| Planning minutes 23 Sept 09 |
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AMPTHILL TOWN COUNCIL REPORT OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING Held on Wednesday 23rd September 2009 at 7.30pm In the Council Chamber, 66 Dunstable Street, Ampthill. Report No.4/2009 Present: Councillors Mrs S Bacon, (Chairman), R A D Chappell, P Duckett P A Eversley, Mrs P Foster, G Pascal (Vice Chairman), M A Smith G Summerfield, Mrs M Wilson, Mrs A M Wright and the Deputy Town Clerk. Apologies: Apologies were received from Cllrs R A Holden (mayoral commitment) and R Tebbutt (prior commitment). Also present: 11 members of the public, David Bainbridge and William Shearer from Bidwells. 1. Public Participation Mr Robert Barton of Swaffield Close had registered to speak in relation to the presentation from Bidwells. Mr Barton’s concerns mainly focused on problems with traffic congestion, safety issues and inconsiderate parking.
2. Declarations of Interest Cllr G Pascal declared a personal interest in the Swaffield Close item as he is known to the landowner and his stepfather used to work for Bidwells prior to retiring some years ago.
Cllr P Eversley declared a personal interest in the application for land to the rear of 104 Flitwick Road as he was personally known to the applicant.
Cllr G Summerfield declared that he had spoken to several Swaffield Close residents regarding development of the site and had also spoken to Mr Cowi in respect of both of the Grange Farm applications to advise him on the planning process.
Cllr P Duckett also declared that he had spoken to numerous Swaffield Close residents about development of the site.
3. Land off Swaffield Close. To receive a presentation from Bidwells. Following the Town Council’s decision to accept the offer of a presentation from Bidwells, the Chairman welcomed David Bainbridge and William Shearer to the meeting.
Mr Bainbridge explained that Bidwells had become involved in the Swaffield Close site since Persimmons interest had expired. William Shearer is acting for the landowners, Bedford Estates, who are in control of the site.
Plans for the site were in the initial stages and as yet no formal planning application had been submitted. The preparations of 2 no. submission documents made to Central Bedfordshire Council were discussion documents and gave an indicative scheme proposal.
Bidwells stated that they are seeking to address the planning history of the site, the context of developing the site in regard to planning policy and to consider how the site can be developed with local engagement. They are aware of the previous objections raised and have taken these onboard and were keen to hear local views. The site and its history is a challenging one and proposals so far allow for 42 dwellings, on site affordable housing, on site play space and green space. Dwellings are sited further away from the Swaffield Close dwellings due to the topography of the site. In particular no vehicle access is proposed via Park Hill and measures need to be investigated regarding the overspill parking occurring in Swaffield Close.
Mr Bainbridge and Mr Shearer then welcomed questions from Town Councillors.
A. Bidwells confirmed that the full (28% or 35%) will be on site and this has been confirmed with Central Bedfordshire Council.
Q. It is assumed that within the mix of housing there will be executive homes, with executive lifestyle i.e. extra cars, more vehicle movements in and out of Swaffield Close. If a different design of housing was considered that would attract less cars and traffic and could significantly reduce traffic flows. A. Bidwells took this comment on board.
Q. Consideration could be given to providing a traffic loop through the site to allow one way in and one way out to alleviate traffic congestion. A. Bidwells took this comment on board.
Q. Members are keen to see that the design and materials of the buildings are in keeping with Ampthill as a whole which has many character properties. A. Bidwells took this comment on board.
Q. Concern was raised about the boundary treatment adjacent to Ampthill Park and the fact that the Town Council will not allow direct access from the development into the Park. A. Bidwells took this comment on board.
Q. Concern was raised about emergency access into the site as Swaffield Close was often blocked up by inconsiderate overspill parking. Generally it was emphasised that parking is Ampthill’s biggest problem and it needs to be addressed with every development. A. Bidwells took these comments on board.
Q. Members had concerns about Bedford Estates selling the land to another developer. A. Mr Shearer responded that there is a possibility of this but it would be in close consultation with the Bedford Estates and not as before.
Standing orders were suspended at 8.05pm to allow members of the public to ask questions and to make observations.
Residents’ observations:
A. Bidwells reported that no definite timescale was in place as there were many factors to take into consideration such as the LDF core strategy adoption, costing for professional fees etc. A formal application could possibly be made in 6 months.
Standing orders were resumed at 8.15pm.
Mr Bainbridge and Mr Shearer were thanked for their attendance and very useful and informative presentation and were invited to come back to a future meeting with the Council once their plans had progressed. Mr Bainbridge and Mr Shearer thanked the Council for inviting them to this evening’s meeting and welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Council and local residents again.
4. To note the following applications considered under delegation by the Deputy Clerk in consultation with the Planning Committee Chairman and Vice Chairman:
CB/09/05378/FULL – 3 Aug 09 11 Fallowfield. Single storey front extension and new boundary fence. Mr Hick
Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to there being no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
CB/09/01186/FULL (Amended) – 3 Aug 09 39 Arthur Street. Single storey rear extensions. Dormer to rear elevation.
Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to there being no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
CB/09/00884/OUT – 19 Aug 09 Land adjacent to 56 Oliver Street. Detached dwelling with garage. Paul Roberts
Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to there being no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
CB/09/05543/FULL – 20 Aug 09 11 Lea Road. Single storey side extension to replace existing and two storey rear extension. Mr Cashin
Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to there being no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
CB/09/05547/FULL – 20 Aug 09 58a Oliver Street. Single storey rear extension to replace existing conservatory. Roger Woodcraft
Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to there being no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
CB/09/05369/FULL – 24 Aug 09 3 Station Road. Detached double garage. First floor studio and roof storage. Tom Morris
Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to there being no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
CB/09/05493/FULL – 27 Aug 09 26A Saunders Piece. Erection of one detached dwelling. Eddie Knight
Resolved: that the above application be supported, however there is some concern relating to the blind exit onto Saunders Piece. The Town Council would also like clarification of the position of the parking spaces for three cars as this is not clear on the plan.
CB/09/05622/FULL – 28 Aug 09 1 Rushbrook Close. Single storey front extension including bay windows. Two storey side extension and single storey rear extension to replace existing. Mr & Mrs P Johnson
Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to there being no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
CB/09/05663/FULL – 1 Sept 09 21 Station Road. Single storey rear extension. Mr Taylor
Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to there being no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
CB/09/05690/FULL – 4 Sept 09 1 Russell Drive. Two storey side and single storey rear extensions. Mr & Mrs D Spackman
Resolved: That the above application be supported, subject to there being no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
CB/09/05708/Regulation 3 – 7 Sept 09 Land adjacent 94 Ampthill Road, FLITWICK. Change of use to football pitches with associated changing pavillion and external landscaping. Flitwick Town Council
Resolved: That the Town Council SUPPORT this application in principle, but would like the following comments noted:
CB/09/05597/FULL – 9 Sept 09 Redborne Upper School, Flitwick Road. Construction of a new artificial grass sports pitch with perimeter ball-stop fencing, floodlights and ancillary features. Redborne Upper School
Resolved: That the Council raise the following comments and questions in relation to this application:
5. The following planning applications received from Central Bedfordshire Council were considered:
CB/09/05816/ARM Land to The Rear of 104, Flitwick Road. Erection of dwelling. Mr Feazey
Resolved: That the Town Council has no objection to the design and layout, however, due to the size of the dwelling there is concern about the lack of sufficient parking to serve a dwelling of this size. Increased traffic movements and the exit/entrance to the site are concerning on highway safety grounds and there could be a conflict with school traffic movements. The access also appears to be along a public footpath.
(Cllr P Duckett left the meeting at this point, 8.40pm)
CB/09/05651/FULL Grange Stud Farm, Flitwick Road, Erection of barn for Riding School to replace existing. Mr Cowie
Resolved: That the above application be supported subject to a satisfactory report from the Highways Safety Officer as the Town Council are concerned about increased traffic movements in and out of the site onto the already busy Flitwick Road.
CB/09/00707/FULL 9 Cherrytree Way, Demolition of a double length garage to provide driveway to the front and single storey extension to side and conservatory to rear. Mrs Morton
Resolved: That the above application be supported subject to no adverse effect on neighbouring properties.
6. The following late applications received after the preparation of this agenda were considered.
CB/09/05936/FULL 1 Kings Arms Yard, Church Street, Change of Use: A1 to D1 former opticians to become Osteopathy Clinic Mrs N Todhunter
Resolved: That the above application be supported.
CB/05635/FULL Grange Stud Farm, Flitwick Road. Construction of new outdoor floodlit riding arena for private and commercial use with landscaping. Mr Ian Cowie
Resolved: That the above application be supported, however, concern is raised about the floodlights if they are up lighters due to light pollution. The Town Council recommend that down lighters are used to reduce light pollution and eliminate distraction. Furthermore, we feel that the times the floodlights are used should be restricted and this could be dealt with by the Planning Officer.
7. To NOTE the following planning decisions received from Central Bedfordshire Council:
Approvals 09/00773/FULL: 1 Swaffield Close. Single storey side and rear extensions.
09/00584/FULL & 09/00574/LB: 6 Brewery Lane. Single storey rear extension.
09/00800/FULL: Land r/o 81 Dunstable St. Conversion of roof space with 4 windows to front elevation. Amendment to approved plan app 06/00866/full.
09/00820/FULL: Dove Cottage, 18 Claridges Lane. Erection of part single storey, part two storey extension to side/rear.
09/00821/LB: Dove Cottage, 18 Claridges Lane. Demolition of existing flat roof extensions and timber shed, replace with single and two storey extensions.
09/00908/FULL: Grange Stud Farm, Flitwick Road. Entrance gate, brick screening walls and new tree planting.
09/00901/FULL: Heatherlea, 18 Lyme Rd. Two storey rear extension.
09/00902/FULL: 39 Rushbrook Close. Boundary wall.
09/01011/FULL: 17 Chiltern Close. Two storey rear extension.
09/00891/FULL: Houghton Park Farm, Hazelwood Lane. To convert the existing bar to accommodate a mixed office and residential annexe ancillary to the main house.
Recommended: That the above decisions be noted.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.
CHAIRMAN DATED
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