Agenda and draft 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.

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 was no exempt information.

There were no late items.

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

There were no declarations.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Carlill, Cohen and Maloney.

Councillors Bowen and Jones were in attendance as substitutes.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 July 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer which presents a position statement on a development of 78 affordable apartments in an 11 storey building with associated, cycle, bin and concierge space.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented a position statement on a development of 78 affordable apartments in an 11-storey building with associated cycle, bin and concierge space.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  The proposals were for a 100% affordable housing scheme.

·  The site was well connected to public transport, the city centre and other amenities.

·  The site was small and constrained by development on all sides.  It had previously used a car park and was bounded by the SOYO scheme to the South and the Northern Ballet Centre to the south.

·  The site had been specifically identified to deliver affordable housing in the city centre.

·  The development would be available for those on the Leeds Housing Register and there was a critical need to provide homes available at social rent levels.

·  There would be a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments.

·  The construction would be of a light coloured masonry  with some dark brickwork and floor to ceiling windows.

·  There would be wind baffles within the site and would ensure safety to the entrance areas.

·  There would be a new layby off St Cecilia street which would serve drop off and pick up as well as serving.  There would not be any car parking.  Cycle parking would be provided within the building.

·  Separation distances between the proposed building and existing buildings were relatively low compared to general guidelines, but there were no policy requirements on separation distances in the city centre and examples of other similar relationships between buildings in the city were displayed.

·  A daylight and sunlight report had been submitted and it was felt that light levels would be acceptable.

·  There would be some impact on the Northern Ballet Centre with some overlooking.  This would be mitigated with obscure glazing.

·  Floor plans were displayed.  The ground floor would include a reception area, plant equipment and three apartments.

·  There was no requirement to provide outdoor space but open space was available in adjoining development areas and public parks were within 5 minute walking distance.  There was a small, terraced area for the ground floor apartments.

·  Housing mix – there would be 46 x one bedroom, 28 x two bedroom and 4 x three bedroom apartments.  Although the number of three bedroom apartments was below the preferred target, there were no policy requirement.  Elsewhere across the ward and adjoining wards there were higher levels of 3 bedroom affordable housing units.  The data available showed there was a higher demand for 1 and 2 bedroom apartments within the city centre.

·  The proposals presented a higher ratio of affordable housing than policy required.

·   There had been three formal objections which included the building design and from Northern Ballet regarding access to their car park and overlooking.

The applicant was invited to address the Panel.  Issues highlighted included the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding a pre-application presentation for an office development with associated facilities, car parking and landscaping.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented a pre-application enquiry for an office development with associated facilities, parking and landscaping at Latitude Yellow, land at the former Doncaster Monk Bridge Works, Whitehall Road, Leeds.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The applicant’s representatives were invited to address the Panel. Issues highlighted included the following:

·  The applicant showed examples of other schemes that they had delivered across the country.

·  The site currently had a planning approval for an office development but the applicant felt that was no longer appropriate particularly in terms of sustainability and following the Council’s climate emergency commitment.

·  It was hoped that the new scheme would be one of the most, if not most, sustainable schemes in Leeds.  To achieve this, amendments since the previous application included the removal of the proposal for a basement and to have fewer lifts in the building. Sustainability would not only be increased by reduced operational energy but also with increased biodiversity.  There would be garden spaces, green walls and a roof terrace.

·  Sustainable travel would be promoted with integration to the cycle network and cycle facilities.

·  There would be a gym and fitness centre as well as an event space to promote health and wellbeing.

·  The site was the last part of the wider Latitude masterplan to be delivered.

·  Connectivity through the site and wider area.

·  The building would be ground floor plus eleven storeys in height. The previous consent was ten storeys.

·  There had been positive feedback from community consultation that had been undertaken. This had included Leeds Civic Trust and local neighbours.

·  Inspiration had been taken from the industrial heritage of the site.

·  There would be hard and soft landscaping around the building.  Detailed landscaping images were shown.

·  There would be limited parking to the undercroft.

·  The ground floor would include a café, co-working spaces and cycle storage.

·  There would be a gym and fitness suite on the first floor.

·  Upper floors would be mainly dedicated to office space.

·  There would be external communal space on the roof terrace.

·  CGI images of the proposed building were displayed and proposed use of materials was explained.

In response to questions and comments from the Panel, discussion included the following:

·  There would be dedicated cycle and pedestrian routes through the site.

·  There had been some widening of the highway for cycle provision. Further development of the highway and cycle/pedestrian provision was explained.

·  There had been engagement with Network Rail with regards to the boundary between the site and the railway.

·  Landscaping would include planting, green walls and open areas.

·  The area would be extensively covered by CCTV and there would be 24 hour security.

·  There would be allowances to connect to the district heating network in the future if that became possible.  It was currently proposed to use air source heat pumps and photovoltaics to power the building.

·  The cycle route would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Thursday, 7 September 2023 at 1.30 p.m.

Thursday, 7^th September 2023 at 1.30 p.m.