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 on the agenda.

There were no late items.

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

No declarations were made.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors D Cohen and D Blackburn.

Councillors R Stephenson and P Stables were in attendance as substitutes.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2024

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer for applications for the change of use and conversion of the existing Roundhouse to provide indoor and outdoor leisure facilities for temporary use inclusive of enclosed Padel courts, changing/welfare facilities and external parking.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the change of use and conversion of the exiting Roundhouse building to provide indoor and outdoor leisure facilities for temporary use inclusive of Padel courts, changing/welfare facilities and external parking.

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 Panel was informed that the following test should have been included in the recommendation outlined in the report:

In the circumstances where the Section 106 has not been completed within 3 months of the Panel resolution to grant planning permission, the final determination of the applications shall be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer.

Issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  The proposals were for the installation of indoor and outdoor Padel courts.  Padel was the fastest growing sport in the world and is popular in city centre locations.

·  The site was allocated for housing in the Development Plan and was required to be determined by Panel as a departure from the Plan.

·  The Roundhouse building was Grade II listed and was last used as a vehicle hire business. 

·  It was proposed for 5 outdoor courts on what was currently tarmac and hard standing.

·  Details of access and car parking.

·  Land to the front of the site would be used for cycle and pedestrian improvements including the footbridge.

·  There would be five courts inside the building with changing areas, a café and a reception in the centre.  There would not be any harmful building alterations.

·  It was proposed that the Padel courts would be a temporary use for 10 years.  The landowner was not currently offering the land for housing development.

·  Benefits of the proposal included the safeguarding of a heritage building and provision of a leisure facility in a high density residential area.

·  Floor plans showing the court layout and inside layout were displayed.

·  There would be a one way vehicle system through the site.  There would be 28 car parking spaces with 4 disabled spaces.  There would also be cycle parking.

·  There would be areas of landscaping.

·  The large vehicle entrance doors to the Roundhouse would be removed and the original appearance to be reinstated.

·  The lighting columns to the outdoor courts would be 6 metres in height.

In response to questions to officers and the applicant’s representative, the following was discussed:

·  There was no concern regarding the site not being used for housing.  A higher number of units had been achieved in the city centre than what was suggested in the site allocation plan.  There was a health supply of forthcoming housing with the majority under construction or having planning permission.

·  Environmental Health had been consulted regarding noise disturbance from the site.  It was recognised that there was noise disturbance from traffic due to the proximity of the A58.  With regards to potential noise disturbance from the Padel courts, this was difficult to quantify as there was no  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the construction of an office building with associated facilities, parking and landscaping.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the construction of an office building with associated facilities, parking and landscaping at a site to the north of Whitehall Road (land at the former Doncaster Monk Bridge Works) 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.

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

·  The proposals were presented to Panel as apre-application in August 2023.

·  Initial outline consent was granted in October 2007.

·  The proposals had the full support of a Local Ward Councillor.

·  The proposals were for a 12 storey office building with a ground floor café and co-working spaces.  There would be landscaping improvements and the provision of 10 car parking spaces which would all have electric charging and 138 cycle storage spaces.

·  There would be a roof terrace with soft landscaping and a living wall.

·  Details of the elevation treatments and materials to be used were displayed.

·  There would be a landscaped buffer around the development which would include tree planting.

·  There would be vehicular access to the site from Whitehall Road.

·  Reference to the heritage of the site and how this would be included within the landscaping of the site.  There would also be reference within the internal fabric of the building.

·  Possibility for future connection to the Leeds District Heating Network.

·  CGI images of how the development would appear were displayed.

·  Wind mitigation proposals.

·  The application was recommended to be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for approval.

In response to questions to officers and the applicant’s representative, the following was discussed:

·  Concerns regarding security of the footpath towards the railway bridge running behind the screened off parts of the colonnade. It was reported that this path would be in addition to the pedestrian route to the front.  The screens would be porous and there would lighting.

·  The screens on the colonnades were for wind mitigation and the area would be covered with CCTV and have lighting.  There would be elements of natural surveillance to the area.  There would also be 24 hour security at the building.

·  There would be a maintenance plan for the landscaped areas and green walls.  Rainwater would be used to feed the green walls.  There would be monitoring of the maintenance agreement.  The maintenance agreement would also cover the replacement of landscaping that had reached the end of its lifespan.

·  There would be a bi-directional cycle path along Whitehall Road along with a footway.

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

·  The scheme was generally favourable but there were still concerns regarding the safety of the screened off area of footpath.

·  The cycle path was part of the Active Travel Fund project and did not form part of this application.

·  West Yorkshire Police had been consulted regarding the application and there was a condition relating to security.

·  It was proposed that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for proposed demolition works and erection of 10 storey building to create co-living residential development.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for proposed demolition works and the erection of a 10 storey building to create a co-living residential development at Holdforth Court, Brussels Street, Leeds, LS9 8AT.

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:

·  Photographs of views to and from the site were displayed.

·  It was proposed to have as much active frontage as possible to the building onto Brick Street and Brussel Street.

·  The existing trees at the junction of Brick Street and Brussels Street would be retained and there would be opportunity for more tree cover around the site.

·  Ground floor plans would include a gym, cycle storage and communal spaces.

·  Pedestrian routes were displayed.

·  Communal living schemes attracted contract workers on short term leases.

·  Floor plans showing studio apartments were displayed.  This would meet or exceed minimum space standards.  There would be communal kitchen facilities on each floor and the studios would have basic cooking facilities.

·  The top two floors would be in a recessed glass element and although they would meet space standard some of the space would not be usable.

·  The location of the site in relation to Leeds Minster, Quarry House and the area designated for tall buildings.

·  There was a further bat survey to be undertaken at the site and this could not be done until May 2025.

Representatives of Leeds Civic Trust addressed the Panel with concerns and objections to the application.  These included the following:

·  The site was in a pivotal location and any development would set a precedent for the area and needed a building that was well designed and would not act as a barrier to other areas.

·  The area needed more green space.

·  The building needed a full active and engaging frontage.

·  The ground floor would not contribute to the street life and place making.

·  Landscaping was insufficient.

·  The architectural form was not inspiring.

·  There would be an impact on the conservation area.

·  This a key gateway site to the city and needs an exemplar building.

·  In response to questions, the following was discussed:

o  The site was a key view from the Minster.  More activity needed introducing around the ground floor level.

o  Balconies could give the building more texture and variety.

o  There was no direct access to greenspace or outdoor space for residents.

o  There was no opposition to a new building on this site but not of this design.

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel.  The following was discussed:

·  There would be no impact on heritage assets in the area.

·  The design of the building did enable engagement with Brick Street and Brussels Street.

·  Not all aspects could be engaging at street level with the need for facilities such as bin and cycle storage.

·  In response to questions, discussion included the following:

o  There had been close  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

Thursday, 14 March 2024 at 1.30 p.m.

Thursday, 14 March 2024 at 1.30 p.m.