Agenda and minutes

A Members site visit was held in connection with the following applications:

PREAPP/19/00123 – Pre-application proposal for reserved matters proposal for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for office buildings at No.11 &12 Wellington Place with ground floor retail and café/restaurant units, and 18/07929/OT associated amendments to previously agreed outline application for phase 2, Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP and Application No. 19/02841/FU – Demolition of the Leeds City College Technology Campus and erection of a multi-level student accommodation building and 1,375 sqm of flexible commercial space (A1,A2, A3, A4, A5 and D2) at the site Leeds College of Technology, Woodhouse Lane, Cookridge Street and Vernon Street, Leeds, LS2 8BL and was attended by the following Councillors: D Blackburn, P Carlill, G Latty, E Nash, P Wadsworth, J McKenna, C Gruen and N Walshaw

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

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 C Campbell.

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29^th August 2019.

(Copy attached)

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 29^th August 2019 were submitted for comment/ approval.

The Chair reported that a number of Members had received an email from Mr P Catton, a representative of Better Wetherby who had suggested there were a number of inaccuracies within Minute No.41 (Application No.17/02594/OT – Land off Racecourse Approach, Wetherby).

It was suggested the phrase “beyond its initial phase” used on two occasions within the body of the minute, was not correct, such wording had not been used during the discussion of this item.

Members were agreeable for those particular words to be deleted.

It was further suggested by Mr Catton that the following wording in Resolution No.1 “mechanism by which the vehicular access can be delivered by the applicant and how this is controlled be through the Section 106 Agreement or by condition (whichever is most appropriate) should be deleted in order to simplify the resolution.

In responding the City Centre Team Leader said it was the view of Members that access onto York Road was a fundamental issue and the wording, as drafted was considered necessary to achieve the required action and make clear that this should be through either a Section 106 legal agreement or a planning condition. Such wording did not appear elsewhere in the report.

Members were supportive of the comments of the City Centre Team Leader and took the view that further amendments to the minute was not required.

Mr Catton had also requested that a condition be added to require provision of a carbon neutral development as referred to by the Chair at the meeting.

In responding the City Centre Team Leader stated that the Council’s planning policies did not require a “carbon neutral development” and therefore the suggested planning condition should not be added as it would go beyond the scope of adopted policy. However the planning conditions would require the developer to meet the Council’s planning policies for carbon reduction and use of low carbon and renewable energy sources. In addition the Chair’s request for consideration of zero carbon proposals were referenced in the minutes and would help to inform future discussions on detail design development.

Members accepted the position put by the City Centre Team Leader.

With reference to Minute No. 43 (PREAPP/19/00161 – 14 storey hotel at land between the Eastgate Roundabout, Dyer Street and the A61 to the east of Victoria Gate multi storey car park, Leeds 2) Members sought an amendment to the Members feedback section, second bullet point, to read as follows: “Members were supportive of the emerging design of the building generally”

RESOLVED – That, with the inclusion of the above amendments, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 29^th August 2019 be agreed as a true and correct record.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

There were no issues raised under Matters Arising.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which seeks the demolition of existing building and erection of student residential accommodation development with flexible commercial space (use classes A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 or D2), site of Leeds College of Technology, Woodhouse Lane, Cookridge Street, and Vernon Street, Leeds LS2 8BL

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of an application which sought the demolition of an existing building and erection of student residential accommodation development with flexible commercial space (use classes A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 or D2) site of Leeds College of Technology, Woodhouse Lane, Cookridge Street and Vernon Street, Leeds, LS2 8BL.

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 site is within a sensitive heritage setting, directly abutting the northern edge of the City Centre Conservation Area, the Queen Square Conservation Area is situated across Woodhouse Lane to the north east with a number of listed buildings close to the site

·  The proposal is to demolish existing building and to construct a multi-level building in its place

·  20 storeys in height with part 6,7,8 and 9 storey linked elements located to the west

·  The building would contain 465 bed spaces (385 bedrooms in 4,5,6,7 and 8 bedroom clusters and 80 studios.

·  Cluster bedrooms would range in size from 13.25m2 to 18m2 with supporting cluster amenity spaces ranging from 23m2 for the four-bedroom clusters to 40m2 in the largest clusters. The studios would range in size from 21-27m2, with an average size of 23.5m2. A total of 442m2 of dedicated amenity space (in addition to the cluster kitchen amenity spaces) would be provided for the students at lower and upper ground levels of the building.

·  Areas for secure cycle storage, bin storage and plant would also be provided at lower and upper ground levels.

·  The new scheme would provide level access and permeability within the street scene

·  New courtyard spaces would be provided

·  New widened footpaths would be provided around the site

·  Removal of the existing car parking spaces was currently being sought

·  A loading bay would be formed on Cookridge Street to enable servicing of the building

·  Photovoltaic to be located on the roof space

·  Materials – reconstituted cast stone cladding with glazed curtain walling

·  Street trees to be planted along Woodhouse Lane and Cookridge Street.

·  Glazing to linked elements

·  Proposals for public art

Members raised the following questions to officers:

·  Members queried why the average room size appeared to have been reduce from 25m² to 23m²  following the pre application presentation

·  Where was the loading area/ lay by located

·  Members questioned if the proposed environmental treatment for the area, with only a small number of trees was sufficient. Had any consideration been given to the provision of hedges, living/ greenwalls

·  Commenting on the use of carbon capture trees, Councillor Nash suggested that not all trees were tolerant to pollution, they also shed leaves in the winter period and trees in planters often struggled to become established. Councillor Nash requested if she could be provided with a list of the tree species to be provided

·  Could clarification  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officers which sets out details of a Pre – Application Proposal for Reserved Matters for Appearance, Landscaping and scale for office buildings at Nos; 11&12 Wellington Place with ground floor retail and Café/ Restaurant Units (PREAPP/ 19/00123) and associated amendments to previously agreed outline application (18/07929/OT) for Phase 2, Wellington Place, Leeds, LS14AP

(Report attached)

With reference to the meeting of 27th June 2019 and the decision to approve in principle the outline scheme for Wellington Place Phase 2 (Application No. 18/07929/OT), the Chief Planning Officer now submitted a report which set out details of a pre-application proposal for Reserved Matters for appearance, landscaping and scale for office buildings at Nos: 11& 12 Wellington Place with ground floor retail and Café/ Restaurant units (PREAPP/19/00123) and associated amendments to the previously agreed outline, Phase 2 stage at  2 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting. 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:

·  Site / location/ context

·  These sites are located in the centre of Wellington Place, to the north of the Government Office Building at 7 & 8 Wellington Place (currently under construction) and fronting the main pedestrian east/west route which runs through the site from Northern Street in the north-east, to the listed viaduct and River Aire in the west.

·  The proposal is in keeping with the character of the existing completed buildings on Wellington Street varying in height from 4 to 9 storeys

·  The outline permission (18/07929/OT) considered by Panel in June 2019 is to be updated to reflect revised layout for plots 11 and 12:

-  The northern extent of the building lines of Buildings 11 & 12 to be moved further south by up to 10m at the western end in order to avoid an underground drainage feature, resulting in a reduction in the overall plot sizes.

-  Construction of a bridge from 4th to 9th floor, over the space between

  Buildings 11 & 12.

-  Relocation of the basement car park entrance from the space between

  Buildings 11 & 12, to the north-west corner of Building 12.

-  Relocation of the proposed hotel from Building 11 to Building 13 which fronts the river.

-  The overall maximum quantum of development (150,407 sqm) remains  unchanged, the heights of the buildings set out in the parameter plans is not proposed to be altered (10 storeys for Building 11 and 11 storeys for Building 12).

·  The concept of the design is industrial heritage, the building steps down to the level of the Listed lifting tower which is in close proximity to the development

·  Materials to complement the darker material of the Lifting Tower and viaduct, bronzed metal framing with silver linings. The base is a series of vertical columns which become colonnade around the primary corners

·  Active frontages with linkages throughout the site 

·  Basement car parking 85 spaces (maximum) other uses include cycle storage and a gym (optional)

·  Proposed greenery/ landscaping throughout the estate

·  The proposal would achieve BREEAM excellent status

·  Roof terraces overlooking Tower Square

Members raised the following questions:

·  It is proposed to relocate the car park entrance to the north-western corner of Building No.12. Would buses be able to gain access to this area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 10^th October 2019 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 10^th October 2019 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.