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 the refusal of inspection of documents.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

There were no items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be considered.

There were no late items of business identified.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests made at the meeting

To consider apologies for absence (If any)

There were no apologies for absence.

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st May 2020.

(Copy attached)

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st May 2020 were submitted for comment/ approval.

With reference to Minute No.149 – Development off Haigh Moor Road and Westerton Road, West Ardsley, Members requested that the voting details (Those Members; for, against or abstained) be included within the minutes

RESOLVED – That, with the inclusion of the above, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21^st May 2020 be accepted as a true and correct record.

To consider any Matter Arising from the minutes.

Members queried the timescale for Remote Plans Panel Meetings and whether there was delay to determining applications due to the disruption to the normal panel cycles and agendas due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In responding the City Centre Team Leader said Plans Panel Meetings would resume their normal monthly schedule from August 2020. Although there had been some disruption to presentation of major proposals at pre-application stage, the planning service had managed to continue to bring forward for determination formal planning applications through the remote meetings to date.

(At this point in the meeting the Chair lost internet connectivity and dropped out of the meeting, in the absence of the Chair Councillor Caroline Gruen assumed the Chair)

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which sets out details of an outline planning application with all matters reserved except for access, for the creation of a new community comprising up to 800 dwellings, a food store (A1) (up to 372 sq.m), primary school and public open spaces at Land off Racecourse Approach, Wetherby, LS22.

(Report attached)

With reference to the meeting of 30^th January 2020 and the decision to:

(i)    Note the contents of the report

(ii)    To note the continuing issues around vehicular access to the site;   and

(iii)    To reaffirm that progression towards granting Outline Planning   Permission (17/02594/OT) remains in accordance with the   resolution made at the meeting held on 29th August 2019

The Chief Planning officer now submitted a report which sought to provide an

update on the work that had been undertaken since the previous Panel meeting on 30^th January 2020.

The Planning Case Officer made reference to the recent receipt of communication from the Better Wetherby Partnership relating to a letter from the Leader of the Council advising them that if the Council received any formal plans or information from the applicant, the Council would re-notify all interested parties in order that they have their comments taken into consideration.  Members were informed that the letter also advised that once the necessary re-consultation had been undertaken, the Council would then be in a position to report back to the City Plans Panel with a formal recommendation.

The Planning Case Officer said that in light of the contents of the letter, and following discussions with the Chair, it may be prudent to seek a deferment of the application until any necessary consultation had been carried out.

The Chair sought Members views on the proposal to defer consideration of the application until such time re-consultation had been undertaken.

Members sought the opinion of the Legal Services Officer

Referring to the contents of the letter from the Leader of Council, the Legal Services Officer said that it was his view that the letter appeared to provide legitimate expectation that if any formal plans or information was submitted from the applicant then further re-consultation would be undertaken, therefore a deferment of the application may be advisable.

In the discussion that ensued some Members were supportive of the proposal to defer consideration of the application, subject to assurances being provided that the application be brought back to the next meeting on 6^th August 2020

Other Members expressed the view that vehicular access at the junction location continued to be a fundamental concern and the developers appeared to be even further away from delivering this.

It was moved and seconded that the application be refused on the grounds that the developers were unable to deliver the required vehicular access.

Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost

It was then moved and seconded that the application be deferred, subject to assurances being provided that the application be brought back to the next meeting on 6^th August 2020.

Upon being put to the vote the motion was carried

RESOLVED - That the application be deferred, subject to assurances being provided that the application be brought back to the next meeting on 6^th August 2020.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application for the demolition of existing structures, the construction of a new cafe and a cycle hub; a new taxi rank; public realm enhancement works including hard and soft landscaping; improvements to the cycle, pedestrian and multi-modal interchange arrangements and the installation of new access lift at Bishopgate Street, New Station Street and Mill Goit, Neville Street, and Dark Neville Street, Leeds City Centre and Listed Building Application 20/01996/LI for the demolition of an existing section of wall and the construction of a replacement wall, which will be built into an existing listed wall at Bishopgate Street, New Station Street, Leeds.

(Report attached)

With reference to the meeting of 30^th January 2020 when Members received a pre-application presentation for the proposal in respect of this site.

The Chief Planning Officer now submitted a report which sets out details of

an application for the demolition of existing structures, the construction of a new cafe and a cycle hub; a new taxi rank; public realm enhancement works including hard and soft landscaping; improvements to the cycle, pedestrian and multi-modal interchange arrangements and the installation of new access lift at Bishopgate Street, New Station Street and Mill Goit, Neville Street, and Dark Neville Street, Leeds City Centre and Listed Building Application 20/01996/LI for the demolition of an existing section of wall and the construction of a replacement wall, which will be built into an existing listed wall at Bishopgate Street, New Station Street, Leeds.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The Planning Case Officer addressed Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Development of a multi-modal transport interchange.

·  Pedestrianisation of New Station Street from the junction with Boar Lane to the point where it meets City Square, with only service vehicles and British Transport Police vehicles allowed access

·  Major improvements to the main entrance, enhancing the image of the station and creating a gateway to the city.

·  Complete re-design and re-building of the station entrance connecting

  Bishopgate and key pedestrian access routes to the east and south of   the city centre.

·  Accessibility improvements through the installation of two new 21 person capacity pedestrian lifts connecting Bishopgate and the station entrance.

·  Enhanced pedestrian and cycle friendly routes through Neville Street, Dark Neville Street and Victoria Road to actively promote sustainable forms of transport.

·  Improving connectivity across the city centre by installing high quality cycle lanes on key strategic gaps in the city centre.

·  Installation of the 700 storage cycle hub at the junction of Bishopgate Street with the Neville Street Bridge providing connectivity from the Station to the cycle routes around Leeds centre and wider district. The cycle hub will include space for electric bikes and is expected to offer maintenance and repair services in addition to storage facilities.

·  Infrastructure improvements will help support the Climate Emergency agenda by encouraging uptake of sustainable forms of transport.

The Panel heard from Mr T McSharry (Disabled Voluntary Community Representative – Access Usability Group - LCC Consultation Group on behalf of Disabled People) who was objecting to the proposals.

Mr McSharry explained he was here today to put forward the views of disabled people who had very serious concerns about the proposal to remove the taxi rank from New Station Street. He said the group welcomed the public investment in this critical part of transport infrastructure for Leeds, but one which meets the quality and rights of all people. Access and participation must be open to all communities, minority groups must not be excluded.

Mr McSharry said the removal of the taxi rank treats  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 6^th August 2020 at 1.30pm (Remote Meeting)

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 6^th August 2020 at 1.30pm (Remote Meeting)