Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance to the November meeting of the Development Plan Panel.

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.

There were no declarations of interest at this stage, however, a declaration of interest was made at a later point in the meeting. (Minute No. 25 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Richard Lewis and Mitchell.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Development Plan Panel meeting held on 11^th October 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 11^th October 2011 be approved as a correct record.

To receive and consider a report from the Director of City Development updating Members on the informal consultation on the emerging proposals for the draft Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan which took place during February and March 2011.

The Director of City Development submitted a report which updated Members on the informal consultation of the draft Aire Valley Leeds Area Action Plan which took place during February and March 2011.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Leaflet and Plan showing boundary extensions

-  Schedule of organisations, groups and individuals consulted

-  Schedule of responses to informal consultation

-  Plan showing proposed minor extension to the Area Action Plan (AAP) boundaries.

The following officers attended the meeting and responded to Members questions and comments:

-  David Feeney, Head of Forward Planning and Implementation

-  Sue Speak, Team Leader, Planning and Sustainable Development

-  Steven Wilkinson, Planning Officer, City Development.

A summary of the consultation responses was provided and the key areas of discussion were:

• Concern that Hunslet Mills had been derelict for some time – it was reported that the owners of Hunslet Mills did not consider the site viable for residential development in the present economic climate.
• Options for future development at Hunslet Mills – it was suggested that a letter be sent from the Chief Planning Officer, reminding the owners of their obligations to maintain the site.
• The need to ensure accessibility of housing developments, particularly Skelton Grange.
• Update of Network Rail’s draft plans for 2014-19, and issues around under capacity of trains.  Also, plans to convert Leeds-Castleford line as Metro/tram facility.
• Ongoing work to develop public transport links across the Aire Valley from Stourton.
• Exploring development of affordable energy efficient modular housing to assist in meeting housing needs.
• Greater creativity needed in relation to the development of council housing provision.
• Update on submission by freight operator DB Schenker to the Natural Resources and Waste Examination which proposes freight related use to the west of the Neville’s area.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and information appended to the report be noted

(b)  That the minor extension of the AAP boundary to include the whole of the Neville Hill rail depot site as shown on the Plan in Appendix D, be supported

(c)  That a letter be sent to the owners of Hunslet Mills, reminding them of their obligations to maintain the site.

(Councillor James Lewis declared a personal interest in this item in his capacity as Chair of West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority)

(Councillor Campbell joined the meeting at 1.40pm during the consideration of this item)

(Councillor Leadley left the meeting at 1.55pm during the consideration of this item)

It was reported that Sue Speak was retiring from the Council at the end of the year.  On behalf of Members, the Chair thanked Sue for her hard work and wished her all the best for the future.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 6^th December 2011 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

Tuesday 6^th December 2011 at 1.30pm.

(The meeting concluded at 2.25pm.)