Agenda item

To receive a report of the Chief Planning Officer which details a Proposal for the demolition of a two storey building and a garage block and the creation of an innovation and enterprise centre building, set in a landscaped area within the University Of Leeds campus, Orange Zone Car Park, Off Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT.

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which detailed a pre-application proposal for the demolition of a two storey building and a garage block and the creation of an innovation and enterprise centre building, set in a landscaped area within the University Of Leeds campus, Orange Zone Car Park, Off Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 9JT.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application. Members had also attended a site visit prior to discussion of the item.

The Panel heard from the City Centre Team Leader and a representative of Associated Architects LLP who highlighted the following aspects of the proposals:

• The development would provide office, research and leisure space for start-up businesses. The layout of the building was explained in detail;
• Efforts had been made to reduce the visual impact from the conservation area  to the north and east of the proposed development;
• The building would comprise a limited pallate of materials which were described to Members; and
• That the existing trees on site would need to be removed but that their loss would be mitigated by the planting of some replacement trees on other areas of the University Campus and biodiversity enhancements to landscaped areas. .

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

• Which land and buildings were owned by the University in the vicinity of the proposed development;
• The disappointment at the loss of the existing trees and the expectation that there would be replacement in line with adopted Council policy ;
• The loss of existing car parking spaces and the suitability of the alternative provision for car parking ;
• The masterplan for the University and the likelihood of further buildings being built to the front and side of the proposed development, leading Members to consider what green space would remain within the setting of the development in the future and the request that green space needs to be maximised;
• The usage of the proposed building;
• The materials pallet, and that materials should be carefully chosen so that they retain the same look after construction and do not deteriorate over time;
• That public art should be a feature of the development.
• The impact on views from the Woodhouse Lane-University Precinct Conservation area;
• The impact on the existing cycling route adjacent to the north side of the inner ring road;
• The need to ensure that the design of the landscaped areas avoided potential conflict between disabled and pedestrian users and deliveries around Fenton Street; and
• The need to improve the appearance of the rear of properties located along Woodhouse Lane

Generally Members felt the proposed building design would be a positive addition to the University’s buildings.

Members responded to the questions featured at paragraph 8 of the submitted report as follows:

1. Members felt that the proposed demolitions were appropriate;
2. Members felt that the emerging scale and massing of the proposals were appropriate;
3. Members felt that they needed more information on the emerging landscape proposals and approach to dealing with the loss and replacement of trees. Members noted the intention to use the DEFREA approach to retaining biodiversity value which was supported but in addition required that the Council’s policy relating to the loss of trees should also be met d;
4. Members felt that the designs for the proposed development were good in general but that materials need to be carefully considered.
5. The proposal needed to be presented in the context of the future nearby building plots in order to assess the potential impact of the development and the quality of greenspace to be provided.

RESOLVED  - The Panel resolved to note the contents of the report.

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140  Date and Time of Next Meeting

1.30pm Thursday 9^th June 2016.