Agenda and minutes

Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a record be kept of the Members present and that this record form part of the minutes of the meeting. Members who cannot attend a meeting should tender apologies to the Town Clerk.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors R Yates (substituted by B Spurr) and J Silverstone (substituted by T Morris). Councillor Owen advised he would be leaving after the public session.

(i)    Under the Localism Act 2011 (sections 26-37 and Schedule 4) and in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Members are required to declare any interests which are not currently entered in the Member’s Register of Interests or if he/she has not notified the Monitoring Officer of it.

(ii) Should any Member have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in an item on the agenda, the Member may not participate in consideration of that item unless a Dispensation has first been requested (in writing) and granted by the Council (see Dispensation Procedure).

Councillor D Bowater declared an interest as a substitute member of the Central Bedfordshire Development Management Committee.

No pecuniary interests were declared and no dispensations were requested.

To receive questions and statements from members of the public in respect of any item of business included in the agenda, as provided for in Standing Order Nos 3(e), (f) (g) and 3(h).

A member of the public spoke to express concerns about planning application CB/21/04570 (Bluebell Court). Although the change of use was supported as it was hoped this would reduce current antisocial behaviour near the vacant retail unit, there were two areas of concern. Firstly the sewer cover was prone to lifting after heavy rain, causing flooding including sewerage. Secondly the proposed arrangements for car parking were unclear and it was felt that proposals needed to be fair and in line with the provision for existing residents.

Cllr S Owen spoke on behalf of a resident who had raised a concern regarding the speed of traffic on Soulbury Road, between Rosebery Avenue and Station Road. Although a 20mph zone, traffic speeds often exceeded this and as it was a route to schools and an area with narrow pavements, there were concerns regarding pedestrian safety. It was asked whether anything could be done such as renewing the 20mph signage.

(a)        To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held on 17 November 2021 (attached) in accordance with Standing Order 12.

(b)        To receive information updates on matters arising from the previous meeting (if appropriate).

The Committee received the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held on 17 November 2021.

Minute reference 255/P (Transport Matters): the Committee was advised that an update on the queries raised was awaited from Central Bedfordshire Highways and that it was hoped that a Highways officer would be attending the next meeting on 5 January 2022. In the meantime Committee members had noted that some works had already been undertaken.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held 17 November 2021 be approved as a correct record and were signed accordingly.

To consider Planning Applications received (attached).  An updated list will be issued on Friday 3 December 2021 (if applicable).

The Committee reviewed applications received up until Friday 3 December 2021.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/21/04570 (Bluebell Court). It was noted that there was a previous 2017 planning consent for the change of use to one two-bedroom dwelling. Concerns were expressed about whether the units proposed were of an adequate size to meet standards and the potential for flood risk particularly if the ground floor was to be lowered. In addition, concerns were expressed about the proposed car parking arrangements as allocating four spaces from phase 2 of the development would reduce available parking for that scheme. This was an issue as the “surplus” car parking had been specifically designed to help alleviate the existing car parking issues in the locality and was in place of affordable housing provision. The Committee also acknowledged the point made by the member of the public about the need for parity of parking arrangements with the existing residents. The Committee agreed that there were no planning grounds for recommending refusal, particularly given the existing consent, but that the planning authority should be satisfied in respect of the points raised.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/21/04570 (Bluebell Court), subject to Central Bedfordshire Council being satisfied regarding the points raised above.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/21/04833 (Corner House, Sandy Lane). It was agreed that the Committee was appalled and disappointed by the applicant’s lack of compliance with many of the conditions conferred on the original planning consent.

RESOLVED to advise Central Bedfordshire Council that the Committee felt unable to comment on application reference CB/21/04833 (Corner House, Sandy Lane) due to not being qualified to ascertain which of the original conditions remained pertinent, but to express a view that the Committee was unhappy with retrospective applications generally and that Central Bedfordshire Council should be fully satisfied that any conditions which were still relevant had been fully met.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/21/04934 (16 Heath Park Drive), subject to parking standards being met.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/21/05081 (15 Aquila Road), subject to parking standards being met.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/21/04931 (24 Billington Road), subject to parking standards being met and a condition being added that the annexe be used only as ancillary to the main dwelling.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that objection be made to application reference CB/21/05101 (1B Broomhills Road) on the following grounds:

-       Overdevelopment of the site

-       Inadequate car parking

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that objection be made to application reference CB/21/05224 (1B Broomhills Road) on the grounds of overdevelopment of the site.  Should the planning authority be minded to approve it, parking standards should be met.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 262/P

To consider any matters relating to highways/transport (if appropriate).

The Committee discussed speeding on Soulbury Road as highlighted earlier in the meeting. The Committee agreed that vehicle speeds did exceed the 20mph limit and that because the pavements were narrow, this was not an area in which Speed Watch patrols could take place.

RESOLVED to advise Central Bedfordshire Council of the issue and to request the refreshing of 20mph signage/road markings.

The Committee noted that the announcement made earlier that evening by the Government was likely to result in a higher number of residents returning to home working over the coming days and weeks.

RESOLVED to contact Central Bedfordshire Council to request that consideration be given to appropriate relaxation of parking restrictions in residential areas, given the Government guidance encouraging home working.

To receive and consider any items of information received (if applicable).

The Committee received correspondence from Central Bedfordshire Council dated 26 November 2021 regarding a planning appeal at 112 Vandyke Road in respect of planning application CB/21/00696/FULL

RESOLVED to note the correspondence.