Changes approved to 60-home housing development in Meppershall

The seven-and-a-half acre plot of arable land at 32 Shefford Road was previously a nursery.

Linden Homes originally submitted proposals to vary the layout of the site, according to a report to the council's development management committee.

But the amended scheme was altered following talks with the applicant, explained the report.

Planning officer Stuart Kemp said: “Full planning permission was granted for the 60 properties in May 2019.

“This updates the approved plans with a revised access arrangement, an extra raised table, a new car port design, more fencing and a substation on the site to serve the development.”

The project involves building on the agricultural fields at the back of 32 Shefford Road, which was demolished to access the site, councillors heard.

Meppershall Parish Council objected both times to the application.

It raised concerns about highways issues, landscaping and the traffic calming design, asking for planning conditions to deal with these if the application was approved.

Conservative Dunstable Watling councillor Nigel Young said: “The parish council accepts this is just a variation.

“Essentially its comments relate to the previous full application, but one of those concerns traffic calming measures.

“I disagree with the council over the materials to be used for the raised table.

“It just wants tarmac, which no doubt Linden Homes would be delighted about because it’s cheaper.

“We use actual block or imprint on the majority of tables and in my view would be appropriate.”

Conservative Ampthill councillor Mike Blair asked whether there was previously provision for a substation, or is it being relocated?

Mr Kemp replied: “Yes, there was a layout plan which indicated a substation would be included at the back of the site.

“This is to relocate it to the front end, where the services come into the site, to make it easier to gain access.

“This seeks to formally approve that substation.”

Councillor Blair called for some flexibility over the materials used for raised tables.

“We’ve a certain experience in Ampthill of a raised table gone wrong, which was laid using bricks,” he explained.

“It was either done extremely badly or wasn’t suitable for the junction it was serving.

“So we need a certain degree of flexibility on materials, possibly an imprint rather than straight tarmac.”

CBC’s principal highways officer Rob Porter said: “Block work is a very appropriate material.

“It does warn drivers there is a traffic calming measure there.”

Councillor Young said: “I’ve no problem with imprints being used.

“It doesn’t alter what I say about delineating by colour and material the entrances or accesses to developments. It’s a given safety measure.

“What block or imprint tells us is that there’s something different going on here.”

Councillors unanimously approved the changes.