Agenda and minutes

A Members site visit was held in the morning in connection with the following proposal: Pre Application 15/00955 – presentation of proposed commercially-led major development on land at Globe Road and Water Lane, Leeds and was attended by Councillors B Anderson, P Gruen, D Blackburn, J McKenna, E Nash, A Khan, B Selby, C Macniven, M Coulson, T Leadley, C Campbell and G Latty.

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

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:-

There were no resolutions to exclude the public.

There was one late item submitted to the agenda for consideration, agenda item 6 “Minutes of the Previous Meeting” which were not available at the time of agenda despatch. Minute No.41 refers. An additional plan was also circulated to Members in respect of Item 8 (Minute 43 refers).

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 interest.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Garthwaite (Councillor Coulson in attendance as substitute) Councillor R Procter (Councillor B Anderson in attendance as substitute) Councillor Walshaw (Councillor Nash in attendance as substitute).

To receive and approve the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th July 2016.

(Copy to follow)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on the 28^th July 2016 be approved as a correct record subject to an adjustment to minute 33 (Planning Application No 16/01921/FU – Temporary use as residential site for gypsies and travellers with 8 pitches for 10 years at Kidacre Street, Hunslet, Leeds, LS10 1BD.) by the inclusion of a reference to the fact that there was an intention to decant the current occupants of the site whilst the outstanding works at the site were completed although at this stage an alternative decant site had not been identified by officers.

The Chair also informed the meeting that it was his intention to write to the Director of Environment and Housing on behalf of the Panel in respect of the outstanding improvement works at the site.

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report detailing a Pre–application presentation for the residential–led development comprising five towers ranging from 12 to 41 storeys, ground floor commercial uses and new public realm at land bounded By Bridge Street, New York Road, Regent Street and Gower Street, Sheepscar , Leeds, LS2.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer informed Members of a pre-application presentation for a residential-led development comprising five towers ranging from 12 to 41 storeys, ground floor commercial uses and new public realm at land bounded by Bridge Street, New York Road, Regent Street and Gower Street, Sheepscar, Leeds, LS2.

Site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on this pre-application.

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel and highlighted a number of issues in relation to the proposals which included the following;

·  An introduction which included details of the emerging proposals for the second phase of the development

·  Information in respect of the existing planning permissions at the site

·  Details with regard to the Council’s tall building strategy and building massing

·  Information with regard to the proposed layout of the site

·  An explanation as to the proposed use of the site whish was proposed to have four principal components, buildings which included a hotel, residential apartments, an area of public realm across different levels including communal gardens and basement parking. 

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  Members raised concern with the proposed height of the towers, particularly the tallest which was in the region of 41 storeys(129 metres tall) and felt that further information was required in order that they could understand the impact of a structure of this height. Members were informed that in respect of wind issues a series of desktop testing had taken place and that dependent upon the outcome of discussions at the Panel meeting today further extensive testing would be undertaken on a model in a wind tunnel, Members were also informed that a lot of work had already been undertaken at this stage by moving back some of the massing from the road and the introduction of canopies. Members asked that further information be provided to officers and panel members in respect of the impact of wind on the buildings.

·  Members felt that this development provided an opportunity for involving local communities and providing landscaping that would be an asset to the area. In response the applicant advised Members that the development would include alternative office space that would be ideal for local start-up businesses and would hopefully create more employment opportunities both locally and more broadly across the City including small businesses such as cafes. In terms of the landscaping comment the applicant advised Members that they would look at the landscaping at Sovereign Square as a study for their development.

·  Members also asked about conservation, particularly (i) flooding levels, (ii) Lady Beck which was currently culverted and (iii) the possibility of reopening Marsh Lane Station, the applicants in response to (i) advised Members that they had consulted the Environment Agency with regard to flood levels although they were not certain whether the Agency figures were post or prior the Boxing Day floods, however they would make sure that they would have a scheme that was robust in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report detailing a Pre-application presentation for the mixed use development comprising multi-storey residential and commercial buildings and public realm at land off Globe Road and Water Lane, Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 1LT.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer informed Members of a pre-application presentation for a mixed use development comprising predominantly commercial  buildings and public realm Land Off Globe Road And Water Lane, Holbeck, Leeds, LS11 1LT.

A site visit took place prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on this pre-application.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Panel. Issues highlighted in relation to the proposals included the following;

·  An introduction which included details of the emerging proposals for the redevelopment of several land parcels to the north and southern sides of Globe Road and Water Lane in Holbeck (known as the Temple Quarter), the introduction also set out the proposed masterplan, architectural aspirations, the strategic aspirations for the site, demonstrated the relative heights of the buildings and the quality of the public space.

·  Information in respect of the existing site and its surroundings.

·  Details with regard to the sites relevant planning history.

·  Details of consultation that had taken place to date.

·  An explanation as to the proposed use of the site whish was proposed to be a commercially-led development for 1 client covering approximately 500,000 sq ft and 7000 jobs from across the region which would involve predominantly new office accommodation, together with a small element of residential accommodation towards the southern end of the Temple Quarter. There may also be some commercial uses such as bars and restaurants. 

·  They would like the development to be completed by mid 2019.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  The location of the reservoirs referred to in the report at 6.8 and the views of the West Yorkshire Archaeology Advisory Service.

·  The listed buildings (towers) on the adjacent site and the need where possible for those not to be obscured/hidden by the new development, the developer advised Members that he was very mindful of the towers and they were trying to create a space to make them as visible as possible.In discussing this Members were advised that the development would be a strong cluster of buildings that work as a group and would be ‘campus style’. Members also made some comments around the scale and layout of the proposals and location of the taller buildings to which the developer responded. Members felt it would be beneficial to see a model of the site.

·  Members discussed transport impacts in detail, particularly the impact on traffic when the development was complete, the relationship of the road networks with any future initiatives at City Square, the capacity of surrounding roads, the issue of public transport particularly accessibility if proposals are to include narrower roads to allow improved pedestrian access. Members also asked that parking provision be considered as the temporary car parks would be displaced from the existing site when this is developed. Members were advised that an aimsun model would be developed to look at potential traffic impacts across the city including the route from the M62 to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

The City Centre Team Leader commented on the morning site visits to the developments at Victoria Gate and Sovereign Square and commented on the exemplary work following on from the planning consents. He felt that the quality of the Victoria Gate development was due in part to the development having the same architect throughout the life of the project ensuring that an excellent outcome had been achieved. With regards to the new greenspace at Sovereign Square he felt that this high quality development had set an example as to the levels other schemes should look to achieve, a view supported by the Panel. 

Thursday 8^th September 2016 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

The next meeting was fixed for Thursday 8^th September 2016 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.