Agenda and minutes

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 interests

To receive apologies for absence (If any )

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J Lewis and Councillor R Procter who were substituted for by Councillor J McKenna and Councillor B Anderson respectively

The Chair outlined the procedure for the meeting which would commence with a brief overview of the NGT scheme, followed by details of the 7 sections of the route being outlined, on a north to south basis, with the opportunity for registered speakers to have up to 6 minutes, per section of the route to address the Panel.  There would the opportunity for the NGT team to pick up on issues raised, together with further information from Planning Officers where relevant, which would be followed by questions and comments from the Panel, before moving to the next part of the route

The Chair stressed that the purpose of the meeting was not to discuss the merits or demerits of any transport system.  The meeting was proceeding on the presumption that NGT had in principle approval from the Council’s Executive Board and therefore the meeting would be focussing on the planning aspects of the scheme and seeing if improvements to it could be made to deliver the best possible scheme for the City.  It was noted that the comments of the Panel were without prejudice to individual Members’ views on the broader merits of the scheme

The Chief Planning Officer stated that that this was the final stage before the scheme was put before the Secretary of State for the Transport and Works Order Act, which would be followed by a Public Inquiry and the purpose of this meeting was to assist the Local Planning Authority in forming its views on its submission to that Order.  There would be a further opportunity for City Plans Panel to consider the proposals when these had been finalised, following further consultation

As discussions remained on-going about the impact on Conservation Areas, Listed Buildings etc, draft conditions had been drawn up but that these would be considered further and revised where necessary

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which invites City Plans Panel to comment on proposals, draft planning conditions and the draft design statement for the development of a trolleybus system for Leeds known as NGT (New Generation Transport)

(Report attached)

Members considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer on the submissions of the Transport and Works Act Order application for the New Generation Transport (NGT) Scheme.  Appended to the report was a schedule of draft conditions proposed and a copy of the Design Statement

Plans, photographs and graphics were displayed at the meeting.  To assist Members when considering the route of NGT, two screens had been provided, one showing the proposal in diagrammatic form and the other showing the site as it currently was, as depicted on Google Earth

Officers and representatives of the NGT team presented an overview of the proposals and provided information relating to:

·  the policy basis for NGT

·  possible extensions to the route in the future

·  the improvements and on-going interventions already made to public transport

·  funding issues and the rolling investment programme which would provide greater investment and opportunities

·  the benefits of NGT

·  greater efficiency and reduced journey times, with the trolley buses having transponders to allow them priority through the traffic

·  consultation and engagement

·  future timescales, with 2016-2020 being the timescale for construction and commencement of the scheme

·  planning issues relating to the impact of proposals on Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings

·  the provision for cyclists and pedestrians in the scheme, including the use of shared surfaces in some locations

·  the number and location of substations along the route and the amount of overhead line equipment which would be necessary

·  the impact of the proposals on taxi rank provision in the City Centre, with a temporary site being identified at Meadow Lane

In respect of the Design Statement, Members were informed that this was a key document which set out the design intent and standards and also included issues relating to sustainability, environmental management and maintenance and would supplement the Environmental Statement

The main drivers of the design of the scheme were outlined as were the design objectives and overarching principles, which would include a co-ordinated and consistent design approach; the need to minimise the impact of infrastructure and to minimise clutter, with the project providing an opportunity to review and consolidate existing highway clutter

In terms of landscaping, NGT would create green corridors wherever practical.  Whilst there would be some tree loss, there would be a 3 for 1 replacement policy, with 1500 – 1600 new trees to replace the 400 trees which would be felled to accommodate the proposals.  Where particularly good trees were to be removed, this would be replaced by a ‘super replacement specimen’ mature tree, where appropriate. 

Regarding woodland and scrub, some 3000sqm of this would be lost but this would be replaced by 30,000sqm of woodland and scrub land

In summary, the approach to design was to raise design quality and promote a fresh, new transport offer for Leeds which would have a co-ordinated approach to design and branding

Members commented on the following matters:

·  the process of the scheme going to the Secretary of State and whether there would be flexibility built in so that changes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To note that the next meeting of the Panel will take place on Thursday 4^th July 2013 at 1.30pm

Thursday 4^th July 2013 at 1.30pm