Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor E Taylor, a nomination was sought for a Chair for the meeting.

A nomination was submitted and seconded on behalf of Councillor N Walshaw.  Following a vote of all Members present, it was:

RESOLVED – That Councillor N Walshaw be elected as Chair for the meeting.

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.

There was no exempt information.

There were no late items.

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

Councillor Anderson informed the Panel that he had been involved in discussions with the applicant in regard to Agenda Item 9, Crag House Farm, Cookridge Lane, Cookridge and would be withdrawing from the meeting during the discussion and voting on the application.

Councillor Walshaw informed the Panel that he had referred Agenda Item 10, Headingley Community Centre, North Lane, Headingley on behalf of Headingley Ward Members and would be withdrawing from the meeting during the discussion and voting on the application.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors C Campbell and E Taylor.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held Thursday, 14^th April 2022

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2022 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the change of use of land (Paddock and Woodland) to outdoor pet recreation and exercise facility; erection of fencing at Annexe

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the change of use of lad (Paddock and Woodland) to outdoor pet recreation and exercise facility; erection of fencing at Annexe, Carr Farm Cottage, 74 Carr Road, Calverley, Pudsey, LS28 5QR.

The application had been considered by the Panel at the meeting in February 2022 when the application had been deferred for further consideration. Members had visited the site prior to that meeting.  Site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

Further issues highlighted included the following:

·  The proposals were for an exercise area for dogs.

·  The site was in a semi-rural area but adjacent to residential properties.

·  It had been reported at the previous meeting that there was no recognised methodology for measuring the noise caused by dogs.  Members had expressed concern regarding the impact on neighbours.

·  The applicant had proposed to have the following conditions:

o  Limiting the number of dogs on site

o  A reduction in the proposed hours of use.

o  Acoustic fencing along the boundary to 28 Clara Drive.

o  No external lighting.

o  Provision of an all-weather parking space.

·  The applicant was not prepared to remove the woodland area from the application site.

·  The noise impact report submitted by objectors at the previous meeting had not been assessed by Environmental Health at the time.  Since the last meeting, Environmental Health had been consulted.  Although there was no recognised methodology to measure noise from dogs, there was agreement with the conclusions outlined in the report.

·  Environmental Health had visited the site and had reported that there would be damage to resident’s amenity, and it was recommended that the application should be refused.

·  A further objection had been made regarding development within the greenbelt.  It was not considered that the proposals would cause harm to the greenbelt and the application would not be refused on these grounds.

The applicant addressed the Panel.  The following was highlighted:

·  There was disappointment at the recommendation to refuse the application.  The noise report was not independent and based on speculation and guesswork.  It did not take account of the hedges and trees which would baffle the sounds and did not mention the addition of acoustic fencing.

·  The Environmental Health report did not consider the extra mitigation measures and was inaccurate with regard to comments regarding unsupervised dogs.

·  The number of dogs stated was a maximum number.  This kind of facility would usually be used by one dog owner at a time with only one or two dogs.  The field would be rented by the hour and there was no benefit in having large groups.

·  The proposals would see the use of a neglected piece of land whilst providing a service that was badly needed in the area.

·  It had been hoped to work closely with neighbours but this had not been possible due to the level of objections.

·  In response to a question, it was confirmed that there would not be any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding a Reserved Matters application for erection of 289 dwellings with access within the site, garaging, parking, landscaping and public open space

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented a reserved matters application for the erection of 289 dwellings with access within the site, garaging, parking, landscaping and open space.

The application had been considered at the April meeting of South and West Plans Panel when it had been deferred for the following reasons:

·  Consider the provision of four and five bedroom houses for affordable housing.

·  Consider the provision of bungalows.

·  Further information on tress including a full tree survey to include the quality of trees and detail regarding carbon capture.

·  Further information on compliance with street design guidance.

·  More detail on placemaking.

·  More clarity on cycle segregation and the footpath network.

·  Invite a policy officer to discuss policy H4 and the housing mix.

·  Further consultation with Ward Councillors.

Members of the Panel had visited the site prior to the meeting in April 2022.  Site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  There would be four bungalows provided in the revised layout.

·  Further information was provided in relation to landscaping including the submission of an arboriculture report; placemaking; and energy use and sustainability including plans for electric vehicle charging.

·  The period for consultation was not due to expire until 10 June 2022 and the wording of the recommendation was to be amended subject to the expiration of this period.

·  There had been no new material considerations highlighted in representations that had been submitted since the last meeting.

·  Contact had been made with Ward Councillors from Ardsley & Robin Hood and Morley South and further objections had been received but did not raise any further material considerations.

·  There had been a request from West Ardsley Action Group and local residents to be allowed to speak at Panel.  There were no new material considerations and speakers had been allowed at the outline application stage and previous consideration of the reserved matters application.

·  The housing mix including the bungalows and offer of affordable housing was considered to be acceptable for the area.  This was fully compliant with policies H4 and H5.

·  Significant detail had been submitted with regard to the landscaping and impact on trees.  This included the need to remove unhealthy trees.  Overall it was considered that the landscaping plan brought significant benefit to the ecology and bio-diversity of the site.

·  Further to concerns to the proposed removal of three trees towards the entrance from Upper Green Avenue, it was reported that one of these trees would be retained.

·  There would be maintenance to the ancient woodland that would not otherwise be maintained.

·  The house types and sizes reflected those of the surrounding areas.

·  There would be the use of renewable energy sources including photo voltaic panels and air sourced heat pumps.

·  The open spaces would enable community use and improved connectivity would be in place across the site.

·  The proposals would enhance the existing footpath network and there would be 20 MPH speed limits throughout  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the demolition of existing buildings and construction of replacement timber framed refectory building

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the demolition of the existing buildings and construction of replacement timber framed refectory building at Crag House Farm, Cookridge Lane, Cookridge, LS17 7NH.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  The application had been brought to Panel as it was located in the green belt and considered to be a departure from the Development Plan.

·  The buildings to be demolished were in a poor state of repair.

·  The site was used for activities by a charity organisation as well as other commercial and agricultural uses.

·  The footprint of the new proposal would be larger than what is being replaced.

·  CGI images of how the proposed new building would appear were displayed.

·  The key planning issues were that the site fell within the greenbelt and the replacement of the old buildings with a larger building.  The very special circumstances for this development were outlined in the report.  These included environmental improvements and improved accessibility.

·  The application was recommended for approval.

Members welcomed the application and showed support for the proposals which were considered to be an improvement on the existing facilities.

RESOLVED – That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

As Councillor Walshaw had declared an interest and was not participating in the next application, a nomination was sought to Chair the remainder of the meeting.  Nominations were made and seconded on behalf of Councillors B Anderson and J Heselwood.

Following a vote on the nominations it was:

RESOLVED – That Councillor J Heselwood be elected as Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the change of use of the former community centre (use class F2) to aparthotel (use class C1 ), including one storey extension over existing boiler room, roof replacement, reconfiguration and sub-division of service yard area, bin store and bike storage

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the change of use of the former community centre (use class F2) to aparthotel (use class C1), including one storey extension over existing boiler room, roof replacement, reconfiguration and sub-division of service yard area, bin store and bike storage at Headingley Community Centre, North Lane, Headingley, LS6 3HW.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  The application had been brought to Panel at the request of Ward Members.

·  There was no proposal for off street parking.

·  There was a small service yard to the north side of the building.

·  The site was within the Headingley Conservation Area.

·  The building was currently vacant.

·  There would be eight aparthotel rooms and a conference room within the building.

·  The building directly abuts the highway.

·  A key element of the proposals was the change in the roof.  CGI images were displayed and comparisons made to previous picture of the building.

·  Windows would be redesigned and sills would be lowered.

·  Key planning issues included the change of use of the building which was considered to be acceptable and heritage impacts and the amenity of occupiers.

·  The site was in a sensitive location and it was considered to be an important building in the conservation area.  The new roof and fenestration would be harmful and out of keeping in the conservation area.

·  Although there were benefits to the application and the re-use was welcomed it was felt that this was outweighed by the harm to the conservation area and amenity for occupiers.  There would be ground floor rooms that had no buffer from the pavement and the pelican crossing.

·  It was recommended that the application be refused.

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel.  Issues highlighted included the following:

·  The proposals would secure and economical and sustainable  long term re-use of the building.

·  The scheme had been heritage led and supported by a heritage consultant.

·  The height of the proposed new roof had been lowered to match the existing height.

·  The building had been vacant for over a decade.

·  The applicant had engaged with the Council throughout the application stage and had made numerous changes.

·  The use of triple glazing and mechanical ventilation would protect the amenity of occupiers.

·  Refusal of the application would prevent a reasonable re-use of the building.

·  Owners of adjacent business were supportive of the proposals.

·  In response to questions from the Panel, the following was discussed:

o  The proposed sill heights at first floor level would be lowered returning them to the original level.

o  The height of the roof was not to be changed but there would be changes to the structure to allow the dormers.

o  It was proposed to use an external contractor for picking up and dropping off at the building.  There had not been any concerns from  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

The next meeting of South and West Plans Panel is scheduled for Thursday, 7^th July 2022 at 1.30pm.

The date and time of the next meeting will be held Thursday, 7^th July 2022 at 1.30pm.