Agenda and minutes

The Chair opened the meeting by paying tribute to ex-councillor Elizabeth Nash saying that she had sat on Plans Panels for as long as she could remember and had contributed to many significant things across the city in addition to the influence she has had on the planning process. She had been a really valuable member of all three plans panels during her time on Council and had sat on parallel panels for many years.

She is a lady who knows her mind but always delivered her views in the most professional, precise and calculated way to make a positive difference. She is well-known for her passion for trees and cultural heritage and is exemplary in her field.

The Chair ackowledged that her views were shared across all the parties and round the table with officers and councillors alike. She would be sadly missed, and the Chair was sorry that she had not been successful at the last elections. However, she is an interesting and industrious person, and the Chair was sure that she would continue to do interesting things including her current occupation in travel.

The Panel wished her all the best for the future and showed their gratitude for her service to the Council with a round of applause.

The Chair also welcomed Cllr Kayleigh Brooks who had been appointed to the Panel until the end of the municipal year.

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.

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

No declaration of interests were made at the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr R Stephenson. Cllr T Smith was present at the meeting as his substitute.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th April 2022, for approval as a correct record.

RESOLVED – To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7^th April 2022 as a correct record.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presents a hybrid application for full planning permission for extensions and annexe building to existing clubhouse including changes to the car park, the construction of 35 holiday lodges with associated landscaping and parking and outline planning for change of use of agricultural land to golf course, realignment of the existing driving range, creation of adventure golf area and alterations to existing golf course to create footgolf course.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented for Members consideration a hybrid application for full planning permission for extensions and annexe building to existing clubhouse including changes to the car park, the construction of 35 holiday lodges with associated landscaping and parking and outline planning for change of use of agricultural land to golf course, realignment of the existing driving range, creation of adventure golf area and alterations to existing golf course to create footgolf course.

Members had attended a site visit and were shown slides and photographs throughout the officer presentation.

The Planning Officer presented the application providing the following information:

• Since the publication of the agenda a petition signed by 503 people objecting to the application with individual comments had been received along with another 5 letters of objection. Members were advised that the issues were as had previously been raised and had already been covered in the report. An update however was therefore provided on the number of representations received (as quoted in the report). 91 letters in support, 97 letters in objection plus the 503 on the petition plus 3 letters with general comments.
• A position statement in relation to this application was brought to Panel on 5^th November 2020. Since this date numerous changes had been made to the scheme. The main changes included a reduction in the scale of the main clubhouse building and alterations to the design to give the building a more rural appearance whilst also enhancing its eco credentials. There had also been a reduction in the number of lodges from 37 to 35.
• This was a hybrid application seeking full planning permission for the clubhouse extension and holiday lodges and outline permission for the remaining elements including the footgolf course, adventure golf, academy course and realigned driving range.
• The 35-unit eco lodge development was proposed on the existing Par 3 and footgolf course to the south of the existing clubhouse and School Lane. The proposed units were 7 four bed units and 28 two bed units constructed of timber with stone detailing and incorporated green roofs.
• The Golf Club is located in land defined as Green Belt and Special Landscape Area, to the west of the site is Wike Village, a small hamlet with no services and limited community facilities. The site is near the Harrogate Road which is the main route to the Grammar School at Leeds. Access to the site would be via School Lane which is a narrow lane part-made and part-unmade with some passing points. It was noted that there are other golf courses situated in the local area of north Leeds including Alwoodley, Moor Allerton, Sandmoor, Headingley, Horsforth, Scarcroft, Brandon and Cookridge Hall.
• It was acknowledged that the two-storey clubhouse has had some side extensions and houses a club shop and changing rooms. The club currently has parking for 204 cars.
• The main 18-hole golf course would remain unchanged with the current Par 3 course becoming the footgolf course.
• It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 87.

The next meeting of the North and East Plans Panel will be on 30^th June 2022 at 1:30pm.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting of North and East Plans Panel will be on 30^th June 2022 at 1:30pm.

The meeting concluded at 16:25