Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: Angela M Bloor 2474754  Email: angela.bloor@leeds.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

152.

Chair's opening remarks

Minutes:

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

 

 

153.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

 

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. 

Minutes:

  There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest made at this point, however such a declaration was made later in the meeting (minute 161 refers)

  Councillor Leadley also brought to the Panel’s attention in respect of applications 15/00363/OT and 15/00365/RM – White Rose Shopping Centre – that he was the Chair of Morley Town Council Planning Committee which had made representations on the applications (minute 160 refers)

 

 

154.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

  Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C Gruen, P Gruen and C Campbell.  The Chair welcomed Councillor S McKenna and Councillor Cleasby who were substituting.  It was noted that Councillor Coulson was to substitute for Councillor P Gruen

 

155.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 89 KB

To approve the minutes of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 5th March 2015

 

(minutes attached)

 

 

Minutes:

  RESOLVED -  That the minutes of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 5th March 2015 be approved, subject to an amendment to minute 140 – Application 14/04641/FU – Sweet Street and Manor Road Holbeck LS11 as follows:

 the requirement for prospective tenants to be in full time employment’ to be amended to read ‘ the requirement for prospective tenants to be in full time employment at the time of application’

 

 

156.

Update on notification by the Secretary of State of changes to the planning system

Minutes:

  The Head of Planning Services informed Members that a Planning update from the Secretary of State had been given on 25th March 2015 in the House of Commons with a further suite of changes to the planning system which would come into effect in April 2015.  These would include:

·  increased Permitted Development rights on non-residential buildings for solar panels

·  amendments to national planning policy to further support car parking and to permit non-residential car parking spaces to be rented out

·  measures to ensure planning conditions were cleared on time to prevent development being delayed

·  increased threshold for when an Environmental Impact Assessment would be required

·  a requirement for planning permission for Change of Use for betting shops or pay day loan shops

The Panel was also informed that a new, General Permitted

Development Order was being laid before Parliament on 26th March 2015, which would allow the Change of Use of some business uses, including warehouse use, to residential use.  There was also support for brownfield regeneration although the detail of this, in relation to the vacant building credit was awaited but that this could have some impact on the amount of affordable housing which could be requested on brownfield sites

  Members commented on the proposed changes and particularly welcomed the introduction of planning permission for premises proposed for betting shop or pay day loan use

  The Head of Planning Services advised that a report setting out the changes would be submitted to the next meeting

  RESOLVED -  To note the information provided

 

 

157.

Application 12/04046/OT - Land at Calverley Lane/Bagley Lane Farsley - Appeal decision pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on the Secretary of State’s decision on an appeal lodged against non-determination on an application for a major residential development

 

(report attached)

 

 

Minutes:

  The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report setting out the Secretary of State’s decision on an appeal against non-determination of an outline application for residential development of up to 400 dwellings on a PAS site at Calverley Lane/Bagley Lane Farsley.  Appended to the report was a copy of the Secretary of State’s decision

  The Head of Planning Services presented the report and welcomed the decision which confirmed that Leeds did have a five year housing land supply and a 5% buffer.  In determining the appeal, the Secretary of State had also had regard to the adverse impact the proposals would have on local character and identity

  In view of this decision, the Chief Planning Officer would be writing to applicants who had lodged appeals on PAS sites asking if they wished to reconsider their position

  A brief discussion took place, with concerns being raised about the Council’s housing target and that this should be reduced to a more realistic level

  It was noted in the Secretary of State’s letter that an incorrect reference had been made to the Council’s withdrawal of LUDPR Policy 34, when it was the interim PAS policy which had been withdrawn.  The Chief Planning Officer informed Members this had been flagged up with the Secretary of State

  RESOLVED -  To note the report, that the appeal was dismissed by the Secretary of State who agreed with the recommendation of the Planning Inspector that following the reopened inquiry in November 2014, that the appeal should be dismissed and outline planning permission refused and to note that the appeal decision establishes the most up to date external review of the Council’s 5 year housing land supply position.  The Secretary of State has advised the Council that he considers it has a supply of housing land able to provide around 26,500 dwellings for the 5 year supply period between April 2012 and 2019.  The Secretary of State has agreed with the Council that it does have a 5 year supply of land as required by the NPPF and that it has an up to date Core Strategy.  The required supply figure is 24,440 which includes the requirement for a 5% buffer and takes account of under delivery of housing in the last 2 years since the last 5 year supply requirement was published.  Therefore the Council has around 2000 units in excess of the required 24,440 units

 

 

158.

Update on Cottingley Springs site

Minutes:

  Following on from the discussions on a recent determination by the Secretary of State, the Head of Planning Services informed Panel that the Secretary of State’s decision on an extension for 12 traveller pitches at Cottingley Springs had been received on 23rd March 2015, with the Secretary of State agreeing with the Inspector that very special circumstances had not been demonstrated to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt caused by the proposals.  Issues relating to sprawl; loss of openness; visual impact and sustainability had also been highlighted by the Secretary of State as had the view also that in respect of the search for sites, it had not been demonstrated conclusively that there were no alternative sites.  The urgent and unmet need for Gypsy and Traveller sites in Leeds had also been referred to

  The Panel discussed the Secretary of State’s decision, with the main issues being raised relating to:

·  the policy of locating people to Cottingley Springs

·  that a better approach was to provide smaller sites in more locations around the City

·  the support given by Ward Members to the recently approved site at Kidacre Street

RESOLVED -  To note the information provided

 

 

159.

Application 14/05288/FU - Change of Use of part of ground floor to A5 (hot food take away), installation of duct and extract to rear and addition of new door to shop front - 34 Kirkgate LS2 pdf icon PDF 734 KB

Further to minute 129 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 12th February 2015, where Panel deferred determination of an application for change of use of part of ground floor to A5(hot food take away), installation of duct and extract to rear and addition of new door to shop front, to enable information to be provided in respect of the traffic management plan, to consider a further report of the Chief Planning Officer

 

(report attached)

 

 

Minutes:

  Further to minute 129 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 12th February 2015, where Panel deferred determination of the application for a change of use of part of ground floor of 34 Kirkgate to a hot food take away, for further information relating to several issues, Members considered a further report.  A copy of the report considered on 12th February 2015 was appended, for Members’ information

  Plans, drawings and photographs were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report and advised Members that a parking management plan had been submitted and that a revised condition was proposed in respect of this matter

  Concerns which had been raised about the extraction flue; its location and visual impact had been further considered.  Further representations which had recently been received were reported from an objector who was of the view that the flue should be set at a lower level.  It was also reported that the flue would be painted black so it would recess visually from the nearby residential units.  If Panel had concerns about the impact of the proposals on visual amenity, the objector’s suggestion to lower the flue could be considered by Officers in conjunction with colleagues from Environmental Health

  In relation to the bin store, a Bin Management Statement had been submitted by the applicant to the satisfaction of Officers

  Members discussed the application with the main issue relating to the location of the flue, with a suggestion being made that it might be possible to position the flue up an existing chimney in the property.  The Chair invited the applicant’s agent to respond to this query, with Members being advised there were no feasible routes internally to locate the flue.  The Deputy Area Planning Manager confirmed to the Panel that having looked at the aerial photographs of the site there did not appear to be any existing chimneys

  Concerns were raised about the proposal with reference being made to enforcement issues in this area.  In considering the position of the flue, the Panel was satisfied that its proposed location and that it was being painted black would not have a significant impact on visual amenity, however it was proposed that if the shop ceased its A5 use, the flue should be removed

  RESOLVED -  That the application be granted, subject to the conditions specified at Appendix 1 of the report dated 12th February 2015; a revised condition 14 as set out in the submitted report of 25th March 2015 and a further condition to specify the removal of the flue if the premises ceased its A5 use

 

 

160.

Applications 15/00363/OT and 15/00365/RM - Variation of conditions 5 and 4 of outline permission 13/01640/OT to allow amendments to approved gross internal area for cinema and minor material amendment to approved parameter plans to allow increase in approved maximum height and Reserved Matters application for Phase 1 of development approved under outline permission 13/01640/OT to cover part demolition, alterations and extensions to form new cinema and restaurants and associated works including creation of new public realm, landscaping and alterations to access routes and car park configuration - White Rose Shopping Centre Dewsbury Road LS11 pdf icon PDF 915 KB

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on the following applications:

 

Application 15/00363/OT

 

Variation of condition 5 of planning approval 13/01640/OT to allow amendments to Gross Internal Areas to cinema and variation of condition 4 for minor material amendments to approved parameter plans to allow increases in approved height to parts of cinema and:

 

Application 15/00365/RM

 

Reserved Matters application for Phase 1 of development approved under application 13/01640/OT: part demolition and alteration of existing buildings and erect extensions to form new cinema and restaurant units, alterations to existing and creation of new public realm and landscaping, alterations to existing vehicular access and creation of new vehicular, pedestrian, service access; alterations to car park configuration; together with infrastructure and associated works

Minutes:

  Plans, graphics, photographs and drawings were displayed at the meeting

  The Panel considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer on two applications relating to the White Rose Shopping Centre (WRSC); one seeking the variation of two conditions of application 13/01640/OT relating to the gross internal area for the cinema and maximum height of the cinema and the Reserved Matters application for the first phase of the development under the outline permission

  Officers presented the report and outlined the location of the proposed cinema which would now include an IMAX screen.  Members were informed that the increase in height by 6 metres was limited to the IMAX element of the proposals only.  To minimise the visual impact of the cinema, a light grey external cladding was proposed

  On the issue of car parking, the applicant had demonstrated that the staff car park could be reconfigured to provide an additional 14 – 20 spaces, although that would require a fresh application

  Members were informed that 250 extra parking spaces would be available during the first phase of the proposals and that a condition on the original outline permission required the existing level of car parking (at the time of that application) be replaced.  Officers were proposing to add 14 additional spaces to that number to give a final figure

  The receipt of further representations was reported, with Members being informed that Councillor Finnigan had advised that the Morley Borough Independents supported the proposals and that the Director of the Media Museum in Bradford had advised that the organisation was not submitting any further evidence in respect of their objection to the proposals

  The Panel discussed the applications, with the main areas of discussion relating to:

·  car parking levels; that highways had raised some concerns about the level of parking being provided and further intensification of the site; the risk to the Council both practically and economically if the proposed travel plan did not work as planned; whether the contingency fund of £700,000 would be sufficient to address issues arising from the proposals; the likely increased number of visitors to the centre, generating more traffic and the requirement for increased parking spaces and the increased dwell time of visitors when the new facilities came on board, which would also have an impact on the availability of parking spaces on site and that the additional 250 spaces being provided was on account of the proposed expansion of two main retail units not proceeding at this stage

·  the lack of improvements to the bus station at the WRSC in terms of its physical appearance and maintenance with concerns about the applicant’s desire for and commitment to a modal shift at the site from cars to public transport

·  that the application which included the reconfiguration of the car parking areas should be brought to Panel for determination

·  the need to consider staff safety issues from both the later night opening for the cinema and restaurant uses and the distance of the staff car park  ...  view the full minutes text for item 160.

161.

22 Clear Channel six sheet advertisement units - at various locations across Leeds City Centre pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Further to minute 75 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 30th October 2014, where Members received a pre-application presentation for 26 six sheet advertisement units at various sites across the City Centre, to consider a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal applications in respect of the 22 advertisement units now proposed, as set out below:

 

Application 15/00096/ADV

 

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Whitehall Road and Northern Street

 

Application 15/0010/ADV

 

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site outside 58-60 Albion Street

 

Application 15/00102/ADV

 

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Woodhouse Lane and Queen Square Court

 

Application 15/00103/ADV

 

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Swinegate and Sovereign Street

 

Application 15/00104/ADV

 

Three illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at the corner of East Parade and Infirmary Street, the corner of Infirmary Street and Bond Court and the corner of Infirmary Street and Wine Street

 

Application 15/00117/ADV

 

Two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at the Clay Pit Lane outside and opposite First Direct Arena, Clay Pit Lane outside Hepworth House and the Clay Pit Lane side of Providence Place

 

Application 15/00118/ADV

 

Two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at outside 54 and 101 The Headrow

 

Application 15/00119/ADV

 

Five illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites opposite Fish Street and outside 58-60, 127, 149-150 and 88-89 Briggate

 

 

 

Application 15/00120/ADV

 

One illuminated single side free standing sign to a site outside 40 Lands Lane

 

Application 15/00122/ADV

 

Two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at Park Row opposite City Square and the corner of Park Row and Boar Lane

 

Application 15/00124/ADV

 

Two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites opposite 35 Bond Street and the corner of Bond Street and Lower Basinghall Street

 

Application 15/00137/ADV

 

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Eastgate and St Peters Street

 

(report attached)

 

 

 

Minutes:

  Further to minute 75 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 30th October 2014, where Members received a pre-application presentation for 26, six sheet advertisement units at various sites across the City Centre, the Panel considered a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal applications in respect of 22 advertisement units

  Plans, drawings and graphics were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit, on foot, had taken place to a good proportion of the sites being considered

  Officers presented the report and informed Panel that the proposed units would be digital, with approximate dimensions being 3m high, 1.5m wide and 0.3m deep.  In terms of the design of the units, the ethos had been to relate these to the wayfinders which were sited around the city, so to produce a family of signage

  The 12 applications for 22 units were then briefly outlined

  The Panel then heard representations from a member of Leeds Civic Trust which had objected to the proposals, with the following concerns being stated:

·  that the proposals would add to the existing street clutter

·  that whilst income generation from the proposals was a factor it should not be the prime consideration

·  that the advertising units would impede pedestrians, particularly when the City Centre was busy

·  that several of the advertising units were in close proximity to Listed Buildings or in Conservation Areas and did not add to the overall appearance of Leeds City Centre

·  that there was a need for a comprehensive review of street furniture in the City Centre

·  that if the units were given approval, existing items of street furniture should be removed

·  the importance of Public Realm

Members were informed that the applicant’s representative was in

attendance and would be available to respond to questions or comments from the Panel

  The Panel discussed general issues arising from the proposals:

·  in respect of the level of income generation for the Council,  the Chief Planning Officer informed Members that from a planning perspective, the amount of income to be generated was not a material planning consideration and that the issues to be considered in determining the applications were visual amenity and highway/pedestrian safety

·  the issue of public safety was raised in view of the height of the displays, with concerns being raised that, particularly at night, people could lurk undetected behind the units.  The issue of safety for visually impaired pedestrians was also a concern.  The applicant’s representative advised that the units would be well illuminated and would not create dark, shadowy areas where people could lurk.  In terms of the number of sites in the original tender, this had been 40, with now only 22 sites being put forward and that in relation to highways safety; pedestrian movement; public safety and visual impact, these sites were considered to be acceptable

·  the possibility of integrating the signs with, for example, litter bins or seating areas, to reduce street clutter was suggested and concerns were raised about the cumulative impact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 161.

162.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

Thursday 16th April 2015 at 1.30pm

 

 

Minutes:

  Thursday 16th April 2015 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds