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.

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 Interest made at the meeting.

To consider apologies for absence (If any)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: E Nash and Walshaw

Councillors: K Brooks and K Ritchie were in attendance as substitute Members.

Councillor D Ragan had been appointed to the vacancy following the local elections 

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application for the construction of Step 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase Two, including a Flood Storage Reservoir (including plant and machinery) and flood defences to include; walls, sheet piling, earth bunds, scour protection and associated access, landscaping, demolition, building and construction works, located between Calverley Bridge in Leeds and Apperley Bridge in Bradford - Kirkstall Forge, Abbey Road, Kirkstall.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of an application for the construction of Step 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase Two, including a Flood Storage Reservoir (including plant and machinery) and flood defences to include; walls, sheet piling, earth bunds, scour protection and associated access, landscaping, demolition, building and

construction works, located between Calverley Bridge in Leeds and Apperley Bridge in Bradford.

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

The Planning case officer addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site / location / context

·  Background information/ historic flooding events

·  This application – Phase 2, Step Two - Seeks the creation of a new flood storage reservoir and upstream works in Apperley Bridge – Uplift areas (Phase 1 and Phase 2, Step 2) to provide a 1 in 200 year standard protection

·  An application had also been submitted to the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council consisting of linear flood defence to provide a 1 in 200 year standard of protection to Applerley Bridge and to also offset the impact of the FSR Works in the Leeds District

·  Phased approach

·  Flood Storage Reservoir (FSR) Zone 14

·  Access to the flood storage reservoir

·  Woodhouse Grove School (Zone 14)

·  Waterloo Crescent (Zone 15)

·  Examples of linear flood interventions

·  Apperley Bridge (Zone 15)

·  Environmental Mitigation and Enhancement

·  Proposed tree protection

·  Sustainable Development

·  Climate Emergency implications

The Planning Case Officer also detailed the holding objection that had been made by Sports England (a statutory consultee) following the publication of the Panel Report.

Members raised the following questions to officers/ applicants representatives:

·  The flow control structure, would this sit within the river.

·  Was it correct that the playing pitches at Woodhouse Grove School often suffered from flooding events.

·  Any trees removed would be replaced 3:1, would these trees be suitable for wet conditions

·  The flood storage reservoir together with the building on site, would these be safe and secure in terms of health and safety implications, would the facility be secure enough to prevent people getting in.

·  Would any footpaths be lost as a consequence of this facility.

·  There may be potential silting problems, who would be responsible for the removing of any silt.

·  How would spoil be removed

·  Could the canal system be used to transport any construction materials

·  How would the design of the flood retention walls at Waterloo Crescent be determined

·  Would there be any adverse impact on the canal towpath

In responding to the issues raised, officers said:

·  The Planning Case Officer confirmed that the flow control structure would sit within the river. Although it would be visible it was considered to be well designed. Members were also informed that the stretch of river where the flow control structure would be located would be straightened to provide optimum flow.

·  Officers confirmed that the playing pitches at Woodhouse Grove School were prone to flooding. As part of this scheme the flooding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 137.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 10^th June 2021 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED - To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 10^th June 2021 at 1.30pm in the City Hall, Leeds.

Members joined the Chair in congratulating Councillor Asghar Khan on his appointment as Lord Mayor Elect. The Chair said the City’s gain was the Plans Panel’s loss.