Agenda item

To consider a position statement by the Chief Planning Officer on an application for a ten storey car park with associated management suite and ancillary (Class D1/Cycle Hire and Workshop) space and landscaping

(report attached)

Plans, photographs, graphics and sample materials were displayed at the meeting. Members had previously received three informal pre-application presentations and a position statement on the scheme. The scheme had been amended to reflect Members comments, section 5.0 of the submitted report refers.

Officers presented a report which set out a position statement for the development of a 10 storey car park with associated management suite and ancillary (Class D1/ Cycle Hire and Workshop) space and landscaping to land off Vernon Road, Woodhouse Leeds 2

Detailed information was provided on the proposal in relation to the following issues:

• The relationship with the Innovation Building development
• Proposed car parking spaces (607 spaces)
• Bicycle parking
• Loss of surface car park areas (360 spaces)
• Explanation of the phasing of the two buildings
• Landscaping routes around the building proposed and existing
• Access arrangements
• Negotiations were currently ongoing about the level of trees to be retained
• Green elevations and climbing plants (green wall)
• Floor plans; base level car parking plus higher level parking, photovoltaic panels to be sited on roof
• The design of the exterior panels and the use of ventilation holes
• Cladding and support options
• Sustainability  - Use of tree planting & landscaping, reuse of excavated materials and use of photovoltaic panels
• Requirements of a Section 016 Agreement to include:

(i)  Agreement to off site public realm works to the Parkinson Entrance to the campus and land at the end of Hillary Place The agreement of publicly accessible areas within the landscaped scheme

(ii)  The employment and training of local people

(iii)  The identification of an area of land upon which a future foot bridge across the Leeds Inner Ring Road could be landed

(iv)  A contribution to off site highway works to create a Toucan crossing to the south of the junction of Fenton Street and Woodhouse lane of a sum to be agreed 

It was confirmed that contrary to the officer report there would not be a Section 106 requirement for a green travel plan

Members sought clarification on the following matters:

• How would the gabion features retain sufficient soil for planting
• Positioning of the photovoltaic panels and their contribution to the energy requirements for the building

The following responses were provided:

• The photovoltaic panels would be fixed at an angle to maximise solar gain and may provide up to 10% of the buildings energy requirements (this would be clarified with the applicant)
• The proposed wall planting would be rooted in a soil trench at the base of the gabions, which would only provide a climbing structure for the plants

Members comments:

• Overtime the colour of the exterior panels may fade following exposure to sunlight. Unpleasant odours may emanate from the carbon fibre panels, lining the back of the panel could assist in reducing the odour
• The proposed grey colour for the exterior panels may look dull in the winter months
• The use of ventilation holes in the exterior panels may produce noise in windy conditions
• The protrusion of the lift shaft above the roof detracts from the appearance of the building
• Further consideration of the species of trees and more strategic planting would be required
• Further details on the energy savings for the building
• Handling of the top course of panels  

The Chief Planning Officer reported that the following issues would be raised with the applicant:

·  Further information on the level of energy savings

·  The ventilation holes in the exterior panels and possible wind implications

·  The longevity of the external panels, possible odours and maintenance implications

·  Colour of exterior panels questionable, consider colours/ materials used on Innovation Building 

·  The appearance of the lift shaft

·  The number and species of trees

RESOLVED – To note the report, the presentation and the comments now made