Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and wished them a Happy New Year, as this was the first meeting of North and East Plans Panel of 2023.

He said how good it was to see Cllr Lamb back at Panel after his illness and wished him well on his recovery.

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’.

Declarations of interest were received from:

·  Cllr Sharpe in relation to Agenda Item 8 - 22/05836/FU - Part retrospective application for part two storey side and rear extension; part first floor rear extension; dormer windows to rear at 43-45 St Wilfrids Circus, Harehills, Leeds, LS8 3PF. It was noted that Cllr Sharpe was a caseworker for Richard Burgon MP who had written in support of the families from 43 and 45 St Wilfrids Circus. However, Cllr Sharpe informed the Panel that she had not been part of the work on this matter and was attending the meeting for the consideration of this item with an open mind.

·  Cllr Lamb in relation to Agenda Item 7 - 21/08506/RM Reserved Matters Application for 762 dwellings relating to scale, layout, appearance and landscaping pursuant to Outline Application (17/02594/OT) at Land off Racecourse Approach, Wetherby, LS22. It was noted that Cllr Lamb was a director and steering group member of the Better Wetherby Partnership. However, he had taken no part in the discussions or deliberations on this matter and was attending the meeting for consideration of this item with an open mind.

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th November 2022, to approve as a correct record.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th November 2022, be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on a Reserved Matters Application for 762 dwellings relating to scale, layout, appearance and landscaping pursuant to Outline Application (17/02594/OT) at Land off Racecourse Approach, Wetherby, LS22.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer requested Member’s consideration on a Reserved Matters Application for 762 dwellings relating to scale, layout, appearance and landscaping pursuant to Outline Application (17/02594/OT) at Land off Racecourse Approach, Wetherby, LS22.

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

Members were provided with the following information:

·  This Reserved Matters application related to a scheme for 762 dwellings at land off Racecourse Approach, Wetherby. This site was allocated for housing with the Site Allocation Plan (SAP) and was given outline approval by City Plans Panel at its meeting in August 2021. It was noted that two small parcels of land to the west and south-west of the site were not part of this application and would be presented by different landowners at a later date.

·  The application had been subject to a Position Statement on 10^th March 2022. At this meeting both Members and officers had raised concerns with the proposals these were listed at Paragraph 11 of the submitted report. Since then, officers had been working with the applicant and their representatives to address the issues.

·  Discussions had also taken place with local community groups, including the Better Wetherby Partnership, Wetherby Civic Society, Town Council and local ward members all of which were now supportive of the amendments.

·  The amendments included:

o   Large areas of green space created along Racecourse Approach and between some of the built form areas to enhance them.

o   Amendments had been made to an area formerly known as Innovation.

o  Levels of frontage parking have been reduced.

o  Affordable housing plots, now spread throughout the site and the number of houses and apartments in line with current policy.

o  10 N43 compliant bungalows now also proposed

·  The development is aligned with the A1 motorway, and it was noted that existing dwellings have a 20 metre buffer it is proposed that the new development would have a 60 metre buffer made up of planted embankment, the existing bridleway and a 5 metre high bund. Members were advised that this had been dealt with at the outline application.

·  The layout proposes primary and secondary routes through the development with the primary routes carrying buses for the development linking to other developments. Members were advised that these routes would be tree lined as per guidance outlined in the NPPF. The application also proposes a cycle lane which will run past the proposed primary school and retail unit. The proposal will also provide a puffin crossing across York Road.

·  The development will have four character areas:

o  The Carrs – built of red brick with grey tiled roof with render to key areas. It was noted that these were bespoke to this development with larger windows.

o  The Avenue – Traditional in style with an artificial stone finish with chimneys to add character and interest to the roofscape.

o  Cockhott – Traditional style of stone with large windows and contemporary roof form.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

To receive the report of the Chief Planning Officer for part retrospective application for part two storey side and rear extension; part first floor rear extension; dormer windows to rear at 43-45 St Wilfrids Circus, Harehills, Leeds, LS8 3PF.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer requested Member’s consideration on an application for part retrospective application for part two storey side and rear

extension; part first floor rear extension; dormer windows to rear at 43-45 St Wilfrids Circus, Harehills, Leeds, LS8 3PF. 

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

The Planning Officer provided the following information:

·  This application had been submitted in part to rectify works retrospectively which had been undertaken without planning permission, in addition to further proposed extension work. The retrospective works included two rear dormer windows, hip to gable extension on either side and a two storey wrap around extension to number 45. It was proposed to rectify works by reducing the two rear dormer windows, altering roof of the existing two storey rear extension and construction of a first floor side extension above the existing side extension.

·  Ward Members supported the application and had requested that the retrospective application for part two storey side and rear extension, part first floor rear extension, dormer windows to rear at 43 and 45 St Wilfrids Circus be considered by the Plans Panel.

·  It was noted that this pair of semi-detached houses were located in a residential area, of properties of a similar type. Members were advised that the internal layout of the dwellings were entirely separate.

·  Plans of the existing extension were shown. It was noted that the house holder design guide says that roof forms should match the existing dwelling. Proposed plans were also shown to the Panel and showed a slight reduction to the dormer windows but still remain a dominant feature of each roof and retain the three storey influence. The roof of the two storey rear extension protrudes into the face of the dormer windows and this type of development would not normally be support by planning given the poor design. The Panel were advised that the floor plans showed that the proposed application would provide two more bedrooms to each property. The main concerns with the proposal were the scale of the dormer windows, the impact of the integration of the two storey rear extension with the dormer windows and the impact on the character of the surrounding area.

·  It was acknowledged that had the application come to Planning, officers would have had concerns about the scale of the dormer windows. Officers suggested that the dormer windows should be removed, or the scale be significantly reduced.

Mr Khan a family friend and Cllr Arif were present at the meeting to support the applicant and informed the Panel of the following points:

·  The applicants are two separate families who get on well and decided to have the work done at the same. They have 4 children each so need 5 bedrooms.

·  An architect had drawn up the plans for the extensions and the dormer windows. The work had been undertaken during the pandemic and the families had been misled. When it was realised that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

The next meeting of North and East Plans Panel is scheduled for Thursday 9^th February 2023 at 1:30pm in Civic Hall.

To note the next meeting of North and East Plans Panel on Thursday 9^th February 2023 at 1.30pm in Civic Hall.

The meeting concluded at 15:40