The Milton Keynes Council Planning Panel was scheduled to meet to discuss several planning applications, including the conversion of a former pub into dwellings, and alterations to a listed building. The panel was also expected to answer questions from the public.

Westfield Road, Bletchley

A full planning application for a two-storey rear extension and car park alterations at 11 Westfield Road in Bletchley was scheduled to be discussed. Mr Robert Skinner, the applicant, was seeking permission to build the extension to the existing Westfield Road Surgery, including the creation of a new vehicle access point.

The proposal included internal re-configuration, a new vehicle access, and four new accessible parking spaces off Westfield Road. The reconfigured rear parking area would have 16 standard spaces. The scheme would result in the surgery having 14 consulting rooms, two conference rooms, and ancillary offices, as well as ancillary rooftop plant equipment.

The MKCC Highways Officer raised no objections to the layout, but noted that the council has a policy of not allowing secondary accesses when there is already an existing access.

The MKCC Urban Design Officer noted that the proposed roof form and materials respect the existing area and that the extension should not have an adverse impact on the residential amenity of residents of the housing for the elderly at Knowles Green.

The MKCC Flood and Water Management team requested further information on existing site flood risk and hydraulic calculations.

The MKCC Ecology Officer noted that the statutory BNG metric shows that there would be a 74.5% loss of biodiversity from the site, that cannot be accommodated within the development, and therefore would be provided as an off-site offset.

The MKCC Environmental Health Officer recommended a condition for ground assessment due to the site coinciding with a former landfill.

Two objections had been received, raising concerns about loss of privacy, increased traffic and parking demand, and loss of parking spaces at the library as a result of other developments.

High Street, North Crawley, Newport Pagnell

The panel was scheduled to discuss a full planning application for the change of use of the Cock Inn at 16 High Street, North Crawley, Newport Pagnell, from a public house (Sui Generis¹) to three residential dwellings (Use Class C3). The applicant, Red Oak Taverns Ltd, also sought permission for the demolition of existing outbuildings, with associated hard and soft landscaping.

The site is within the North Crawley Conservation Area, and the building has been identified as a non-designated heritage asset.

North Crawley Parish Council objected, citing the loss of a valued community facility and concerns over parking.

The MKCC Highways Officer (Highway Authority) had no objection, noting that the proposed use would generate less parking demand than the former pub use.

The MKCC Conservation Officer considered the level of harm to be minor and outweighed by securing a viable long-term use, and recommended conditions to control door detailing and restrict permitted development rights to safeguard the building's character.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) objected, stating that the applicant's Viability Report is biased and inaccurate.

High Street, Weston Underwood, Olney

The panel was scheduled to discuss two applications relating to Oaklands, High Street, Weston Underwood, Olney:

• A householder planning application for the proposed conversion of a side garage into a habitable room/store, a roof lift of the garage, and a new office in the roof space with the installation of rooflights. The applicant was Mr Arik Johnstone.
• A listed building consent application for the same works.

The property is a Grade II listed building within the Weston Underwood Conservation Area.

Weston Underwood Parish Council objected to both applications, citing adverse impacts on designated heritage assets, overbearing design, and loss of parking space.

The MKCC Conservation Officer initially objected to the proposed mansard rear roof of the garage but found the amended pitched roof design to be acceptable.

The MKCC Ecology team had no objection, as the submitted bat emergence survey found no evidence of bats using the garage.

Six objections had been received from four addresses, raising concerns about unsympathetic design and loss of parking.