Agenda and minutes

  The Chair advised that due to time constraints of the representative of the District Valuer who was attending for application 13/04862/FU – Former Police garages and St Michael’s College, this matter would be considered first.  The position statement for Merrion House – Application 14/01825/FU would also be moved up the agenda

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

  RESOLVED -  That the public be excluded from the agenda during consideration of the following part of the agenda designated exempt on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as designated as follows:

  Appendix 3 of the report referred to in minute 184 under Schedule 12A Local Government Act 1972 and the terms of Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) and on the grounds it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  It is considered that if this information was in the public domain it would be likely to prejudice the affairs of the applicant.  Whilst there may be a public interest in disclosure, in all the circumstances of the case maintaining the exemption is considered to outweigh the public interest in disclosing this information at this time

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

Further to minute 148 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 13^th February 2014, where Panel considered a position statement on proposals for student accommodation, key worker and apartment buildings, to consider a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal application

Included in the appendices to this report is a document considered to be exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3)

(report attached)

  Further to minute 148 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 13^th February 2014, where Panel considered a position statement on proposals for student accommodation, key worker accommodation and apartment buildings, Members considered a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal application.  An exempt report relating to a viability appraisal was appended to the main report.  It was noted that a site visit to a similar development in Derby had taken place in April, which had been attended by some Panel Members and Officers

  Plans, photographs, graphics and a sample panel of materials were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report which sought approval of a residential development comprising student accommodation; key worker accommodation and apartment buildings, together with two new commercial units on land at the former St Michael’s College and Police Depot at St John’s Road and Belle Vue Road LS3.  It was noted that the 1908 element of the former college would be retained and refurbished within the scheme but that this was not a Listed Building

  Members were informed that the number of bedrooms for use by students with disabilities had been increased from 1 to 4, with 12 further rooms being capable of being converted to accommodate disabled students, which provided the required level for such facilities

  In respect of the demand for further student bedspaces, the level of planning permissions in place for student accommodation was provided, for Members’ information

  Details of the key worker accommodation were provided, with Members being informed the smallest rooms would be 25sqm in size, compared to that seen in Derby which had been 22sqm.  Communal facilities would also be provided, which would include seating areas, TV lounge, reading room, gym and laundry.  Undercroft parking space for 61 vehicles would be provided under the private apartment block

  Revisions to the design of the proposals were also outlined

  Reference was made to the level of S106 contributions which were being offered and that the greenspace contribution fell far short of that required by policy

  At this point, the Panel considered the financial information contained in Appendix 3 to the main report, in private

  The Chair welcomed a representative of the District Valuer who had been asked to consider the financial information submitted by the applicant and who had also carried out an analysis of the issues

  Members discussed the information and commented on the following key issues:

·  the profit levels of the scheme indicated by the applicants

·  the different components of the scheme and how this could affect profit levels

·  the minimum planning contributions being offered; the level of need in the area and that from the information provided, that a significant uplift in the greenspace contribution should be considered

·  the size of the key worker accommodation and whether enlarging these units would impact on viability

·  the condition requiring the development to commence within 6 months from approval; whether if a longer period was allowed, the full S106 contributions could be achieved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 184.

To approve the minutes of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 10^th April 2014

(minutes attached)

  RESOLVED – That the minutes of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 10^th April 2014 be approved

  With reference to minutes 176 and 177 of the meeting held on 10^th April 2014, which related to two PAS sites, Councillor Leadley advised that he had received correspondence from the Data and GIS Team Leader within City Development indicating an error had been made in the reports regarding the five year housing land supply.  It was stated that a meeting between Councillor Leadley and the Chief Planning Officer would be arranged to discuss this matter

  With reference to minute 169 and the sad news of the death of Councillor Clive Fox, it was announced that a memorial service would be held on 30^th May at 2.00pm at St Giles Church, Bramhope

  As this was the last meeting before the Local Elections on 22^nd May 2014, the Chair took this opportunity to thank all Members for their hard work on the Panel

  The Chair also paid tribute to Councillor Martin Hamilton who was not seeking re-election and thanked him for his time on Council and his work on planning matters

  Councillor Gruen echoed these sentiments, made reference to Councillor Martin Hamilton’s ability to understand the wider implications of planning applications and paid tribute to his insightful and helpful contributions

  Councillor Gruen also paid tribute to Councillor Taggart for his work not just on planning matters but also electoral and boundary issues.  His knowledge, stories and statistics would be greatly missed.  Councillor Taggart’s dedication and leadership of Plans Panels was also highlighted

  The Chief Planning Officer also paid tribute to Councillor Taggart and Councillor Martin Hamilton and thanked them for their valued contributions.  The fact that Councillor Taggart had been a planning officer in Wakefield and still undertook planning work was mentioned to highlight the integrity and transparency he brought to his role as Chair through his declarations of interest.  Councillor Martin Hamilton’s contributions had always been valued and as a former Chair of the Panel, had played a key role in delivering the Trinity shopping centre

  In responding Councillor Taggart stated that he had been a Councillor for over 34 years and had thoroughly enjoyed his work in Leeds.  He referred to his recent ill health and advised that if his recovery continued, he would seek to stand for election again in 2015

  Councillor Martin Hamilton informed the meeting that he had been a Councillor for 12 years, with 11 of these being a member of a Plans Panel, which he regarded as the best role, being able to see the practical results of decisions which had been taken.  He also paid tribute to the excellent Officers within the Council and particularly in City Development and paid tribute to the way Plans Panels could operate successfully on a non-political basis.  In terms of the future, he stated that he might seek re-election at some point and reiterated how much he would miss being a Plans Panel member

Further to minute 127 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 12^th December 2013, where Panel received a presentation on proposals for alterations and refurbishment of Merrion House to provide office accommodation with a new office annex and One Stop Shop facility for Leeds City Council, together with the reconfiguration of the Georgian Mall and retail space to provide three new retail units to Merrion Way (A1,A2, A3 and A4 uses) and improvements to the public realm, to consider a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the current position in respect of the proposals

(report attached)

  Further to minute 127 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 12^th December 2013, where Panel received a presentation on proposals for alterations and refurbishment of Merrion House, Members considered a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the latest position on the proposals

  Plans, photographs, artist’s impressions, graphics and precedent images were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report; outlined the proposals; the highway movements and pedestrian access arrangements and the revisions which had been made to the elevations since the scheme had last been presented to Members

  A response to the proposals from Leeds Civic Trust was reported, as was a letter of support received from a member of the public

  Members discussed the scheme and raised issues relating to design; landscaping; the sunken courtyard; the mall space, including mitigation for the loss of designated public space; the possibility of Morrisons supermarket being upgraded and that the Georgian Mall would be replaced rather than reconfigured

  Detailed discussion took place on the appearance of the ground floor level; the extent of the windows at this point and the need for some detailing, possibly signage or owls to be included to add interest to this otherwise bland façade

  In response to the specific questions raised in the report, the Panel provided the following responses:

·  that Members considered the uses proposed to be acceptable

·  that the scale and layout was acceptable as was the revised design which was considered to be a significant improvement on the previous proposals

·  that the access and transport provisions were acceptable and would provide much improved access

·  that the landscape and public realm works proposed were acceptable

·  that the S106 obligations were considered to be appropriate subject to details of the levels of contribution

·  that equality issues had been adequately considered

·  that the application could be delegated to Officers for determination, following further work on the ground floor elevation to introduce possible further glazing, signage/heritage references but not mirrored glass and subject to no third party objections to the scheme as a whole

RESOLVED – To note the report  and the comments now made

Further to minute 111 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 21^st November 2013, where Panel received a presentation on pre-application proposals for 113 residential units on land at former Yorkshire Chemicals site between River Aire and Leeds Liverpool Canal, to consider a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal application

(report attached)

  Further to minute 111 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 21^st November 2013, where Panel received a pre-application presentation on proposals for a residential development on land at the former Yorkshire Chemicals site at Wellington Road, Members considered the formal application

  Plans, photographs, graphics and 3d images were displayed at the meeting.  A recent visit to a similar development in Wakefield had been undertaken by Members and Officers

  Officers presented the report and outlined the proposals, with Members being informed for clarity that a new pedestrian and cycle bridge which formed part of the extant permission for the site did not form part of the application under consideration

  An update to the report was provided, with Members being informed that the Travel Plan Co-ordinator would now be in place within 3 months of the first occupation of the first dwelling, which was an improvement on the previous proposal

  The Panel discussed the proposals and commented on the following matters:

·  the design of the bin stores and that something more substantial than the tressilated fencing proposed should be provided

·  the visual prominence of the road

·  the landscaping proposals, whether additional soft planting could be provided to soften the roadside, including views of the southern gable end and boundary fencing to the terrace of 3-bedoom houses.  The Deputy Area Planning Manager advised that the full planting scheme would be controlled by condition and that what was being shown was for illustrative purposes only

·  possible flood risk.  Members were informed that the site levels were being raised by 600mm and that the Environment Agency was satisfied with the proposals

·  the layout of the scheme and the inclusion of longer blocks of units, unlike the scheme seen at Wakefield which contained groups of four properties.  In response to a query from the Chief Planning Officer as to the ability to provide smaller blocks of properties, the Chair invited the applicant and his agent to address the Panel, with Members being informed that this had been considered but would result in a loss of a number of units across the site which could give rise to issues of viability

·  that what was being built was back to back properties, with some being north facing so they would not benefit from sunlight

·  design issues relating to roof configuration and whilst the inclusion of chimneys was welcomed, the random siting of these across the site was a concern

·  the constraints of the site and that the proposals were an improvement on blocks of flats

Members considered how to proceed

  RESOLVED -  To defer and delegate approval to the Chief Planning Officer, subject to further discussions in respect of the fencing to the bin stores, additional soft landscaping and inclusion of chimneys across the site and subject to the specified conditions set out in the submitted report (and any others which he might consider appropriate) and also the completion of a Section 106 agreement to include the following obligations:

·  provision of 5% (6 no) affordable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 189.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer in respect of the following:

Application 14/01216/FU

Position statement for the Manston Lane Link Road (North-South) route

Application 14/02406/COND

Discharge of condition application for determination – revised masterplan relating to the approved application (12/03886/OT) for a major mixed used development at Thorpe Park on land between Barrowby Lane and Manston Lane LS15

Application 14/02488/FU

Detailed application for determination - B1office building at Thorpe Park (Surgical Innovations Building) on land off Park Approach Thorpe Park Business Park, Century Way/J46 M1 motorway LS15

(report attached)

  Further to the meetings of City Plans Panel held on 19^th and 26^th September 2013, where Panel approved the outline application for a major retail-led development at Thorpe Park, the Panel considered a report setting out further applications on elements of the proposals

  Plans and graphics were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report and informed Members that further work had been undertaken on the layout of the scheme and that the foodstore plot was now located more centrally which had led to changes to the road alignment with the number of junctions on the road now being reduced.  The Manston Lane Link Road (MLLR) had been relocated further east onto Brown Moor and two underpasses had been able to be removed

  The introduction of a medi-park was now a feature of the wider scheme, with the proposals for a new office building for Surgical Innovations being an anchor to attract further tenants and create more local employment

  An Officer from Highways Development advised the Panel that the changes to the MLLR were supported and that the reduction in the number of roundabouts would help this to become a strategic route and divert traffic away from Cross Gates.  The speed limit for this part of the MLLR was still being discussed with Highways Officers of the view this should be set at a maximum of 40 mph

  In respect of the full application for the Surgical Innovations building, this would provide 6000sqm of space in two storeys; that the intention was to start work on this building in 2014 and that the S106 for this application would link back to the S106 for Thorpe Park, so there would be triggers in respect of Green Park and local employment

  Members discussed the report with the key issues relating to:

·  the speed limit for the MLLR at this location

·  the need to retain land for a possible railway station

·  the strategic importance of the highway infrastructure particularly in view of the number of planning applications which would depend upon the MLLR and ELOR being in place

·  design issues of the Surgical Innovations building

In response to the specific questions raised in the report, the Panel

provided the following responses:

·  that Members were supportive of the revised alignment and junction arrangements of the north-south section of the MLLR

·  regarding the implications of the potential number of lanes on the east-west link into Thorpe Park and the potential change to the design speed, to note the reduction in the total width of the highway and that further work was being undertaken to consider if a dual carriage way was required and that these matters should be left to the technical experts to resolve in conjunction with Ward Members as appropriate

RESOLVED –

Application 14/01216/FU – to note the report and comments now made

and to defer and delegate the application to the Chief Planning Officer, in consultation with Ward Members and in the event of major concerns remaining,  including those  ...  view the full minutes text for item 190.

Thursday 5^th June 2014 at 1.30pm

  Thursday 5^th June 2014 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds