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 Councillor J Silverstone.

(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 C Palmer advised he had discussed one planning application prior to the meeting but not expressed any opinion.

Councillor D Bowater declared an interest as a permanent substitute at the Central Bedfordshire Development Management Committee and would not vote on any applications likely to come before that committee.

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 in objection to application reference CB/22/03930 (13 Wing Road, Linslade) and circulated several photographs. This revised, retrospective application failed to address the issues of the previous application and could result in smoke, noise and light pollution, as well as car parking issues in a congested area.

The member of the public also spoke to raise concerns regarding poor road surfacing at the junction of Derwent Road, Leighton Road and Soulbury Road as well as surface water flooding on Soulbury Road.

The member of the public was thanked for attending the meeting. 

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

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

(a)    The Committee received the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held on 12 October  2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held 12 October 2022 be approved as a correct record and were signed accordingly.

(b)    Updates from the previous meeting:

Minute reference 340/P: councillors reiterated their concerns regarding safety on Vandyke Road – not just the new road layout near the schools but the entire stretch of road. It was understood that residents had formed a group to petition for road calming/safety measures. The Committee repeated its wish to better understand the recommendations arising from the safety audit commissioned by Central Bedfordshire Council.

To consider Planning Applications received (attached). An updated list will be issued on Friday 28 October 2022 (if applicable).

The Committee considered planning applications received up until 28 October 2022.

The Committee reviewed application CB/22/03930 (13 Wing Road) and agreed that its original objections as resolved on 31 August 2022 remained valid.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that objection be made to application reference CB/22/03930 (13 Wing Road) on the following grounds:

-       The proposal by virtue of its incongruous design, bulk and use of materials would represent an unacceptable form of development which is clearly visible from the public highway thereabouts.

-       The application fails to provide adequate fire safety egress on the grounds that emergency egress leads directly into an electricity sub-station.

-       As a shisha bar, the proposal is incapable of meeting safe natural ventilation standards and even if it were capable of doing so, this would lead to unacceptable noise and disturbance given the concerns raised by Public Protection by virtue of its juxtaposition to neighbouring residential properties.

-       Given its specialist nature, it is likely that the proposal would result in an increase in vehicles visiting the site which is likely to give rise to an unacceptable increase in parking pressures in an area devoid of sufficient parking provision.

-       The proposal to reduce the canopy structure would likely result in a greater level of noise and light pollution to the detriment of neighbouring properties.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that objection be made to application reference CB/22/03913 (65 North Street) on the following grounds:

-       Overdevelopment of the site with failure to meet minimum space standards

-       Loss of commercial premises

-       Lack of car parking provision on a congested busy road

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/22/04006 (35 Atterbury Avenue), subject to the planning authority being satisfied that there would be no unacceptable loss of privacy to neighbouring properties.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/22/04149 (Aldi store, Vimy Road), subject to the planning authority being satisfied that noise levels would not be unacceptable.

RESOLVED to request additional information in respect of application CB/22/04016 (Chamberlains Barn Quarry) prior to making a recommendation on the proposed modification of S106 agreement.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to the following planning applications:

1.      CB/22/03940                               45 THE MALTINGS

2.      CB/22/03980                               26 DERWENT ROAD

3.      CB/22/03948                               DYNAMIC METAILS, EDEN WAY

4.      CB/22/04066                               4 BROWNSLEA

5.      CB/22/04079                               ROSSALL, 200 HEATH ROAD

6.      CB/22/04078                               THE LAWNS, 271 HEATH ROAD

7.      CB/22/04126                               24 DUDLEY STREET

8.    CB/22/04136                               34 MOWBRAY DRIVE, LINSLADE

9.    CB/22/04158                               71 WATERDELL

10.    CB/22/03828/ADV                     LAND AT HARMILL IND ESTATE,

ADJACENT GROVEBURY ROAD

TREES

1.      CB/TRE/22/00575                     37 MOWBRAY DRIVE, LINSLADE

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

The matter raised by the member of the public regarding the roundabout at the junction of Derwent Road, Leighton Road and Soulbury Road was discussed. The surface had been relaid earlier in the year but appeared to be collapsing with little to no visible grip. It was agreed to raise this matter with the highways authority and to query whether there was any warranty on works undertaken by contractors.

Surface water flooding on Soulbury Road following resurfacing works was discussed. It was noted there had also been surface water flooding on Wing Road and on Heath Road by Chamberlains Gardens and opposite Adams Bottom park. A query was raised regarding gully clearance and how often this was undertaken.

It was reported that the closure of the top of South Street and Hockliffe Street was causing problems, in particular with the diversion of cars down George Street. Both George Street and Regent Street were unsuited to two-way traffic. It was agreed to raise this with the highways authority.

It was queried whether there were any updates in respect of the proposed timed crossing trial on West Street/Bridge Street, the A505 safety review or the possible installation of a speed indicator device on Derwent Road. There were no updates to report.

The Committee received the notes of the bus user group meetings held on 13 September 2022 and on 1 November 2022.

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

There were no information items to report.