Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the remote meeting of the North and East Plans Panel.

The Chair explained that internet connectivity may be an issue for some participants and suggested it may be appropriate to appoint a Deputy Chair who could assume the Chair should the Chair lose connectivity. The Chair proposed that Councillor David Jenkins be nominated as the Deputy Chair, the proposal was seconded, upon been put to the vote the motion was passed.

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 refusal of inspection of documents.

There were no exempt items.

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 interests.

However, Cllr Midgley informed the Panel that she would not be taking part in Agenda Item 7 - 19/05296/FU – Residential Development of 104 dwellings including provision of on-site open space and associated works at land off Pit Lane, Micklefield, Leeds. As a Ward Councillor for the area she and the other ward Members had submitted an objection following revisions to the application. Therefore, Cllr Midgley did not think it appropriate for her to take part in the item as she would not be approaching it with an open mind.

There were no apologies for absence.

However, it was noted that Cllr Sharpe had indicated that she would need to leave the meeting at 3pm, and Cllr Nash was hoping to join the meeting as soon as technical issues had been resolved.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th October 2020 and approve as a correct record.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th October be approved as a correct record.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer requests consideration of an application on a residential development of 104 dwellings including provision of on-site open space and associated works at land off Pit Lane, Micklefield, Leeds LS25

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out an application for a development of 104 dwellings including provision of on-site open space and associated works at land off Pit Lane, Micklefield, Leeds.

The application had been brought to Plans Panel at the request of all three Kippax and Methley Ward Members who considered that the proposal for 104 dwellings was a departure from current planning policy.

Members were advised of the following points:

·  The proposal related to 104 dwellings, which consisted of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties arranged in a mix of bungalows, townhouses, semi-detached houses and detached houses. The properties would be of traditional build some with chimneys;

·  All the properties would have front and rear garden space, and at least 2 off-street parking spaces;

·  The site would be accessed by the existing vehicular access off Pit Lane, with additional cycling and pedestrian links also located along Pit Lane;

·  The proposal includes an area of public open space to be laid out as a formal landscaped area with new trees planted on this area and throughout the site. This area would also include the attenuation tank and pumping station;

·  The site had been allocated for housing within the Council’s Site Allocation Plan with an estimated capacity of 79 units. The part of the site had previously been used for allotments, with the remaining area used as pasture land;

·  Running parallel to the site is a public right of way along the embankment to the south linking The Crescent to Pit Lane, there is also another public right of way which runs through the site from The Crescent to Pit Lane. A stepped access to the site would be provide between units 57 and 58;

·  The scheme has been subject to a number of revisions, including the reductions in the number of dwellings from 119 to 104 dwellings with all house types now space standard compliant and garden space now complying with policy;

·  All three local ward members had written objecting to the proposals, their comments were set out at paragraph 18 of the report. 41 letters of representation had been received, consisting of 1 letter in support and 40 letters of objection. The reasons for the objections set out at paragraph 20 of the submitted report. Micklefield Parish Council had also raised objections which were set out at paragraph 21;

·  The junction near to Pit Lane would be changed to allow better visibility;

·  Units 56 and 57 were proposed as bungalows;

·  The site proposes 23 allotments plots as part of the conditions the plots would be laid out with footpaths and fencing. This land would be gifted to the local Allotment Association;

·  It was proposed that materials would be a mix of stone and brick properties and a condition would deal with the appropriate materials after discussions with ward and parish councillors.

The Panel was advised that Cllr Lewis had commented on the proposals and on behalf of the local ward members had raised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presents an application for the change of use of former piggeries/stables to three dwellings at Hollinthorpe Low Farm, Swillington Lane, Swillington.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the change of use of a former piggeries/ stables to three dwellings at Hollinthorpe Low Farm, Swillington Lane, Swillington.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  An additional representation had been received from the occupiers of Farm Cottage. The property is now known as Brookholme and has been since the 1960’s. It was noted that the conifer hedge belongs to Brookholme and not the applicant. It also advised that the track access did not belong to the applicant but to the Verity family at Hollinthorpe Farm. It was also noted that the appropriate notice had been served in relation to the access track;

·  In 2017, planning permission had been granted to convert this range of piggeries/stables to form 3 dwellings but the permission had not been implemented. This application seeks to re-establish a permission for a similar scheme involving the use of the same buildings and land;

·  This site lies within the Green Belt, there were no significant change in the relevant planning policy position since the determination of the previous permission;

·  Localised flooding issues had been experienced within the section of carriageway on Swillington Lane in the vicinity of the access which had created knock-on flooding problems with immediate neighbours;

·  The physical alteration to the existing buildings would be minimal with no extensions or requirements to raise roof heights. The proposed dwellings would provide single level living accommodation with 3 bedrooms. Each dwelling would exceed the minimum space standards;

·  The proposal would utilise the existing access off Swillington Lane which leads to the Hollinthorpe Farm. The access extends along an existing footpath and the proposal includes the provision of two passing places;

·  The proposal includes laying out of driveway and car parking areas using permeable surfacing materials and the provision of amenity space for each dwelling;

·  The proposal would not alter the current surface water drainage, which drains into a ditch to the north of the site and into a network of fields. The proposal also includes an upgrade to an existing bio disc treatment plant to cater for the increased demand in foul water drainage;

·  Letters of representation had been received from 2 households, with their objections set out at paragraph 17 of the submitted report.

Photographs and slides were shown throughout the presentation.

Cllr Dobson the Local Ward Member and Mr Bartle, representing the Verity family attended the meeting to raise their concerns in relation to this application and informed the Panel of the following points:

·  This area of Swillington Lane is known to flood. Cllr Dobson said that he had experience of residents having dealt with the aftermath of flooding. Drainage and foul water goes into a dyke which is a small dyke at the side of the road. It already serves houses along Swillington Lane and he was of the view that it was not fit for purpose. He had worked with officers to try and address the issues faced at this location. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer requests consideration for an application for proposed extension and alteration of Leeds Golf Centre including an annexe building (extension to clubhouse) and 37 holiday lodges; change of use of agricultural land to golf course at Leeds Golf Centre, Wike Ridge Lane, Wike.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out a position statement on the proposed extension and alteration of Leeds Golf Centre including an annexe building (extension to clubhouse) and 37 holiday lodges; change of use of agricultural land to golf course at Leeds Golf Centre, Wike Ridge Lane, Wike.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  Cllr Stephenson had confirmed the Ward Members position as outlined in the submitted report;

·  Since the publication of the report public consultation input had been received from the Public Rights of Way Team whose objection to the application still stands. One of the main concerns was in relation to the bridleway and the impact on the bridleway surface. It was noted that vehicle trips would be low and School Lane which is narrow would up graded;

·  3 additional representation had been received all were in objection to the scheme, 2 were from Wike residents and 1 was from the Ramblers Association. The Ramblers Association letter supported the concerns outlined by the Public Rights of Way Team. Public response to the application was set out at paragraphs 19 to 25 of the submitted report with the 2 additional letters from Wike residents reiterating the comments already received; 

·  This application was presented to the Plans Panel as it is a significant application within the Green Belt. The applicant had made a case for ‘very special circumstances’ in an attempt to justify the development in the Green Belt, this matter had been addressed at paragraphs 62 to 64 of the report;

·  The proposal would include;

o  A 37 unit ‘Eco-lodge’ development with car parking and landscaping;

o  Redevelopment and extension of clubhouse including a driving range;

o  Relocation of the 9 hole foot golf course and 9 hole Par 3 Academy course;

o  Re-alignment of the driving range; and

o  An adventure golf course;

·  The Eco-lodge would be a mix of two and four bed lodges;

·  This is a hybrid application as it seeks to obtain full planning permission for clubhouse extension and holiday lodges and outline permission for the remaining elements including the foot golf course, adventure golf, academy course and realigned driving range.

Photographs and slides were shown throughout the presentation.

In attendance at the meeting were:

Andrew Windress – Planning Agent

Hanif Malek  - Park Lane Foundation

Gerald Jennings – Park Lane Foundation

They addressed the Panel advising the Members of the following points:

·  The Golf Club was purchased by Park Lane Foundation in 2011 and in 2018 won Golf Club of the year;

·  The Club relies on surplus revenue from the wider group to sustain it. It was noted that the pandemic had put a strain on the finances and to continue needed to become independent and financially viable;

·  The Golf Club works with schools and young people of different and diverse backgrounds;

·  As well as the economic benefits that the development would bring they also believed that the work would fit with the Leeds City Council Strategies of Child Friendly City,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

The next meeting of North and East Plans Panel will be on Thursday 3^rd December 2020, at 1:30pm.

The next meeting of North and East Plans Panel will be on Thursday 3^rd December 2020, at 1:30pm.

The meeting concluded at 19:10