Agenda and minutes

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 late items

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.   Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct

  There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, however

in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members Code of Conduct, the following declaration was made by Councillor R Grahame, who felt it was in the public interest to do so:

  Application 12/027038/FU – 56 The Drive Crossgates LS15 – through Councillor Grahame’s wife, Councillor P Grahame’s involvement in the application as a Ward Member (minute 56 refers)

To confirm as a correct record, the attached minutes of the meeting held on 9 August 2012.

  RESOLVED -  To approve the minutes of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 9^th August 2012

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the demolition of outbuildings, laying out of access roads and erect 92 houses with landscaping.

  Further to minute 34 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 12^th July 2012, where Panel considered a position statement on the application, Members considered the formal application.  It was noted that a site visit had taken place prior to the meeting held on 12^th July 2012

  Prior to the presentation of the report, the Chair asked that for the benefit of the public who were in attendance for this item, relevant aspects of the planning system be outlined

  The Panel’s Lead Officer explained that in determining a planning application, a decision maker, this being the Panel, had to have regard to the development plan, this currently being the UDP, unless there were material reasons for not doing so.  Furthermore, in this particular case, the site was allocated for housing development and therefore the principle of residential use was established, although the detail of the scheme was likely to form the basis of the debate on the application

  Plans, photographs and drawings were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report for a residential scheme comprising 92 houses with landscaping and access on a greenfield site at Daisy Hill, Morley LS27 and addressed the issues which had been raised by Panel when considering the position statement

  Regarding the degree of openness to the street frontage, whilst consideration had been given to setting the houses further back, this would impact on vehicular access arrangements and therefore the siting of the properties would remain the same although improved landscaping to the front would now be included

  Concerning the steep drop to some properties on the southern boundary, a close-boarded fence would be provided and plots 22-23 would be resited 1-1.5m further away from the boundary

  In respect of highways, whilst the comments contained in the previous report remained, a reassessment of the junction with Victoria Grove had been undertaken but that a TRO to provide double yellow lines was proposed in order to maximise safety in this location

  In terms of education provision, the applicant had agreed to provide the full amount required in the S106 Agreement for this scheme and it would be for Children’s Services to decide how this contribution would be used

  Environmental concerns and that there had been previous complaints about the odour from the nearby industrial uses but that the level of complaints had decreased and that the operators were working within the Environmental Permits

  In relation to the appearance of the proposed dwellings, the applicant had carried out and submitted a character assessment of the area which had concluded there was no specific character of housing in the area, however reference had been made to aspects of the surrounding properties in the design details of the dwellings

At this point, due to the level of public attendance for this meeting, the Chair asked if those not attending for this application would wait in the Ante-Chamber where they would be called at the conclusion of this item

  Officers stated that the proposal complied  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding applications for 3 air conditioning units, 1 condenser unit in the rear yard and 2.4m high stone screening wall, alterations to the front and rear elevations and hard surfacing front car park and rear service yard; 2 externally illuminated signs.

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

  Officers presented the report which related to alterations and signage to the Old Star Inn, Leeds Road Collingham which was sited in the Collingham Conservation Area and was regarded as an important gateway feature

  Reference was made to the significant level of representations which had been received about the application and whilst one concern was the intended use of the premises as a convenience foodstore, it was stressed that a change of use of the premises to A1 retail was permitted development

  The Panel heard from an objector and the applicant’s agent who attended the meeting

  In discussing the application, issues relating to parking, pedestrian access and the relationship of the property to the remaining unit on the site were raised and in view of this the Chair proposed that consideration of the application be deferred

  RESOLVED -  To defer determination of the application to enable further consideration of the issues raised and that a further report be brought to Panel in due course

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for a three bedroom detached house incorporating a second floor ancillary granny annexe with detached garage to garden (part retrospective).

  Further to minute 201 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 19^th April 2012, where Panel resolved to refuse the latest version of an application for a 3 bedroom detached house with second floor granny annex at 56 The Drive, Crossgates LS15, the Panel considered a further report

  Officers presented the report and provided a brief planning history of the site and informed Members that the application being considered was similar to the scheme considered in April 2012

  Members were informed that the height of the dwelling was a key factor in this lengthy process and were shown photographs which had been taken on the original site inspection in 2005 and more recent photographs, with concerns that the ground levels had been altered

  Receipt of a further representation was reported which referred to the lengthy process and the consistent opposition to the scheme by local residents, Ward Members and the local MP

  RESOLVED -  That the application be refused for the following reason:

The proposed retention and modification of the dwelling house would by reason of its excessive height and resulting scale, mass and bulk and overall design relative to its immediate neighbours, appear obtrusive and represent a discordant feature in the street scene to the detriment of the character and appearance of the area.  As such, the development would be contrary to Policies GP5, N12 and N13 of the Leeds Unitary Development Plan (Review), residential design guide for Leeds ‘Neighbourhoods for Living’ and the design advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for a detached annexe to form ancillary accommodation to front.

  Prior to consideration of this matter, Councillor Finnigan left the meeting

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

  Officers presented the report which sought permission for ancillary accommodation to the front of 3 Quarry Road LS26 which was situated in the Woodlesford Conservation Area

  Members were informed that the proposal was to demolish the existing flat roof garage and replace this with a single storey building to provide a bedroom and bathroom at upper floor level and a double garage at ground floor level.  The design of the accommodation was considered to be better than the existing building and did have some regard to the existing property

  Whilst there was a long planning history on the site for a detached dwelling, the current proposal sought a reduced level of accommodation and was now encompassed within the garden of the host property

  To address flooding issues, the finished floor levels had been raised and the use of porous material and provision of a soakaway was considered to be acceptable

  In terms of the existing garage this could be converted to residential use without the need for planning permission

  The Panel heard representations from Councillor Nagle who was objecting to the application and from the applicant

  RESOLVED -  That the application be granted subject to the conditions in the submitted report; the rewording of condition 10 to specify the layout of the property as shown on the plan and a further condition specifying that the accommodation be for the use solely of occupants of the property

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the installation of one detached turbine to field – hub height 15.4m with maximum blade tip height 21m.

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

  Officers presented the report which sought permission for a single wind turbine – hub height 15.4m with maximum blade tip height of 21m at Kiddal Quarry Farm near Potterton which was situated in the Green Belt

  A series of graphics were displayed showing the proposed wind turbine from a variety of locations which had been provided by the applicant.  Planting would be provided to ensure screening although it was stressed that this was very much a long-term solution

  Having considered the application, Officers were of the view that very special circumstances had been demonstrated to outweigh the harm to the Green Belt and recommended approval of the application to Panel

  Members commented on the following matters:

·  environmental issues relating to wind turbines, both locally and internationally, particular the impact on farm land in China through mineral extraction for the batteries needed to power these structures

·  the payment of subsidies for the electricity generated from wind turbines and that this issue should be looked at in greater detail

·  the location of the turbine in the site and whether alternative locations had been considered.  Members were informed that this was the location chosen by the applicant and that no other locations had been considered on what was a relatively small land holding

·  the size of the turbine which was considered to be large for one dwelling.   On this matter the Principal Minerals Planner advised that there was no requirement to demonstrate need

The Panel considered how to proceed

RESOLVED -  That the application be deferred and delegated to the

Chief Planning Officer for approval, subject to further discussions about the siting of the wind-turbine, including with Ward Members and that in the event this could not be resited, to determine the application as set out in the submitted report

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for removal of condition 6 of previous approval 31/204/97/FU and alterations to garage to form habitable room; two storey and first floor side/front extension; attached garage to side.

  Further to minute 60 of the Plans Panel East meeting held on 11^th August 2011, where Panel resolved to refuse a similar application on the site, the Panel considered a revised report

  Plans, photographs and drawings were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report and provided a brief planning history of the site which was located in the Bramham Conservation Area.  Appended to the report for Members’ information was a copy of the appeal decision following Panel’s refusal of the previous scheme.  In the scheme before Members, the applicant had sought to address the Inspector’s concerns about the location of the garage which was now proposed at the side of the dwelling rather than at the head of the cul-de-sac

  Receipt of a further letter of representation was reported

  Members heard representations from an objector and the applicant.  At Members’ request, the Panel’s legal adviser was asked to outline the Council’s position on recording public meetings

  The Panel considered the application and commented on the following matters:

·  the removal of the existing, reasonably substantial vegetation to accommodate the proposals

·  that the proposals were overdevelopment and would have a detrimental impact on the character of the cul-de –sac

·  that the proposals would have a detrimental impact on residential amenity

·  concerns that there was a history to the site and that some Members had not been on Panel when the scheme had previously been discussed and therefore had not had the benefit of a site visit

A proposal to refuse the application was made, seconded and voted

upon

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

  Under Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor A McKenna required it to be recorded that she abstained from voting on the matter

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the variation of condition 1 (approved plans) of approval 11/00343/RM (three detached houses to garden) for minor material amendment relating to replacement of triple garage to plot 3 with attached two storey pool/gym and double garage.

  Prior to consideration of this matter, Councillor R Grahame left the meeting

  Plans, including plans of previous approvals together with photographs and drawings were displayed at the meeting

  Officers presented the report which sought a further amendment to a previously approved scheme at Little Acres, Linton Road LS22

  Members were informed that the applicant had submitted an explanation as to why further changes had come forward since the Reserved Matters approval which related to the requirements of a prospective purchaser in the current harsh economic climate

  The proposals were to reduce the triple garage to a double garage to accommodate a gym and swimming pool and construct a two storey linked extension from the garage to the house

  No objections to the proposals had been received from neighbours; the separation distances were above those set out in ‘Neighbourhoods for Living’ and the application was compliant in policy terms

  In seeking to fully understand the application, a request for a plan showing the whole house was made.  The absence of this and of Members having to rely on drawings showing the developments but in different scales was discussed

  RESOLVED -  That determination of the application be deferred to the next meeting to enable a plan to be produced showing the proposals in relation to the whole house and the plot, and that a site visit be arranged to enable Members to see plotted out on the site, the proposed extension and the alterations which have been made to the scheme since the Reserved Matters approval was granted

Thursday, 4 October 2012 at 1.30 p.m.

  Thursday 4^th October 2012 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds