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.

There were no late items of business identified.

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 A Garthwaite.

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22^nd October 2020.

(Copy attached)

The minutes of the previous meetings held on 22^nd October 2020 were submitted for comment/ approval.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meetings held on 22^nd October 2020 be accepted as a true and correct record.

To consider any Matters arising from the minutes.

Although there were no matters arising from the minutes, Members wished to acknowledge the contribution of the following officers within Planning Services who had recently retired from the Council:

Mark Burgess, Tony Clegg, Robin Coghlan, Helen Farrar, Paul Kendal, Lois Pickering and Stephen Robson.

Members joined the Chair in expressing their thanks and appreciation to all concerned, wishing them every happiness for the future.

RESOLVED – That the Chair, on behalf of the Panel be requested to write to all concerned to express the thanks and appreciation of Members for their contribution to the service. 

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which seeks the demolition of existing buildings and construction of student accommodation with ground floor management, common facilities, and artist’s studios, including flexible use rights Under Part 3, Class V for retail and commercial uses B1, A2, A3, A4, A5, D1 and D2, open space, public realm improvements, associated landscaping, infrastructure, access and parking at Caroline House, Diamond House, Sheepscar Street South, Sheepscar, Leeds LS7 1AD.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of an application which sought the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of student accommodation with ground floor management, common facilities, an artist’s studio, including flexible use rights Under Part 3, Class V for retail and commercial uses B1, A2, A3, A4, A5, D1 and D2, open space, public realm improvements, associated landscaping, infrastructure, access and parking at Caroline House, Diamond House, Sheepscar Street South, Sheepscar, Leeds LS7 1AD.

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

The City Centre Team Leader addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site / location / context

·  Near-by premises include: residential use, industrial use and Military Barracks. Sheepscar Beck is also in close proximity

·  The proposal seeks the demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a part 6 and part 7 storey student residential accommodation containing 105 student flats proving 411 bedspaces with communal areas

·  Accommodation to include 53 studio flats and 52 cluster flats consisting:1 four bedroom cluster flat, 18 six bed cluster flats,18 seven bed cluster flats and 15 eight bed cluster flats

·  Formation of 2 courtyards to the north, with Sheepscar Beck running along part of the site boundary

·  Main entrance located on Whitelock Street together with a commercial unit at ground level (East Street Arts is proposed to occupy the commercial unit)

·  Facilities to include: 196sqm internal communal space at ground floor level, quiet study areas, multimedia areas, dining, common room and laundry provision. Cinema and gym located on level six for all residents and external roof terrace. In total there would be a total 318sqm communal area for all residents outside their studio flat or cluster flat space.

·  Materials – Red brick, detailed window reveals

·  Provision of a green roof and biodiversity area

·  Inclusion of air source heat pumps, photovoltaic cells and possible connection to district heating network

·  Limited car parking in courtyard areas, electric vehicle charging bays

·  Landscaping/ tree planting

·  Widened footways 3m wide

·  Off-site highway improvement works including parking bays and loading bay (Subject to the applicant entering a 278 Agreement with the local authority)

Members raised the following questions to officers/ applicants representatives:

·  Were there any bats roosting on site

·  Was there any cycle storage provision

·  Could more details be provided about the flexible ground floor commercial space

·  Would the applicant commit to a legal requirement to provide space for East Street Arts

·  Was there any provision for E bike charging points

·  The noise impact assessment as referred to at 7.5 of the submitted report, would the glazing and ventilation specifications adhere to the report recommendations and had ward Members been consulted

·  Sheepscar Beck runs along part of the site boundary, could this be made a feature or enhanced

·  The trees to the west of the main entrance; Gleditsia triacanthos could these trees be replaced with Weeping Willows

·  From this student accommodation location, how would students  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 7^th January 2021 at 1.30pm (Remote Meeting – Zoom)

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday,7^th January 2021 at 1.30pm (Remote Meeting)