Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for the construction of a new local foodstore with associated car parking and servicing.

(Report attached)

This application was presented to Plans Panel at the request of Cllr. Khan. The application by Heron Foods proposed the construction of a new local food store with associated car parking and servicing on the site of the former Working Mens Club, Lincoln Green Road, Burmantofts.

The Working Mens Club had been demolished and the site was vacant. The site is surrounded by low level fencing and walls. The site is located on the edge of the Lincoln Green local centre which contains a range of basic services. Residential properties are located in close proximity to the centre and a block of flats are located to the North and West of the site. St James’ Hospital is also nearby.

Members were informed that a previous application had been withdrawn following concerns about highway access and also the potential encroachment into a corridor of land that may be required for future public transport improvements. Following consultation between the applicant, Council’s Asset Management Section, Transport Services and Ward Members it is considered that these concerns have been addressed.

 Members had visited the site earlier in the day and photographs and plans were shown at the meeting.

The Panel were informed that the proposal provided improvements to the junction and 15 car parking spaces. Deliveries would take place outside open hours because of access issues.

Officers were comfortable with the proposed site of the food store in relation to the four storey duplexes nearby. Assessments had been carried out and believed that there would be no impact on nearby businesses and proposed no compromise to highways.

The Panel heard from Mr Bullah the owner of Costcutter located in the Lincoln Green Centre.

He informed Members that the centre is owned by Leeds City Council and he paid half a million pounds in rent and rates. He had been at that location for 12 years and he provided a good service to the community.

Mr Bullah informed Members that he had been in consultation in relation to the viability of the Lincoln Green Centre. He said that the following concerns had been raised:

·  No parking near the supermarket

·  Invested £100,000 in the Post Office

·  That the nearby junction was always busy

·  Aldi is to build a Supermarket nearby on the former Renault site

Ms Bath on behalf of Heron Foods informed the Panel that Heron Foods wanted to invest in the Burmantofts area. The food store would provide 10 local jobs selling everyday foods. Heron foods would not unduly impact on the nearby centre as it does not sell cigarettes, alcohol, newspapers or provide postal services.

Ms Bath said that the store would be open by the end of the year if permission granted.

In response to questions about the junction she said that most people in the area do not own cars and would walk to the store therefore 15 car parking spaces were thought to be adequate, deliveries would take place for 1 hour when the store was closed so minimising any impact on the junction.

In response to a question on condition 5 regarding deliveries and potential noise nuisance, the Panel were informed that no objections had been received from Environmental Health or residents. Ms Bath said that Heron would be flexible with delivery times if concerns were raised.

The presenting officer highlighted conditions missed from the submitted report which would need to be added to deal with;

·  Contamination

·  Coal legacy issues

·  Drainage

Members discussed the following:

·  Delivery times – suggestion of review mechanism to include as part of Condition 5

·  Air conditioning units need to be covered up and shielded to reduce noise and visual impact

·  Revitalisation of the area

·  Design of the building – suggestion that design could feature art work relating to the local area on the Beckett Street frontage

RESOLVED – To defer and delegate approval to the Chief Planning Officer in accordance with the officer recommendation as set out in the submitted report subject to further design improvements being agreed, an amendment to condition 5 relating to deliveries to include a review clause and additional conditions to cover contamination, coal legacy issues and drainage matters.