Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2 of the Access to Information Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded)

(*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15.2, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting)

There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents.

There were no exempt items.

There were no late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

Agenda Item 9 – Retrospective planning application for use of land for residential purposes including the siting of one static caravan and one touring caravan on land at Sandgate Stables, Sandgate Terrace, Kippax.

Cllr Stephenson informed the Panel that a family friend had spoken in objection to the application when it was previously heard at Plans Panel on 27th July 2023. He again declared the interest but confirmed that he was approaching the application and decision-making on the matter with an open mind.

Apologies were received on behalf of Cllr Jenkins, Cllr Garvani attended the meeting as his substitute.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th November 2023, for approval as a correct record.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16^th November 2023, be approved as a correct record.

To receive the report of the Chief Planning Officer on a  Reserved Matters Application for residential development of 407 dwellings within the Northern Quadrant to approve details in relation to access (save for those details approved by the Outline permission), layout, scale, appearance and landscaping (Condition 1) pursuant to Outline Planning permission 12/02571/OT; on land at Phase A of the Northern Quadrant, East Leeds Extension, Leeds, LS14.

The Chief Planning Officer’s report presented a Reserved Matters application for a residential development of 407 dwellings within the Northern Quadrant to approve details in relation to access (save those details approved by the outline permission), layout, scale, appearance and landscaping (Condition 1) pursuant to outline planning permission 12/02517/OT on land at phase A of the Northern Quadrant, East Leeds Extension, Leeds, LS14.

Members were provided with a presentation.

The planning officer informed the Panel of the following points:

·  This application had first been presented to Panel at the meeting held on 16^th November 2023, seeking Members views on the proposals for this phase of development in the Northern Quadrant. At the previous meeting Members had provided comments on design matters, specifically with regard to the proposed apartments blocks to the entrance of the site. This report was to update the Members on negotiations which had taken place.

·  The Panel was shown elevations and a CGI of the newly proposed apartment blocks which had sought to take into consideration the comments made by Members, with additional advice from design officers. It was now proposed that the apartment blocks would be of only brick and render with larger windows with Juliet balconies to the front and rear of the buildings, together with projecting bays and entrances. There would also be brick plinths to the base of the apartments using engineering bricks and the gable and rear elevations would utilise areas of brick patterning of Flemish bonding (comprising projecting headers and recessed stretchers), which would give more texture to the buildings.

·  Members had previously raised concerns in relation to the siting of the apartment blocks in relation to the site entrance and the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR). It was now proposed that the first block would be 40m away from the give way line on the spine road. Officers also described the distances between the other blocks, as set out in the report.  Officers were of the view that this was an acceptable approach, and it was not unusual to place larger buildings at the entrance to a development, and this design had been used as a feature at other developments, including on the reserved matters approvals on the Morwick Green (Middle Quadrant) development.

·  There had been a concern raised in relation to the width of the Cycle/ Footways that the proposed 3m would not be wide enough. However, Highways Officers had confirmed that it was acceptable, complied with the adopted Transport SPD and was comparable to what had been secured on other developments.

The agent for Persimmon attended the meeting and provided the Panel with the following information:

• They welcomed the positive comments received from the Panel at the meeting in November. The focus on the apartments had been taken on board and the applicant had attended a workshop session with officers of the Council. They had worked through the details to refine the materials with render only on the central projections and brick patterning and plinths to raise  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer for an outline planning application for industrial development (Use Classes B2/B8) and ancillary office space (Use Class E(g)) with matters reserved except for access at Land at William Parkin Way, Leeds, LS15

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an outline planning application for industrial development (Use Classes B2/B8 and ancillary office space (Use Class E(g)) with matters reserved except for access at land at William Parkin Way, Leeds, LS15.

Members were shown a presentation.

The presenting officer provided the following information:

·  It was noted that this site had been subject to the Site Allocations Plan (SAP) legal challenge which had now been resolved following receipt of the Inspector’s decision letter and Council’s formal ratification of this development plan at its meeting on 17^th January 2024.

·  At this stage, only the principle of bringing the site forward for employment purposes along with access had been formally applied for.

·  Over 12 months the applicants, their agents and officers had been working on several interrelated matters raised through the application including:

o  Highways

o  Landscaping

o  Ecology

o  Drainage

·  This site is a triangular piece of land measuring approximately 28ha, situated between William Parkin Way, the M1 Motorway, the Leeds Leeds-Selby railway line, and the motorway junction to the south. This site has an elevated position in relation to the surrounding area.

·  The land is greenfield with a number of mature trees along the south/east edge adjacent to the M1 and along the railway embankment. It was noted that 40% of the site would be retained as woodland and enhanced with landscaped areas.

·  Within the site there are several Public Rights of Way (PROW) and Bridleways which were to be retained.

·  A recently constructed green bridge spans William Parkin Way to provide access to ‘The Springs’ retail park.

·  The surrounding area is a mix of residential, commercial and leisure.

·  The Panel were advised that Plot 1 was at the highest point with Plot 6 at the lowest, and the building heights would be in dictated by their position on the site with Plot 6 being the highest.

·  The design of the site was not for consideration at this stage but would follow a similar design to other commercial areas.

Cllr Dobson the Local Ward Member for Garforth and Swillington addressed the Panel, making the following points:

·  This had been a long process to get to this stage, and he hoped that the development would be brought back to Panel for any further stages in the development and decision-making process with no delegation to officers for determination.

·  This is a green land site which forms a natural boundary between the communities. He was of the view that it was a shame that this land was to be used for development. He thought it was appropriate that some of the green space was to be retained, along with access to the Public Rights of Way, as without these there would be implications for the local residents and also the wildlife in the area.

·  Appropriate mitigation should be considered to take into account that this was home to wildlife.

·  It was his view that access to the site would be challenging.

·  He informed the Panel  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presents a retrospective planning application for use of land for residential purposes including the siting of one static caravan and one touring caravan on land at Sandgate Stables, Sandgate Terrace, Kippax.

The Chief Planning Officer requested the Plans Panel to consider a retrospective planning application for use of land for residential purposes including the siting of one static caravan and one touring caravan on land at Sandgate Stables, Sandgate Terrace, Kippax.

Slides and photographs were shown throughout the presentation.

The presenting officer informed the Panel of the following points:

·  This application was deferred at the meeting held on 27^th July 2023 with Members requesting more information before it could reach its decision.

·  As an update it was noted that Cllr Lewis had given comment in relation to the application. It was also noted that vegetation had been cut lower making the site more visible.

·  Members were reminded that prior to locating at Sandgate Stables the family had been living roadside, since the move to Sandgate Stables the two youngest children were now in education at the local primary school. It was the view that what was in the best interests of the children in this case should be significant weight.

·  It was recognised that the Council currently has a Gypsy and Traveller 5-year supply position of 2.3 years, this is as a result of lack of planning approval for private sites and funding issues delaying the delivery of public sites. It was noted there are long waiting lists for existing pitches.

·  The Service Manager for the charity Leeds GATE had been able to provide detailed comments in response to the request for further information on the impact the application would have on the children’s education and development. This was in the submitted report at paragraphs 7 to 24.

·  The headteacher of the local primary school where the two youngest children attended had provided comment in the submitted report at paragraphs 25 to 27.

·  Clarification was provided that the area used for grazing ponies was sufficient for two ponies.

·  No further information had been provided to clarify why the family had moved roadside from a pitch at Cottingley Springs.

In response to questions from Members the following information was provided:

·  It was recognised that the reason for the family leaving Cottingley Springs may be pertinent to Members understanding of the context of the application, however, no further information had been provided. In any event, such context could only be given little weight.

·  Therefore, the planning application had to be determine having regard to policy and case law. Although the proposal is contrary to planning policy concerning the designation of the site as local green space, Members should have regard to the fact that the Council has no 5-year supply of Gypsy and Traveller pitches and what is in the best interests of the children.

·  The proposal was for a 3-year permission rather than an indefinite permission. The applicant’s agent had indicated that the 3-year permission would be acceptable to the applicant. The applicant had confirmed that the family would move to a site with the benefit of planning permission should a position become available. At the previous meeting the agent had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer requests Members consideration on an application for change of use of land for the siting of 8No. glamping units for holiday use, storage building and ancillary works including a new access road at land off Hall Park Road, Walton, Wetherby, LS22.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer requested consideration of an application for the change of use of land for the siting of 8 glamping units for holiday use, storage building and ancillary works including a new access road at land off Hall Park Road, Walton, Wetherby, LS22.

Slides and photographs were shown throughout the presentation.

The presenting officer provided the following information:

·  The application had originally been presented to Panel at its meeting on 1^st June 2023, where Members had deferred the application for further information in relation to:

o  Highways

o  Footpaths

o  Drainage

o  Disabled access

o  Consultation with the community

·  Since the meeting in June additional representations had been received from the Local Ward Members, Walton Parish Council and local residents. These were set out in the submitted report at Paragraphs 5 to 7.

·  The applicant had provided additional information as requested by the Panel and this information was set out in the report at Paragraphs 10 to 15.

·  The proposed site is off Hall Park Road which is a country lane close to village of Walton.

·  At the June meeting it had been noted that the Neighbourhood Plan said that key views should not be obstructed, it was the view that this had been taken into consideration by the applicant with no views obstructed. The site would be screened behind trees and hedges. 

·  It was noted that there had been a change in circumstances in that a gate had been installed on Blind Lane, which may impede walkers heading towards Walton. It was not known who had installed the gate, but the applicant does have access to bypass the gate.

·  Members were advised that there may be no lighting on Blind Lane, however, the very nature of camping is to be set in rural locations which have little or no lighting.

·  The applicant has made a disabled access point to the site and one of the pods would be DDN compliant for disabled users.

·  In relation to impact on the area it was thought not to be overly conspicuous, set away from residential properties, limited vehicle movements and would support the local economy.

·  A biodiversity plan had been set out.

·  In relation to drainage and sewage, specialist advice had been sought from Yorkshire Water and the Council’s appropriate department. It was noted that the drainage should be able to connect to the main foul sewage drains and this right is supported in law. It was noted that a feasibility study was required but Yorkshire Water would not commit to undertake one until panning is approved. If a drainage solution cannot be found, then the application would not be able to continue as this requirement would be the subject of a pre-commencement condition.

·  It was noted that no further public consultation had taken place.

Responding to questions from Members the officers provided the following information:

·  No further mitigation was required on Hall Park Road as speed had not noticeably increased and it was the view  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

To note the next meeting of North and East Plans Panel will be on Thursday 29^th February 2024 at 1.30pm

RESOLVED – To note the next meeting would be on Thursday 29^th February 2024, at 1.30pm.

Meeting concluded at 16:40