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 Cllrs J M Freeman, A Gray, D Bowater and the Deputy Town Clerk.

(i)           The Localism Act 2011 and the Code of Conduct requires Councillors to declare any pecuniary interests, other registrable interests or sensitive interests in items on the meeting agenda, which are not already included in the Register of Interests. Members may choose to declare interests already listed in the Register for clarity and transparency.

(ii)          For disclosable pecuniary interests, Members must leave the room and not participate in discussion or voting, unless a dispensation has been granted.

(iii)         For other registrable or non-registrable interests which directly relate to the financial interest of a Member, a relative or close associate, councillors may speak on the matter only if members of the public may also speak at the meeting. Thereafter, Members should leave the room and not participate in discussion or voting, unless a dispensation has been granted.

(iv)         The Council/Committee/Sub-Committee is asked to consider approving any requests for dispensations to speak/vote on any agenda item in accordance with the Dispensations Procedure.

Members were asked to declare any interests, including the nature of those interests, which they had in any of the items under consideration at this meeting. No declarations were made.

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).

There were no questions from members of the public.            

(a) To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held on 25 January 2023 (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 25 January 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held 25 January  2023 be approved as a correct record, and were signed accordingly.

(b)   Updates from the previous meeting:  none.

To consider Planning Applications received (attached).  An updated list will be issued on Friday 10 February 2023 (if applicable).

The Committee considered planning applications received up until 10 February 2023.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/23/00146 (1 Heath Park Drive) in respect of a single storey side extension. Members considered that in itself, the proposal was modest and in keeping with the existing dwelling. Concern was however raised that the extension has the propensity to be used in isolation as a self-contained residential unit. To this end, it was agreed that a condition should be attached to ensure that the proposal remains ancillary to the main dwelling house.

Given that the site falls within a designated area of special character, the town council would insist that should planning permission be granted, all new materials that are used be sympathetic to the existing dwelling and the general street scene.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/23/00146  (1 Heath Park Drive) subject to conditions being attached requiring the extension to remain ancillary to the main dwelling house and materials to be used to be sympathetic to the dwelling house and in keeping with the street scene.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/22/04897 (Corbetts Hill Farm, Taylors Ride) in respect of the conversion of barns to form 1 dwelling, including a link extension between the two barns. Whilst there is a policy presumption in favour of the re-use of buildings within the South Bedfordshire Green Belt, the town council wishes to object to the size of the proposed link extension and the perceived impact the proposed use as a residential home would have on the local distinctiveness and local tranquillity of this sensitive location.

 RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council objection to application reference CB/22/04897 (Corbetts Hill Farm, Taylors Ride) on the grounds that the proposed link extension, by virtue of its footprint, height and scale would have a detrimental impact upon the openness of the Green Belt and that the proposed use as a residential home would compromise the local distinctive character of the countryside and its tranquillity.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/23/00167 (15 Roosevelt Avenue) in respect of the installation of an air source heat pump with addition of taller boundary fence to help with noise levels. As a principle the town council is supportive of the decarbonisation agenda and the positive impact such a proposal would have on reducing greenhouse gases. In this case however, concern was raised that the proposed installation falls outside of permitted development noise tolerances and on this basis, the town council would wish to seek assurance that should permission be granted, Public Protection is satisfied that any likely noise generated when the appliance was in operation is within acceptable standard tolerance.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/23/00167 (15 Roosevelt Avenue), subject to Public Protection being satisfied that when in operation, the air source heat system will operate within acceptable standards of tolerance.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/23/00204 (Car Park North  ...  view the full minutes text for item 381/P

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

On behalf of Buzz Cycles, Chris Stevenson provided the committee with an update on walking and cycling infrastructure planning. Whilst it was recognised that over 1,000 comments had been received to the recent consultation Central Bedfordshire Council had run on walking and cycling (LCWIP), Buzz Cycles was dismayed at the perceived slow progress being made in the delivery of important cycle and walking links. Of particular concern was the perceived lack of linkages between the new estates in the east and the town centre. The lack of connectivity to the proposed new leisure centre scheme to the east was also raised. Mr Stevenson was thanked for his attendance and the update offered which the committee was keen to keep under review.

The issue of the future of the town centre ETRO was raised. It came as a surprise to the committee that Central Bedfordshire Council had yet to inform the town council that an internal consultation on the future of the ETRO was being undertaken only. News of this was provided in this week’s Leighton Buzzard Observer only.  As a stakeholder and market operator, the town council considered it appropriate for the views of this council to be taken into consideration. Given that any proposed changes to the existing ETRO would have to be made before the end of March, time was a critical factor and engagement was needed as soon as possible.

RESOLVED that the Town Clerk write to the Central Bedfordshire Council Portfolio Holder for Highways requesting a timely meeting to discuss the existing ETRO in the current way it operates.

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

No information items were raised or considered