Agenda and minutes

The site visits were attended by Councillors Ritchie, Grahame, Nash, Sharpe, Midgley, Smith and Collins.

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 was no exempt information.

There were no formal late items. However, supplementary information was provided (a plan showing the proposed extension) in relation to agenda item 8 – 19/04085/FU – Single storey side and rear extension at 14 Morrit Avenue, Halton, LS15 7EP. All Members received copies of the information prior to the start of the meeting.

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. However the following declarations of non-pecuniary interests were made:

Cllr. Midgley – explained that she was the ward Member for Methley and Kippax and prior to becoming a Councillor she had made a representation against the use of the land off Sandgate Terrace, Kippax. She said that she was coming to this meeting having read the report with an open mind and unbiased opinion, being prepared to make her decision on the application based on the information presented in the report and to Panel.

It was noted that all the Members round the table knew Cllr. Coupar, whose spouse was the applicant for Agenda Item 8 – 19/04085/FU – Single storey side and rear extension at 14 Morritt Avenue.

An apology had been received from Cllr. B Anderson. Cllr. Shemilt attended the meeting as his substitute.

To approve the minutes of the North and East Plans Panel meeting held on 22^nd August 2019.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the North and East Plans Panel held on 22^nd August 2019 be approved as a correct record.

Members were advised of the following updates:

Minute 31 – 18/06186/OT Outline Application for a detached dwelling to garden area – 9 Manor Park, Scarcroft, Leeds, LS14 3BW. The applicant has lodged an appeal which is to be dealt with by way of written submissions by the Planning Inspector at the Bristol Office.

Minute 32 –18/06794/FU & 18/06795/LI Community care residential development including extensions to and change of use of listed building at Scarcroft Lodge, Wetherby Road, Scarcroft. This has been referred to the Secretary of State as it represents inappropriate development in the Green Belt. A decision from the Secretary of State is awaited as to whether the application will be called –in for determination. The Planning Officer is still in discussion with Historic England in relation to the permanency of netting at the cricket ground to stop ball strike.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presents a change of use of vacant land to one gypsy/traveller pitch comprising one touring caravan, one mobile home, one day room and associated works including new hardstanding and vehicular access to land off Sandgate Terrace, Kippax, Leeds LS25 7BQ

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out reasons for refusal on an  application for change of use of vacant land to one Gypsy/Traveller pitch comprising of one touring caravan, one mobile home, one dayroom and associated works including new hardstanding and vehicular access on land off Sandgate Terrace, Kippax.

Members had attended a site visit earlier in the day. Photographs and slides were shown throughout the presentation.

The Panel noted that there were no speakers against the recommendation and as such in line with Plans Panel Speaking Protocol no speakers for the recommendation would be able to speak at the meeting. However, at the Chair’s discretion, Members would be able to ask questions if necessary of those who had attended to speak for the recommendation.

Members were advised of the following changes to the submitted report:

·  Amend to refer to Kippax and Methley ward as opposed to Harewood;

·  Correct reason for refusal 1 to CS Policy G6 (as amended by the Core Strategy Selective Review 2019)

·  Correct reason for refusal 2 to CS Policy T2 (as amended by the Core Strategy Selective Review 2019) 

·  A revised tracking diagram has been submitted on 25^th September 2019, and was with Highways Officers. The diagram seeks to address reason for refusal 2 by widening the access to allow sufficient turning space into the site without creating conflict with parked vehicles on the street.

Members were requested to give consideration to the officer’s recommendations to refuse permission. The reasons for refusal were set out at points 1 and 2 of the submitted report.

Members were advised of the following points:

·  The area is predominantly residential;

·  Close proximity to a primary school;

·  Kippax Neighbourhood Plan, designates this area of allotments and application site as local green space;

·  Sykes Field  and Carters Field allotments are well used and there is a waiting list for them;

·  The applicant has voluntarily submitted an ownership Certificate D for land between the road and the allotments, having undertaken the required notification requirements for the application being submitted. It was noted that, while nothing has been received, should another party say that they also own the land, this would become a civil matter.

·  Noted that there is a need for gypsy/ traveller sites in the area;

·  The applicant has not demonstrated any special circumstances that exist to account for the loss of green space that would a rise from the change of use;

·  The proposed dayroom would be a modest but permanent structure;

·  Highways had not had a chance to fully interrogate the newly submitted diagram in relation to widening of the access and as it stands currently the access would be unsuitable, and Sandgate Terrace is a narrow street.

·  Officers have considered the requirements under the Public Sector Equality Duty and all other material considerations have been taken into account.

Responding to questions and comments from the Panel, Members were informed of the following:

·  An explanation in relation to occupancy of the allotments was provided and it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer sets out an application for a single storey side and rear extension to 14 Morritt Avenue, Halton, Leeds, LS15 7EP.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out an application for a single storey side and rear extension at 14 Morritt Avenue, Halton, LS15 7EP.

The Panel were informed that the application had been brought to Plans Panel for consideration as the applicant was the spouse of an Elected Member of Leeds City Council.

Members had visited the site earlier in the day. Photographs and slides were shown throughout the presentation,

Members were informed of the following points:

·  The proposal would see the demolition of the conservatory to the rear and the erection of a single storey extension as set out at point 2.2 of the submitted report;

·  The current scheme had been the subject of negotiations and these were provided at point 5.1 of the submitted report;

·  The originally proposed side extension had been amended to provide a single bay window, replicating an existing feature in the same elevation;

·  No objections had been received;

·  Condition 4 to be amended to refer to erection and retention of boundary fence to prevent overlooking from the new bay window to the side. It was noted that the fence was to be retained for the lifetime of the development;

·  Additional conditions to include:

o  Details of boundary treatment to common boundary with No.16 to be submitted, approved and implemented; and

o  Details of scheme of protection of vegetation to be submitted and implemented.

Members were also advised of the following in relation to point 10.14 – Clarification for extent of ‘larger home extension’. The applicant could have applied for a larger home extension up to a depth of 6m. Given the depth of this extension and the lack of any objection, a form of extension could have been allowed as Permitted Development. In this case, it would require some amendment to the roof (i.e. likely a flat roof), or the whole extension as proposed being set down into the site so as not to breach the 4m height limit.

Members’ discussions included:

·  The need to protect the shrubs and the trees and their roots during construction;

·  That the inclusion of a solid wall would provide more privacy for the applicant and that of their neighbours.

Responding to questions and comments from Panel, Members were further informed of the following:

·  Alongside the usual advertising regarding the application, the Planning Officer had visited neighbours to the property who verbally expressed that they had no objection to the proposals. In addition, no written objections had been received;

·  The shrubs and trees surrounding were not such that were specifically protected or that officers would seek to protect per se, aside from during construction;

·  The importance of the surrounding shrubs and trees comes from ensuring they remain to provide adequate screening and retention of amenity for neighbouring properties.

RESOLVED -   To grant planning permission.

The next meeting of the North and East Plans Panel will be on 24^th October 2019 at 1:30pm.

The next meeting of the North and East Plans Panel will be on 24^th October 2019, at 1.30pm.