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 as listed in 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 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 or casting vote should be exercised nor is there a requirement that the right be exercised at all.

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.

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 available 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 as set out in Annex 3 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Address :      Land known as The Stearn Land, Clipstone Lane, Leighton Buzzard, Beds

                        Hybrid application for residential development comprising up to 270 dwellings with associated landscaping, open space, parking and internal access roads (in outline with all matters reserved); provision of formal public open space; cemetery; allotments; informal open space and structural landscaping; and access roads (change of use).         

Applicant :    Arnold White Estates

RESOLVED

That, subject to the referral of the application to the Secretary of State, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Consultation)(England) Direction 2009, and the completion of a prior Section 106 Agreement, the Interim Assistant Director of Development Management be authorised to grant Planning Permission if the Secretary of State does not call in the application and in doing so, to make such amendments to the schedules to the permission as he considers necessary, subject to the conditions as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

Address :      Chamberlains Barn Quarry, Heath Road, Leighton Buzzard

                        Outline: Mixed development including up to 950 dwellings; a site for a lower school; a local centre comprising retail and community uses; informal open space and country park, incorporating allotments, orchards, new tree and shrub planting, and play areas.            

Applicant :    Arnold White Estates Ltd

RESOLVED

That, subject to the referral of the application to the Secretary of State, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Consultation)(England) Direction 2009, and the completion of a prior Section 106 Agreement, the Interim Assistant Director of Development Management be authorised to grant Planning Permission if the Secretary of State does not call in the application and in doing so, to make such amendments to the schedules to the permission as he considers necessary, subject to the conditions as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

A motion to refuse the application was made by Cllr Spurr and seconded by Cllr Shadbolt. 

A request for a recorded vote, was made by Cllr Young.

Upon being put to the vote to refuse the application the following vote was recorded:

Councillors: Bowater, Johnstone, Shadbolt, Shingler and Spurr.

Voted in accordance with the proposal to refuse the application.

Councillors: Aldis, Blair, Brown, Chapman, Clark, Maudlin and Young.

Voted against the recommendation to refuse the application.

Councillor Matthews abstained.

The recommendation was lost 5 for, 7 against and 1 abstained.

Approval of the application was then moved by Cllr Clark and seconded by Cllr Chapman.  Upon being put to the vote it was carried 7 for, 4 against and 2 abstained

Address :      Chamberlains Barn Quarry, Heath Road, Leighton Buzzard

                        Full: A link road from Heath Road to Vandyke Road incorporating re-alignment and bridge over the Narrow Gauge Railway, sewers, pumping station and SUDs basin.        

Applicant :    Arnold White Estates Ltd

RESOLVED

That, subject to the referral of the application to the Secretary of State, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Consultation)(England) Direction 2009, and the completion of a prior Section 106 Agreement that the Interim Assistant Director of Development Management be authorised to grant Planning Permission if the Secretary of State does not call in the application and in doing so, to make such amendments to the schedules to the permission as he considers necessary, subject to the conditions as set out in the Schedule appended to these Minutes.

To receive the exempt information for The Stearn Land, Clipstone Lane, Leighton Buzzard application.

Please refer to Minute No. DMC/14/36 for details.

To receive the exempt information for the Chamberlain Barn Quarry, Heath Road, Leighton Buzzard.

Please refer to Minute No. DMC/14/37 for details.