Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Taggart, nominations to Chair the meeting were sought

RESOLVED – That Councillor J McKenna be elected Chair for the duration of the meeting

Councillor J McKenna assumed the Chair

The Chair reported that he had received a request for the meeting to be audio recorded

RESOLVED – That permission be granted for the meeting to be audio recorded

(i)  Application for the New Generation Transport (NGT) Scheme – The Chair announced that a further meeting dealing with the New Generation Transport (NGT) Scheme would be held on Thursday 17th October 2013 in the Council Chamber at the Civic Hall, Leeds. The meeting would commence at 9.30am lasting until approximately 3.30pm

(ii)  Flood Defences along the River Aire, Water Lane to Woodlesford – The Chair reported on arrangements for a site visit to view the proposed River Aire Flood Alleviation Scheme. Two dates had been suggested: 22^nd or 23rd October 2013, Members views were requested.

RESOLVED – That the visit be arranged for Tuesday 22^nd October 2013 commencing at 9.30am

There were no late items

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 interests

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Taggart and Councillor R Procter

To approve the minutes of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 29^th August 2013

(minutes attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th August 2013 be accepted as a true and correct record

Further to minute 36 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 1^st August 2013, where Panel considered a position statement on proposals for a major mixed-use development on land bounded by Eastgate, George Street and Millgarth Street LS2, to consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer on the following three applications for phase 1 of Victoria Gate, for determination:

 1 –  Victoria Gate Arcades

Application 13/02967/FU – Major mixed-use development including the demolition of all buildings and construction of retail (use classes A1, A2, A3, A4, A5), leisure (use class D2) casino (sui generis), public realm works and landscaping

2  Multi-storey car park

Application 13/02968/FU – Demolition of Millgarth Police Station and the erection of a multi-storey car park and associated landscaping, means of access and highway works

3  John Lewis Store

Application 13/02969/RM – Reserved Matters approval for Plot HQ1 (to be occupied by John Lewis) of the outline planning permission

(report attached)

Further to minute 36 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 1^st August 2013, when Panel considered a position statement on proposals for a major mixed-use development on land bounded by Eastgate, George Street and Millgarth Street LS2. The Chief Planning Officer submitted a further report seeking Members determination on the following three applications for phase 1 of Victoria Gate:

 A    Victoria Gate Arcades - Application 13/02967/FU

  Major mixed-use development including the demolition of all buildings   and construction of retail (use classes A1, A2, A3, A4, A5), leisure (use   class D2) casino (sui generis), public realm works and landscaping

B  Multi-storey car park - Application 13/02968/FU

  Demolition of Millgarth Police Station and the erection of a multi-storey   car park and associated landscaping, means of access and highway   works

C  John Lewis Store - Application 13/02969/RM

  Reserved Matters approval for Plot HQ1 (to be occupied by John   Lewis) of the outline planning permission

Ms Sarah McMahon, Principal Planning Officer, City Development, presented the report and provided Panel with an update on the late comments received from Caddick Developments Ltd and spoke in detail about each of the applications, with particular reference given to the following areas:

Victoria Gate Arcades

·  Routes to the market

·  Routes to Victoria Quarter

·  Casino Development on upper floor

·  Heritage rich area, neighbouring properties constructed using Portland stone and red brick

·  Design features

·  Improvements to existing electricity sub station

·  Entrances that make a statement

Multi Storey Car Park

·  Protection to New Generation Transport (NGT) route

·  Access to culverts

·  Cladding and twisted metal finish

·  Landscaping scheme and active use area

·  Night time lighting

·  Connectivity to Quarry Hill

·  Level of Car parking

John Lewis Development

·  Eastgate Entrance details

·  Outside treatment, solid panels glass and terracotta

·  Roof plan

·  A request by the Civic Trust for a solid plinth

·  Roof/ lighting

In summing up Ms McMahon said a lot of detailed discussions had taken place with the developers with satisfactory outcomes being reached. It was reported that officers were supportive of the scheme and were recommending approval of the applications

Members made the following comments:

·  Overall the scheme was a good one, slight concern about the brick work it appeared to be “too fussy” also the car park from certain angels looked “soft” would it be possible to achieve a stronger look

·  The scheme was fresh, lively and a really exciting scheme. Once completed it would offer employment opportunities for local people. One slight concern was the connectivity to Quarry Hill, this was an opportunity that should be further explored

·  Connectivity to Quarry Hill was an important issue, landowners and stakeholders need to work together to achieve the best solutions. Concern expressed about the car park suggestion that the top section required resolution

·  Car park was too dominant. Commenting on the facia to the John Lewis building, could the facia be the same height as the facia on the adjacent Bloomfield designed building. Concern expressed  about the future of the Templar Public House

·  Really good scheme but some concern  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

(Prior to consideration of the following item Councillor J Procter informed the meeting that as a Ward Member he had participated in meetings of the Thorp Arch Estate Consultative Forum but had not expressed a view in terms of a decision on any applications being brought forward)

Further to minute 86 of the City Plans Panel meeting held on 14^th March 2013, where Panel received a pre-application presentation on proposals for a major residential development at Thorp Arch Estate, to consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer setting out the current position on an outline application submitted for residential development with associated parking, landscaping, primary school, village centre, retail development, sports pavilion, play area, amenity space and associated highway works

(report attached)

With reference to Minute No. 86 of the meeting of City Plans Panel held on 14th March 2013, when Members received a pre-application presentation on proposals for a major residential development at Thorp Arch Estate.

The Chief Planning Officer now submitted a report which provided the current position in respect of the Outline Application submitted for residential development with associated parking, landscaping, primary school, village centre, retail development, sports pavilion, play area, amemity space and off site highway works at Thorp Arch Estate, Wetherby, LS23 7FZ

Mr David Newbury, Area Planning Manager, City Development presented the report and spoke in detail about the scheme. It was reported that further representations and objections had been received, however, no new issues had been raised. Significant objections to the scheme had been received from Thorp Arch Parish Council and the TATE Action Group (TAG)

Main objections related to the following issues:

·  Unsustainability/ viability of the site

·  Objections previously raised to the development of the site by the UDP Inspector had not been overcome

·  More suitable sites were available

·  The application was premature in advance of the emerging Core Strategy, Site Allocations Plan and Neighbourhood Plans

·  Dispute about whether the whole site could be considered as being  brown field allocation

·  Speed of delivery of the scheme

·  Submitted highway information was inadequate

·  Relief road would be ineffective

·  Traffic would be forced down Wood Lane

Officers reported that Boston Spa Parish Council were supportive of the scheme subject to early provision of the proposed relief road and no parking restrictions on Bridge Road.

Addressing the Outline Application Mr Newbury reported that:

·  The application was now for up to 2,000 dwellings

·  A village centre comprising a convenience store and other small retail outlets would be created

·  New community facilities would include; sports pitches, proposals for the re-adjustment of land uses including consolidation of commercial/ industrial development to the south

·  A hub containing retail and community facilities

·  Off site infrastructure including a relief road

Feedback from Panel Members:

·  The proposed public transport provision was inadequate, that something had to happen with the site, that the development should provide facilities to meet the day to day needs of the residents, further information was required in respect of affordable housing and the need for older persons accommodation, attention should be paid to the phasing development in terms of the length of the build and that each phase should be completed to create an appropriate environment for residents and that the precise route and effectiveness of the proposed relief road required further evaluation

·  The masterplan did not yet represent the comprehensive and sustainable form of development that Members desired

·  It was agreed that a high quality indicative layout had been

achieved and that the appearance of the housing did reflect the

guidelines as set out in the Design and Access Statement

·  The applicant’s landscaping strategy was appropriate

·  The proposed route of the Relief Road was acceptable (subject to the amenities of local residents being protected)

·  The Relief Road should be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

Thursday 24th October 2013 at 1.30pm

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 24^th October 2013 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.