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 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 which required the exclusion of the press or public.

There were no late items of business identified.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

To receive apologies for absence (If any)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: C Campbell and R Finnigan.

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th August 2021.

(Copy attached)

Members considered the minutes of the previous meetings held on 5^th August 2021.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 5^th August 2021 be approved as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

There were no issues raised under matters arising.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which seeks planning consent for residential development and ancillary flexible commercial space (use class A1, A2, A3, A4, B1 and D1) on land at Ellerby Road and East Street, Cross Green, Leeds.

(Report attached)

With reference to the meeting of 22^nd October 2020 when Members deferred consideration of this item to allow further discussions to take place around alternative design solutions, including; the use of different materials, improved appearance of the central parking area and greenspace, provision of increased electric vehicle charging points and more affordable housing. It was also reported that this application had been discussed and views expressed at a Members informal design workshop held on 7^th April 2021.

The Chief Planning Officer now submitted a further report stating that the applicant had submitted revised plans in response to the comments received previously, a summary of the amendments was set out in paragraph 1.6 of the submitted report.

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

The Planning Group Manager addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal but with a focus on the elements of the proposal that had been amended or altered since the meeting of October 2020 (as per the Officer report).  The Planning Group Manager thereby highlighted the following:

·  Site / location / context

·  Site identified for housing development in the Local Plan

·  Site history

·  Nearby Heritage Assets

·  Character of the surrounding area

·  Views from inside and outside the proposed development

·  The proposal - Residential development (345 flats) and ancillary flexible commercial space (use class A1, A2, A3, A4, B1 and D1)

·  The inclusion of 2 additional floors

·  Revisions to the façade

·  Improved relationship with East Street

·  Enhanced Courtyard area

·  124 car parking spaces

·  31 electric vehicle charging points with infrastructure to facilitate provision for a further 72 electric vehicles charging points on completion (Total 103 electric vehicle charging points)

·  Greenspace provision, 40 new trees

·  New pedestrian route from Ellerby Road

·  18 discounted rental flats

·  Materials: red brick, with stack bond and corbel detailing, and an alternative light brick façade (More variety less uniformity)

·  Ground floor active frontages

The Planning Group Manager reported the receipt of a late objection from a local resident who was of the view that the previous concerns had not been satisfactorily addressed, the design was architecturally uninspiring, the appearance of the car park was not acceptable, there would be a loss of views, daylight and sunlight to adjacent flats, there would be an adverse impact on the setting of St Saviours Church, there had been a lack of consultation from the developer and there was still insufficient affordable housing.

In responding to the matters raised, Members were advisedthat – although block B would be sited only 10m away from the adjacent apartment development of ‘Public Haus’ and would increase in height by one storey – it would be of a similar height to ’Public Haus’ due to the lower site levels and would be sited to the north side of ‘Public Haus’, leaving a mostly open westerly aspect to the proposed central courtyard from ‘Public Haus’. As a result, officers are of the view that there will not be an unacceptable loss  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which invites Members of the City Plans Panel to comment on the draft Temple District Planning Brief as part of the consultation process.

(Report attached)

Members considered a report by the Chief Planning Officer which invited Panel to comment on the draft Temple District Planning Brief as part of the consultation process.

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

The lead Policy Officer addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following themes within the Draft Planning Brief:

·  Development principles: Strategic principles

·  Climate ready and nature friendly approach to placemaking

·  Green space, Public realm and Open space

·  Green and blue infrastructure

·  Biodiversity

·  Drainage and flood risk

·  Sustainable design

·  Connectivity and permeability

·  Connectivity and communities

·  Uses and ground conditions

·  Heritage

·  Scale and massing

·  Design and character

·  Delivery

·  Guidance for beyond Temple District boundary

·  Consultation and engagement

·  Next steps

Members raised the following issues

·  Would the plan provide detailed guidance on the mix of different uses

·  How is this Planning Brief different to current policies, would it define the council’s expectations and what development would be acceptable in this area

·  There would be a need to build in inclusivity but there were no details on the nature of affordable housing

·  How binding is the brief intended to be? What is the level of planning weight to be given to it?

·  That the Planning Brief has a strong heritage focus was welcomed; there has been a long aspiration to have a walking route through this area (bottom of Beeston Road into the City Centre)

In responding to the issues raised, Officers said:

·  Members were informed that the Site Allocation Plan (SAP) allocates use of land across the city, including in this area, and the SAP encouraged a mixture of uses in the area and that the details of mixed use schemes would be determined through the receipt of planning applications

·  The Planning Brief does not alter allocations in the SAP and the SAP would expect to be followed

·  Members were informed that a lot of interlocking policies were contained within the development plan for this area. The Planning Brief does not in any way look to ‘water down’ policies within the development plan, but brings them together in one comprehensive place for this area of the city.  This Planning Brief provides an opportunity to focus and clarify that guidance and provides a stepping stone for shaping future development

·  It was suggested that the future development of a Masterplan would steer potential developers as to what was expected/ required. There would be a need to reflect on any comments received during the consultation

·  Inclusive development and matters such as affordable housing would be delivered through the current adopted policies including those for affordable housing

·  Members were informed that the Planning Brief was based on existing policies and would serve as further detailed guidance for developers. It would be a material planning consideration.

·  The Planning Brief does not create new policy, but is grounded in existing policy.  Once approved, it had weight as a form of guidance (distinct from policy), but it remains with Members to determine the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of

Pre-application Presentation for a proposed mixed use scheme comprising two student residential accommodation buildings and a multi-use event building on the site of Yorkshire Bank, Merrion Way and land fronting Clay Pit Lane, Leeds LS2 8NZ.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out detail of a

pre-application presentation for a proposed mixed-use scheme comprising two student residential accommodation buildings and a multi-use event building on the site of Yorkshire Bank, Merrion Way and land fronting Clay Pit Lane, Leeds LS2 8NZ.

Site photographs, plans, a model and materials were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

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

·  Site / location / context

·  The site is located within an area which was designated as a Prestige Development Area in the 2001 Unitary Development Plan where large scale, landmark, buildings were encouraged at a gateway into the City Centre.  The Tall Buildings SPD, adopted in 2010, identified the area in which the site is located as having an opportunity for a cluster of tall buildings.

·  Adjacent to Conservation Area (Grade II Listed Buildings located in Queen Square)

·  The Yorkshire Bank Building dating from the early 1980’s is clad in granite and embodies the solidity of a bank, symbolising Leeds’ regional commercial position and is considered a non-designated heritage asset.

·  The proposal - Redevelopment of Yorkshire Bank offices at 20 Merrion Way and two parcels of land to the north situated between Clay Pit Lane and Leeds Arena. The development would involve the demolition of the existing office building and the construction of a multistorey student residential accommodation development fronting Clay Pit Lane, Merrion Way and Brunswick Terrace; a second student accommodation building located between Clay Pit Lane and Elmwood Close and a multi-use event building abutting Clay Pit Lane to the west of Leeds Arena.

·  Block A, would have a singular, symmetrical form comprising 11 angled facets. The building would rise to 38 storeys and contain 728 student bedrooms in a mix of 6-bedroom clusters (59%) and 296 studios (41%). The building would be serviced from Elmwood Close with the principal entrance point on Clay Pit Lane

·  Block B, would be U-shaped, rising incrementally from the western 3 storey limb adjacent to Clay Pit Lane, to 7, 12 and 18 storeys along Merrion Way. The building would contain 543 student bedrooms, in a mix of 5 and 6-bedroom clusters (60%) and 216 studios (40%).

·  The multi-purpose event building, located to the north of Block B, would have a total floor area of approximately 9,900sqm incorporating a main exhibition area of approximately 3,000sqm; a conference space of circa 1,700sqm; an 800-900 capacity auditorium; pre-function circulation space and bar areas; and supporting ancillary spaces.

·  Form of the buildings and its relationship with the Leeds Arena (Views of the main frontage to be retained)

·  Landscaping / public realm/ retain public access areas/ increased tree count

·  All student accommodation meets emerging space standards

·  The development would address climate change proposals and would include air source heat pumps and photovoltaic cells

·  Materials - Block A would be planar, faced in polished anodised aluminium with flush panels of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a Pre-Application Presentation for a Hybrid planning application for a phased development comprising: Demolition of existing buildings and structures and preparatory works; Detailed planning permission for erection of four residential buildings (use class C3) and a student accommodation building with ground floor uses comprising any or all or retail, commercial, community, health and leisure (use classes E, F1 and/or F2) totalling up to 66,232sqm gross external area and associated means of access, parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure works; and Outline planning permission, to be implemented in phases, for mixed use development totalling up to 70,540sqm gross external area comprising residential use (C3) and other uses including all or some of the following: retail, leisure, commercial, health and community uses (use classes E, F1 and/or F2); car parking, new public spaces; hard and soft landscaping; cycle parking; access; servicing and other associated infrastructure and engineering works at Former City Reach 1 & 2 Development Site, Kirkstall Road, Leeds LS3 1LH.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out detail of a

pre-application presentation for a Hybrid planning application for a phased development comprising: Demolition of existing buildings and structures and preparatory works; Detailed planning permission for erection of four residential buildings (use class C3) and a student accommodation building with ground floor uses comprising any or all of retail, commercial, community, health and leisure (use classes E, F1 and/or F2) totalling up to 66,232sqm gross external area and associated means of access, parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure works; and Outline planning permission, to be implemented in phases, for mixed use development totalling up to 70,540sqm gross external area comprising residential use (C3) and other uses including all or some of the following: retail, leisure, commercial, health and community uses (use classes E, F1 and/or F2); car parking, new public spaces; hard and soft landscaping; cycle parking; access; servicing and other associated infrastructure and engineering works at Former City Reach 1 & 2 Development Site, Kirkstall Road, Leeds LS3 1LH.

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

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site / location / context

·  Former Yorkshire Chemicals Works and First Bus Depot site

·  Existing consents

·  Kirkstall Road Renaissance area

·  The emerging proposals - The introduction of 1,437 new homes and 362 student rooms, located across 11 buildings, with approximately 4,247sqm (GEA) of flexible ground floor commercial, leisure, cultural and community floorspace (use classes E, F1 and / or F2).

·  The aim of the proposal to be at the heart of the development of a new community within the Kirkstall Road area

·  Improvements to the Kikstall Road frontage

·  Upgrade the pedestrian crossing and cycleway along the Kirkstall Road frontage

·  Public realm

·  Green link through the site to the river

·  Riverside frontage

·  New bridge crossing

·  New east / west link

·  Landscaping and public realm area provision (approximately 45% of the site area envisaged) – approximately 250 new trees to be planted across site

·  The diversity of property type and tenure envisaged

·  Central Square envisaged with proposed food court and play areas

·   Shared vehicle routes

·  234 car parking spaces

·  Swales and rain guards proposed to reduce the surface water run-off alongside a flood defence wall which would be purposefully integrated into the design of the park area so that it is not overly dominant or apparent

Members raised the following questions to the developer’s representatives:

·  What was the approach to low/zero carbon emissions on site

·  How would the community space be managed

·  The proposal suggests the delivery of up to 35% affordable housing, is that achievable

·  What would be the price of the student accommodation – would it be affordable

·  Could the landscaped areas be more adventurous and include informal rather than formal play

In responding to the questions raised the developer’s representatives said:

·  Members were informed that the applicant proposed the use of air sourced heat pumps, photovoltaic panels  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 30^th September 2021 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED - To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 30th September 2021 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.