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 declarations.

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 wa no exempt information.

There were no late items.

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

There were no declarations.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 15 February 2024.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 February 2024 be confirmed as a correct record.

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 erection of 10 storey building to create a co-living residential development.

The application was deferred at the meeting held in February 2024 to allow for further consideration of the space and layout provided for the smaller apartments.

Members visited the site prior to the last 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:

·  There had been changes to the 4 units at the top two floors of the building which had been of concern due to the amount of floor space that was corridor space.  To achieve a new layout there had been changes to the glazed walling which moved it closer to the roof parapet.  This allowed for the corridor element to be located outside the units and for more internal space inside which would now exceed the minimum 37 square metre space standards.

·  Floor plans were displayed which also displayed storage space.  The apartments would have sufficient storage space in excess of minimum standards.  This was not a strict requirement for co-living but was considered to be positive.

·  Space standards did not differentiate between corridor space and other spaces in a unit.

·  There had not been any revision to the units on the lower floors where there had been some concern regarding size.  More detailed images of the proposed units were shown to show how space could be utilised.

·  Samples of materials to be used had been made available for Members’ inspection.

·  Since the publication of the agenda, a further letter of representation/objection had been received.  There was no objection to the use of the site for residential living but concern with regard to space standards and the characteristics of co-living arrangements.

·  The application was recommended for approval.

In response to questions and comments from the Panel, the following was discussed:

·  Revisions to the apartments on the top floor would move corridor space to the outside of the units but not affect distances for fire safety regulations.

·  The applicant was thanked for acting on the comments previously made by the Panel.

·  Could there be communal storage areas for larger items such as suitcases?

·  It was suggested that the comments in the letter of objection would be more appropriate for discussion at Development Plan Panel.

RESOLVED – That the application be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for approval subject to the conditions set out in Appendix A and Section 106 agreement to secure the following:

·  Affordable housing off site commuted sum (£742,633 tbc and subject to verification by the District Valuer).

·  Offsite highways contribution (£29,400).

·  CAVAT compensation amount for loss of trees.

·  Mechanism to contribute £20,000 to Traffic Regulation Orders as required.

·  Biodiversity Net Gain matters to be agreed.

·  Bat survey to be undertaken, outcome assessed and conditions agreed if required.

·  Provision of car club space.

In the circumstances where the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an outline planning application for the demolition of the existing substation and commercial buildings, creation of a mixed-use, multi-level development comprising residential (build to rent) commercial (offices and leisure), hotel and a travel hub.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an outline application for the demolition of the existing substation and commercial buildings, creation of a mixed-use, multi-level development comprising residential (Build to Rent), commercial (offices and leisure), hotel and a travel hub on land largely bounded by Sweet Street, Meadow Road, Jack Lane and Bowling Green Terrace, Leeds, LS11 9BX.

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:

·  All matters were reserved except for access into and around the site.

·  Trees to the east of the site formed part of the Holbeck Green Corridor Scheme and had Tree Protection Orders.

·  The site was on the edge of the Tall Buildings SPD and had been identified for mixed use development.

·  There were aspirations for a green route through the site.

·  There had been previous outline approvals for the site in 2006 and 2010 though these were not as extensive.  Both applications had permissions for buildings of up to 40 storeys.

·  A pre-application had been presented to Panel in February 2022.  Discussion had focussed on the spaces within the site being too fragmented and a desire to bring them together.  It was now proposed to have a large open square in the centre of the site which would have connections to surrounding streets.

·  There were some constraints to development included a number of protected trees high pressure gas pipelines.  There was also a water easement to the west of the site.

·  The open space would be of a significant size and would provide a space that was larger than Park Square.

·  Diagrams were shown that demonstrated the parameters for building and areas of public realm and also the size of buildings.

·  There would be segregated cycle lanes and footpaths around the site.

·  Vehicular access points.

·  Maximum development space for the different types of uses.

·  Masterplan Design Principles – this included proposals for building sizes, appearance and public realm.

·  There would be areas for play in the public realm including areas of formal play.

·  There was flexibility in the design and usage of the buildings.

·  Illustrative sketches and CGI images of how the site may appear when developed were displayed.

·  The application was recommended for approval subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

In response to questions and comments from the Panel, the following was discussed:

·  There had been a thorough assessment of wind modelling on the development.  There were existing issues with wind to the north of Sweet Street and the proposals would improve this situation but there may also be the need for some wind mitigation measures.  Further development to the west in the future could also improve the position with regards to wind.  There would be further details available at the reserved matters stage.

·  There would be a variety of outdoor spaces across the site that could be used for different purposes.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding demolition of the existing building and the erection of new

buildings to accommodate retail and community uses at ground floor and purpose built student accommodation at upper floors together with associated access, accessible parking, cycle parking, landscaping, drainage and reinstatement works to boundary of adjoining multi-storey car park.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the demolition of the existing building and the erection of new buildings to accommodate retail and community uses at ground floor and purpose built student accommodation at upper floors together with associated access, accessible parking, cycle parking, landscaping, drainage and reinstatement works to boundary of adjoining multi-storey car park.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion.

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

·  There had been an in-depth pre-application process with a presentation at Panel in May 2023.  There had also been pre-application discussions with Leeds Civic Trust, Historic England and a wider public consultation.

·  The site was in the heart of the city centre in the primary shopping quarter and also in the conservation area in the vicinity of a number of listed buildings.

·  The Core Shopping Centre was constructed in the 1980s and has been impacted by changing retail habits and there were currently high levels of vacant units.

·  The proposal was to replace The Core with three separate buildings which would be separated by two new pedestrian streets.

·  There would be the following three buildings.  Building A would be 9 storeys, Building B, 8 storeys and Building, C 7 storeys.  The buildings would be linked at first floor level via a footbridge crossing.

·  Elevation drawings and CGI images of the proposed buildings were shown which displayed further detail and the types of materials proposed.

·  Buildings A and B would have roof terraces which would include planting, seating and communal areas.  Building C would have a green courtyard space at ground floor level.

·  There would be landscaping on Victoria Arcade between Buildings A and B.

·  There would be a net loss in retail space but a net gain active shopping frontages.

·  There would be a potential community/3^rd sector use at ground floor level.

·  The accommodation would be a mix of studios and cluster flats.

·  Due to high floor to ceiling heights it had not been viable to convert the existing building.  The proposals could be adapted to other uses in future should there be a change in demand.

·  There had been an objection from Yorkshire Water due to proposed trees on Lands Lane that could impact on water mains.  This was due to be withdrawn.

·  An objection due to the loss of the changing places toilet facility within The Core Shopping Centre.  The applicant had offered this for re-location elsewhere.

·  An objection from the landlord of the adjoining buildings on Lands Lane regarding potential disruption during construction. 

·  There were outstanding highways matters and these would be resolved before determining the application.

·  It was recommended that the application be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for approval subject to resolving the highways matters and a Section 06 agreement.

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

·  The use and colour of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

Thursday, 11 April 2024 at 1.30 p.m.

Thursday, 11 April 2024 at 1.30 p.m.