidlington be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Pig & Whistle, 40 Brook Street, Stotfold

                        Demolition of existing PH and redevelopment of the site as 7 No. houses with associated landscaping and parking. 

Applicant :    Mr O’Sullivan

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/14/01589/FULL  relating to Pig & Whistle, 40 Brook Street, Stotfold be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Toddington Manor, Park Road, Toddington

                        Demolition of existing buildings (education/leisure use further to permission reference SB/TP/93/0854) and erection of an ancillary leisure building to Toddington Manor (for C3 use).              

Applicant :    Trustees of the Toddington No2 Settlement

RESOLVED

that Planning Application no. CB/14/04532/FULL  relating to Toddington Manor, Park Road, Toddington be approved subject to referral The Secretary of State  as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Land at Bedford Road, Houghton Regis

                        Comprehensive development providing 169 residential units (including affordable housing) with associated infrastructure including car parking, drainage, pumping station, hard and soft landscaping, footway/cycleways, children’s play space and informal public open space. 

Applicant :    Taylor Wimpey

RESOLVED

That the Planning Infrastructure Group Manager be authorised to grant Planning Application no. CB/14/03056 relating to Land at Bedford Road, Houghton Regis subject to the prior consultation of the Secretary of State, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Consultation)(England) Direction 2009, and satisfactory completion of a Section 106 Agreement and conditions as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

(It was requested that the Secretary of State be made aware that two members of the Committee did not agree that the application complied with the Framework Plan.)

Address :      Land to the Rear of the Old Red Lion, Bedford Road, Houghton Regis

                        Development of up to 62 dwellings, access, public open space and other associated works on land to the rear of the Red Lion Public House, to the west of the Bedford Road, Houghton Regis.

Applicant :    Beechcroft Land Limited

RESOLVED

That the Development Infrastructure Group Manager be authorised to grant Application no. CB/14/03047/OUT relating to Land to the Rear of the Old Red Lion, Bedford Road, Houghton Regis  subject to the prior consultation of The Secretary of State in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Consultation)( England) Direction 2009, the completion of a prior Section 106 agreement and subject to conditions as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

(It was requested that the Secretary of State be made aware that two Members of the Committee did not agree that the application complied with the Development Framework Plan)

Address :      Land West of Barton Road, Silsoe

                        Mixed use development including 18 No. residential dwellings on the southern section of the site and 5 no. mixed use commercial premises (use classes A1. A2, A3, B1(a)) with 5 no. apartments above together with associated parking and access.

Applicant :    Bloor Homes (South Midlands)

RESOLVED

that Planning Application no. CB/14/02717/FULL relating to Land West of Barton Road, Silsoe be approved subject to the expiry of the advert in the local press and completion of a Section 106 Agreement as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Bridge Farm, Ivel Road, Shefford

                        Development of a care home (Class C2) with associated works and site access.             

Applicant :    Castleoak Care Developments

RESOLVED

that Planning Application no. CB/14/04324/OUT relating to Bridge Farm, Ivel Road, Shefford be approved subject to the expiry of the advertisement in the local press, and the completion of a S106 Agreement to secure a contribution to / provision of a pedestrian crossing on Ivel Road in consultation with Ward Members, the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Officers as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Kiln Farm, Steppingley Road, Flitwick Proposal

                        Removal of condition 6 and variation of condition 4 of permission CB/09/06977/MW to retain the access to the site as built.       

Applicant :    Mr B McAtavey

RESOLVED

that Planning Application no. CB/14/04605 relating toKiln Farm, Steppingley Road, Flitwick be approved as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Under the provisions of the Members Planning Code of Good Practice, Members are requested to note that Site Inspections will be undertaken on  Monday 9 March 2015.

RESOLVED

That all Members of the Committee  be invited to conduct site inspections to be undertaken on Monday 9 March 2015.