Agenda and draft 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 A Dodwell and A Gray. 

(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.

No declarations of interest 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).

A member of the public and representative of the Roman Gate Action Group spoke in opposition to planning application CB/23/00503 (land under the pylons at site 17A, adj. Aurora Rise). It was advised that the application was causing a lot of worry and concern for residents, due to the potential loss of public open space as well as concerns regarding noise, light, overshadowing and increased traffic movements. The land was clearly designated as informal public open space in the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan and the town council was asked if it could encourage adoption of the land for its protection.     

(a) To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held on 15 February 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 15 February 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held 15 February 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 3 March 2023 (if applicable).

The Committee considered planning applications received up until 3 March 2023.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/23/00503 (Land under pylons on site 17a, Roman Gate, adj Aurora Rise).  

Despite this being an amended application which had seen a 25% reduction in the size of the proposed commercial units, the objections remained salient to those previously raised to application CB/22/00607. This area was the only open green area for families to use near their homes. No suitable alternative replacement open space had been offered up in mitigation. During construction and use thereafter, the proposal would result in an unacceptable level of noise and disturbance to the detriment of residents. The roads into this area were not adequate for the increase in potential traffic especially larger delivery vehicles with parking already at capacity on these roads. Reference was made to the potential legal transfer of the open space to the local authority or its nominee as part of the S106 Agreement for the site. 

Members agreed unanimously that the application was totally inappropriate for this area and the Town Council would strongly object to Central Bedfordshire Council.   

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that objection be made to application reference CB/23/00503 Land Under Pylon Corridor on Site 17a Adj Aurora Rise on the following grounds: 

1. The proposal would result in the loss of valuable open space as designated within the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan. In accordance with Policy EE13 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan, the proposal fails to offer up replacement open space of a similar quantity and quality in a suitably accessible location within a similar catchment to the original facility thereby denying residents a sustainable and comparable facility in a suitable location.  

2. The loss of established hedgerows and grassland would have a detrimental impact upon the biodiversity value of the open space for which any potential mitigation measures are unlikely to compensate for.  

  iii.         The proposal would have a significant impact upon the residential amenity of residents both during the construction phases and thereafter. The planning submission fails to provide an adequate noise assessment to demonstrate otherwise. Should the principal authority be minded to grant permission, that conditions are attached in order to safeguard residential amenity during the construction phases (limiting hours of operation) and the future hours of operation of any future commercial/business uses.  

  iv.        The highways authority would need to be satisfied that the existing road network is capable of entertaining the significant increase in vehicular movements along an already congested road network not capable of meeting its own needs let alone a further development of the scale being proposed.  

v.         Prior to adoption, the highways authority would need to be satisfied that the block finished road surfaces are capable of entertaining the level of development proposed.  

vi.       Attention is drawn to the Third and Fifth Schedule of the Section 106 Agreement for Site 17A and the legal obligation placed on the developer in respects of the transfer of open space and play areas to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 388/P

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

Concern was raised that a number of belisha beacons on pedestrian crossings within the town centre were not functioning correctly. It was agreed that this matter would be taken up with the lighting contractor for highways.

A concern was raised in respect of Vandyke Road and the perceived lack of progress thus far with implementing recommendations arising from the highway safety audit, given the increase in traffic caused by the eastern urban extension. It was agreed that the matter would be further pursued with Central Bedfordshire Council highway officers. 

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

No information items were raised or considered