Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a  reserved matters application for the first phase residential building pursuant to outline permission (14/05976/OT – mixed use offices and residential/ hotel building) at the eastern end of the site bounded by Wellington Street and Wellington Bridge Street (formerly Yorkshire Post).

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of a reserved matters application for the first phase residential building (pursuant to outline permission (14/05976/OT – mixed use offices and residential/ hotel building) at the eastern end of the site bounded by Wellington Street and Wellington Bridge Street (formerly Yorkshire Post).

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

The Chief Planning Officer together with the applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  The first phase of the site is approximately half of the total 1.87 hectare of the former Yorkshire Post site

·  In addition to the building, an area of temporary landscaping fronting Wellington Street had been included, together with a temporary site access road to the Inner Ring Road to the west.

·  The site is bound by Wellington Street to the north, the low rise car park of the Crowne Plaza hotel and the Wellington Place multi-storey car park to the east, the River Aire to the south, and the remainder of the site which gives way to the Inner Ring Road slip road (Wellington Bridge Street) to the west.

·  The proposal is for 242 Private Rented Sector (PRS) units, 111 one bedroom apartments, and 131 two bedroom apartments

·  72 car parking spaces, bicycle parking and electric vehicle charging points

·  The building would range in height 18 storeys down to 11 storeys.

·  Elevation Treatment would consist of 3 elements: a vertical tower at the northern end of the building, an 11 storey, horizontal oriented brick section fronting the river and located between the two brick elements would be a link element, slightly recessed from the plane of the two brick elements.

·  Affordable Housing obligation

·  Highway Access and Pedestrian Linkage

·  Landscaping/ the Riverside/ the Connector/ the Plaza/ temporary grassed area/ other works.

·  Wind Assessment – 4m high screen to be located on the north west and south west corners of the development and smaller wind screens to be fitted adjacent to the commercial unit entrances and on balconies

·  Flood defences

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

·  The need for an affordable housing obligation/ commuted sum

·  Landscaping and lighting scheme

·  Access / mobility inside and out

·  Assurances around the wind assessment

·  Clarification around the provision and nature of the wind screens

·  Employment opportunities for local people

·  Potential flooding issues

In responding to the issues raised, the Chief Planning Officer/ applicant’s representatives confirmed: a satisfactory landscaping scheme had been provided together with a lighting scheme which included high level /low level and lighting in trees. Access/ mobility was achievable to all units and all areas. The wind assessment were the responsibility of the developer and their wind consultants. Assurances on the acceptability of the impact was achieved through a peer review of the assessment by an independent wind consultant appointed by the Council. Full details of the wind screens would be controlled by planning condition. Employment opportunities for local people would be addressed through the existing section 106 obligation for the development. Flood plans were in line with LCC flood standards.

On the issue affordable housing/ commuted sum, the Chief Planning officer suggested the inclusion of the following wording into the Section 106 Agreement

“That the commuted sum be used to deliver affordable housing within the city centre and immediate surrounding area (Map to be included as part of the Section 106 Agreement)”

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

·  This was a prominent site and a high quality design was required

·  The Developers had amended the scheme to reflect Members comments

·  The removal of corridors within the units was a good use of space

·  Assurances around the wind assessment was required. Officers confirmed that the application would not be determined until the wind impact assessment had been agreed as acceptable by the Council’s wind consultant

·  The use of a commuted sum to deliver affordable housing was required         

In drawing the discussion to a conclusion the Chair thanked the developer for their attendance and presentation commenting it was a very high quality scheme which occupied an important gateway into the city

RESOLVED – To approve the reserved matters application subject to a deed of variation to the existing Section 106 Agreement attached to the outline Planning Permission Reference No. 14/05976/OT to make the following provisions:

(i)  To accept a commuted sum of £716,643 towards off site affordable housing provision in lieu of on-site affordable housing provision to be paid on occupation of the first residential unit

(ii)  That the commuted sum be used to deliver affordable housing within the city centre and immediate surrounding area (Map to be included as part of the Section 106 Agreement)

(iii)  The retention of the building as a Private Rented Scheme for a minimum period of 10 years from first occupation

(iv)  To secure payment of an additional sum of £468,989 on the sale of the first of any unit to be sold within 10 years of the occupation of the building