Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application seeking an extension to the time limit for implementation of permission 25/96/OT for the proposed mixed development comprising residential, offices, leisure, hotel, retail, bar/restaurants with access, site remediation, bridge works, river works, car parking and landscaping at Kirkstall Forge.

(Report attacehd0

Site plans, an indicative layout plan, and schedule Section 106 contributions were displayed at the meeting in support of the presentation which was a  position statement on the application seeking an extension of time for the permissions necessary for the Kirkstall Forge development.

Officers reported government funding for the new railway stations would only be secured if local funding was increased by 40%. METRO had pledged £1.3m which necessitated the applicant seeking to revise the conditions (section 106 obligations) in order to divert £1.3 from the Affordable Housing provision and Horsforth roundabout works to the provision of the railway. Key issues to consider were whether the following were acceptable:

• viability statement and re-apportionment of the S106 funding
• request for 15 years for reserved matters submissions
• the proposal to construct the western access first

Discussion ensued on the following:

-  Members felt the 15 year request was overlong

-  impact of the revised funding arrangements delayed construction of the rail station until 2015. Members noted the development of the station had the support of all Leeds MPs, and the delivery of the station remained critical to the development

-  construction of the western access first would allow access to the station and the commercial area surrounding it, which would bring viability to the scheme and provide the support and impetus for the later residential development

-  the change to the quantum of development within the site to reduce number of flats and increase commercial uses

(Councillor J Harper left the meeting at this point)

The Chair noted Members concerns regarding the length of time of the permission and with the agreement of Panel varied usual procedure to allow the applicant’s representative to address the comments already made. He clarified the need for the 15 year timeframe as works to deliver the station were not due commence until 2015 by Network rail. Once those works commenced, the applicant would have 10 years to build the remainder of the site, including applying for the reserved matters for each phase, hence the request for 15 years.

The Panel additionally noted the station would be situated on the Airedale Line and commented that consideration should be given to the residential/commercial elements to ensure the station is well lit and overlooked. This approach to the site design would ensure the station is well used, and have regard to night time use in particular.

The Panel reconfirmed its support for the principle of the development on the site and the Chair concluded there was general support for the

-  submission of reserved matters within 15 years

-  revisions to the S106 to provide additional funding for the trains station if required by the re-apportionment of existing contributions

-  amendments to the highways related conditions 11 and 14 in relation to the timing of the construction of the accesses and the bus service trigger to enable flexibility in the timing of the commercial development

-  the need to assess potential recession proof clauses in a revised Section 106 given the lengthening timescales

RESOLVED – That the contents of the progress report and the comments of the Panel be noted