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 to be considered.

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 interest made at the meeting.

To receive apologies for absence (If any)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor K Brooks

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which seeks the conversion of Leonardo Building and Thoresby House to provide student accommodation and a ground floor commercial unit, comprising the part-demolition and alterations to existing extension to Leonardo Building; demolition of existing roofs, addition of two storey roof extension to Leonardo Building and single storey to Leonardo Printworks and Thoresby and internal alterations. Erection of new-build eleven storey student accommodation building to existing car park. Associated works including creation of new public realm comprising resurfacing works, provision of street furniture, trees and other planting and alterations to the highway, at Leonardo Building & Thoresby House 2 Rossington Street, Leeds, LS2 8HD.

The report also requests Listed Building Consent Application 21/02845/LI for the conversion of Leonardo Building and Thoresby House to provide student accommodation and a ground floor commercial unit, comprising the part-demolition and alterations to existing extension to Leonardo Building; demolition of existing roofs, addition of two storey roof extension to Leonardo Building and single storey to Leonardo Printworks and Thoresby House; repairs and restoration to facades including new openings to the upper level elevations and internal reconfigurations including demolition of modern stair tower extensions, installation of new glazed stair core and window replacements in Leonardo Building and Thoresby House. Erection of new-build eleven storey student accommodation building to existing car park.

Associated works including creation of new public realm comprising to include limited reconfiguration of the existing listed wall and railings, resurfacing works, provision of street furniture, trees and other planting and alterations to the highway, at Leonardo Building & Thoresby House 2 Rossington Street, Leeds, LS2 8HD.

(Report attached)

With reference to the meeting of 10^th June 2021 and the decision to look again at the scale, massing and the treatment of the new building; the design of the proposed roof extensions; and the approach and treatment of the street frontages, the Chief Planning Officer now submitted a report which provided an update on the discussions that had taken place with the developer.

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

The Planning case officer addressed the Panel explaining the revised proposals would retain the 20th century Leonardo Building (which was to be demolished and replaced on the previous planning and listed building consents 18/06365/FU and 18/06366/LI), with this element being re-clad and extended upwards. A further revised extension was proposed to the roofs of the Listed Leonardo Building and Thoresby Building and overall this part of the scheme had been amended as follows:

- A commercial unit of approximately 57.5 m2 has been introduced to ground floor of the 20th century Leonardo Building to provide active frontage to the corner addressing Rossington Street and Millennium Square. This unit would have level access to the commercial unit provided along Rossington Street.

- The top floor parapet of the 20th century re-elevated Leonardo Building has been enhanced and detailed to provide a ‘lantern’ aspect to the corner addressing Millennium Square.

- The brick parapet of the new elevation to the retained 20th century Leonardo

Building has been raised, with the effect being the visual reduction of the top floor setback of Leonardo, such that it appears as single storey element from street views.

- The top storey extension cladding to be more reflective by use of look-a-like glazed panels.

Members were informed the revised new building would retain 11 storeys including a ground floor double height lobby, plus a roof top plant level, but has been revised as follows:

- The building height had been reduced by 1.2m

- The top floor masonry parapet had been reduced in height by 0.75m

- The top floor masonry parapet was to be detailed to create a modern relative to the parapet of 2 Great George Street.

-- The top storey extension cladding to be more reflective by use of the same look-alike glazed panels as proposed for the Leonardo and Thoresby roof extensions, providing continuity in material expression across the scheme.

Members noted the scheme would still include new publicly accessible open landscaped areas between the Thoresby Building and the new building and between this new block and No.2 Great George Street, on what is currently hard surfaced car parking and open space areas. No car parking is proposed for this development, although secure cycle parking is to be provided. Pick up / drop off and refuse servicing would be likely to be taken from Rossington Street.

Members raised the following questions to officers:

·  For anyone standing in Millennium Square, would they be able to see into the halls of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which seeks the redevelopment of the existing buildings, to include a rooftop extension and the conversion of upper floors to student residential use with a ground floor reception entrance, at the former Debenhams, 115 - 125 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6LX

The report also requests Listed Building Consent (Application 1/02845/LI) for redevelopment of the existing buildings, to include a rooftop extension and the conversion of upper floors to student residential use with a ground floor reception entrance, at the former Debenhams, 115 - 125 Briggate, Leeds,

LS1 6LX

(Report attached)

Members considered a report by the Chief Planning Officer which set out details of an application which sought the redevelopment of the existing buildings, to include a rooftop extension and the conversion of upper floors to student residential use with a ground floor reception entrance, at the former

Debenhams, 115 - 125 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6LX. Listed Building Consent was also sought (Application 21/02845/LI) for redevelopment of the existing buildings, to include a rooftop extension and the conversion of upper floors to student residential use with a ground floor reception entrance, at the former Debenhams, 115 – 125 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6LX.

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

·  Site history

·  The proposals seek to create basement, ground and first floor E Use Class commercial uses and student accommodation to the second and third upper floors and in a new two storey roof extension (which will replace the existing roof extension).

·  The commercial units would have floor areas totalling some 1052m2 for the basement unit (Unit B), 1255m2 for the ground floor and 1418m2 for the first floor.

·  The scheme includes a two storey stepped roof extension which will replace the building’s existing 1990s roof extension. This will house the student accommodation alongside the second and third floors of the host building

·  The student accommodation would be in the form of 124 bedspaces in 107 dwellings, with these being 90 studio flats (ranging from 20 to 36m2) and 17 double sized-duel occupancy studios, termed as “Twodios” (ranging from 32 to 50m2).

·  Four student’s communal spaces are proposed (754 m2  of communal space for the student residents to use (both internal and external).

·  A new courtyard wellness garden would be created in the centre of the department store from the second floor up. This would be approximately 240m2 in size. A further external communal space of some 130m2 is proposed to the roof area. Internally three communal spaces are proposed, with these being a communal lounge of some 292m2 and a study room of some 18m2 as well as a sky lounge on level 5, of some 74m 2.

Members raised the following questions to officers:

·  How would vehicles access the development; pick up and drop off

·  Could the windows for the commercial use be isolated from the space inside to ensure an acceptable appearance

·  The proposed rooflights to the top floor student bedrooms, was this the only source of light to this area

·  Could the style and quality of the retail frontages be co-ordinated and retained

In responding to the issues raised, officers said:

·  The LCC Highway Officer said a Student Management Plan would be included as a condition to control vehicle use of the pedestrianised  area, with the intention to use near-by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

To note that the next meeting taking place on Thursday, 5^th August 2021 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting taking place on Thursday 5^th August 2021 at 1:30pm in Civic Hall, Leeds.