AMPTHILL TOWN COUNCIL

REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING

Held onTuesday 31^st March 2009 at 7.00pm 

In the Council Chamber, 66 Dunstable Street, Ampthill.

Report No. 9/2008 

Present: Councillors Mrs S Bacon, P A Eversley, Mrs P Foster, R A Holden (Chairman), M A Smith,  R Tebbutt, Mrs M Wilson, Mrs M Wright the Clerk. 

Apologies: Councillors R A D Chappell (unwell) and G Pascal (prior engagement). 

1.         Public Participation           

There had been no requests to speak. 

2.         Declarations of Interest

None declared. 

3.         The following applications received from Mid Bedfordshire District Council were considered:             

09/00305/FULL: 3 Station Road Ampthill. Detached double garage, 1^st floor studio space and roof storage. Mr T Morris  

RESOLVED that this application be REFUSED on the following grounds:·       The new development would be overbearing on the immediate neighbouring properties in Gloucester Court.·       The new development would not be in keeping with the existing dwelling at 3 Station Road.·       There is a question over whether the DDA regulations have been applied. 

09/00442/FULL: John Crosse Home, Station Road AmpthillChange of Use from 8 flats to 3 houses, two storey extension to rear to match existing. Detached garages. Aragon Land and Planning UK LLP 

RESOLVED: That the above application be SUPPORTED, subject to a satisfactory report from the District Council’s Conservation Officer. There is however concern over the extra usage of the A507 by vehicles accessing the road turning right from the development and the Town Council seek confirmation from the Highway Department that this access entrance has been supported.            

 09/00453/FULL: 98 Dunstable Street, Ampthill Change of Use from A1 (Retail) to A5 (Food & Drink) Hot Food Take Away. Mr G Millard.            

RESOLVED that this application be REFUSED on the following grounds:·       The smells arising from a hot food take away facility may be detrimental to neighbouring residents in Dunstable Street and additional residents to the rear of the premises in Katherine’s Gardens. The Environmental Health Officer would have to be satisfied that there would be an efficient means of extraction of emission of smells. ·       A take away facility in this location causes major concern as further traffic generated by this facility will be detrimental to the free flow of traffic through this already congested area of the town centre. Delivery of goods to the site could cause gridlock for through traffic.·       There is no demonstration within the application of how any waste would be removed from the site.·       If this application is approved the Town Council would like a restriction on opening hours to show the business will close no later than  10.30pm each night. 

4.              Trees 

09/00494/TPO: The Ossory Park House, Hazelwood Lane. 3 Lime trees remove deadwood and raise crowns. Mrs K Cotton 

RESOLVED that the above works be APPROVED, subject to a satisfactory report from Central Bedfordshire’s Arboricultural Officer. 

5.              To consider late applications received after the preparation of this agenda.            

MB/09/00380/DC3: Land adjacent to 94 Ampthill Road, FlitwickChange of Use of land to football pitches and associated changing facilities and landscaping. Mr David Gibson 

RESOLVED that the Town Council SUPPORT this application in principle, but would like the following comments noted:·       There is concern over the location of the entrance on the A5120; being opposite the 101 garage a filter system to take traffic out of the main carriageway may be beneficial.·       The floodlit pitches may cause a distraction to drivers using the A507 and the 101 roundabout and it suggested that this could be sited elsewhere on the site.·       The plans show a turning circle for coaches, but there is no indication of where the coaches will then park.·       With a provision of 120 spaces where would any overspill parking be expected to be considering the immediate proximity to the A507?·       No cycle sheds or racking is shown.·       Effective restraining netting or fencing will be necessary to prevent footballs affecting traffic on the surrounding roads.·       There is concern over the drainage of the site as the site ad flooding occurs on nearby sites.·       It is to be kept in mind that following the recent construction of the tennis facility at Redborne School black clay was present, it is suggested that before any construction starts soil samples are taken to satisfy concern that there is no black clay on this site. 

6.              To NOTE the following planning decisions received from MBDC: 

Approvals 

09/00050/FULLAmpthill Town Football Club, Woburn Street, Ampthill.Two storey visitors centre adjacent to Ampthill Town Football Club, & pitched roof to replace flat roof of Football Club. Ampthill Town Council. 

MB/09/00179/CAC41 Bedford Street, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2EXCAC: Demolition of existing outbuilding.Mr Moffett   

MB/09/00183/FULL41 Bedford Street, Ampthill, Bedford, MK45 2EXFull: Demolition of rear conservatory and replace with single storey rear extension,single storey garage, remove hip end to roof to form gable end and rear dormer.            

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.15pm   

CHAIRMAN                                                                DATED