Agenda item

Report of the Chief Planning Officer requests Members to consider the site specific report on East Leeds Brownfield Land Programme Site D: 33 dwellings, creation of new public space and associated highway improvements at former York Road Depot, York Road/South Parkway, Seacroft, Leeds. (Application 16/07380/FU)

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out the details of the proposals, site details and planning history for Site D: former York Road Depot, Seacroft.

Permission was sought for the construction of 33 new dwellings and the conversion and extension of the former gate house, providing a total of 23 – 3 bed and 10 – 4 bed houses across the site.

Members were advised that tree preservation orders had been put on 3 trees and that new planting was proposed.

Members were informed how the development would retain and integrate the former gatehouse to Seacroft Hall at the front of the site.

Members noted that there would be no affordable housing proposed for this site, affordable housing allocation would be included within the Brooklands site.

Members were advised of an update to the submitted report. The Members were informed of 3 additional objectors who had raised concerns already covered in the submitted report in relation to traffic, loss of open space, pollution, other suitable land further along that could be built on. An additional concern was in relation to tree planting proposed off-site to the South would encroach on existing playing pitches. Members were informed that this had been discussed with Parks who will ensure that no part of new planting would encroach onto the pitches.

Ms Harris an objector was present at the meeting and addressed the Panel. She informed the Panel that she had lived on South Parkway for 20 years and appreciated the lovely view from her home. She said that the development would take away the view and the light from her and her neighbours properties.

Ms Harris went on to explain that she had only just found out about the meeting and had in the couple of days leading up to the meeting been and spoken to local residents.  She informed the Panel that the local residents wanted to keep the area as open green space as it was therapeutic.

Ms Harris advised the Panel that the land had been the property of Davey Wilson a wealthy landowner who had given the land to the people of Seacroft.

Ms Harris went on to say that the development had not been well publicised as many local residents were unaware of the proposed development.

She informed the Members that during the building of Leeds East Academy there had been much disruption to the local residents with noise, dirt, traffic and that work had been ongoing during the weekends with no break for the residents nearby. 

Ms Harris told the Members that the land had been recorded in the Doomsday Book. She said that the land had not previously had any buildings on it. She also said that the land was prone to flooding.

Ms Harris advised the Members that the community might have been more tolerant of the development if it had been social housing.

She said that no consultation had taken place with residents, informing the Panel of one resident who had printed leaflets and dropped them through letter boxes

The Members were informed by the officers that notices had been posted and that all publicity in relation to the site had been detailed within the submitted report at point 5.2. It was also noted that at paragraph 5.4 the concerns of 12 objectors had been included in the submitted report.

Officers provided clarification on Statement of Community Involvement

Officers also clarified that the green space to the left of the development site was to remain as green space.

Miss King the Arup Agent was present at the meeting and addressed the Panel advising the Members of the following points:

·  The 971 units were part of a wider regeneration programme for the area

·  The development has been designed in full accordance with the Planning Framework

·  Consultation had taken place at 2 events one in September 2016 at the Village Hall and second one in February 2017 at Tesco’s

·  The development includes affordable housing

·  Agreement of Section 106 money

·  East Leeds had been identified as having the capacity for 11,400 units

·  The build to be of sustainable construction

·  The developments outweigh the loss of green space

·  Good connectivity to the city centre with bus stops etc.

·  Residents comments had been taken in to account

·  Designs had been in consultation with Leeds City Council, and residents

·  Asset Management Team had conducted a leaflet drop to every house in the area

Mark Mills from Regeneration Team addressed the Panel at the invitation of the Chair.

Mr Mills informed the Members that in 2013 Executive Board had approved 13 brownfield sites across Leeds for allocation to housing. He said that Regeneration had worked with developers and set out the Neighbourhood Framework for Seacroft.

Mr Mills advised the Members that consultation had taken place including leaflet drops in each ward, drop in sessions had also been held at libraries, mobile vehicle, Tesco’s, local shops, and key community facilities. He said that the plan had been amended to address issues raised at the sessions.

Mr Mills said that this site had formerly been used by Housing and Highways and had been disposed of as part of the East and South East Leeds EASEL programme. The EASEL area included the neighbourhoods of Burmantofts, Cross Green, East End Park, Gipton, Halton Moor, Harehills, Osmondthorpe, Richmond Hill and Seacroft.  An Area Action Plan was the key focus of the Council’s major regeneration programme for the area unfortunately the programme was withdrawn due the recession.

Members had noted that no new builds would be allocated brown bins and requested that all the new dwellings proposed on each of the eight sites be provided with brown bins through Section 106 money. Members noted that this issue could not be covered by Planning but comments would be passed to the relevant department.

RESOLVED – Members resolved to defer and delegate approval to the Chief Officer as set out in the submitted report.