Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all present to the meeting and invited officers and Members to introduce themselves

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

The Head of Planning Services reported on the circumstances of the late despatch of the agenda for the meeting. It was noted that in such instances, officers were required to put forward the special reasons to consider the business on the agenda.

Mr Sellens referred to the one item of business on the agenda – the application to extend the existing planning permission for the Eastgate & Harewood Quarter development – and explained the existing permission would expire in August 2010. He highlighted the importance to the developers of extending the time limit in terms of continued commercial interest, confidence and financial support for the proposals. There was also a pressing need to extend the time to allow the developers to continue the programme of progress, deal with the Judicial Review into the associated Compulsory Purchase Orders and complete the Section 106 Agreement.

It was noted the application had been advertised and no representations had been received. The Panel was of the view that the item should be considered.

The Chair took into account the special reasons put forward and was of the opinion that the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.

RESOLVED – That the item be considered as a matter of urgency

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

The following Members declared personal/prejudicial interests for the purposes of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

Application 10/01477/EXT extension of time period for application 06/03333/OT the Eastgate and Harewood Quarter (minute 96 refers):

Councillor Nash – declared a personal interest as a member of English Heritage which had commented upon the scheme

Councillors Hanley and Monaghan – declared personal interests as members of Leeds Civic Trust  which had commented on and objected to elements of the scheme at the time of the original application

Councillor Hamilton – declared a personal interest as a member of the University Superannuation Scheme which had commented upon the proposals at the time of the original application

Councillor Latty – declared a personal interest as one of the Directors of a property proposed to be served a Compulsory Purchase Order was a friend

To approve the minutes from the Plans Panel City Centre meeting held on 29^th April 2010

(minutes attached)

Minute 90 Application 09/03829/OT Sweet Street – the Area Planning Manager stated he had incorrectly reported that no enforcement action was being taken in respect of unauthorised car parking. In fact an Enforcement Notice had been served at the site and was now the subject of an appeal

RESOLVED – That the update be noted and the minutes of the meeting held 29^th April 2010 be agreed as correct.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application seeking to extend the time for the submission of reserved matters and implementation of the major redevelopment scheme for the Eastgate and Harewood Quarter

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report on an application seeking to extend the time limit for the submission of reserved matters and implementation of outline permission 06/03333/OT relating to the development of the Eastgate and Harewood Quarter. Outline permission was previously granted on 24^th August 2007 and the applicant seeks to extend the time limit by 3 years.

Site plans, layout plans and photographs of the site were displayed at the meeting along with architects’ drawings showing the proposed elevations and massing of the new buildings.

Officers advised the Panel of the guidance associated with the General Development Procedure Order 2009 relating to applications for extensions of time for the implementation of extant permissions. This suggested that Local Planning Authorities should take a positive view of such applications during the current economic climate and should particularly consider whether anything had materially changed since the grant of permission. Officers stated the scheme before Panel was exactly the same as that approved in 2007 and went onto highlight the key elements of the scheme.

Mr J Thorp, Civic Architect, then addressed the Panel to explain progress made on the scheme and emphasise the need to retain confidence in the delivery of the scheme.

Members noted the developer’s intention to submit a further outline application containing revised development proposals for the Eastgate and Harewood Quarter which would be presented to Panel in July 2010 as a pre-application presentation.

The Panel, noting the developers were present at the meeting, took the opportunity to comment on those aspects of the existing outline permission they remained concerned about as follows:

  Vicar Lane

-  massing appeared to dwarf the existing bank to the Eastgate/Vicar Lane junction

-  the inserts in to the buildings must complement those buildings

  Eastgate

-  building splay did not encompass the Appleyards roundabout as a usable space or suitable setting

-  concern remained over the proposal to extend the Eastgate buildings towards the roundabout

   Open space/amenity 

-  Members felt the Outline scheme did not create new public space and made too much use of existing open space/streets/Appleyard roundabout

  Highways issues

-  treatment of George Street and concern over proposals to realign the highway and possible impact of its closure for market traders who currently use this as service access to the Market

-  a drop-off point required for the National Express Coach Station

Templar Street arcade

-  Some Members remained concerned over the design of “caterpillar” style roof to the arcade and referred to the design of the Trinity scheme as an exemplar

Officers then highlighted key points of the new proposals which when presented in July could address Members concerns:

-  Vicar Lane – the highest storeys would be set back from the front elevations in order to retain existing eaves heights to reflect those adjacent and to reduce the perceived imposing nature of the massing

-  Public open space – to be relocated

-  Eastgate – the proposals for inserts now deleted from the scheme and a proper setting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 96.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 24^th June 2010 at 1.30 pm

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting would fall within the new Municipal Year and was proposed as 24^th June 2010 at 1:30 pm

The Chair noted this was the last Panel meeting of the 2009/2010 Municipal Year and that membership of the Panel may change after the forthcoming Annual Council meeting. Councillor Hamilton expressed his thanks to Panel members and officers for their hard work to ensure the production of excellent schemes for Leeds