Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: John Grieve , 0113 37 88662  Email: john.grieve@leeds.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

Member’s site visits were held in connection with the following proposals:

Application No. 17/02790/FU – Land to rear of Merton Close, Kippax, Leeds 25, PREAPP/17/00619 – Hume House, Merrion Way, Leeds 2 and was attended by the following Councillors: J McKenna, P Gruen, D Blackburn,

G Latty, T Leadley, C Campbell and E Nash

 

111.

Chair's Opening Remarks

Minutes:

The Chair congratulated Councillor Graham Latty on his selection as Lord Mayor elect and also to Councillor Pat Latty as the Lady Mayoress for 2018/19.

 

112.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

 

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)

 

Minutes:

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

 

113.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of Press and Public

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:-

 

 

 

Minutes:

There were no items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the nature of the business to be considered.

 

114.

Late Items

 

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

 

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

 

Minutes:

There were no late items of business to be considered.

115.

Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

 

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. 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests made at the meeting.

 

116.

Apologies for Absence

To receive apologies for absence (If any)

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Procter.

 

117.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 145 KB

To consider and approve the Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 4th January 2018.

 

(Copy attached)

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 4th January 2018 were submitted for consideration and approval.

 

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 4th January 2018 be accepted as a true and correct record.

 

118.

Matters Arising from the Minutes

To consider any matters arising from the Minutes.

Minutes:

There were no issues raised under matters arising.

119.

Application No. 17/02790/FU - Residential development of 43 houses with associated landscaping and access on land to the rear of 5 and 14 Merton Close, Kippax, Leeds 25 pdf icon PDF 4 MB

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application for residential development of 43 houses with associated landscaping and access on land to the rear of 5 and 14 Merton Close, Kippax, Leeds 25.

 

(Report attached) 

Minutes:

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of an application for residential development of 43 houses with associated landscaping and access on land to the rear of 5 and 14 Merton Close, Kippax, Leeds 25.

 

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:

 

·  The development was originally submitted for 41 houses and through negotiations over time, principally relating to layout and housing mix issues, that number increased to 46 and is now reduced to 43 units.

 

·  The proposals include a cul-de-sac development, due to the size, nature and location of the site, through extending the existing highway beyond the end of Merton Close. The layout includes a spine road leading to a cul-de-sac with houses on one side, overlooking the Sandgate Lane footpath and the greenspace and other open land to the west. A cul-de-sac to the north results in houses overlooking the landscape buffer, retained existing hedgerow and agricultural land to the north. The cul-de-sac to the south contains houses which front the street. Two properties are located sideways on to the street, but this is over a short distance and is not an unusual relationship. The properties on the southern side of the site back on to the existing properties on Sandgate Drive and Merton Close, though they are separated by a narrow strip of land which is not in the applicant’s ownership.

 

·  The scheme contains a bungalow proposed to the north of No.14 Merton close, though the remainder of the properties are two storey houses. Thirteen house types, including the bungalow, are proposed for the market sale units, whilst a further two house types are proposed for the Affordable Housing units.

 

·  The proposals include the retention of the strong hedgerow feature to the north and east of the site, as well as the retention of vegetation and landscape setting to Sandgate Lane, to the western side of the site.

 

In response to Members questions, the following issues were discussed:

 

·  The development appeared to be a long way from local amenities: schools, medical practice and shops, could an indication of the distance be provided

·  The site was adjacent to the Persimmon Homes site, were there any development links

·  The Sandgate Lane footpath, could an improved surface be included as part of the landscape requirements

·  There appeared to be a lack of public open space on the site.

·  Could a dog waste litter bin be provided on the Sandgate Lane footpath

 

The Planning Case Officer provided the following responses:

 

·  In terms of distance to amenities it was reported that: Ash Tree Primary School, Kippax was a 7 minute walk away, Brigshaw High School was a 30 minute walk and the High Street was a 13 minute walk.

·  Officers confirmed that there were no development links with Persimmon Homes, though both sites form part of one designated Protected Areas of Search (PAS)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.

120.

Pre-application presentation of proposed pedestrian improvements to be provided at the junction of Portland Crescent and Woodhouse Lane, Leeds 2 (PREAPP/17/00489) pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officers which sets out details of a pre-application presentation of proposed pedestrian improvements to be provided at the junction of Portland Crescent and Woodhouse Lane, Leeds 2

 

(Report attached)

Minutes:

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

pre-application for proposed pedestrian improvements to be provided at the junction of Portland Crescent and Woodhouse Lane, Leeds 2.

 

Site 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:

 

·  The temporary pedestrian facilities, including a dropped crossing across Portland Crescent, would be removed. An area immediately north of the building would be laid out as potential spill out space from the interior of the building. Beyond this a new 5.5 metre wide footpath laid out in high quality concrete paving would link an existing dropped crossing to Cookridge Street and a new dropped crossing across Portland Crescent aligning with the existing pedestrian footway which runs along the northern periphery of the Rose Bowl surface car park. A second dropped crossing would be provided for pedestrians between the entrance to the Rose Bowl surface car park and underground car park.

 

·  The external space would be laid out to complement the new public realm presently coming forward at the junction of Woodhouse Lane / Clay Pit Lane / Cookridge Street. A strip of soft landscaping adjacent to the highway would be provided following the sweep of the site adjacent to Woodhouse Lane. The soft landscaping strip would include a total of 5 trees set within a shrub planting. A smaller planting bed would be formed, including a further two trees, alongside Cookridge Street.

 

·  The traffic island in the centre of Woodhouse Lane north of the site would be extended to impede vehicles illegally turning right into Portland Crescent from Woodhouse Lane.

 

Members raised the following questions:

 

·  What was the timescale for completion of the works, not just this site but for the whole of the Portland Crescent/ Woodhouse Lane Junction improvement scheme

·  Who would be responsible for maintenance of the area once the scheme was completed

·  Would the landscaped areas include lighting schemes

 

In responding to the issues raised, the applicant’s representatives and council officers said:

 

·  The applicant was responsible for the delivery of the scheme adjacent to the proposed student building whilst Leeds City Council were responsible for the delivery of the scheme to the other former underpass areas but final designs for the other areas of the junction were still awaited.

·  Once completed the junction would become an adopted highway and maintained by the City Council

·  Lighting schemes would be included in consultation with the City Council

 

In offering comments Members raised the following issues:

 

·  More detailed information was required for the whole of the scheme

 

In summing up the Chair said that further details about the design/ appearance of the junction were required and that a report should come back to Plans Panel in due course.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(i)  To note the details contained in the pre-application presentation

 

(ii)  That the developers be thanked for their attendance and presentation

 

(iii)  That a further report be prepared and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 120.

121.

Pre-application presentation of the proposed redevelopment of Hume House, Wade Lane, Merrion Way and Tower House Street, Leeds 2 to form a 36 storey student accommodation building (PREAPP/17/00619) pdf icon PDF 582 KB

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a pre-application presentation of the proposed redevelopment of Hume House, Wade Lane, Merrion Way and Tower House Street, Leeds 2 to form a 36 storey student accommodation building.

 

(Report attached)

Minutes:

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

pre-application for the proposed redevelopment of Hume House, Wade Lane, Merrion Way and Tower House Street, Leeds 2 to form a 36 storey student accommodation building.

 

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:

 

·  It was proposed to demolish the existing building and to construct a 36 storey building in its place. The axis of the building would rotate to align with Wade Lane to the south-east rather than Tower House Street as with the current structure. The southern elevation of the building would project approximately 11m forward of the existing building towards Merrion Way, the lowest two levels above ground primarily around the frontage would be set some 3m further back. The upper body of the building also oversails areas of the lowest levels on the eastern and western elevations. At its closest point the northern elevation of the building would be 8.45m from the Arena Village tower.

 

·  The ground floor of the student accommodation building would comprise the reception and management offices, a common room including a double-height space around the southern entrance, and other supporting facilities such as laundrette and bin store. A plant room and bike store would be provided at Level -1. Level 1 would contain additional common room and study area facilities and the first level of student accommodation. Further study rooms are proposed at Level 24. Excluding the cluster space 563m2 of student amenity space is proposed. The accommodation comprises a mix of studios (22m2) and 4, 5 and 6 bedroom clusters (study bedrooms typically 14m2) with associated kitchen / living areas. In total, 102 studios and 652 cluster bedrooms are proposed, 754 bedspaces overall.

 

·  Active spaces at the lowest two levels of the building would have double-height glazing with a cantilevered soffit height of 7m. The upper levels of the building would be ordered and disciplined, formed of smaller domestic elements of which it would be composed. The architectural style would loosely be termed ‘stretched classicism’. It is intended that a high-quality artificial stone is used as the principal building material.

 

·  A new layby would be formed on Tower House Street to be used for deliveries and student drop-off at the beginning and end of years. It is intended to reduce kerb levels and to enhance the surface to make Tower House Street more pedestrian friendly. A new paved surface is proposed to the public realm immediately surrounding the development. Raised planters would be introduced towards the north side of the building, including new street trees, together with totem structures to assist in wind mitigation. Similar totem structures are proposed to the front, southern end, of the building as wind mitigation but also intended to serve the dual purpose of public art. A specimen tree would be planted closer to Merrion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.

122.

Date and Time of Next Meeting

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 8th March 2018 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

Minutes:

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 8th March 2018 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.