Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for demolition of former public toilet and construction of new two storey café

(report attached)

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

  Officers presented the report which sought approval of the demolition of the former public toilet and the erection of a new two storey café within Roundhay Park.  The correct address of the application was given as Princes Avenue, not Princess Avenue as stated in the submitted report

  Members were informed that the new building would be a timber framed modern structure with smoked glass in aluminium frames and that the applicant had recently agreed to the use of timber shingles on the roof.  It was the view of Officers that the design of the café responded to the context of its setting.  In terms of height, the cafe would be 3 metres higher than the existing building; it was set well away from residential dwellings and there would be no impact on surrounding trees

  Reference was made to an issue raised by objectors in relation to the existence of a covenant which restricted development within the park.  Members were informed this was not a material planning consideration

  In terms of the demolition, Ward Members had requested this be carried out as quickly as possible

  The Panel heard representations from two objectors who outlined their concerns in respect of the proposals, these including:

·  the absence of car parking in the scheme and the increased pressure on existing car parks arising from the development

·  the design of the building and that this was not in keeping with a Victorian park

·  an existing covenant which restricted development within the park

The Panel then heard representations from the applicant’s agent and a

local businessman who supported the proposals and who provided information to Members, which included:

·  design issues and the method of construction

·  that the proposals would have no impact on trees

·  that employment would be generated through the development

·  that the site needed to be redeveloped

Members discussed the application and commented on the following

matters:

·  that reclaimed stone be used to rebuild the 900mm wall to the Gledhow Lane elevation

·  the timescale for the demolition of the public toilet building

·  provision of disabled toilet facilities in the new building

·  the need to consider the timescales for the work in view of work which was due to commence on Oakwood Clock in January 2015

The Panel’s Lead Officer suggested that the application be deferred

and delegated to Officers to discuss the timescale with Ward Members

  Members welcomed the proposals and the design of the new building

  RESOLVED – To defer and delegate approval to the Chief Planning Officer subject to discussions with Ward Members on the timescale for the works and subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report plus additional conditions requiring the provision of timber shingles as the roof treatment for the building; the provision of disabled toilet facilities in the café; use of reclaimed stone for walling materials at the Gledhow Lane elevation and details of the scheme to deal with surface water drainage to be submitted and approved