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The Planning Committee considers and deals with all planning matters appertaining to the parish of Arlesey.
Minutes of Planning Committee meetings for the last six months can be obtained by clicking on the links on the left. Minutes older than six months can be viewed at Arlesey Resource Centre.
Explaining Planning The planning system in Central Bedfordshire is split into two parts;
Most development needs to have planning permission before it can be carried out. This is obtained by making a planning application. Each application is made on specific forms and the proposals will normally be shown on plans drawn to scale. Planning applications are the most common type of application, however other types of applications are Listed Building Consent, Advert Consent and Conservation Area Consent.
This sets out the policies, which must be taken into account when considering planning applications. It identifies where new developments can occur, and those areas where new building is being restrained. More details about the Local Plan and the opportunities for residents to influence it may be obtained from Central Bedfordshire Council. Central Bedfordshire’s Planning RoleCentral Bedfordshire Council is the “Local Planning Authority”, which means that it deals with most of the planning applications in the area and prepares the Local Plan for Central Bedfordshire. The planning system in Central Bedfordshire is managed by the elected Unitary Councillors. They are supported by a team of planning officers who are based at the Chicksands offices. If an application is made very near to or affecting your property, you will receive a letter from Central Bedfordshire Council telling you about it. Where it is not clear who all of the adjoining owners are, notices are put up at application sites giving details of what is proposed. In some cases a site notice is put up and an advertisement in a local newspaper is inserted giving details of applications. Central Bedfordshire produce a weekly list of all the applications that they have received. This list can be viewed at council offices, local libraries and at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk You could even have the list sent to you direct each week although this will cost £95.50 per year (prices subject to revision). To find out more about a particular application you can visit the council offices at Chicksands and look at the plans and any other information that has been put in. Plans that fall within the area of Arlesey may also be viewed at the Arlesey Town Council Offices. This office is open from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm from Monday to Thursday and 9.00 am to Midday on Friday. On the first and third Tuesday of each month, planning meetings are held in the Village Hall at which the Town Council discuss the merits of each application and make a recommendation to Central Bedfordshire Council. For details of what is to be discussed in each meeting please look at the Town Council Notice board outside the Village Hall or have a look at this web site to see the Agendas for up and coming meetings. How do you comment?If you want to comment on an application you should do so in writing. All comments are always taken into account, however a decision may be made that does not support your comments. Contentious applications are sometimes taken to a Development Control meeting, and you will be informed of this if you have already written to the Head of Planning. You are entitled if you wish to speak at this meeting (Central Bedfordshire have a leaflet entitled ‘Speaking at Planning Meetings’ which provides further information). When making a decision concerning an application, the only matters that can be taken into account are proper planning matters. The main ones are; 1. Amenity – impact on neighbours, overlooking, loss of daylight, overbearing impact, noise and disturbance, pollution etc. 2. Design – impact on building, site, street scene etc. Visual impact – is it in keeping with the surrounding area? 3. Highways – suitability of access, parking, manoeuvring space, effect of traffic generation. 4. Policies – are there any government policies or policies in the County Structure Plan or Central Bedfordshires Local Plan which are relevant. 5. History – any previous permissions on the site or nearby. There are many other issues that can be taken into account, but there are a few which normally should not be; 1. The personal circumstances of the applicant. 2. The intended user of the development – it is the use not the user which is important. 3. Whether the applicant or landowner is known/unknown, liked/disliked, trusted/not trusted, local/not local. 4. The right to a view over another person’s land (there is no such right in the planning considerations). 5. Impact on property value. The local town councils or parish councils are always consulted, however even their recommendations may be overridden by the planning authority. Other bodies may also be consulted when specialist knowledge or advise is needed, for example, English Nature, The RSPB and the local Wildlife Trust on wildlife and nature conservation issues, the Ramblers Association on footpaths and the Environmental Heath Department on health and pollution issues. How are decisions made?The majority of applications are dealt with by the Head of Planning Services under delegated powers and are not considered at a planning meeting. Some applications are reported to the relevant Development Control Committee for it to make the decision. T In some cases where an application has been refused, the applicant will appeal against that decision to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. An independent inspector will be appointed to decide the appeal. If you were consulted on the original application, or made comments on it, you will be notified of the appeal and be given the opportunity to let the inspector know your views. Where can you get more advice on planning matters? If you would like to discuss a planning application, which you feel, may affect you, or would like advice on actually making an application or would generally like further advice on any planning matter, please contact the Central Bedfordshire's planning office. The address of the planning office is; Planning Division Telephone: 0300 300 8000 Central Bedfordshire Council have issued some guidelines on the Local Development Framework (which replaces the Local Plan); Planning for the Best Future Planning the future development of housing, jobs, shops and community facilities in Central Bedfordshire affects everyone, so Central Bedfordshire Council wants everyone to be involved. The new Local Development Framework, which replaces the Local Plan, will give you the opportunity to be involved in decisions about future growth and protecting our environment. These decisions are all about change – creating it, controlling it, negotiating for it, and using it to get the best for the community you live in – and how change will be managed for the next twenty years. It is important that you express your ideas and opinions at the very beginning of developing this Framework, as some things cannot be changed later, because some things, like your future, need to be planned now. So ensure your views are heard and your opinions are taken on board. www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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