The report proposes that Executive adopt the revised Central Bedfordshire Design Guide as technical guidance for Development Management purposes.

1.      that the proposed changes to the Design Guide be noted and that the revised Design Guide be adopted as technical guidance for development management purposes.

2.      To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business Support, in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development, to make any minor amendments to the revised Design Guide prior to publication.

3.      To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business Support, in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities -  Strategic Planning and Economic Development, to alter the internal space standards set out in the revised Central Bedfordshire Design Guide paragraph 5.05 to take account of the national standards to be issued by the Government in response to the Housing Standards Review 2013; providing that they are not lower than 25% of the current standards.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that set out the revised Central Bedfordshire Design Guide.  The Council’s design priorities were the provision of homes with decent room sizes and gardens and the ability to adapt to changing lifestyles, an ageing population and climate change.  Design would be a key issue in determining and shaping the successful delivery of development being planned.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning Economic Development moved an additional recommendation, which was duly seconded:-

“to authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business Support, in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities -  Strategic Planning and Economic Development, to alter the internal space standards set out in the revised Central Bedfordshire Design Guide paragraph 5.05 to match the national standards to be issued by the Government in response to the Housing Standards Review 2013; providing that they are not lower than 25% of the current standards.”

Reason for decision:  To meet the Council’s priority of enhancing Central Bedfordshire – creating jobs, managing growth, protecting our countryside and enabling businesses to grow.

RESOLVED

1.      that the proposed changes to the Design Guide be noted and that the revised Design Guide be adopted as technical guidance for development management purposes;

2.      to authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business Support, in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development, to make any minor amendments to the revised Design Guide prior to publication; and

3.      To authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business Support, in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities -  Strategic Planning and Economic Development, to alter the internal space standards set out in the revised Central Bedfordshire Design Guide paragraph 5.05 to take account of the national standards to be issued by the Government in response to the Housing Standards Review 2013; providing that they are not lower than 25% of the current standards.