Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

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

Items
No. Item

77.

Chair's opening remarks

Minutes:

  The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, particularly a journalism student who was recording the meeting as part of her course and representatives from the local media who had expressed an interest in recording the discussions on the Bridgewater Place application.   Members and Officers were then asked by the Chair to introduce themselves

 

 

78.

Late Items

 

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

 

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

 

Minutes:

  Although there were no formal late items, the Panel was in receipt of a supplementary report on drainage issues in respect of application 13/04148/OT – outline application for development of circa 200 dwellings – land rear of Moseley Wood Gardens LS16 (minute 83 refers).  The report had been circulated prior to the meeting and had been published on the Council’s website

 

 

79.

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:

  Councillor J McKenna brought to the Panel’s attention in respect of the Planning Development Brief for the existing shops at George Street, that he would be vacating the chair by choice for this item as he was a member of Board which was proposing the scheme (minute 88 refers)

  Councillor Towler brought to the Panel’s attention in respect of the applications at Moseley Wood Gardens/Cookridge Drive, that a close family member lived on Moseley Wood Gardens (minutes 83 and 84 refer)

 

 

80.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

  Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Nash, who was substituted for by Councillor Towler.  The Chair informed the meeting that Councillor Nash had suffered an accident recently and had undergone an operation.  The Panel wished her well in her recovery

  Apologies for absence had also been received from Councillor Blackburn and from Councillor Finnigan who was to have substituted for him

 

 

81.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 106 KB

To approve the minutes of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 30th October 2014

 

(minutes attached)

 

 

Minutes:

  RESOLVED -  That the minutes of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 30th October 2014 be approved

 

 

82.

Core Strategy

Minutes:

  The Chief Planning Officer stated that the Core Strategy and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) had been approved by Council on 12th November 2014.  In view of this, where reports before this Panel referred to ‘draft’ Core Strategy, this should now read ‘approved’ Core Strategy, as this was now the statutory Development Plan for Leeds together with the saved UDP Policies.  The Chair welcomed the adoption of the Core Strategy stating that Leeds was one of the first cities to have one

 

 

83.

Application 13/04148/OT - Outline application for development of circa 200 dwellings, including access from Moseley Wood Rise - land rear of Moseley Wood Gardens Cookridge LS16 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Further to minute 176 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 10th April 2014, where Panel considered a position statement on proposals for an outline application for the residential development of circa 200 dwellings and associated landscaping to consider the formal application

 

(report attached)

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

  Prior to consideration of this matter, Councillor Towler withdrew from the meeting

 

  Further to minute 176 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 10th April 2014, where Panel considered a position statement on proposals for an outline application for the residential development of circa 200 dwellings and associated landscaping, the Panel considered the formal application.  A supplementary report which contained further information on the issue of drainage and addressed concerns raised about the application by the local MP, was also considered

  Plans, photographs and drawings were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit had taken place earlier in the day

  Officers presented the report and outlined the application, which was for outline permission for a residential development on a site designated as a Protected Area of Search (PAS) site, with all matters reserved except for the access

  The application was being recommended for refusal, with proposed reasons for refusal being included in the report before Panel

  Technical Officers were in attendance and provided further information on the soil conditions, drainage and flooding issues.  In terms of drainage, the applicant had recently provided additional information, sought by the Council, and that the proposals were felt, by Officers, to provide a satisfactory means of drainage and could help with the existing drainage problems experienced on the adjacent development

  Seven additional representations were reported, including one from Greg Mulholland MP, although these raised no new issues.  Comments on the revised drainage proposals were awaited from Yorkshire Water; the Environment Agency had indicated they had no further comments and Network Rail had requested a condition in respect of monitoring the drainage works on their structure

Although Officers were of the view that the site could be developed if it could be drained, with Members accepting this in principle at the City Plans Panel meeting held on 10th April 2014, the application was being recommended for refusal on the basis of the quantum of development; the impact on the residents of Moseley Wood Rise and that a secondary access was not proposed

Members were informed that a smaller development on the site would be brought to the December Panel for consideration

  Members discussed the application and commented on the following matters:

·  drainage; the elaborate proposals for the site; the importance of differentiating between flooding and waterlogging and the maintenance of drains across the development

·  the S106 agreement; whether there was any indication the requirements would not be met and that the absence of a signed S106 Agreement as a reason for refusal could be considered to be spurious

·  whether any development of the site could be accepted

·  sustainability issues, particularly the lack of school places and health facilities; that this was an issue citywide and was not being addressed in the proposals being presented to Plans Panels.  The Chief Planning Officer acknowledged the points being made and accepted that on this site, the issue of sustainability was a balanced one and took into account several factors.  However in relation to education  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

84.

Application 14/00190/FU - Lay out of new access road from Cookridge Drive - Land off Cookridge Drive Cookridge LS16 pdf icon PDF 490 KB

Further to minute 176 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 10th April 2014, where Panel considered a position statement on proposals for an outline application for a major residential development and associated access, to consider a further report of the Chief Planning Officer on the formal application for laying out of a new access road from Cookridge Drive

 

(report attached)

 

 

Minutes:

  Further to minute 176 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 10th April 2014, where Panel considered a position statement on proposals for an outline application for a major residential development and associated access, Members considered a further report of the Chief Planning Officer on the formal application on an access road from Cookridge Drive LS16

  Plans, photographs and drawings were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit had taken place earlier in the day

  Officers presented the report and outlined the application which was being recommended for refusal, with suggested reasons set out in the report before Panel

  Members were informed that the further representations received as outlined on the previous application – 13/04018/OT – applied also to this application (minute SS refers)

  RESOLVED -  That the application be refused for the following reasons:

 

  1 The proposed access road would constitute inappropriate development within the Green Belt.  The proposed access road would not preserve the openness of the Green Belt.  The evidence submitted to demonstrate a requirement for local transport infrastructure in the Green Belt was not considered to represent very special circumstances to justify this inappropriate development.  The access road was therefore contrary to saved Policy N33 of the adopted Leeds UDP and guidance contained at paragraphs 87,88 and 90 of the National Planning Policy Framework

 

  2 The proposed access road by virtue of its scale and urbanising impact combined with its loss of protected and important trees would be significantly detrimental to the visual amenity and character of this Green Belt location.  As such the proposal was contrary to saved Policy GP5 and N33 of the adopted Leeds UDP and the guidance contained at paragraph 90 of the NPPF

 

  3 The proposed access road will result in the permanent loss of an area of woodland which is a locally valuable nature conservation resource and UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Habitat and (without any agreed compensatory habitat creation) is contrary to Core Strategy Policy G8 and NPPF paragraphs 109 and 118

 

  Following consideration of these applications, Councillor Towler resumed her seat in the meeting

 

 

85.

Application 14/04554/FU - Proposed wind mitigation scheme at Bridgewater Place Water Lane Holbeck LS11 pdf icon PDF 3 MB

Further to minute 137 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 16th January 2014, where Panel received a pre-application presentation on proposals for a wind mitigation scheme, to consider the formal application

 

(report attached)

 

 

Minutes:

  The Head of Planning Services, Mr Sellens, joined the meeting at this point

  Further to minute 137 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 16th January 2014, where Panel received a pre-application presentation on proposals for a wind mitigation scheme at Bridgewater Place, the Panel considered a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal application

  Plans, photographs, drawings and graphics were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit had taken place earlier in the day and Members had viewed a model of the proposals on site

  The Deputy Area Planning Manager – Central Area Team - presented the report

  The background to the application was outlined

  Members were informed that over 30 wind mitigation schemes had been tested, with the one being presented to Members being the most effective, given the physical constraints of the site  This would comprise 3 baffles over Water Lane, a canopy attached to the north side of the building – supported by 10 columns and a combination of vertical screens and a canopy on the west side, together with a screen adjacent to The Grove Public House

  The wind baffles would be porous and be of a natural mill finish of marine grade aluminium, rather than painted to keep future maintenance to a minimum.  The baffles would be located at least 6m above ground level and be supported by columns.  The width of the baffles would be 20m wide for two of the baffles with the remaining baffle being 25m wide

  The measures would be seen as part of the base of Bridgewater Place, so the visual impact of the structures would be mitigated by the scale of the building, with Officers being of the view that in the context of the surrounding buildings, the works would not unduly dominate the area

  Members were informed that with the implementation of the proposed wind mitigation measures, the environment would be made much safer for pedestrians and vehicles; this being demonstrated by the applicant and confirmed by the Council’s independent wind consultant

  For the measures to be implemented, some highways alterations would be required, which included, a reduction in the left-hand turning lane to Victoria Road; the introduction of ‘Trieff’ curbing and pedestrian guard rails and the realignment of the pedestrian crossing facility, with these being detailed in the report before Panel

  Members commented on the application, with the main issues relating to:

·  the timescale for the implementation of the scheme, if granted permission

·  the surface finish of the baffles and the weathering of these

·  the testing of wind speed measurements with concerns that heights of 1.5m – 2.1m above the surface had only been tested and that in view of the tragic incident which had occurred at the site involving a HGV and a pedestrian, that greater height measurements should have been tested, in this particular case

·  the possibility of wind affecting a high sided vehicle from a different angle

·  the reduction in the number of baffles  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

86.

Application 14/05481/OT/14/05483/FU and 14/05484/COND - Northern Development Plots Land South of Railway Line Thorpe Park LS15 pdf icon PDF 654 KB

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on the current position on the following proposal

 

Application 14/05481/OT – Outline application for residential development (maximum 300 units) together with other uses and revised landscaping – Position statement

 

And seeking approval for the variation of condition 4 (floor space) of approval 12/03886/OT and a revised masterplan to approved application 12/03886/FU for a major mixed use development at Thorpe Park

 

(report attached)

 

 

Minutes:

  Prior to consideration of this matter, Councillor R Procter left the meeting

 

Plans, photographs, graphics, artist’s impressions and images of similar schemes in Salford and York were displayed at the meeting.  A  Members site visit had taken place earlier in the day

  Officers presented a report which outlined the current position in respect of proposals for a residential and mixed use development of up to 300 dwellings at Thorpe Park, together with a revised masterplan and landscaping details

  Members were informed that there were no changes to the uses/mix of the retail element, although the retail element which been proposed for the corner of the site had now been removed, with Officers being more comfortable about this revision

  The layout of the residential units had been amended to take into account TPO trees and would provide generous amounts of landscaping.  The proposed addition of residential accommodation into the site would create an opportunity for creative design, whilst still ensuring the site felt part of Thorpe Park

  In terms of consultation responses, Network Rail had lodged an objection but it was felt this was based on a lack of understanding how the proposals linked and that Officers would go back to Network Rail with further information so they could revisit their comments

  Objections had been received from the Cross Gates Residents’ Association and these would need to be considered in greater detail

  On the S106 contributions, it was reported that the Developer was happy to meet the Council’s normal requirement on Affordable Housing and Education (both primary and secondary).  Regarding public open space provision, Officers considered it was not necessary to provide more POS however it would be appropriate to look at the nature of the POS on the site and what facilities could be provided within this, due to the introduction of housing

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

·  the amount of housing proposed for the site and whether this would increase.  Officers considered this was not likely to increase in view of 300 dwellings being the maximum number which could be constructed off a single access and if provided elsewhere, the accommodation would have to be flats.  The Chief Planning Officer stated that Thorpe Park was an important office location and to further dilute the office use would not be of benefit

·  that the proposals afforded the opportunity to design in infrastructure such as education and health provision

·  the area proposed for housing, with concerns this was isolated and the possibility of creating a footbridge over the railway to link this into the adjacent residential development.  Members were informed there were no proposals for such a link but that the proposed residential community would add to the mixed uses at Thorpe Park, so in that sense, the new residential community would not be isolated

·  drainage details and the need for balancing ponds to be appropriately designed with children’s safety in mind

·  the boundary treatment of the west of the residential accommodation; the view that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

87.

Election of Chair

Minutes:

  Having previously announced his intention to vacate the chair for this item, Councillor J McKenna left the meeting

  Councillor Walshaw was nominated and appointed to chair the remainder of the meeting

 

  Councillor Walshaw in the Chair

 

 

88.

Planning Development Brief for existing shops at George Street adjacent Leeds Kirkgate Market pdf icon PDF 9 MB

To receive and consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on the Draft Development Brief for the redevelopment of buildings at George Street

 

(report and brief attached)

 

 

Minutes:

  The Panel considered a report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the Draft Planning Development Brief for the existing shops at George Street, adjacent to Leeds Kirkgate Market.  A copy of the draft brief was appended to the submitted report

  Plans and photographs were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report and draft planning brief which sought to improve the existing 1930’s and 1980’s shops and office buildings on the south side of George Street which would be located opposite the Victoria Gate development, once the first phase of this major retail development was completed

  The development brief set out criteria to assess proposals to redevelop the site which would be put out to a developer competition

  Key aspects of the brief were outlined

  Members discussed the report, presentation and draft development brief and commented on the following matters:

·  the indicative ideas sketch included in the brief with concerns this illustrated pop-up dormers and flat roofs.  Members were informed this was a quickly drawn sketch to begin exploring the upper floors and that the image could be modified

·  the need to bring the iconic features of the internal 1904 market hall roof into prominence.  The Chief Planning Officer suggested that criteria 6 should be broadened out to reflect Members’ comments

·  the treatment of the existing gap between the market building and the site, with the Design Team Leader suggesting glazing over this to create, for example, a café, which would enable people to appreciate the existing plaque on the side of the market building and its internal structure

·  the possibility of extending the parameters of the brief to create a whole streetscape which extended to the bus station

·  the benefit such a scheme would bring to the nearby Harewood Street.  The Chief Planning Officer stated that as part of the Victoria Gate development, Harewood Street would be pedestrianised to improve its use and appearance

·  the need to ensure bus stops remained appropriately located for visitors to the Market

·  the need to consider who Leeds Market would serve in the long-term.  The Design Team Leader informed Members that during the revision process for the then, Eastgate and Harewood Quarter, John Lewis had seen being sited close to Leeds Market positively and complementary

RESOLVED -  To note the comments now made

 

During  consideration of this matter, Councillor Latty left the meeting

 

 

89.

Date and Time of next meeting

Thursday 11th December 2014 at 1.30pm

 

 

Minutes:

  Thursday 11th December 2014 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds