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 R Yates (substituted by Councillor T Morris).

(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 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 and representative of the Leighton Buzzard Society spoke in opposition to application reference CB/22/04253 (opposite 1 Bunkers Lane, Linslade). The Society felt that the erection of a 5G telecommunications mast at that location would be totally inappropriate, especially being in the Southcott Village conservation area.

(a) To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held on 2 November  (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 2 November  2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held 2 November 2022 be approved as a correct record and were signed accordingly.

(b)      Updates from the previous meeting:

A505 speed change consultation: this date was not known as yet.

Vandyke Road safety concerns: the local authority was following this up with the developer of the new housing at Clipstone Park/Chamberlains Barn, but the exact recommendations arising from the safety audit were not known.

The Committee was advised of correspondence between a Central Bedfordshire ward councillor and Councillor I Dalgarno regarding the trial of a timed crossing at West Street/Bridge Street and it was believed this was able to proceed at a future date.

Officers confirmed they would keep all outstanding transport queries under review with the local authority.

To consider Planning Applications received (attached). An updated list will be issued on Friday 18 November 2022 (if applicable).

The Committee considered planning applications received up until 18 November 2022.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/22/04212 (29 Wing Road), subject to the planning authority being satisfied that there would be no unacceptable overlooking due to the proposed roof height and that a condition be included such that the annexe could only be used as ancillary to the main dwelling.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/22/03771 (66 Gibson Drive) subject to the planning authority being satisfied that parking standards would be met, given the lack of on-street parking in this location.

Discussion took place regarding application CB/22/04253/TD (opposite 1 Bunkers Lane, Linslade). The Committee felt that the reduction in height from 18m to 15m and the more slender design of mast did not mitigate the objections raised previously. Although the applicant had stated they felt their resubmission “robustly addressed” previous grounds for objection, the Committee did not agree that no other possible sites could be identified and felt strongly that the historic character of the Southcott Village conservation area should be preserved, along with the views from that approach to the town which dated back to Saxon times. In addition, it was understood that the planning officer had already advised that the proposed measures would not be sufficient to mitigate objections to the proposal.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that objection be made to application reference CB/22/04253/TD (opposite 1 Bunkers Lane, Linslade) on the following grounds:

-       Location within the Southcott Village historic conservation area

-       Visually intrusive and dominant in the street scene, without any camouflage to mitigate impact its impact on the rural character of the setting

-       Contrary to policies HQ1, HE3 and HQ5 of the Central Bedfordshire Local Plan

Discussion took place regarding application reference CB/22/04278 (Chamberlains Barn Quarry). It was believed that the proposed ground-source heat network would serve the new residents on Chamberlains Barn and that a series of boreholes and pipework would be underground. The Committee had previously questioned whether this would affect any kind of planting/growing regime but this was still unclear.

RESOLVED to advise Central Bedfordshire Council that the Town Council did not feel qualified to give an opinion on application reference CB/22/04278, but would seek reassurance that the future maintenance of the ground-source heat network would not adversely impact on the access to and enjoyment of the country park.

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

1.    CB/22/04224              5 DUDLEY STREET

2.    CB/22/04259              97 CHURCHILL ROAD

3.    CB/22/03865/MW      STONE LANE QUARRY WOBURN ROAD

4.    CB/22/04293              2 PHOENIX CLOSE

5.    CB/22/04304              91 LIDDELL WAY

6.    CB/22/04357              84 WILLOW BANK WALK

7.    CB/22/04355              34 BILLINGTON ROAD

8.  CB/22/04377              9 BROOK STREET

    9.  CB/22/04393              6 CHILTERN GARDENS

   10. CB/22/04300            GRUNDFOS PUMPS GROVEBURY ROAD

   11. CB/22/04434              52 ALMOND ROAD

TREES

1.     CB/TRE/22/00598   THE GLOBE INN

2.     CB/TRE/22/00580   32 REDWOOD  ...  view the full minutes text for item 353/P

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

A member of the public and representative of the Bus Users’ Group spoke to advise the Committee of the group’s activity to date and to thank the Council for its support in getting the initiative off the ground. There were concerns about the lack of a 150 bus service on Sundays and the rerouting of the service away from Milton Keynes Hospital, which was due to issues with the Milton Keynes bus network.

The anticipated pan-Bedfordshire bus user meeting had not yet taken place but concerns had been raised with the Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council and the Member of Parliament for South-West Bedfordshire. Some positive outcomes had been achieved such as the provision of bus timetables in the Library. The representative was thanked for his report and it was agreed that it was positive to see progress being made.

The Committee noted that there had been some concerns raised by residents on social media recently, in relation to scheduled roadworks. It was clarified that the A505 bypass would only be partially closed, between Grovebury Road and Billington Road.  Works scheduled by National Highways would see the A5 closed between Hockliffe and Brickhill overnight during the same period, but Central Bedfordshire Council had now advised them of the A505 closure. It was agreed to publish a brief social media post and direct residents to the online map of agreed roadworks.

The Committee was advised of a proposal from Central Bedfordshire Council to install a bicycle maintenance stand near to the Flypast Memorial on Bridge Street. Whilst there were no objections to the design of the unit, concerns were expressed about any possible impediment to pedestrians as this was a busy route to and from the town centre and schools. It was suggested that this be discussed further and that Buzzcycles be invited to comment on the proposal. 

It was noted that an invitation had been circulated from Central Bedfordshire Council to a discussion regarding parking standards for new homes and also that an engagement event was being held at the Library on 26 November regarding the draft Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

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

There were no information items to report.