Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which seeks the partial demolition of 17 Wellington Street and total demolition of 49 Aire Street, a change of use and seven storey extension with a new basement to the remaining building to form a restaurant and cafe use (A3) to the ground and first floors and 22 apartments above at 17 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of an application which sought the partial demolition of 17 Wellington Street and total demolition of 49 Aire Street, a change of use and seven storey extension with a new basement to the remaining building to form a restaurant and cafe use (A3) to the ground and first floors and 22 apartments above at 17 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL

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 site is located between Wellington Street and Aire Street in Leeds City Centre and comprises two properties, 17 Wellington Street, as the principal building facing Wellington Street and to the rear an annexe building, 49 Aire Street.

·  17 Wellington Street is a 6 storey L shaped former warehouse converted for office use in the late 1980’s and 49 Aire Street, is a small detached three storey property in the south eastern corner of the site.

·  17 Wellington Street is a Grade II listed building and is within the boundary of the City Centre Conservation Area.

·  The proposed development seeks to provide 22 apartments, of which 8 would be duplex two bedroomed apartments in the listed building and 9 would be two bedroomed and 5 one bedroomed apartments in the new building

·  Principle of the proposed demolitions and the proposed mix of uses

·  The impact on the character and visual amenity of the host site and surrounding area

·  Residential Amenity

·  Vehicle Parking, Sustainable Transport and Travel Planning

·  Sustainability Measures

·  Section 106 Legal Agreement

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

·  Objections from local residents

·  Clarification around the party wall

·  The suitable and marketing for the existing and alternative uses

·  Why further A3 was being sought when there was already a significant amount of A3 usage in the area

·  The justification for the extent of demolition works

·  The quality and architectural merit of the proposed new building to Aire Street

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

·  Members were supportive of the proposals for the frontage of 17 Wellington Street. However, mixed views were expressed about the proposal for 49 Aire Street and the rear wing of 17 Wellington Street, some Members were supportive of the demolition and its replacement with a modern quality building, some Members were opposed to the demolition of the building

·  It was suggested that the proposals for Aire Street be amended to create a building similar in appearance and quality to Wellington Street, incorporating  a treatment more in keeping with the historic character of the Conservation Area (the brick colour to be lighter, more decorative string courses and greater detailing to the windowsills)

·  The cladding to the courtyard area should be lighter to provide better light conditions to residential windows

In summing up the Chair there were mixed views about the proposals for Aire Street and a deferral of the applications to allow further discussions with the developers and officers would be beneficial

RESOLVED – That determination of the applications be deferred to allow further discussions with the developers and officers on the Aire Street proposal