Agenda item

Further to minute 37 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 1^st August 2013, where Panel considered position statements in respect of proposals for further development at the White Rose Shopping Centre and development of an area of land south of the shopping centre for car parking, to consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal applications for:

Application 13/01640/OT -  part demolition and alteration of existing buildings and erect extensions to form new and enlarged retail units, Class A1, A3, A5 D2 (cinema); 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 and:

Application 13/02684/FU – demolition of existing buildings and re-development of site for use as car parking with improvements to access, landscaping works and enhancements, new culvert to Cotton Mill Beck and upgrading of existing pedestrian crossing and associated works

(report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer referred to the following applications at the White Rose Shopping Centre and land south of the White Rose Centre, Dewsbury Road:

Application 13/01640/OT -  part demolition and alteration of existing buildings and erect extensions to form new and enlarged retail units, Class A1, A3, A5 D2 (cinema); 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 and:

Application 13/02684/FU – demolition of existing buildings and re-development of site for use as car parking with improvements to access, landscaping works and enhancements, new culvert to Cotton Mill Beck and upgrading of existing pedestrian crossing and associated works.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  Members were shown photographs and plans of the site and details of where extensions would be located, new parking arrangements and access were highlighted.

·  The Section 106 package including a local employment and training scheme.

·  Representations including those from neighbouring authorities and other retail providers in neighbouring authority areas.

·  Transport issues – impact on the highway network and car parking.  No additional car parking had been proposed.  The following measures were proposed:

o  Public transport contribution – in negotiation with Metro to improve bus services.

o  Improvements to bus station – lighting, seating and real time information.

o  Staff car park management plan – to reduce staff parking on a phased basis.

o  £400,000 Travel Contingency Plan contribution.

·  Off site parking would be on greenbelt land – there was a need to demonstrate very special circumstances to release use of greenbelt land.

·  Following sequential and impact assessments it had been concluded that there would not be a detrimental impact on local and neighbouring retail centres, subject to relevant conditions being imposed

·  Measures in the travel plan had suggested that there would be no material impact with traffic congestion.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  Concern that that the £400,000 Travel Contingency Plan was not enough – it was reported that this could fund an additional 2 bus vehicles for a period of 2 years – and that the risk should be borne by the Developer and not the Council

·  Impact on transport with new leisure facilities that would be operating at later times.

·  The provision of extra car parking on the site – it was reported that this could not be done without having decked parking which would have financial implications.

At this stage of the meeting, the Panel went into private session to discuss the financial appraisal of the applications.

The Panel then returned to public session and the following was discussed:

• Local jobs – thanks were expressed on behalf of Councillor K Groves for her work with developers in securing jobs for local people.
• Travel contingency plan – there were concerns with the level of parking and it was suggested that the sum for the Travel Contingency plan be increased.  It was felt that should there be should be future problems with congestion and other traffic related issues around the site, that the proposed sum would not be sufficient.  It was suggested that further negotiation take place with the applicant regarding the Travel Contingency Plan sum.
• Lack of Sunday and evening bus services to the centre.

RESOLVED – That the applications be deferred for approval and referral to the Secretary of State as per the Officer recommendations outlined in the submitted report, subject to further negotiations regarding the size of the sum for the Travel Contingency Plan.  It was agreed that the applications could be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer following referral subject to the completion of the legal agreement but that should a satisfactory agreement not be achieved with regards to the Travel Contingency Plan, then a further report to be brought back to City Plans Panel