Agenda and minutes

  The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting

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 Blackburn who was substituted for by Councillor Campbell.  Members were also informed that Councillor M Hamilton had indicated that he might have to miss the meeting due to a work commitment which had unexpectedly arisen

Further to minute 47 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 29^th August 2013, where Panel received a pre-application presentation on proposals for a hotel, to consider the formal application for a 10 storey hotel building, associated works and public realm works

(report attached)

  Further to minute 47 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 29^th August 2013, where Panel received a pre-application presentation on proposals for a 10 storey hotel building with associated works, Members considered a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal application

  Plans, photographs, graphics, drawings and sample materials were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit had taken place earlier in the day

  Officers presented the report which related to the redevelopment of a former mechanical stacker car park and a restaurant between Russell Street and Greek Street to provide a 10 storey, 90 bedroom hotel, enhanced public realm and changes to the public highway on Russell Street and Greek Street

  Details of the proposed materials were outlined, with stone and black granite forming the main cladding materials

  Receipt of a further letter of objection was reported, with the contents of this being read out to the Panel and clarification being given on the issues raised in the representation relating to basement fire exits

  Members considered the application and commented on the following matters:

·  the basement fire exit route beneath the adjacent Minerva House and whether the wish to accommodate this would be an undertaking.  Members were informed that Minerva House was in the same ownership as the subject site and that the fire exit requirements would be accommodated

·  the terrace blinds shown facing Greek Street.  It was confirmed that these would be retractable blinds

·  wind around the site and the need for this issue to be thoroughly examined and for Members to be persuaded by good evidence that the proposals would not make the situation worse.  The Deputy Area Planning Manager stated that although the existing wind conditions could lead to discomfort, they were not unsafe, with both the Developer’s wind consultant and the Council’s independent consultant confirming this.  The existing wind conditions in Bond Court were as a result of taller buildings around the site and the application before Panel did not change these conditions.  Concerns continued to be raised about this and the need for clarity that in the event of a serious incident around the site which was subsequently attributable to the wind conditions directly associated with the development, that the Council would not suffer financial or reputational loss as a result.  The Chief Planning Officer highlighted the differences in approach to the issue of wind since the approval of Bridgewater Place and reiterated that Bond Court was not an area of danger in respect of wind; that the problems which occurred in this area arose from a different building and that this was not a reason for withholding planning permission.  The possibility of appropriate conditions to address Members’ concerns were discussed with the Panel’s Legal Adviser stating that the important point was that the Council’s independent wind consultant had reviewed the applicant’s wind assessment – this was not a case of the Council simply accepting the applicant’s assessment at face value -  and suggesting an informative be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 154.

  Prior to consideration of the pre-application presentations, the Chair referred to visits to Bradford to see an anaerobic digestion facility and to Derby to view a student housing development, ahead of the Panel’s consideration of such schemes in Leeds.  It was confirmed that 14^th March was the most suitable date for both of these visits, with Officers being asked to make the necessary arrangements

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer and to receive a presentation on pre-application proposals for digital media screen

This is a pre-application presentation and no formal decision on the development will be taken, however it is an opportunity for Panel Members to ask questions, raise issues, seek clarification and comment on the proposals at this stage. A ward member or a nominated community representative has a maximum of 15 minutes to present their comments. 

(report attached)

  Plans and graphics were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit had been undertaken earlier in the day

  Members considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out proposals for a digital media screen on to the western elevation of the Pinnacle building to be located above the supermarket entrance.  The Panel also received a presentation on the proposals on behalf of the applicant and was provided with the following information:

·  that an application for a digital media screen on the eastern elevation of the building had not been supported by City Centre Plans Panel in September 2012

·  that a smaller screen on the western elevation of the building was now being considered

·  that the screen would form part of the light box, be framed and flush to the building and be centrally located

·  that the orientation of the screen had been considered, with the portrait option being the most suitable

·  that the screen would add vitality to a bland façade and would signpost the retail core

·  the use of modern technology would mean that no cooling fans would be required for the screen

·  full motion images would be displayed on screen but without any sound

·  that the screen would be auto-dimmed at night to avoid glare

·  that a percentage of air time could be made available for use by the Council

·  a contribution towards public realm along Upper Basinghall Street would be made

·  that the location was considered to be suitable and that the proposal accorded with national and local planning guidance and with CABE guidelines

It was noted that Members’ questions about the proposals had been

fully addressed on the site visit

  The Deputy Area Planning Manager requested the possibility of determination of the application under delegated powers, if no third party issues arose.  Whilst the Chair was supportive of this approach if the formal application mirrored what had been presented, concerns were raised by Councillor Leadley and Councillor Campbell about the principle of the proposals.  The difficulty of refusing such an application was acknowledged in view of the screen which had been granted permission at the Trinity development

  Members considered how to proceed and provided the following responses to the points raised in the report:

·  that the majority of the Panel agreed that the visual impact from the proposal was acceptable and appropriate for this location

·  that regarding adverse highway safety implications arising from the proposed screen, Members considered there would not be any

  RESOLVED -  To note the report, the presentation and the comments now made and that the majority view of the Panel was to defer and delegate determination of the application to the Chief Planning Officer so long as the formal application details were the same as had been presented to Panel

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer and to receive a presentation on pre-application proposals for the demolition of a number of existing buildings to allow for the temporary reconfiguration of and addition to the existing car parking (an increase in car parking spaces from 542 to 824) and associated landscaping

This is a pre-application presentation and no formal decision on the development will be taken, however it is an opportunity for Panel Members to ask questions, raise issues, seek clarification and comment on the proposals at this stage. A ward member or a nominated community representative has a maximum of 15 minutes to present their comments. 

(report attached)

  Plans, photographs and graphics were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit had taken place earlier in the day

  Members considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer outlining proposals for the temporary reconfiguration of existing off-street car parking and the addition of 281 additional off-street car parking spaces and landscaping on the phase 2 section of the Victoria Gate site.  Members also received a presentation on the proposals on behalf of the applicant

  The following information was provided:

·  the proposals were for a temporary scheme for an estimated period of up to 5 years to maximise the use of existing off-street car parking; provide further parking for shoppers and visitors and to replace public parking from the Union Street car park which would be lost when building works for phase 1 of Victoria Gate commenced in April 2014

·  there was a need for high quality car parking in Leeds and this had been identified as an issue which prevented people from visiting the city

·  there was the opportunity to improve a part of the city which was in poor repair and although the works were temporary, they would be of high quality and would improve the feeling of safety in this area

·  that several buildings would need to be demolished although approval for these demolitions had been granted as part of the outline approval for Victoria Gate

·  a pedestrian spine, using resin bound gravel and bounded by trees and lighting columns would be created from the market to Templar Street.  A green buffer, 4 metres wide, with nooks for seating would be provided at Vicar Lane.  To create this effect semi-mature trees would be used.  Gateway spaces (foyers) would also be provided around the site on key pedestrian desire lines to the surrounding area.  Pay machines would be located at the foyers

·  in terms of car parking surfacing treatments, various options were being considered including a cellular system

Members discussed the proposals and commented on the following

matters:

·  the timescale for the temporary scheme, with the hope that within 5 years phase 2 of the permanent Victoria Gate development scheme would be progressing

·  there were no guarantees that if approved, the applicant would not then sell the site

·  the extent of the demolition works to be undertaken

·  whether the proposals could lead to flooding of the nearby beck

·  whether parent and child parking spaces would be provided

·  the price rates for parking

·  the maintenance of the landscaping

·  the width of the car parking bays and the need to ensure these could accommodate larger vehicles and 4x4s

·  security issues, particularly on an evening; that people currently loitered in the car park and the need for this to be addressed so as not to deter its use

·  how long stay parking would be discouraged

·  Templar House; the need for a vision to be provided for this Grade 2 Listed Building; that the condition of the building had been left to deteriorate and that the building should be repaired

·  the need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 157.

Thursday 20^th March 2014

Thursday 10^th April

  Thursday 20^th March 2014 at 1.30pm

  Thursday 10^th April 2014 at 1.30pm