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 A Dodwell and D Bowater.

(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).

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).

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 4 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 4 January 2023.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning and Transport Committee meeting held 4 January 2023 be approved as a correct record, and were signed accordingly.

(b)       Updates from the previous meeting: 

Minute reference 368/P (Transport Matters): officers had made contact with the highways authority regarding parking enforcement on Hockliffe Street, failed belisha beacons, potholes and the issue of speeding on Derwent Road (data was being captured and possible sites for a speed indicator device to be investigated). In addition, the area custodian would attend a future meeting to update committee on planned highway maintenance in financial year 2023-24.

To consider Planning Applications received (attached). An updated list will be issued on Friday 20 January 2023 (if applicable).

The Committee considered planning applications received up until 20 January 2023.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/22/04840  (LAND AT SHENLEY HILL COUNTRY PARK) in respect of installation of an ambient ground source heat pump (GSHP) network

As a principle the town council supports the decarbonisation agenda and the positive impact such a proposal would have on reducing greenhouse gases. Should permission be granted, it is likely that the engineering operation required in sinking boreholes will cause noise and general disturbance to residential properties thereabouts. Accordingly, a condition should be attached to control the hours of operation in order to minimise the potential impact on residents.

The town council has concerns regarding future management and maintenance of the ground source heat pump system and associated pipework and infrastructure. For these purposes, it is understood that vehicular access would be taken from residential streets which in itself has the propensity of causing nuisance given the possible size of vehicles that may be required to carry out these works. It is likely that any necessary maintenance and repair works will cause damage to the park. Should permission be granted, a legal agreement should be in place that requires making good works to be undertaken by the system operator to a standard agreed by the principal authority or its appointed nominee.

The Committee reviewed application reference CB/23/00125 (303 BIDEFORD GREEN, LINSLADE) in respect of a Garage Conversion with rear extension works.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to application reference CB/23/00125, subject to the highways authority being satisfied that the application is capable of meeting its parking standards.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/22/04527/RM  (CHAMBERLAINS BARN QUARRY) in respect of approval of a new play area.

Whilst the Town Council welcomed the provision of additional play facilities in the parish, it would make the following comments in respect of this application: 

The proposed play area is located in a highly inaccessible and inappropriate location. It is physically divorced from the country park and situated hard up against the common boundary shared with established residential properties. In case of an emergency, it is unlikely that a rescue vehicle could attend site as there is no vehicular access or parking at the site. The site is considered too small for an adventure playground and is located within very close proximity (a few minutes’ walk) to a long-established play area at Adams Bottom, Heath Road which is owned and managed by the town council. What added play value a site this close to an existing play facility will provide is one for the principal authority to agree and accept.

The following officer observations are included for your careful consideration:

1)    The design proposal does not consider disabled users with no inclusive equipment in the proposed play space. The How We work statement on page three of the design proposal, "We Create a place for everyone", is not represented in this proposal. Please provide a revised proposal, including inclusive  ...  view the full minutes text for item 374/P

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

The Committee noted the report presented to the Central Bedfordshire Traffic Management Meeting of 24 January 2023 in respect of the A505 bypass. The report referenced 51 personal injury collisions, including four fatalities, in the period 16 May 2016 – 8 March 2022 and recommended a number of actions including a review of signage and road markings, a review of junctions, a review of the speed limit, a review of non-motorised highway users on and crossing the road and a cost benefit analysis of all proposed improvements. The Committee welcomed any measures which would improve safety.

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

The Committee received and noted correspondence from a local resident who had addressed the committee during 2022 and thanked them for their support in objecting to a planning application.