Agenda and minutes

  The Chair welcomed everyone to this Special meeting of East Outer Area Committee which had been arranged to provide an update on the current position of a major proposed development, including road infrastructure, at Thorpe Park LS15

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

  There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests

  Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Harland

Further to minute 83 of the East Outer Area Committee meeting held on 15^th May 2013, where Members requested an additional report on proposals for further development at Thorpe Park, to consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer highlighting the current position in respect of planning applications submitted for undeveloped land at Thorpe Park, associated highway infrastructure and the provision of a new public park

(report attached)

  Further to minute 83 of the East Outer Area Committee meeting held on 15^th May 2013, where Members deferred consideration of the presentation on the proposals to enable detailed information to be provided by the Chief Planning Officer, Members considered a further report

  The Chief Planning Officer set out the proposals which sought to revitalise the existing office park, provide much needed road infrastructure and deliver a new public park

  Members were informed that to achieve this, the developers were seeking to increase the amount of office space on the site and introduce a significant amount of retail use.  There was also an urgency to the proposals in view of a negotiated agreement with Network Rail, regarding the provision of a bridge link over the railway lines by March 2015, as part of the Manston Lane Link Road (MLLR)

  As there was relatively little interest in out of town office space currently, it was necessary to consider the type of development which could be accommodated on the site

  Members were informed that the introduction of retail use on the site raised challenges.  This use was not in accordance with planning policy and could have an impact on neighbouring centres as well as planned investment in the City Centre, i.e. the Victoria Gate development.  Members were informed that objections had already been received to the proposals from Crown Point Retail Park; Colton Retail Park; Hammerson’s, - the developers of Victoria Gate - and from John Lewis, the main anchor store of that development

  The importance of ensuring all these aspects were fully and properly considered was stressed in order to minimise the prospect of a Judicial Review should the City Plans Panel be minded to approve the planning application (which was anticipated to be in late summer 2013)

  Members were informed that discussions were ongoing with the developers and that in response to concerns which had been raised by City Plans Panel when it had considered the scheme in March 2013, some amendments had been made

  In terms of the size of the food superstore, this had been reduced from 12,000sqm to 9,000sqm.  There had also been a slight reduction in the amount of retail in the heart of the development

  Having assessed these revisions, the Council’s retail consultant was of the view that the impact of the proposed retail use on the site was more reasonable in relation to other retail centres, however, there would still be a significant impact on Colton Retail Park.  Members were informed that in respect of Colton Retail Park, this was not protected by planning policy.  In relation to planned retail investment in the City Centre, the Council’s retail consultant had indicated that there was likely to be an impact

  In relation to highways issues, Members were informed that a draft Transport Assessment had recently been received and that further design meetings were planned to look at this in detail

  The Principal Highways Engineer for the East Area informed Members that whilst the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Tuesday 2^nd July 2013 at 4.00pm

Tuesday 10^th September 2013 at 4.00pm

  Tuesday 2^nd July 2013 at 4.00pm at Vicars Court, Allerton Bywater

  Tuesday 10^th September 2013 at 4.00pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds