Agenda and minutes

The site visit was attended by Cllrs Akhtar, Anderson, Jones, McKenna and Millar.

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’.

Cllr Stephenson informed the Panel that on arrival at the Civic Hall he had realised that one of the people speaking in objection to the application was a family friend. He informed The Chair that he had not spoken to the person about the application before the meeting, and was approaching the application with an open mind.

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th June 2023 for approval as a correct record.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th June 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on a retrospective planning application for use of land for residential purposes including the siting of one static caravan and one touring caravan on land at Sandgate Stables, Sandgate Terrace, Kippax.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented a retrospective planning application for use of land for residential purposes including the siting of one static caravan and one touring caravan on land at Sandgate Stables, Sandgate Terrace, Kippax.

The presenting officer provided the following information to the Panel:

• The application was brought to Plans Panel at the request of the Ward Councillors Lewis, Harland, and former councillor Midgley. They objected to the scheme as the land was part of a wider allotment site and was protected greenspace as set out in the Kippax Neighbourhood Plan GE1 and through policy GS1 of the Site Allocation Plan (SAP). It was their view that the proposal was not suitable for the site and the application had not met the threshold of very special circumstances required when determining applications which would otherwise be regarded as inappropriate development due to being located within protected greenspace. It was also the view of the Ward Councillors that the proposal would have an impact on residential amenity and lead to loss of allotment land when there is demand for allotments in the area – as evidenced by the waiting list. 
• It was noted that the site had a hedge buffer to the east, south and west and that residential properties were to the south on Sandgate Terrace.
• The site was contrary to policies related to greenspace and for this reason the applicant had set out very special circumstances for his application, relating to family life and most particularly the needs of the children involved.
• Members were advised of a site to the west of the application site which had been the subject of an appeal for a similar development. Members were informed that the family situation on the appeal site was different to the application site, as the family on the appeal site were living on a pitch on another site which had permanent planning permission and the children did not have links to the local schools.
• It was noted that the situation at the application site was different due to the very special circumstances put forward by the applicant which were:
  • The family had been living roadside prior to moving onto the site.  This was not permitted by Government and the family had no alternative site options available.
  • Two of the children were attending the local primary school.
• The proposals for the scheme were contrary to GE1 of the Kippax Neighbourhood Plan, GS1 of the SAP and G6 of the Core Strategy. It was noted that the proposal could only be moved forward due to the very special circumstances set out.
• Conditions had been set for the scheme which included:
  • Temporary permission 3 years
  • Personal to the applicant, spouse, and dependents.
  • Returning the land to its original state following cessation of the permitted use and this would include the removal of the hardstanding and gravel path.
• It was acknowledged that the Council currently have two sites, Cottingley Springs and Kidacre Park, with all pitches full. It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

To note the next meeting of North and East Plans Panel is scheduled for 24^th August 2023 at 1.30pm.

RESOLVED – To note the next meeting of the North and East Plans Panel will be held on Thursday 24^th August 2023 at 1.30pm.