Agenda item

(a)       To consider Planning Applications received (attached). An updated list will be issued on Friday 6 May 2022 (if applicable).

(b)       To receive and note an update report detailing the outcomes of planning applications to which the Town Council has recommended objection (to follow).

(a)                 The Committee considered planning applications received up until 5 May 2022.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that no objection be made to the following applications, subject to CBC being satisfied that parking standards were met:

            CB/22/01289                        34 WESTON AVENUE

            CB/22/01590                        7 BISHOP CLOSE

            CB/22/01267                        66 RUSSELL WAY

In respect of application CB/22/01267 (66 Russell Way) the town council would request consideration of a condition limiting use of the proposed gym to personal use only.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/22/01483 (2 North Street) and expressed concerns regarding whether space standards were being adhered to, the potential for adverse impact on surrounding pre-existing businesses, lack of car parking for two 2-bedroom dwellings (whilst recognising the town centre location) and lack of a listed building application when it was understood the building was grade 2 listed. 

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that objection be made to application reference CB/22/01483 (2 North Street)on the following grounds:

-       The habitable accommodation fails to meet current space standards

-       Despite it being a town centre location, the lack of off-street parking provision will do nothing to address what is already a chronic situation

By way of an informative, Public Protection – Central Bedfordshire Council should be satisfied that the introduction of residential uses in this particular location will not compromise already established business uses to their detriment.

The Committee discussed application reference CB/22/01377/OUT (Pledge Office Chairs, Mill Road) and acknowledged that the application was an improvement over the previous one due to the lower housing density, reduced impact on the green belt and the anticipated biodiversity net gain.  The Committee also recognised the poor current state of the site and the need for the company to move to more suitable premises. However, concerns remained regarding the proposed access which could not be significantly improved due to being surrounded by existing houses, the potential for issues regarding drainage and flooding, the potential impact of water from the proposed attenuation lake flooding into the river Ouzel further upstream, the potential impact on the surrounding road network which was already problematic and the potentially overbearing nature of the proposed 2-3 storey buildings on the riverside walk and Ouzel Valley Park.  The land had not been identified for development in the newly adopted Local Plan.

RESOLVED to recommend to Central Bedfordshire Council that objection be made to application reference CB/22/01377/OUT (Pledge Office Chairs, Mill Road) on the following grounds:

-       That the land is not identified for housing development in the Local Plan.

-       Concerns regarding flood risk and surface water drainage (and the impact of water from the proposed attenuation lake entering the river course further upstream).

-       Narrow vehicular access to the site with no prospect of significantly widening it, leading to concerns for safety as well as access/egress.

-       Concerns regarding the impact of significantly increased vehicle movements, especially at peak times, in an area with widespread traffic issues including limited traffic flow due to on street parking, lack of sufficient parking for Bassett Road GP surgery and high volume traffic movements relating to the Bassett Road clinic and Mary Bassett Lower School.

-       Concerns regarding the proximity of the sewerage pumping station to proposed housing units

Should Central Bedfordshire Council be minded to approve the application, the Town Council would wish to ask for consideration of the following:

-       Early involvement in S106 negotiations, particularly given the Town Council ownership of the Ouzel Valley water meadows.

-       That the impact of the development in terms of increased pressures on services such as policing, health and education be taken into account in S106 agreements.

-       That the Green Wheel strategy be taken into account, with early liaison with the Town Council and the Ouzel Valley Park Steering Group in establishing matters such as landscaping, planting and biodiversity, potential improvements to the riverside walk area, improved walking and cycling access.

-       That specific mitigation measures be agreed to minimise the impact of additional traffic movements in an already congested area, such as additional no waiting restrictions.

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

1.      CB/22/01180                         LAND ADJ TO HEATHLEA, SANDY LANE

2.      CB/22/01573                         12 LEOPOLD ROAD, LINSLADE

3.      CB/22/01624                         106 BIDEFORD GREEN

4.      CB/22/01707/REG3              RUSHMERE PARK ACADEMY

5.      CB/22/01346                          99 BIDEFORD GREEN

TREES

1.     CB/TRE/22/00161            41 TAYLORS RIDE

2.    CB/TRE/22/00224             TIMBER LODGE PLANTATION ROAD

3.     CB/TRE/22/00192            58 REDWOOD GLADE

(b)      The Committee received a report regarding the outcomes of applications to which it had recommended objection in the period September 2021 – April 2022.

RESOLVED to note the report.