Agenda item

Further to minute 75 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 30^th October 2014, where Members received a pre-application presentation for 26 six sheet advertisement units at various sites across the City Centre, to consider a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal applications in respect of the 22 advertisement units now proposed, as set out below:

Application 15/00096/ADV

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Whitehall Road and Northern Street

Application 15/0010/ADV

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site outside 58-60 Albion Street

Application 15/00102/ADV

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Woodhouse Lane and Queen Square Court

Application 15/00103/ADV

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Swinegate and Sovereign Street

Application 15/00104/ADV

Three illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at the corner of East Parade and Infirmary Street, the corner of Infirmary Street and Bond Court and the corner of Infirmary Street and Wine Street

Application 15/00117/ADV

Two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at the Clay Pit Lane outside and opposite First Direct Arena, Clay Pit Lane outside Hepworth House and the Clay Pit Lane side of Providence Place

Application 15/00118/ADV

Two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at outside 54 and 101 The Headrow

Application 15/00119/ADV

Five illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites opposite Fish Street and outside 58-60, 127, 149-150 and 88-89 Briggate

Application 15/00120/ADV

One illuminated single side free standing sign to a site outside 40 Lands Lane

Application 15/00122/ADV

Two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at Park Row opposite City Square and the corner of Park Row and Boar Lane

Application 15/00124/ADV

Two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites opposite 35 Bond Street and the corner of Bond Street and Lower Basinghall Street

Application 15/00137/ADV

One illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Eastgate and St Peters Street

(report attached)

  Further to minute 75 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 30^th October 2014, where Members received a pre-application presentation for 26, six sheet advertisement units at various sites across the City Centre, the Panel considered a further report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the formal applications in respect of 22 advertisement units

  Plans, drawings and graphics were displayed at the meeting.  A Members site visit, on foot, had taken place to a good proportion of the sites being considered

  Officers presented the report and informed Panel that the proposed units would be digital, with approximate dimensions being 3m high, 1.5m wide and 0.3m deep.  In terms of the design of the units, the ethos had been to relate these to the wayfinders which were sited around the city, so to produce a family of signage

  The 12 applications for 22 units were then briefly outlined

  The Panel then heard representations from a member of Leeds Civic Trust which had objected to the proposals, with the following concerns being stated:

·  that the proposals would add to the existing street clutter

·  that whilst income generation from the proposals was a factor it should not be the prime consideration

·  that the advertising units would impede pedestrians, particularly when the City Centre was busy

·  that several of the advertising units were in close proximity to Listed Buildings or in Conservation Areas and did not add to the overall appearance of Leeds City Centre

·  that there was a need for a comprehensive review of street furniture in the City Centre

·  that if the units were given approval, existing items of street furniture should be removed

·  the importance of Public Realm

Members were informed that the applicant’s representative was in

attendance and would be available to respond to questions or comments from the Panel

  The Panel discussed general issues arising from the proposals:

·  in respect of the level of income generation for the Council,  the Chief Planning Officer informed Members that from a planning perspective, the amount of income to be generated was not a material planning consideration and that the issues to be considered in determining the applications were visual amenity and highway/pedestrian safety

·  the issue of public safety was raised in view of the height of the displays, with concerns being raised that, particularly at night, people could lurk undetected behind the units.  The issue of safety for visually impaired pedestrians was also a concern.  The applicant’s representative advised that the units would be well illuminated and would not create dark, shadowy areas where people could lurk.  In terms of the number of sites in the original tender, this had been 40, with now only 22 sites being put forward and that in relation to highways safety; pedestrian movement; public safety and visual impact, these sites were considered to be acceptable

·  the possibility of integrating the signs with, for example, litter bins or seating areas, to reduce street clutter was suggested and concerns were raised about the cumulative impact of the proposals in view of other proposals for advertisement sites around the City Centre

·  that the images provided and the sparse number of people shown on the graphics did not accurately reflect the typical level of pedestrians during the daytime

·  that advertisements added vitality to a city but that careful consideration was needed as to where these should be sited

·  that proposals for units near to the Arena and Town Hall obscured good views

·  concerns that areas of greenspace would be obscured by some of the units

·  that similar units were sited in close proximity to historic and other sensitive areas in several other cities

·  the need for innovative technology to be used to fully utilise the wayfinders rather than adding to the existing street clutter

The Chief Planning Officer informed Members that as part of a larger

project he would take back the request for a general review of street furniture and clutter and the comments on the need for creativity and the use of technology to achieve this and whilst this might not be possible in this version of signage, it could be considered in the longer term

  Further comment on the issues raised by the Chief Planning Officer was sought, however the Chair required Members to consider each of the applications in turn

  Application 15/00096/ADV – one illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Whitehall Road and Northern Street

  RESOLVED – That Advertisement Consent be granted subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report

  Application 15/00101/ADV – one illuminated single sided dree standing sign to a site outside 58-60 Albion Street

  RESOLVED – That Advertisement Consent be granted subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report

  Application 15/00102/ADV – one illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Woodhouse Land and Queen Square Court

  RESOLVED – That Advertisement Consent be granted subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report

  Application 15/00103/ADV – one illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Swinegate and Sovereign Street

  Councillor Nash declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this application through being a Member of the Co-op as the organisation was to take a retail unit close to the site.  Councillor Nash took no further part in the consideration of this application

  RESOLVED – That Advertisement Consent be granted subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report

  Application 15/00104/ADV – three illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at the corner of East Parade and Infirmary Street, the corner of Infirmary Street and Bond Court, the corner of Infirmary Street and Wine Street

  Concerns were raised about the sign at the corner of East Parade and Infirmary Street.  It was noted that this area was heavily used by taxis at weekends which would reduce views of the sign.  The possibility of re-positioning this unit was proposed, although the Deputy Planning Manager advised that the applicant sought a unit at this location so it could be visible from the loop road

  Concerns were also raised about the positioning of the unit at Bond Court

  RESOLVED -  to agree in principle the units at the corner of East Parade and Infirmary Street and the corner of Infirmary Street and Bond Court but to defer and delegate approval of these units to the Chief Planning Officer for further consideration of their positioning and to note that Panel was satisfied with the proposal and location of the unit at the corner of Infirmary Street and Wine Street which formed part of this application

  Application 15/00117/ADV – two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at Clay Pit Lane outside and opposite First Direct Arena, Clay Pit Lane outside Hepworth House and the Clay Pit Lane side of Providence Place

  Concerns were raised about the position of the sign on Clay Pit Lane (by the Premier Inn), with Members of the view this should be repositioned

  RESOLVED -  to agree in principle the unit by the Premier Inn at Clay Pit Lane, but that the application be deferred and delegated for approval to the Chief Planning Officer for further consideration on the position of this sign and to note that Panel was satisfied with the proposal and location of the unit outside the First Direct Arena, Clay Pit Lane, which formed part of this application

  Application 15/00118/ADV – two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites outside 54 and 101 The Headrow

  Members were informed that Officers had suggested changes to the orientation of the sites but that the applicant wanted to achieve maximum visibility

  The Panel discussed the application with concerns about the proximity of a bus stop and the orientation proposed outside 101 The Headrow and the potential for visual clutter in both locations when considered in relation to existing structures on The Headrow

  RESOLVED -  That the application be refused on the grounds of the adverse impact on visual amenity

  Application 15/00119/ADV – five illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites opposite Fish Street and outside 58-60, 127, 149-150 and 88-89 Briggate

  Members were satisfied with the proposals opposite Fish Street and 149-150 Briggate, however concerns were raised about the proposals for the other sites proposed for Briggate in view of the range of events and activities which took place in this location

  Outside 127 Briggate, it was suggested the sign be repositioned 2-3m further south.  Outside 58-60 Albion Place, it was suggested that the sign be relocated further down between existing poles in this area and that the bollard close by be removed

  RESOLVED -  to agree the principle of the signs proposed at 127 Briggate and 58-60 Albion Street but to defer and delegate approval of the application to the Chief Planning Officer for further consideration of the positioning of the signs, to take account of Members’ comments and to note the Panel was satisfied with the location and position of the signs proposed  opposite Fish Street and outside 149 – 150  and 88 -89 Briggate, which formed part of this application

  Application 15/00120/ADV – one illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site outside 40 Lands Lane

  Concerns were raised about the location of this site in view of the narrowness of the area and that it was particularly busy.  The possibility of removing the existing waste bin adjacent to the proposed sign was noted.  The possibility of moving the sign across was also raised but Officers advised this would not be possible due to the existing servicing route

  RESOLVED -  That the application be refused on the grounds of visual amenity

  Application 15/00122/ADV – two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites at Park Row opposite City Square and the corner of Park Row and Boar Lane

  The possibility of the NGT proposals conflicting with the site at Park Road opposite City Square was raised as was the possibility of re-siting this sign further north

  RESOLVED -  to agree the principle of the site at Park Row opposite City Square and to defer and delegate approval of the application to the Chief Planning Officer for further discussion on re-positioning this sign further northwards and to note the Panel was satisfied with the location and position of the sign proposed for the corner of Park Row and Boar Lane which formed part of this application

  Application 15/00124/ADV – two illuminated single sided free standing signs to sites opposite 35 Bond Street and the corner of Bond Street and Lower Basinghall Street

  RESOLVED – That Advertisement Consent be granted subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report

  Application 15/00137/ADV – one illuminated single sided free standing sign to a site at the corner of Eastgate and St Peters Street

  RESOLVED – That Advertisement Consent be granted subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report