Agenda item

REPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER

Erection of 144no. dwellings, new vehicular access onto Bedford Road, associated garages and car parking spaces, public open space, landscaping and attenuation areas (as amended 25th October 2018).

Councillor David Barnard, advised that he would be speaking as a Member Advocate and moved to the public area to make his presentation. Once he had made his presentation he left the room for the remainder of the Item.

RESOLVED:

(1)        That application 19/01622/FP be DEFERRED on the grounds that consideration of the application should await the publication of the Emerging Local Plan 2011 – 2031  Inspectors report;

(2)        That Officers be requested to invite County Council Education and Highways Officers to attend the meeting at which this application is reconsidered.

Councillor Barnard returned to the room and to the Committee.

The Chairman advised that there would be a 5 minute comfort break.

Audio recording – Start of Item – 48 minutes

The Principal Planning Officer advised of updates to the report and presented the report in respect of application 18/01622/FP supported by a visual presentation consisting of photographs and plans.

Parish Councillor Miles Maxwell, Chairman of Ickleford Parish Council, thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation in objection to application 19/01622/FP.

The following Members asked questions of Parish Councillor Maxwell:

·                    Councillor Sam Collins;

·                    Councillor Sue Ngwala.

Councillor David Barnard, advised that he would be speaking as a Member Advocate and moved to the public area to make his presentation

Councillor Barnard thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation in objection to application 19/01622/FP.

The following Members asked questions of Councillor Barnard:

·                Councillor Sam Collins:

·                Councillor Michael Weeks

Councillor Barnard then left the room for the remainder of the item.

Mr Andy Moore, Barratt David Wilson Homes (applicant) and Mr Geoff Armstrong, Armstrong Rigg Planning (Planning Agent), thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee in favour of application19/01622/FP.

The following Members asked questions of Mr Moore and Mr Armstrong:

·                 Councillor David Levett

·                 Councillor Sam Collins

·                 Councillor Sue Ngwala

The Principal Planning Officer clarified details regarding some of the questions asked.

The following Members took part in the debate

·                Councillor David Levett

The Principal Planning Officer advised that the density in the Local Plan was an estimate and not a set figure, the S106 contributions had been agreed by the applicant and that this site was not in the green belt.

It was proposed by Councillor David Levett that application 19/01622/FP be deferred pending publication of the Inspectors report regarding the Local Plan and to allow further discussion regarding S106 contributions to education.

The Development and Conservation Manager advised that it was best practice to detail all reasons for deferment. The proposal to defer on the grounds of waiting for the Inspectors repot was valid and Officers could be requested to look into the S106 contributions for Education. He cautioned against referring to admissions to schools as this was not a S106 matter.

Central Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire County Councils were in agreement that the approach regarding S106 contributions was the most appropriate solution.

When the application comes back to Committee, officers could invite Hertfordshire Education and Highways Officers to attend the meeting.

The following members entered into the debate regarding the proposal to defer:

• Councillor Sam Collins;
• Councillor Michael Muir;
• Councillor Ian Mantle.

It was proposed by Councillor David Levett, seconded by Councillor Mike Rice and

RESOLVED:

(1)        That application 19/01622/FP be DEFERRED on the grounds that consideration of the application should await the publication of the Emerging Local Plan 2011 – 2031  Inspectors report;

(2)        That Officers be requested to invite County Council Education and Highways Officers to attend the meeting at which this application is reconsidered.

Councillor Barnard returned to the room and to the Committee.

The Chairman advised that there would be a 5 minute comfort break.