Agenda and minutes

The Clerk reported that Councillor Latty had sent his apologies for the meeting and sought nominations for a Chair

  Councillor Fox was proposed, seconded and elected to chair the meeting

  The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked Members and Officers to introduce themselves

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

  There were no formal late items, however Panel Members were in receipt of the following additional information to be considered at the meeting:

  Application 09/01995/FU – Tesco 361 Roundhay Road LS8 – two written representations and photographs submitted by an objector

  Applications 09/00500/FU and 09/00501/CA – 134-140 High Street Boston Spa – a written submission by an objector

  Application 09/02943/FU – Land at Catherine Grove LS11 – Graphics circulated by Officers which had been received after the agenda had been despatched

To declare any personal / prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

  The following Members declared personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct

  Application 09/01995/FU – Tesco 361 Roundhay Road LS8 – Councillor Anderson declared a personal interest as a member of West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority as Metro had commented on the proposals (minute 59 refers)

  Application 09/01995/FU – Tesco 361 Roundhay Road LS8 – Councillor Fox declared personal interests through being a member of the Passenger Transport Consultative Committee as Metro had commented on the proposals, and through two family members being minor shareholders of Tesco (minute 59 refers)

  Application 09/01995/FU – Tesco 361 Roundhay Road LS8 – Councillor Lyons declared a personal interest as a member of West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority as Metro had commented on the proposals (minute 59 refers)

  Application 09/01995/FU – Tesco 361 Roundhay Road LS8 – Councillor Gruen declared a personal interest through being a shopper at the store and the adjacent Homebase (minute 59 refers)

  Application 09/01995/FU – Tesco 361 Roundhay Road LS8 – Councillor Taylor declared a personal interest through being a shopper at the store (minute 59 refers)

  Application 09/02943/FU – Land at Catherine Grove Beeston LS11 – Councillor Congreve declared a personal interest through knowing the applicant who was a community leader in the neighbouring ward (minute 61 refers)

  Application 09/01906/FU – Site of former Lion and Lamb Public House York Road LS14 – Councillors Anderson, Congreve and Lyons declared personal interests as members of the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority as Metro had commented on the proposals (minute 62 refers)

  Application 09/019006/FU – Site of former Lion and Lamb Public House York Road LS14 – Councillor Fox declared a personal interest as a member of the Passenger Consultative Committee as Metro had commented on the proposals (minute 62 refers)

  Application 09/019006/FU – Site of former Lion and Lamb Public House York Road LS14 – Councillor Taylor declared a personal interest through being an occasional shopper at Aldi who were the applicants (minute 62 refers)

  Application 09/02589/FU – Asda – St George’s Road Middleton LS10 – Position Statement – Councillors Anderson, Congreve and Lyons declared personal interests as members of West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority as Metro had commented on the proposals (minute 65 refers)

  Application 09/02589/FU – Asda – St George’s Road Middleton LS10 – Position Statement – Councillor Fox declared a personal interest as a member of the Passenger Consultative Committee as Metro had commented on the proposals (minute 65 refers)

To receive any apologies for absence.

  Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Latty who was substituted for by Councillor Fox; Councillor Wadsworth who was substituted for by Councillor Anderson; Councillor Parker who was substituted for by Councillor Coulson; and from Councillor Wilson

  The Panel was informed that Councillor Congreve had been unexpectedly delayed

To approve the minutes of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 30^th July 2009

(minutes attached)

  RESOLVED -  That the minutes of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 30^th July 2009 be approved

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for the erection of two 4 bedroom dwelling houses and three 3 bedroom houses and change of use of building including extensions to form one four bedroom house and Conservation Area application for demolition of workshops and storage buildings to rear

(report attached)

  The Panel’s Lead Officer referred to some additional information in respect of this application which had been raised on the site visit earlier that day which some Members had attended

  This related to existing levels of traffic generated at the site and the number of dwellings that would be accessed from a private drive in view of the Street Design Guide SPD having been adopted by Executive Board at the meeting held on 26^th August 2009.  Members were asked to agree to defer consideration of the report to enable these issues along with possible noise nuisance to be examined further

  RESOLVED -  That consideration of the report be deferred and that a further report be submitted in due course

Further to minute 29 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 2^nd July 2009 where Panel considered a position statement, to consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for the erection of replacement retail store (Class A1), with covered and surface car parking, new petrol filling station and landscaping

(report attached)

  Further to minute 29 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 2^nd July 2009, where Panel received a position statement on proposals for the demolition of the existing Tesco and Homebase stores at 361 Roundhay Road LS8, and the erection of a replacement A1 retail store with covered and surface car parking, a new petrol filling station and landscaping, Members considered the formal application

  Plans, photographs, drawings, artist’s impressions and graphics were displayed at the meeting.  A site visit had taken place earlier in the day which some Members had attended

  Officers presented the report and highlighted the main issues the Panel would need to consider, these being:

·  the principle of development, including the increased floorspace provided by the scheme and the fact that the Homebase store has an unrestricted A1 consent

·  the impact of the proposals on nearby residential properties and the Oakwood District Centre, including the fact that the site is opposite the Roundhay Conservation Area and the impact of the service yard and delivery hours on residential amenity

·  scale and design of the proposals; that the building would be larger and sited closer to the Roundhay Road frontage

·  highways issues and access arrangements

·  planning obligations, these being £319,000 for public transport infrastructure, £46,000 for the relocation and upgrade of bus stops, public realm contribution and a commitment to use reasonable endeavours to provide local employment and training initiatives

Members were informed that the applicant had requested that the

standard period of 3 years for implementation of any permission be extended to 5 years.  Officers stated that extensions to the implementation period of permissions were currently being encouraged in certain instances by central government, to provide developers with greater flexibility and that the relevant condition could be amended as requested

  If minded to approve the application, an additional condition was proposed specifying no external storage

  With reference to the representations received on this application, Members were informed that 448 letters of objection had been received with a further 143 additional letters being submitted since the publication of the report with several new issues being raised

  Members were informed of a correction to the report at paragraph 10.8 which should have indicated that two objections had been received from businesses within Oakwood, and not one as stated

  Representations had also been received from the proprietor of the existing petrol filling station together with Ward Members, Community Groups, Leeds Civic Trust and the local MP

  Receipt of a letter from Councillor Wadsworth was reported who had stated that the new Tesco store would be an improvement but had commented on a range of issues including the impact on the BP garage, highways issues, the height of the building, possible noise nuisance, lack of information as to the sum available for public realm enhancements and that the Officer’s report did not fully reflect public opinion

  Regarding support for the proposals, Officers reported receipt of 417 letters of support, 389 of which were copies of a standard letter distributed in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

Further to minute 240 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 9^th April 2009, to consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer in respect of the discharge of condition 2, walling material

(report attached)

  Further to minute 240 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 9^th April 2009, where Members approved an application for a four bedroom detached house and garage at Stanig Howe The Ridge Linton Wetherby LS22, Members considered a further report seeking approval for the discharge of condition 2 relating to walling materials

  Plans and photographs were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report and informed the Panel that whilst the use of random coursed stone had been requested by Members, the applicant had indicated his preference for regular coursed stone

  Members were informed of the receipt of a further letter of representation from the applicant.  Panel Members were also informed of the concerns of two Ward Members who were both of the view that random coursed stone should be used

  Members discussed the following matters:

·  the use of both types of stone in the village

·  the availability of random coursed stone and whether there was a significant cost difference between the two types of stone

RESOLVED -  That the discharge of condition 2 regarding materials for

walling be approved

Further to minute 46 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 30^th July 2009 where Panel considered a position statement, to consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for a Mosque and community centre to existing deport site with new vehicular and pedestrian access and basement car park.

In line with Members’ comments at the previous meeting, a short presentation on Islamic Architecture will precede consideration of the report

(report attached)

  Further to minute 46 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 30^th July 2009, where Panel considered a position statement for a mosque and community centre on land at Catherine Grove Beeston LS11, Members considered the formal application

  Prior to consideration of the Officer’s report, the Panel received a presentation on Islamic architecture, for Members’ information

  Members were informed that the different religions now encompassed within Britain needed to be accommodated and that whereas in the late 1950s Muslims had worshipped in converted houses and warehouses, since the 1980s purpose-built mosques were increasingly being constructed

  The architecture of mosques was unique and ensured they became landmarks in society.  They comprised five elements, the dome, the minaret, the grand entrance, the mihrab (a niche within the prayer hall which indicated the orientation to Mecca) and the minbar

  The dome was centrally located over the main prayer hall and was designed to echo the preacher’s word

  The minaret which could be round, square or octagonal-shaped traditionally had steps up to it and was from where the preacher would call worshippers to prayers.  A minaret acted as a beacon or marker as well as being a spiritual symbol between heaven and earth and was reminiscent of the number 1 or letter A for Allah.  A mosque would feature at least one minaret, with one mosque in Bradford featuring 12 in its design

  The grand entrance was self explanatory and the larger it was the grander it would be

  The mihrab was a prayer niche, with two thoughts existing on this, ie that it was a place where people could go to avoid distractions whilst worshipping God, or that its function was decorative.  The mihrab could be either flush to the building or projecting from it

  The minbar was the pulpit and was usually raised with three steps up to it

  The function of these elements was explained, with Panel Members being informed that in the past, strangers to a city would be guided where to pray by the architecture.   The huge dome, which in the Middle East was usually gold, would immediately be seen, approaching this the minaret would come into view, then the grand entrance leading into the mihrab and minbar

  Images of several mosques which were under construction and some recently completed schemes were provided, for Members’ information

  The Panel then considered the application for a mosque and community centre with basement car parking and new vehicular and pedestrian access on land at Catherine Grove Beeston LS11

  Plans, photographs and graphics of the proposed scheme were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report and corrected a minor typing error at paragraph 6.7 to read ‘expected figures of 700 people plus will lead to no chance for residents to park’

  Members were informed that revised plans had been received which removed the 6 lower ground parking spaces and reduced the overall height of the scheme by approximately 1 metre on average.  Additionally an updated Travel Plan had been submitted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for a single storey retail food store with 79 parking spaces and landscaping

(report attached)

  (Prior to consideration of this item Councillor Anderson and Councillor Coulson left the meeting)

  Plans, photographs, graphics and drawings were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report which sought permission for a single storey retail food store on the site of the former Lion and Lamb Public House on York Road LS14

  Members were informed that a similar application on the site had been refused with the decision being appealed and a hearing date set for October 2009.  Whilst this application overcame two of the three reasons for the previous refusal in relation to design and the provision of a public transport contribution, Officers were recommending the application be refused as the store was sited outside of a defined centre (as defined by UDP Policy S2) and that the applicant had failed to justify the need for the development; that it would not have a detrimental impact on the vitality or viability of nearby town or local centres and that no other suitable town centre locations existed

  Councillor Marjoram stated that at one time he had been employed by a store referred to in the report but that he did not regard that he had an interest to declare on this application

  Officers reported receipt of two letters of representation, supporting the scheme

  The Panel heard representations on behalf of the applicant and a supporter of the proposals

  Members discussed and commented on the following matters:

·  that the land was a brownfield site; was currently derelict and the application was supported by the local community

·  that further information was required on local employment opportunities

·  that the design of the store was attractive

·  that the applicant was not one of the large supermarket operators

·  that the recent applications submitted by another operator situated opposite this site to expand their premises were noted

·  that the application was contrary to the Unitary Development Plan and should be opposed

The Head of Planning Services stated that whilst understanding the

points made by Members, the implications for the site opposite would need to be considered together with the possibility that whilst a specific operator was seeking permission for this development, there was no guarantee that they would remain on the site forever

  Having had regard to these comments, Members considered how to proceed

  RESOLVED -  That the Officer’s recommendation to refuse the application be not agreed and that the Chief Planning Officer be asked to submit a further report to the next meeting setting out possible conditions to be attached to an approval, including the provision of recycling facilities on the site

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for provision of extension to cemetery with new vehicular and pedestrian access, new gates and boundary treatment

(report attached)

  (Prior to consideration of this item, Councillor Congreve left the meeting)

  Plans and photographs were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report which sought permission for the use of an overgrown area of allotment to form an extension to Kippax Cemetery together with new vehicular and pedestrian access, new gates and boundary treatment

  A previous permission had been granted but had lapsed in January 2009

  Members were advised that the application did not need to be referred to the Secretary of State and that the Panel could determine the application

  If minded to approve the application, an additional condition was requested regarding the provision of details of the wildflower seed mix to be used within the site

  RESOLVED -  That the application be approved in principle and that the final decision be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer subject to the conditions set out in the submitted report plus an additional condition relating to the provision of details of the wildflower seed mix to be used within the site

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for the variation of condition No 25 of planning permission 99/21/10/95/FU relating to opening hours

(report attached)

  Photographs of the site were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report which sought a variation of condition 25 of planning permission 99/21/10/95/FU relating to opening hours at McDonalds on Low Road Hunslet LS10

  Members were informed that whilst the additional opening hours would not create new jobs, it would provide the opportunity for additional working hours for existing staff

  The Panel’s Lead Officer stated that the key issues were in respect of residential amenity and locational factors

  Receipt of a letter of objection from Councillor Nash was reported

  RESOLVED -  That permission be granted subject to the condition set out in the report  (all other conditions would be reapplied from application 99/21/10/95/FU)

To consider a position statement by the Chief Planning Officer on proposals for a detached retail unit, detached office/warehouse unit and petrol filling station with associated access, parking and landscaping

(report attached)

  Plans of the proposals were displayed at the meeting.  A site visit had taken place earlier in the day which some Members had attended

  Officers presented a position statement and informed Members of the proposals by Asda to demolish the existing industrial buildings on the site and erect a simple, modern building comprising white cladding, glazing and timber, with a gross floor area of 6265 sqm and 365 parking spaces together with a petrol filling station, car parking, landscaping and an office/warehouse unit at St George’s Road Middleton LS10

  Concerns had been raised regarding highways issues in relation to the roundabout adjacent to the site, the possibility of commuter rat running and wider issues relating to the traffic congestion which occurred from the Tommy Wass junction on Ring Road Beeston Park to Middleton

  Local residents had raised concerns at the impact of the development on residential properties adjacent to the site

  Support for the proposals had been received from an occupier on the site as the scheme would be able to fund their relocation

  Whilst there was widespread recognition for the need for a supermarket in the area, the principle of retail development would need to be established as the site was an edge of centre one and its impact on existing shopping facilities would need to be considered

  As two concurrent supermarket applications had been submitted on either side of the road, the Council had employed a retail consultant to look at this and consider whether one or two supermarkets or none would be appropriate in this location with the findings of this work being incorporated into the reports to be considered by Panel

  Members would also need to consider the loss of employment land as part of their deliberations on this matter

  Members commented on the following issues:

·  that the proposals lacked merit; concerns that the siting of the building was incorrect and that the store should be located further north

·  that consideration should be given to the streetscene and access to and from the District Centre

·  whether the office unit could be deleted from the scheme to achieve improved screening and layout

·  concerns at the access to the recycling centre and the possibility of creating a through route from the Tesco site.  On this matter Members were reminded that it was the Asda scheme which was under consideration and the land in question was outside of the applicant’s control.  The Head of Highways Development Services stated that the access to the Household Waste site would need to be looked at; that Members’ comments would be noted and that if both sites were approved, then an alternative access could be considered

·  the need for an holistic approach to be adopted to these matters

·  whether the level of proposed car parking was sufficient or in excess of what might be required and whether the store could be moved further north within the site

·  the view that if both schemes were considered together a more successful outcome might be achieved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on a retrospective application for two conservatories to the rear and side

(report attached)

  Plans and photographs were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report which sought retrospective planning permission for two conservatories at Temple View House, Hertford Chase Colton LS15

Members were informed that the application had been brought to Panel as the applicant was an Officer within Planning Services, although the Officer had recently resigned

A request was made for a report to be brought to Panel on enforcement issues and the number of outstanding cases in the Plans East area

  RESOLVED -  That the application be granted subject to the condition as set out in the submitted report

Thursday 24^th September 2009 at 1.30pm

  Thursday 24^th September 2009 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall Leeds