Agenda and minutes

Councillor Selby welcomed all present to the meeting, particularly new Members of the Panel. Short introductions were made

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

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

No formal late of items of business were added to the agenda however Members had received the following supplementary documents:

Item 7 Eastgate & Harewood Quarter – copy letter dated 9^th June 2011 from the Chief Planning Officer to the developer and a revised schedule of conditions (minute 5 refers)

Item 8 Energy Centre – revised recommendation to the officer report (minute 6 refers)

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 purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

Applications 11/01000/OT and 11/01003/LI – Eastgate and Harewood Quarter and Templar House Lady Lane LS2 (minute 5 refers)

Councillors Campbell, Nash and Selby declared personal interests through being members of English Heritage which had commented on the proposals

Councillor Castle declared a personal interest through being a member of Leeds Civic Trust which had commented on the proposals

Councillor Taggart declared a personal interest as a member of the Joint Services Committee which managed West Yorkshire Archaeological Advisory Service which had commented on the application

Application 11/01194/FU – Former Park Lane College Building – Bridge Street and Ladybeck Close LS2 – Councillor Castle declared a personal interest through being a member of Leeds Civic Trust which had commented on the proposals (minute 6 refers)

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held 12^th May 2011 as a correct record

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the last meeting held 12^th May 2011 be agreed as a correct record

(Councillor A Blackburn joined the meeting at this point)

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on two applications relating to the development of the Eastgate and Harewood Quarter – Application 11/01000/OT being an outline application including demolitions, involving mixed use to provide retail stores, restaurants, bars and offices (A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and B1 Use Classes), gym, (D2 Use Class), medical centre, crèche, multi-faith prayer room (D1 Use Class), changing places, toilet facilities with new squares and public realm, landscaping, car parking and associated highway works at Eastgate and Harewood Quarter, Leeds LS2 AND Application 11/01003/LI relating to a Listed Building application for works to renovate and repair external fabric of Templar House, Lady Lane, Leeds 2.

(Report attached)

Further to minute 92 of the Panel meeting held on 12^th May 2011 when Members considered a position statement on the Eastgate & Harewood Quarter (EHQ) proposals the Head of Planning Services outlined the strategic importance of the development to the city and the planning history of the proposal to bring us to this point. Outline permission had previously been granted for a larger scheme on a larger site in 2007 and the present proposals were for a reworked and reduced scheme on a smaller site. This scheme still presented a new quarter to the city centre and a significant private investment which would enhance the city centre and bring significant regeneration benefits, acting as a catalyst for other development ion the surrounding area. Site plans, architects drawings and 3D graphics were displayed along with artists’ impressions of the proposals. A Member site visit had taken place prior to the meeting which involved a walk around the area and considered George Street and the relationship with the Markets.  

Officers provided an overview of the changes to the scheme as:

-  smaller red line development boundary due to the economy and the difficulties arising from developing around the Ladybeck culvert

-  relocation of the flagship John Lewis store away from the culvert to a site adjacent to Millgarth, and the relocation of the Marks & Spencers store to the north west corner of the site

-  creation of Eastgate Square and Templar Square as new public spaces with a public realm and cultural/arts strategies to be devised

-  Templar Arcade to contain retail units leading to a two storey, 20 m wide arcade off Templar Square, to be open roofed and gated

-  Retail mix at ground floor with offices above now proposed for the Blomfield buildings

-  Creation of “Blomfield Street” through from Eastgate Square to the Markets and reinstatement of “Ebeneezer Street” as a pedestrian route.

-  Establishment of an elevated walkway leading from the John Lewis store to car parks, set at such a height above street level that it would allow for NGT passing underneath it on Eastgate

-  The applicant confirmed that landscaping and detailed building design would address concerns over the two areas most at risk from increased wind generation (junction of Vicar Lane/ North St Upper and an area around the John Lewis unit). This matter will be controlled at the reserved matters stage by planning condition.

The Civic Architect presented slides showing connections across the city centre and emphasising the connectivity of the EHQ with other city centre destinations and the crucial relationship of the north/south route with Kirkgate Market. External routes had been designed to emphasise the listed buildings at the corners of Kirkgate Market and the internal arcade walkways were set in such a way as to frame the Market.

Officers emphasised how EHQ would complement the Market through new and rejuvenated pedestrian links. George Street, adjacent to the Market, was currently dominated by cars, traffic and Market service  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for the demolition of all buildings at the former Park Lane College Building and the erection of a low carbon Energy Centre, primary substation, transformers and a gas meter unit; and associated landscaping, means of enclosure and highways works, including the realignment of Ladybeck Close, at the former Park Lane College Building, Bridge Street, 1-2 and 27-30 Ladybeck Close, Leeds LS2

(Report attached)

Further to minute 93 of the meeting held 12^th May 2011 when the Panel considered a position statement on the proposals, the Chief Planning Officer submitted a report on the application for determination. Plans of the site, elevations, artists impressions of the development in situ on the streetscene and slides showing proposed details of the cladding and colours of materials were displayed at the meeting. A Member site visit had taken place prior to the meeting. Officers outlined revisions made to the scheme since the presentation on 12 May 2011 as being:

• Enhanced landscaping to the rear of the development
• Minor changes to the highways to provide better sight lines
• Reduction of 1.3 m in height to the south west corner
• Reduction in scale of panels to be used
• Height of the elevation facing Ladybeck hostel reduced by 1.3m for a 12 m length. Members noted that the height was now the minimum required for the unit to be operational

(Councillor A Blackburn re-joined the meeting)

Photographs showing elevations of other Leeds buildings and slides showing the proposed finish to the Energy Centre using those colours were displayed for reference. It was noted that conditions would cover materials and submission of 1:20 details of the mesh covering. Officers would also seek to secure treatment to enhance the appearance of the Ring Road retaining wall which was in the ownership of Leeds City Council by planning condition.

Officers reported receipt of two further letters of representation in support of the scheme.

Members discussed the following

• Previous request to relocate the Energy Centre elsewhere on the site. Officers responded the proposed location of the transformers near to the Ring Road was the best option due to the low hum they emitted. Additionally, the Energy Centre was required to support the EHQ development and views to it from the Market would be obscured by Eastgate. However the Civic Architect warned that the Centre would be visible if the EHQ scheme did not go ahead
• Colour of materials to be used
• Relationship of the Centre with other buildings in the locality
• Whether there was a health and safety risk in connection of the centre, noting the officer response that these aspects would be covered by relevant legislation and be addressed in the General Environment Management Plan
• The need to condition provision of screening works to the Ring Road elevation
• Whether works could be conditioned to fund noise attenuation works to the Ring Road Bridge parapet
• Noted the design of the Centre attracted diverse opinions

The Panel noted the revised wording to the recommendation contained within the supplementary document sent out after the agenda was despatched and

RESOLVED - 

a)  That the application be granted subject to the specified conditions (and any minor variations and any others which might be considered appropriate).

b)  Noted that the ‘Reasons for approval’ should read:

The application is considered to comply with policies GP5, BD2, BD5, T2, CC4, N12, N13, N25, N26 of the UDP Review, as well  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 4^th August 2011 at 1.30 pm

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday 4^th August 2012 at 1.30 pm