Agenda and minutes

Members site visits was held in connection with the following: PREAPP/21/00379 – Residential development, 87-92 Kirkstall Road, leeds, LS3 1HS and PREAPP/21/00324 -Proposed mixed use development on land south of Sweet Street, Holbeck, Leeds LS11 9BX and was attended by the following Councillors: D Blackburn, A Garthwaite, C Gruen, G Latty and

J Mckenna,

The Chair announced the retirement of John Grieve, Senior Governance Officer within Democratic Services.

In paying tribute, the Chair said John had worked for the Council in excess of 40 years, many of those years servicing the various planning committees and dealing with some of the most significant planning applications for the city, the Leeds Bradford Airport application being one of the most recent examples.

Other Members joined the Chair in sharing their own experiences in working with John, his knowledge, calm manner and willingness to assist was constantly referred to.

On behalf of the Chief Planning Officer, the Head of Development Management , also acknowledged the work carried out by John, suggesting his experience and helpful manner would be greatly missed by the service. 

Members and Officers Joined the Chair in expressing their thanks and best wishes to John in his future retirement.

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 27th January 2021

(Copies attached)

Members considered the minutes of the previous meeting held on 27^th January 2022

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 27^th January 2022 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 a  Pre Application Presentation which seeks the demolition of the existing building and structures and the redevelopment of the site for residential dwellings (use class C3), flexible commercial space (use classes E and F1) and associated refuse and plant infrastructure, landscaping, new public realm and open space at the former Arla Foods site, 87 – 91 Kirkstall Road, Burley, Leeds, LS3 1HS.

(Report attached)

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

pre-application presentation which sought the demolition of the existing building and structures and the redevelopment of the site for residential dwellings (use class C3), flexible commercial space (use classes E and F1) and associated refuse and plant infrastructure, landscaping, new public realm and open space at the former Arla Foods site, 87 – 91 Kirkstall Road, Burley, Leeds 3.

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 Arla Foods site on the south side of Kirkstall Road

·  Commercial units on the northern side of Kirkstall Road, further commercial units are located to the south-east of the site

·  To the south of the site is the Leeds-Liverpool Canal

·  The “L” shaped site is 2.07 hectares (Vacant brown field site) located in a flood zone area

·  Demolition of the existing building and structures

·  The proposal – Development of five residential blocks ranging in height from 7 to 13 storeys (618 residential units)

·  Build to rent apartments – 308 x 1 bed (50%), 248 x 2 bed (40%) and 62 x 3 bed (10%)

·  Commercial units at ground floor level

·  Materials – Principally constructed in brick with horizontal stone banding and a lighter brick base. A regular pattern of windows would feature across each building with deep reveals and a slender slash glazing design

·  230 car parking spaces, all spaces intended to be provided with electric vehicle charging points (30% provided initially)

·  A single point of vehicular access/egress would be provided on Kirkstall Road with an “exit only” on Washington Street

·  Landscaping/ planting strategy, in excess of 100 trees to be planted, public space, safe play areas all based around a central park

·  Connectivity – Cycle routes/ Riverside walkway

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

·  From Kirkstall Road the massing of the buildings creates the impression that the site is enclosed, could consideration be given to “splitting” the first building to provide some riverside views

·  As the development was being promoted as family friendly, it was queried why there are so many 1 bed apartments (50%) when there is a shortage of family accommodation in this area

·  The car parking provision, was 230 spaces feasible for this size of development

·  The demand for electric vehicles is predicted to increase significantly in the next 5 years; could consideration be given to providing more electric vehicle charging points, above the proposed initial 30%

·  How large were the proposed balconies and could more be offered (given experiences with Covid-19 and restrictions to the use of Public Open Space during the Pandemic)

·  How do people engage with each other in this type of development “playfulness”

·  Was a nursery/ creche facility to be included within the development

·  The proposed public open space provision, would it be accessible to everyone or for tenants use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 122.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a Pre Application Presentation for proposed development comprising residential apartments, commercial (offices and leisure), hotel and a travel hub on land largely bounded by Sweet Street, Meadow Road, Jack Lane and Bowling Green Terrace, Leeds LS11 9BX

(Report attached)

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

pre-application presentation for proposed development comprising residential apartments, commercial (offices and leisure), hotel and a travel hub on land largely bounded by Sweet Street, Meadow Road, Jack Lane and Bowling Green Terrace, Leeds, LS11 9BX

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

·  The site area extends to 3.79 hectares

·  The “City One” site lies within the southern part of the designated City Centre. It is bounded by Sweet Street to the north, Meadow Road to the east, Jack Lane to the south and Bowling Green Terrace to the west.

·  The south-western corner of the site is 6.0m higher than the north-east corner. High pressure gas mains run below ground across the northern fringe and south-east corner of the site resulting in no build zones in these areas. Trent Street runs east to west across the site providing access to a large primary substation located towards the centre of the site.

·  Meadow Road is the main distributor to the City Centre from the M621

·  The southern extent of Holbeck Conservation Area is located 120m to the west at the junction of Sweet Street West and Marshall Street. The conservation area includes a number of listed buildings.

·  Major mixed use development scheme

·  The proposed development seeks the construction of up to 11 buildings ranging in height from 5 - 42 storey’s in height  - Residential apartments (2,200 maximum), commercial (offices and leisure) up to 70,000sqm, hotel (450 beds) and a multi-storey travel hub and /or basement car parking providing a maximum of 691 car parking spaces; up to 2,850sqm of ground floor use Class E(a-g) floorspace (with single retail units limited to 465sqm) with a minimum provision of 1,000sqm of Use Class E(a-g) floorspace across the development.

·  New Masterplan

·  Proposed new network of streets, including new green street

·  Key constraints: Gas lines and electricity sub-station (Alternative configuration if sub-station removed)

·  Landscaping strategy, tree lined public open space, introduction of rain gardens

·  Pedestrian priority environment, connectivity and permeability at the heart of the masterplan

·  Timescale – Commence latter 2022 with completion of first phase towards the end of 2025

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

·  This is a large development, possibly up to 4,000 residents, are there any amenities provided or located nearby: eg doctor’s surgeries, nurseries and schools

·  The scale of this development is difficult to grasp. Could the areas of greenspace be combined to form larger, discrete areas of public realm rather than linear streets.

·  Do the large linear buildings and spaces have the potential to cause wind tunnelling.

·  Meadow Road filters into the M621, was sufficient planting been provided to combat particulates from vehicles

·  In respect of the electricity sub-station, were there any plans to relocate it, and if it was to be moved,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 123.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 24th March 2022 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED - To note that the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, 24th March 2022 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.