Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the change of use with exception of ground floor retail units, to co-living (sui generis) and associated external alterations.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out an application seeking planning permission for a change of use with exception of the ground floor retail units, to co-living (sui generis) and associated external alterations, at 42 The Headrow, Leeds LS1 8HZ. The report recommended to the Panel that the matter be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for approval, subject to the specified conditions set out in Appendix 2 (and any amendment to these and addition of others which he might consider appropriate) and the completion of a Section 106 agreement as set out in the submitted report.

The application was brought to the City Plans Panel following consultation with the Chair due to its significance as a new residential model for Leeds.

The pre-application proposals had been presented to the City Plans Panel on 14^th July 2022. In general, the Members had been supportive of the re-use of the building but had requested more information before they could support the principle of co-living and residential amenity offered. A copy of the minutes of that meeting were attached at Appendix 1.

Panel Members had attended a site visit prior to the meeting.

Slides and photographs of the site and proposals were presented by the Planning Officer who outlined the application as detailed in the submitted report. 

It was noted that there were no speakers, but the applicant was available should Members have any questions for them.

Questions and comments from Panel Members then followed, with officers responding to the questions and in some cases assisted by the applicant, which included the following:

• Members had noted that the application was compliant with EN1. It was noted that the scheme would have solar panels, and mainly use air source heat pumps. However, Members requested that future reports should include figures which evidence that it was compliant with EN1.
• The Panel were informed that, in accordance with the NPPG the 230 co-living units would equate to, 128 general market units with regard to housing supply.
• It was noted that the existing vehicular access from Wormald Row would be reduced, and the existing footpath would be extended across the redundant access point. A loading bay would be required for the development, which would displace the 2 disabled parking bays, these would be relocated nearby. Consultation on a Highway’s scheme for Woodhouse Lane/ Albion Street, which includes the narrowing of the junction with Wormald Row had recently commenced.
• The developers were in discussions to link into the District Heating Scheme.
• 2 bays in the basement could be used by residents when moving into and out of the building, and there would also be storage space available for large items.
• Members were in support of the proposed development including:
  • The re-use of a quality building.
  • A new residential model for the city.
  • The inclusion within the development of extensive amenity and recreation space for residents in readily accessible locations.
  • The changes to Wormald Row to provide better pedestrian safety.

In summing up the Area Planning Manager noted that the Panel supported the principle of the scheme and noted the request to consider potential opportunities for improvements to the pedestrian environment along Wormald Row as part of the wider highway works planned along Woodhouse Lane corridor. He also noted the request from Members to include evidence to support compliance with Core Strategy Policy EN1 in future reports.

Upon voting, a motion was put forward to move the officer recommendations, as per the submitted report. This was moved and seconded, and it was:

RESOLVED – To defer and delegate to the Chief Planning Officer for approval subject to the specified conditions set out in Appendix 2 (and any amendment to these and addition of others which he might consider appropriate) and the completion of the Section 106 as set out in the submitted report.