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 the 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 identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be considered.

Although there were no formal late items of business, the Chair did accept the inclusion of supplementary information in respect of Agenda Item No. 6 – a letter of objection from the Horsforth Ward Members relating to the Horsforth Campus application (Minute No. 45 referred)

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 made at the meeting

To receive apologies for absence (If any)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor N Walshaw

Councillor P Wray was in attendance as a substitute Member.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a full application which seeks approval for the construction of 152 dwellings at Horsforth Campus, Calverley Lane, Horsforth.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of an application which sought approval for the construction of 152 dwellings at Horsforth Campus, Calverley Lane, Horsforth.

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

Planning Officers addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site/ location/context

·  The Horsforth Campus site was closed in 2017

·  The whole of this site is in Greenbelt The proposal is for 152 affordable dwellings on the site, consisting of 4 x 1 bed apartments, 20 x 2 bed apartments, 41 x 2 bed houses, 66 x 3 bed houses and 21 x 4 bed houses (including one single block of 24 flats)

·  As an exception to the general presumption against residential development in the Greenbelt, The National Planning Policy Framework, at para 145g, states that this will not be inappropriate  subject to a number of provisions including that the housing would meet a local need for affordable housing. The site is included in the Core Strategy as being part of the city’s Strategic Green Infrastructure and part of the Leeds Habitat Network

·  Landscaping strategy and provision of public open space

·  Trees

·  Biodiversity

·  Design and character

·  Housing mix/ space standards/ accessible housing

·  Future maintenance of the site

·  Highways improvement works (£250,000 contribution)

·  Road safety issues

·  Access for larger vehicles

·   Car parking

·  Education provision in the area

The Planning Case Officer reported that 80 representations opposing the application had been received.

The Panel heard from Councillor D Collins and Councillor J Taylor (Horsforth Ward Members) who were objecting to the proposals.

Councillor Collins informed Panel that the whole of the site was in the Greenbelt with greenery on all sides. Affordable Housing was the only reason for requesting ‘special circumstances’ for development. The site is included in the Core Strategy as part of the city’s Strategic Green Infrastructure and the Leeds Habitat Network and should not, therefore, just be considered as ‘in fill’

Councillor Collins explained that a previous application for up to 72 dwellings was acceptable to local Horsforth councillors at the time it was submitted. It complied with the guidelines of the NPPF with regards to development within the Greenbelt. The footprint, mass and height of the properties being proposed did not exceed that of the college buildings that were already present in the middle of the site, and that would be demolished and replaced with the 72 new dwellings. Members were informed that there were no objection with this old planning proposal progressing providing it was still no greater than the footprint, mass and height of the old college buildings.

Ward Members are of the view that the decision to bring this application forward to panel appeared to be rushed and ill considered. There remained outstanding issues which require further clarification.

Referring to pages 7 & 8 of the submitted report Councillor Taylor said this was over development of a Greenfield site, the local road network could not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 22^nd October 2020 at 1.30pm (Remote Meeting)

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 22October 2020 at 1.30pm (Remote Meeting)