AMPTHILL TOWN COUNCIL 

REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

Held on

 Wednesday 23 November 2011 at 7.30pm

 In the Council Chamber, 66 Dunstable Street, Ampthill.

Report No.6/2011

Present: Councillors Sally Bacon, John Bingham, Mike Blair, Penny Foster, Sue Hinkin, Margaret Wilson and Margaret Wright (Chairman).

There was 1 member of the public present.

1. 1.                  Apologies and Substitutions

There were no apologies received or substitutions made.

1. 2.         Public Participation

Mr Kelvin Horton of Grange Road registered to speak following the public exhibition held by Denison Investments on the proposed Warren Farm development.

Mr Horton undertook an exit pole at the exhibition asking attendees about the New Homes Bonus Scheme and what they considered should be the priorities for the town if this funding became available.

The results of the exit pole are as appended to these minutes.

Mr Horton was thanked for the information and was invited to remain at the meeting as the results would be discussed at agenda item number 6.

1. 3.         The following application considered under delegation by the Deputy Clerk in consultation with the Planning Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman was noted:

CB/11/03845/FULL – rsvp 18 Nov

17 Holland Road. Erection of single storey rear extension, convert and raise level of garage to new extension level. First floor side dormer extension.

Mr Berry

Resolved: That the above application be supported.

1. 4.         The following planning applications received from Central Bedfordshire Council were considered:

CB/11/03561/FULL – rsvp 21 Nov

24 Flitwick Road. Construction of first floor balcony with spiral staircase and insertion of entrance door.

Dr P Rowe.

Resolved: That the above application be supported.

CB/TCA/11/00336 – rsvp 22 Nov

42 Park Hill. Works to trees within a Conservation Area. Fell one dead Mimosa tree located to the side of the property, adjacent to Park Hill. Reduce one Magnolia tree located in the garden and adjacent to the footpath. Reduce one Silver Maple by 30% located in the garden and adjacent to the private access road.

Mr J Albertella

Resolved: That the above application be supported.

1. 5.         The following late application received after the preparation of the agenda was considered:

CB/TCA/11/00352 – rsvp 5 Dec

5 Flitwick Road. Works to trees within a Conservation Area: Remove 4 x large bower branches from one Fig tree and lower height of the tree by 1m and prune back from road and footpath by approx. 2m. Located with the garden boundary facing Flitwick Road.

Mr Lockey

Resolved: That the above application be supported.

1. 6.         To draw up a list of potential Section 106 funding projects.

Members considered it would be prudent to draw up a list of potential Section 106 projects so information is readily available as needed.

The main issues that were drawn from the exit pole, as undertaken by Mr Horton, identified priorities such as increasing town centre parking, community centre, Parkside Hall redevelopment, extra parking at Oliver Street, roundabout at Flitwick Road/Warren Farm site, cycle routes and town design statement to maintain Georgian Market Town identity. Some of these issues concurred with the Council’s own priorities.

Following discussion a list of potential Section 106 funding projects was drafted:

• 1.      Parkside redevelopment.
• 2.      Shared Space.
• 3.      Houghton Close – additional parking on CBC grass area.
• 4.      Additional parking along Bedford Street – ‘herringbone’ style parking bays.
• 5.      Complete reassessment of parking in Ampthill.
• 6.      Woburn Street - zebra crossing.
• 7.      Woburn Street – left hand filter onto A507.
• 8.      Bedford Street – yellow hatched box o/s Waitrose entrance (short term).
• 9.      Bedford Street – right turn lane for Waitrose customers’ (long term).
• 10.  Cycleway – Ampthill to Flitwick.
• 11.  Possible Park and ride scheme.
• 12.  Live timetabling at bus stops.

Recommended: That the draft list be considered for order of priority at the next Planning meeting.

1. 7.         Proposed zebra crossing – Woburn Street

Notification had been received from Central Bedfordshire Council regarding a proposed new zebra crossing in Woburn Street.

Recommended: That the Town Council supports the provision of a zebra crossing in Woburn Street.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.25pm.

1. CHAIRMAN                                                              DATED