| Planning 14 April 2010 |
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AMPTHILL TOWN COUNCIL REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING Held on Wednesday 14th April 2010 at 7.30pm In the Council Chamber, 66 Dunstable Street, Ampthill. Report No.8/2009 Present: Councillors Mrs S Bacon (Chairman), P A Eversley, R A Holden, G Pascal, G Summerfield, Mrs M Wilson and the Deputy Town Clerk.
Apologies were received from Cllrs R A D Chappell (unwell), Mrs P Foster, M A Smith, R Tebbutt and Mrs A M Wright (all prior engagements). Also in attendance were 9 members of the public together with David Bainbridge from Bidwells, David Pratt and Chris Terelinck both from PRP Architects to give an updated presentation on design proposals for Swaffield Close. Additionally Robert Webb of Bloor Homes, Neil Granger of Bellway Homes and Mike Lake of DLA Planning to give a presentation on their proposals for land west of Ampthill (off Tavistock Avenue).
There were no requests made to speak.
Cllr G Pascal declared a personal interest in the Swaffield Close item as he is personally known to the Bedford Estates. Cllr G Summerfield declared a prejudicial interest in the Swaffield Close item as he was aware the application had been lodged with Central Beds Council and as a CB Planning Committee Substitute he would not be able to take part in any discussion of the item at this meeting but would observe. Cllr Mrs Bacon declared a personal interest in the Alameda Middle School application as she works for Mouchel.
David Bainbridge and his colleagues all acting on behalf of Bedford Estates were again invited to address the meeting to give an update on their proposals for the site. The Committee were advised that a full planning application for residential development on the site had been submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council on 26th March 2010. The application was awaiting formal registration for processing through to the consultation stage. The proposal includes 37 dwellings (2 bungalows, 11 flats, 24 houses) of which 35% will be affordable housing (9 social rent, 4 shared ownership) and allotments intended for use by those persons already on the Town Council’s waiting list. A residential parking only scheme is intended (with a contribution from the developer) for the new development and existing Swaffield Close and double yellow lines at the junction. The following questions were raised by members with responses given as follows:-
A. Children’s play area and commuted sum, allotments, affordable housing, financial contribution towards formal sport and community facilities (health, police etc.) in essence usual local authority conditions.
Q. Will the affordable housing be clustered? A. No, the 13 units will be dispersed throughout the development. The Chairman then invited the Committee to consider suspending standing orders to allow some of the members of the public in attendance to ask questions about the proposed development. Standing orders suspended at 7.45pm. A resident queried the proposed electric sub station and any associated noise disturbance it may bring. Bidwells advised that the station was a requirement of the build and would be bricked to avoid noise interference. The station has been sited at an optimum distance and a living screen of willow could be provided around the brick to soften the appearance. 12 Swaffield Close asked whether their view would be affected by new fencing and Bidwells advised it would not. Another resident of Swaffield Close asked about the new bungalow roof and was told that it would not affect his view/light. Mr Freeman asked if the developers were contributing to the residential parking scheme and Bidwells advised that they were. Standing orders were resumed at 8.05pm. Bidwells were again thanked for their useful presentation and continuing engagement with the community and the Council. 5. Land west of Ampthill (off Tavistock Avenue) Robert Webb of Bloor Homes and Neil Granger of Bellway Homes were invited to give a presentation on their proposals for land west of Ampthill. Bellway and Bloor Homes are developing the site which has outline planning approval and have been in negotiation with Fiona Webb and Robin Uff at Central Bedfordshire Council to agree a design code for the site. A reserved matters application has now been submitted and registered by Central Beds. The proposal includes 210 dwellings (inc. mobility and affordable housing), public footpath routes, landscaping, 3 children’s play areas (1 off site, 2 on site), surface water attenuation points and 2 new roundabouts on the A507. All vehicular access to the site will be from the A507 with one of the new roundabouts to be in place before the development commences and the other provided by early occupancy on the site. The developers advised that some archaeological works have started on the site and subject to all the approvals being in place they would hope to start construction late summer/early autumn with delivery of the affordable housing first. Bloor and Bellway Homes were thanked for coming along to the meeting to give an update on proposals for the site and the Council looked forward to receiving the formal reserved matters application for consideration. 6. To note applications considered under delegation by the Deputy Clerk in consultation with the Planning Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman: CB/09/06964/FULL Redborne Upper School, Flitwick Road. Extension to north school. Redborne Upper School Resolved: That the above application be supported.
CB/10/00413/FULL Queensmen Football Club, Woburn Street. Removal of existing flat roof to replace with a pitched lean to roof. Queensmen FC Resolved: That the above application be supported.
CB/10/00688/FULL 43 Arthur Street. Single storey extension and erection of new wall to front. Mr & Mrs Colwill Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to no adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
CB/10/00683/FULL 42 Fallowfield. Single storey front and rear extensions. New pitched roof to existing flat roof. Tina Hollick Resolved: That the above application be recommended for REFUSAL due to overdevelopment of the site, front elevation extends over the building line and the height of the new roof changes the appearance of the building.
CB/10/00801/FULL 3 Ossory Place. Single storey rear extension. Mr & Mrs K Jones Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to no adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
TPO/10/00069 37 Parmiter Way. Prune one Oak tree within rear garden. Mr K Liddell Resolved: That the above application be supported subject to a satisfactory report from the Central Beds Trees and Landscape Officer.
CB/10/00896/LB 7 Feoffee Alms Houses, Church Street. Opening up of original fireplace for wood burning stove. Mrs C Jackson Resolved: That the above application be supported.
CB/10/00923/FULL 115 Dunstable Street. Creation of new entrance door to serve existing first floor flat. Credit Securities Ltd Resolved: That the above application be recommended for REFUSAL due to changing look of the façade to a listed building in the conservation area. There is also a narrow pathway to exit. ADDITIONALLY the proposal to reposition the street lamp outside the property is in fact the lamp pole that the Town Council paid to have erected which we use to attach the town’s Christmas lights to and as such it cannot be repositioned.
CB/10/00943/FULL 51 Arthur Street. Replace existing double garage. Single storey rear extensions to dwelling. Dr Kevin Singleton Resolved: That the above application be supported subject to no adverse impact on the neighbours and building materials in keeping with the surrounding properties.
CB/10/00962/FULL 26 Arthur Street. Two dormers to rear elevation for loft conversion. Mr David Bateson Resolved: That the above application be recommended for REFUSAL as the dormers will overlook the rear gardens of neighbouring properties. CB/10/00967/ADV The Albion, 36 Dunstable Street. Erection of two fascias and one projecting sign with illumination. Everards Brewery Ltd Resolved: That the two fascias and one projecting sign be supported but the illumination is recommended for REFUSAL as it is out of keeping in a predominantly residential area. 7. The following applications received from Central Bedfordshire Council were considered: CB/10/01002/LB 1 Bedford Street. Internal alterations to create dwellings. Mr Jas Rai Resolved: That the above application be supported, however, the Town Council is still concerned at the lack of dedicated car parking for the residential part of the development.
TPO/10/00080 10 Chestnut Close. Prune one Lime tree within the rear garden. Mrs Denise Sowery Resolved: That the above application be supported.
CB/10/00937/FULL 59 Tavistock Avenue. Single storey front and two storey side extensions. Mr Richard Holmes Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to no adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
CB/10/00927/LB 115 Dunstable Street. Creation of new entrance door to serve existing first floor flat. Internal alterations to form internal wall and alteration to staircase to form access to first floor flat. Credit Securities Co. Resolved: That the above application be recommended for REFUSAL due to changing look of the façade to a listed building in the conservation area. There is also a narrow pathway to exit. ADDITIONALLY the proposal to reposition the street lamp outside the property is in fact the lamp pole that the Town Council paid to have erected which we use to attach the town’s Christmas lights to and as such it cannot be repositioned.
CB/10/00953/FULL Alameda Middle School, Station Road. Retention of two single and one double classroom unit for a temporary period. Central Beds Council Resolved: That the above application be supported.
CB/10/00951/FULL 35 Flitwick Road. Velux window to north elevation. Mr Martin Quinn Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to no adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
CB/10/00011/FULL (amended) 11 Grange Road. Two storey side and rear extensions, single storey rear extension. Rear decking with steps. Increase width of driveway and vehicular access. (Amendment: Garage amended to form car port, increase width of driveway). Mr Potter Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to no adverse impact on neighbouring properties. 8. The following late applications received after the preparation of this agenda were considered: CB/10/01159/LB The Ossory Park House, Hazelwood Lane. Alterations to the exterior steps to the east elevation. Replace wall to side of steps with lower wall and decorative railings and render inside of wall. Addition of wall with railings from steps to front of east elevation. Mrs Karen Cotton Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to the approval of the Central Beds Conservation Officer. 9. To receive items of correspondence for note only. There were no items of correspondence to note. There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50pm.
CHAIRMAN DATED |