The Chairman reminded Councillors and members of the public to silence their mobile phones for the duration of the meeting.  He also advised of the procedure to be followed should the fire alarms sound.

The Chairman informed Councillors and members of the public that the meeting was being filmed.

Councillors and members of the public were advised by the Chairman that the order of business would be varied and the agenda items would be considered in the following order:

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

It was noted that:

·         subject to declarable interests, all members of the Committee had the right to vote on all matters of business considered by the Committee.

·         Rule No. 13.5.5. of the Constitution stated that Members could not vote or take part in the meeting’s discussions on a proposal unless they had been present to hear the entire debate, including the officer’s introduction to the matter.

·         the Chairman, under paragraph 9.2 of Part E3 of the Constitution, had a second or casting vote should there be equal numbers of votes for and against an item.  This provision made it quite clear that the Chairman was entitled to vote on any item of business.  Further, there was no restriction or limitation on how the second or casting vote should be exercised nor was 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 22 July 2015.

(previously circulated)

A Member queried the need for the minutes to contain such lengthy appendices given that a full audio-visual record of the Committee’s meetings was now made.  In response the Chairman indicated that he would raise this issue for consideration at a forthcoming meeting of the General Purposes Committee.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Development Management Committee held on 22 July 2015 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.

The meeting noted that a report on Planning Enforcement procedures would be considered at the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be held on 20 August 2015.

AGREED

that the monthly update of planning enforcement cases where action has been taken, as identified in the report of the Director of Regeneration and Business, be 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 at Braeburn Way, Cranfield

                        The provision of a new single storey 1 Form Entry Lower School with Nursery.  The school will accommodate 150 pupils together with 45 Nursery places.         

Applicant :    Hunters South Architects

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/02292/FULL relating to Land at Braeburn Way, Cranfield be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Land Adjacent to 29 Sand Lane, Northill, SG18 9AD

                        Construction of 7 affordable homes.       

Applicant :    Aragon Land and Planning UK LLP

Immediately after speaking on this item Councillor Firth left the Council Chamber.

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/00269/FULL relating to Land Adjacent to 29 Sand Lane, Northill, SG18 9AD be granted as set out in the schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Bridge Farm, Ivel Road, Shefford, SG17 5LB

                        Development to construct 49 no. dwellings, together with ancillary car parking, landscaping, and associated highway, access and infrastructure works.  (Revised application to CB/14/03159/FULL).         

Applicant :    Optimis Consulting

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/02657/FULL relating to Bridge Farm, Ivel Road, Shefford, SG17 5LB be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      18 Seamons Close, Dunstable, LU6 3EQ

                        Two storey side extension.

Applicant :    Kingswood Design Ltd

Immediately after speaking on this item Councillor Young left the Council Chamber.

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/02323/FULL relating to 18 Seamons Close, Dunstable, LU6 3EQ be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Land at Thorn Turn, Thorn Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU6 1RT

                        Development of a Waste Park comprising waste transfer station, split level household waste recycling centre and resale building, together with new access road from Thorn Road.

Applicant :    Central Bedfordshire Council

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/01626/REG3 relating to Land at Thorn Turn, Thorn Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU6 1RT be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these minutes.

Address :      Land at Thorn Turn, Thorn road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU6 1RT

                        Development of a winter maintenance depot (including salt storage bar, outdoor salt mixing area & stabling for gritting vehicles), highways depot (including stores area and vehicle maintenance shed, together with storage for vehicles and spares and vehicles associated with the Council’s landscaping function), office block, overnight parking for highways maintenance and transport passenger fleet vehicles, staff car/cycle parking, operational yards, lighting, fencing, drainage, landscaping and new access road from Thorn Road.

Applicant :    Central Bedfordshire Council

RESOLVED

that Planning Application No. CB/15/01627/REG3 relating to Land at Thorn Turn, Thorn Road, Houghton Regis, Dunstable LU6 1RT be approved as set out in the schedule appended to these minutes.

To receive and consider a Bi-annual update on Development Management Performance.

The Committee considered a report of the Development Infrastructure Group Manager which provided the bi-annual update of Development Control performance.

NOTED

the six monthly update of Development Control performance, as set out at Appendix A to the report of the Development Infrastructure Group Manager.

Under the provisions of the Members Planning Code of Good Practice, Members are requested to note that Site Inspections will be undertaken on Monday 17 August 2015. 

RESOLVED

that all members of the Committee be invited to conduct site inspections on Monday, 14 September 2015.