Agenda and minutes

A Member’s site visit was held in connection with the following proposal:

PREAPP/17/00353 – Opera North, Harrison Street, Leeds 1 and was attended by the following Councillors: P Gruen, J Mckenna, E Nash, C Campbell, T Leadley and D Blackburn

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 items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

There were no late items of business to be considered.

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 any disclosable pecuniary interests made at the meeting.

To receive apologies for absence (If any)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: C Macniven.

Councillor S McKenna was in attendance as a substitute Member.

To consider and approve the Minutes of the previous Meeting held on 8^th March 2018.

(Copy attached)

With reference to Minute No.130 Councillor Leadley requested a number of minor modifications: deleting the words “that a cupola be provided” and replacing with “that the cupola be retained”. The materials to be use on the roof would be “Westmorland Slate” not “Westland Slate”.

RESOLVED – That with the inclusion of the above, the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 8^th March 2018 be accepted as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the Minutes.

Proposed pedestrian improvements to be provided at the junction of Portland Crescent and Woodhouse Lane, Leeds 2 (Minute No. 129 referred) – Members noted that further details about the design/ appearance of the junction would  come back to Panel in April and sought assurance that the proposed timescale would be achieved.

In responding the City Centre Team Leader confirmed that it was intended that a report/ presentation would be brought back to the meeting in April.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a reserved matters application - (layout, scale and landscaping of the site), pursuant to approval 16/02757/OT (erection of a motorway service area) (as amended by non-material amendment 17/00058/MOD) for Phase 2 (facilities building) at land off Junction 45, M1 Motorway.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of a reserved matters application - (layout, scale and landscaping of the site), pursuant to approval 16/02757/OT (erection of a motorway service area) (as amended by non-material amendment 17/00058/MOD) for Phase 2 (facilities building) at land off Junction 45, M1 Motorway.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The Planning Case Officer addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  The reserved matters application relates to Phase 2 of the development (covering the Facilities Building). This phase also includes the hotel (100 bedrooms), landscaping and car parking within that phase and addresses matters associated with the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping of the site for this phase. These works use the development platforms set by the Phase 1- Enabling Works (Phase 1) which was the subject of a separate reserved matters application (Ref: 17/08434/RM) that had recently been granted. Phase 3- Fuel Filling Station will form the basis of a further reserved matters application.

·  The officer confirmed the main means of access into the site had already been agreed as part of the original outline permission and was the shared solution that also provides access into the adjacent housing site. Highways England were currently undertaking improvement works to the motorway junction and it was intended to piggyback these works.

·  The proposed Facilities Building was positioned towards the southern portion of the site and comprises a series of interlinked buildings with a partial living/green, oversailing roof form. It was confirmed as containing a central atrium space surrounded by the various commercial outlets. The community space and multi-faith room would be located on the first floor with a viewing area situated above. Access to the first floor was also available via a lift.

·  The hotel is linked to the main facilities building and would be two storey and arranged in the ‘T’ shape. Although flat roofed, it was positioned behind the front ribbon of the roof form.

·  The officer updated Members about the outstanding matters which highway officers has raised and confirmed these had now been resolved. In particular, the electric vehicle charging points were now identified, the bus layby had been altered and clarification was provided that the internal road from the HGV area was for service vehicles only. A further condition confirming this route was only to be used for service vehicles was therefore added to the officer recommendation.

·  It was confirmed the Coal Authority had now provided a ‘no objection’ response. Members were also advised that whilst the National Grid had issued a holding response, no further comments had been received despite officers chasing and the issues raised were largely for the applicant to be mindful of in terms of health and safety issues as part of the construction process. As such, officers did not consider progressing to a formal decision on the reserved matters application was problematic.

Members raised the following questions:

·  Were there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 142.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details  of a pre-application presentation for a change of use from A1 retail units to one combined A3 restaurant and internal alterations to the basement, ground floor and upper floors in the Howard Assembly Room of Opera North and an office refurbishment including facade re-modelling and two storey rehearsal studio extension to roof of existing 5 storey Premier House building, and the provision of ground floor education suite, at the Howard Assembly Room and Premier House at Opera North, New Briggate and 8 Harrison Street, Leeds, LS1 6PA.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of a

pre-application presentation for a change of use from A1 retail units to one combined A3 restaurant and internal alterations to the basement, ground floor and upper floors in the Howard Assembly Room of Opera North and an office refurbishment including facade re-modelling and two storey rehearsal studio extension to roof of existing 5 storey Premier House building, and the provision of ground floor education suite, at the Howard Assembly Room and Premier House at Opera North, New Briggate and 8 Harrison Street, Leeds, LS1 6PA.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  The proposed development seeks a change of use of the ground floor vacant former shop units from A1 retail units to one combined A3 restaurant, with internal alterations to the basement, ground floor and upper floors in the Howard Assembly Room of Opera North and an external terrace to the rear of the former shop units. In addition the proposal also involves an office refurbishment including facade remodelling and two storey rehearsal studio extension to roof of existing 5 storey Premier House building, and the provision of ground floor education suite.

Members raised the following questions:

·  Was the Leeds Grand Theatre supportive of the scheme

·  The lower part of the green bridge was very unsightly, unloved and appeared to be a dumping ground, could this area be given an upgrade and also could the bin storage areas be looked at

·  Could the historic element of the Howard Assembly Room and its cellars be retained

·  Could more details be provided about the proposed perforated metal screen treatment to the alleyway

·  The façade to the Premier House building, what materials were proposed to be used

·  Were there any highway proposals for New Briggate/ Harrison Street

·  Had the City Council’s Entertainment Licensing Section been consulted

·  What was the proposed timescale for completion of the scheme

In responding to the issues raised, the applicant’s representatives said:

·  It was reported that the Leeds Grand Theatre were supportive of the scheme

·  Members were informed that the bridge was not in the ownership of Opera North and did not form part of the application, however, the bin storage areas would be investigated further

·  It was suggested that with the use of original plans, stained glass and tiling the historic element could be retained

·  The proposed treatment to the alleyways was still to be finalised and further details would be supplied as part of the formal application

·  The materials to be used to the façade of Premier House would include brown none reflective panels and glass 

·  Highways officers reported that a feasibility study for the area had taken place a few years earlier with the possibility of Harrison Street having access only, with pedestrian access requiring further enhancement

·  It was reported that Entertainment Licensing had been consulted and had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a pre-application presentation for the erection of 100 apartments in two buildings between 5 and 7 storeys with ground floor car parking located between Melbourne Street and Lower Brunswick Street, Leeds.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of a pre-application presentation for the erection of 100 apartments in two buildings between 5 and 7 storeys with ground floor car parking located between Melbourne St and Lower Brunswick St, Leeds.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  The original proposal was for the demolition of the existing buildings on the site and the erection of a single building split into three adjoining blocks of apartments, stepping down the site from 9 storeys fronting Brunswick Row to the west, to 5 storeys at the Bridge Street end to the east. Following Members comments the new proposal has been reduced in scale to between 6 and 7 storeys and has now been split in to 2 separate buildings with the break-point midway along the elevation, forming two even sized buildings. As previously the main body of the buildings are proposed to be of brick, glass and metal cladding. However, the lower two floors were now to have a colonnade treatment and the elevations treated in a light, potentially masonry, material interspersed by glazing panels and decorative metal screens to allow natural ventilation to parking and refuse storage areas. The top of the building is to be of both transparent and look-a-like glass, contained within grey terracotta framing.

·  The scheme contains 100 apartments comprising:

·  1 x studio

·  58 x 1 bed apartments

·  38 x 2 bed apartments

·  3 x 3 bed apartments

  The apartments range in size: studio 33 sqm; 1 bed 37-52 sqm; 2 bed   61-68 sqm; 3 bed 74 sqm. It is intended that the scheme would be   made available for occupation under the Private Rented Sector (PRS)   model.

·  Vehicular access is proposed from the eastern end of Lower Brunswick Street with car parking provided in an under-croft parking area providing three disabled parking spaces. Cycle parking spaces are provided in two stores, one in each building. Given the narrowness of the streets in this area, the route between the two buildings is to be used for servicing both blocks and will be a managed space, the concierge having an office overlooking this area.

·  The main resident accesses are provided from two entrances on either side of the central route between the buildings. Two end entrances are also included and are set within small landscaped garden areas.

Members raised the following questions:

·  Did the studio apartment meet the requirements of the space standards

·  Was the parking provision adequate for the development

·  Was there any residential amenity proposed for the area

·  Was there any affordable housing provision

·  There appeared to be a lack of family apartments

·  Car parking was an issue, could a condition be included on any grant of planning consent stating there would be no residential parking schemes. 

In responding to the issues raised, the applicant’s representatives said:

·  It was reported that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 144.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a pre-application presentation for proposed residential development comprising approximately 750 apartments in buildings of between 8 and 23 storeys, open space areas, a mix of commercial units and car parking spaces on Land at Whitehall Road/Globe Road, Leeds

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of a

pre-application presentation for proposed residential development comprising approximately 750 apartments in buildings of between 8 and 23 storeys, open space areas, a mix of commercial units and car parking spaces on Land at Whitehall Road/Globe Road, Leeds.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  The emerging proposals were for approximately 750 residential units, ground floor commercial units, associated parking and landscaping across a development of 8 buildings up to 23 storeys in height. The residential units would be let as Private Rented Sector (PRS) and the mix is proposed to be 49% 1 bedroom units (368no); 46% 2 bedroom units (345no); and 5% 3 bedroom units (38no.). All of the units would meet the Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS).

·  The applicants wished to create a new neighbourhood that would include large public open spaces, attractive pedestrian routes and a wide variety of resident’s amenity/leisure facilities and other commercial uses includes retail, café, restaurants and bars.

·  The buildings on the main portion of the site vary in height from ‘ground plus 6 storeys’ to ‘ground plus 22 storeys’. These buildings were proposed to be largely faced in brick with a defined base, middle and top and punched and recessed window openings. The two tallest buildings will be at either end of the site.

·  Vehicular access would be provided from Globe Road along a one way street that exits onto Whitehall Road. The route would include service lay-by and surface level car parking woven into and under new soft landscaping. Approximately 80 car parking spaces will be provided with significant cycle parking provision included plus car share and car clubs bays. It is proposed to include a ‘bike hub’ within the scheme that will offer residents the opportunity to hire bikes for both commuting and leisure purposes.

·  New public open space would be created within the development through a series of connected spaces plus large raised open spaces. Furthermore, it is proposed to calm the traffic on Globe Road through new attractive surfacing and changes in the character of the road and adjacent spaces to make this is a more pedestrian friendly environment. The embankment adjacent to the canal would also be enhanced with new landscaping and pedestrian access points.

·  A new ‘hub’ building was proposed on the smaller portion of the site adjacent to the canal. This hub building would have a flexible use with the focus being on leisure. The development on this part of the site would also retain a landing point for a bridge over the canal. Whereas the bridge is not proposed under this application, the development would assist in its delivery through the provision of the landing point and CIL payment could be put towards this infrastructure improvement. The CIL calculation was currently £325,000.

Members raised the following questions:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 145.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 19^th April 2018 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 19th April 2018 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.