Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a pre- application proposal for a predominantly residential scheme,

including the refurbishment of Midland Mills with a new 27 storey Tower with

associated landscaping at Midland Mills, Silver Street, Holbeck, LS11 9YW.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of a

Pre-Application presentation for a predominantly residential scheme, including the refurbishment of Midland Mills with a new 27 storey tower with associated landscaping at Midland Mills, Silver Street, Leeds, LS11 9YW

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  The site is surrounded by a number of historical former industrial buildings set within the Holbeck Conservation Area

·  The proposed development seeks to provide residential and commercial uses within the refurbished Midland Mills, including the  creation of 1 studio apartment, 13 one bedroomed apartments and 11 two bedroom apartments in the former mill buildings. In addition further residences in a 27 storey tower adjacent to Midland Mills, housing ground floor Commercial uses with 180 apartments above (3 x 3 bedroom, 82 x 2 bedroom and 95 x 1 bedroom units

·  25 undercroft car parking spaces  with further cycle parking spaces to be provided

·  Design, massing, scale and layout

·  Midland Mill would undergo sensitive refurbishment works

·  Sustainable development

·  Wind assessment to be undertaken

(At this point in the proceedings Councillor B Anderson declared an interest. Councillor Anderson informed the Panel that he was an acquaintance of the developer. He withdrew from the meeting and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon)

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

·  Good design and use of quality materials was required

·  A desire for public realm linkages to be extended to the disused railway viaduct

·  Access to be gained from Water Lane through the arch of the viaduct

·  Retention/ enhancement of the existing cobbled area

·  A need for Members to understand the changing city centre skyline

·  A need to relocate the existing businesses

Responding to the comment “a need to understand the changing city centre skyline” the Chief Planning Officer said that a Members Workshop was planned for the New Year to deal with the tall buildings strategy. Given the location of this site together with the South Bank Masterplan, it may be appropriate to extend the workshop to cover wider principals of various proposals 

Members were supportive of the Chief Planning Officers suggestion

In drawing the discussion to a conclusion Members provided the following feedback;

·  Members were supportive of the principal of the proposed development and considered it appropriate to Holbeck Urban Village

·  Members generally supported the principle  of the emerging scale, massing and design of the proposal, however, further details were required

·  Further details about the proposed landscaping scheme were required and Members requested that the cobbles to the Midland Mill courtyard area be retained

·  Members were generally supportive of the emerging car and cycle parking provision/ arrangements with the inclusion of provision of electric car charging points

·  The proposal to cross –fund restoration works for Midland Mill were supported and to be secured through the provision of a Section 106 Agreement

·  Further clarification around deliveries to the site (e.g.deliveroo)  were required 

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the details contained in the pre-application presentation

(ii)  That the developers be thanked for their attendance and presentation.