Agenda and minutes

  The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked Members and Officers to introduce themselves

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. 

  Councillor Nash declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in application 13/04885/OT, Land at Regent Street/Skinner Lane, through being a Committee Member of the Co-operative Society as the proposals related to a mixed use development, which included a food store (minute 33 refers)

  Councillor Leadley brought to the Panel’s attention that in respect of application 13/05423/OT, land off Bradford Road East Ardsley, he knew the agricultural tenant of the land (minute 32 refers)

  Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Walshaw, G Latty and R Procter, with Councillors Rafique, Castle and Cohen substituting for their respective colleagues

To approve the minutes of the City Plans Panel held on 17^th July 2014

(minutes attached)

  RESOLVED -  That the minutes of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 17^th July 2014 be approved

  With reference to minute 20 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 17^th June 2014, it was confirmed that the North Bar Stone had been located.  Regarding its future and the need for it to be removed before development commenced, a request was made for for the feature to be put back as soon as practicable

Further to minute 177 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 10^th April 2014, where Panel considered a position statement on an outline application for means of access from Bradford Road and to erect residential development, to consider a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal application

(report attached)

  Further to minute 177 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 10^th April 2014, where Panel considered a position statement on an outline application for means of access from Bradford Road and to erect a residential development, Members considered a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal application

  Plans, photographs and drawings were displayed at the meeting

  The South Area Planning Manager presented the report and outlined the reasons for refusal of the application of the 13.50 hectare PAS site, as set out in the report before Panel.  In relation to the first reason, a minor amendment was recommended to Panel to include reference to policy GP5, T2, the Street Design Guide SPD and Neighbourhoods for Living.  It was noted that in respect of the third reason for refusal, which related to highways matters, that further detailed plans had been submitted very recently and although some issues remained outstanding, it was possible these could be resolved at a later stage

  When Panel had considered the site in April 2014, concerns had been raised about the coalescence of communities; however it was felt that a reason for refusal on these grounds could not be sustained, in view of the UDP Inspector’s comments about land separating local communities and the applicant’s agreement to address this concern at Reserved Matters stage, through the proposed layout

  The Panel heard representations from the applicant’s agent who provided information which included:

·  the likelihood of an appeal being lodged if the application was refused; that the S106 Agreement was not disputed and could be signed at this stage

·  that additional information in respect of highways had been submitted to Officers over several months, with increased dialogue in the days before the meeting

·  the travelling times on public transport from the site to Leeds and Wakefield, included in the report, with concerns these were not accurate

·  that the location of the site was highly accessible

  The Panel then heard representations from two speakers who were supporting the Officer’s recommendation to refuse the application and who provided information which included:

·  the current pressure on infrastructure, including health and education facilities

·  the impact of additional traffic on the roads and in terms of additional carbon emissions

·  concerns about suitable access to the site for emergency vehicles

·  no additional bus routes were being incorporated into the proposals and that residents of the proposed development would need to rely heavily on cars for daily journeys

·  concerns about the proposed highways measures to accommodate the development

·  the need for a holistic approach to development in the area

·  the lack of accommodation for older people

·  that the development was not sustainable and would lead to coalescence of East Ardsley and West Ardsley

The Panel discussed the application, with the main issues relating to:

·  highways issues

·  the local concerns raised about sustainability and lack of infrastructure which supported the argument that the application was premature

·  that the application was not in line with Interim PAS policy

·  the comments of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on an outline application for retail (A1) and gym (D2) development with demolition of existing building and new pedestrian and vehicle access

(report attached)

  Having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this matter, Councillor Nash left the meeting

  Councillor Leadley also left the meeting at this point

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

Officers presented the report which sought approval in principle of an outline application for a mixed use development on a long-standing, vacant site on the north-eastern edge of Leeds City Centre, with the proposals being for two retail units, comprising discount food store and bulky goods and a 24 hour gym

Regarding the design of the food store, Members were informed that a store design suitable for a prominent edge of City Centre site and which was in keeping with the surrounding buildings, would be sought

In terms of opening hours and hours of delivery, Members were informed that the gym operator required 24 hour opening, which was a fundamental element of their business model.  Having considered this; the proximity of the gym to the entrance of the nearby residential accommodation and the low level of gym use at late night/early morning hours, Officers were of the view that there would be no adverse impact on the amenity of nearby residents from the gym use

Opening hours of the food store as set out in condition no 21 of the draft conditions appended to the submitted report were reported, although a request had been received for one additional hour of trading on Sundays and Bank Holidays, i.e. 10.00 – 17.00 and the same opening hours as normal trading days for Bank Holidays.  While this could be accommodated, Officers had concerns about the delivery hours sought, these being 07.00 – 23.00 and had proposed a draft condition limiting these to 08.00 – 20.00, Monday to Saturday and no deliveries on Sundays and Bank Holidays unless agreed in writing by the LPA

Details of the representations received to the proposals were outlined in the report before Panel with Members being informed that the request made by West Yorkshire Combined Authority (Metro) for the provision of a real-time display to be provided in the foyer of the food store had been put to Aldi, the proposed food store operator.  Aldi had stated their other stores did not provide this facility and there was limited space around the foyer and beyond the checkout areas to accommodate this, so considered the request to be unreasonable.  Members were informed that all other measures set out in the travel plan had been agreed

An error in paragraph 10.1.3 of the submitted report was highlighted, with this being clarified to Members, that based on the retail impact assessment submitted by the applicant, on balance, it was considered that the proposed food store was unlikely to have significant adverse impact on the existing centre at Lincoln Green due to the diversity of their retail offers

At this point Councillor Cohen brought to the Panel’s attention that Aldi was a customer of the company which he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Thursday 28^th August 2014 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds

  Thursday 28^th August 2014 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds