Agenda and minutes

South and West Plans Panel - Thursday, 7th July, 2022 1.30 pm

Venue: Civic Hall, Leeds

Contact: Tasha Prosser  Email: Natasha.Prosser@leeds.gov.uk

Link: to view the meeting

Items
No. Item

Opening Remarks

The Chair welcomed new Panel Members and thanked former Councillor Collins and Councillors Burke, Wray, and Jenkins for the work they have done on the Panel.

 

14.

Appeals Against Refusal of Inspection of Documents

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)

 

Minutes:

There were no appeals against the refusal of inspection of documents.

 

15.

Exempt Information - Possible Exclusion of the Press and Public

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

 

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

 

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

 

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

 

  No exempt items or information have been identified on the agenda

 

Minutes:

There were no exempt items.

 

16.

Late Items

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration

 

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes)

 

Minutes:

There were no formal late items.

 

17.

Declarations of Interests

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

Minutes:

No interests were raised by Panel Members. However, in relation to Agenda Item 8. PREAPP/22/00050 - Cottingley Playing Fields, A6110 Ring Road, Beeston, LS11 (site 1) and Cottingley Vale, Cottingley Drive, Cottingley, LS11 (site 2)The Legal Adviser to the Panel reported that she knew applicant professionally and therefore recused herself from this matter. The Panel were supported with a Legal Adviser during this item.

 

18.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Cllr R Finnigan and Cllr J Heselwood.

 

 

19.

Minutes - Thursday 9 June 22 pdf icon PDF 285 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held Thursday, 9th June 2022

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED – That subject to a typo being amended in relation to Minute No. 8 on page 10, the minutes of the meeting held Thursday, 9th June 22 be approved as an accurate record

 

20.

21/03303/FU - Albert House, 3 Monk Bridge Road, Meanwood, Leeds, LS6 4DX pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To receive and consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding four dwellings to rear and amendment to site access - Albert House, 3 Monk Bridge Road, Meanwood, Leeds, LS6 4DX

 

Minutes:

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for four dwellings to the rear and amendment to site access in relation to Albert House, 3 Monk Bridge Road, Meanwood, Leeds, LS6 4DX.

 

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

 

The Planning Officer presented the application and provided Panel Members with the following information:

·  The application is brought to Panel due to the potential impact the development will have on the Far Headingley Conservation Area and the level of local concern.

·  The proposal includes the construction of two 3 bedroom and two 2-bedroom terrace properties located to the rear of Albert House.

·  The front garden comprises several mature trees subject to a Tree Preservation Order.

·  The surrounding area is predominantly residential.

·  Photographs of the existing site and proposals were provided.

·  The garden space for Albert House will be retained, as well as the mature hedging.

·  Car parking will be provided for the new properties and each property will include large usable gardens to the rear.

·  The distance of the proposal to neighbourhood properties is in line with the Neighbourhoods for Living Guidance and is considered being acceptable impact amenity on neighbouring properties.

·  The developer has provided similar properties in a nearby development, as viewed by members on the site visit.

 

A local resident addressed the Panel with objections to the application. These included the following:

·  Concerns regarding overdevelopment of the proposals and, the disproportionality to the rear of Albert House.

·  Reference to the recent planning application for a swimming pool at Albert House.

·  Loss of greenspace in a dense part of Leeds, consequently resulting in a loss of wildlife.

·  Concerns relating to the entrance of the proposals and safety of pedestrians / motorists. There will also be increased traffic with bin collections, visitors, and construction workers.

·  There are strong views from the local MP and his objections remain outstanding.

·  Absence of information relating to biodiversity net gains.

·  The comments relayed from the conservation team suggest a different design in terms of depth and height could preserve the conservation area.

 

The applicant addressed the Panel. Issues raised highlighted the following:

·  The site had previous approval for 9 units resulting in a loss in parking and trees, and the current proposals provide a more considered approach to the site that do not require removal of trees, nor change in frontage to Albert House.

·  Albert House will be retained as 1 unit and the application is considered proportionate in scale for the site.

·  The application responds to the climate crisis by using air source heat pumps.

·  Happy to incorporate a condition that restricts the use of gas on-site.

·  The application site is located near local amenities for residents to access within proximity, with an aim to reduce overall car usage. The application also meets the Neighbourhood for Living guidance, as well as design guidance.

·  Local developers will be used for the construction of the development.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

21.

PREAPP/22/00050 - Cottingley Playing Fields, A6110 Ring Road, Beeston, LS11 (site 1) and Cottingley Vale, Cottingley Drive, Cottingley, LS11 (site 2) pdf icon PDF 2 MB

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding a Pre-Application Presentation for Relocation of Cottingley GP Surgery into a purpose-built medical facility (with ancillary services) at Cottingley Playing Fields, A6110 Ring Road, Beeston, LS11 (site 1) and Cottingley Vale, Cottingley Drive, Cottingley, LS11 (site 2)

 

Minutes:

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented a Pre-Application Presentation for relocation of Cottingley GP Surgery into a purpose-built medical facility (with ancillary services) at Cottingley Playing Fields, A6110 Ring Road, Beeston, LS11 (site 1) and Cottingley Vale, Cottingley Drive, Cottingley, LS11 (site 2)

 

The presentation informed Members of a major health / medical proposal for the area of Cottingley with feedback sought from the Panel as to two principal sites (2 of 6 put forward for initial consideration).

 

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:

·  2 sites have been put forward for consideration, to replace the existing GP surgery at Cottingley that is deemed no longer fit for purpose by Care Quality Commission (CQC). The new proposals will provide approximately 2400m2 enhanced / accessible local health care provision.

·  Further residents from the South Leeds  community are also expected tobenefit from the services. The centre will also provide an outpatient facility, community services, physio sessions, café, and potentially also a pharmacy (for site 1).

·  In relation to site no. 2 the pharmacy is hoped / expected to remain in the existing precinct opposite the application site.

·  The centre will also provide rooms for other bodies, stakeholders, and charities to provide financial and support services.

·  Site option 1 is located adjacent to the A6110 Ring Road, facing toward the Drysalters Public House and a Kia Car Showroom. The site / land is set slightly higher than the adjacent Ring Road from which access would be taken from. The Ring Road features a planned upgrading of the wider highway network to provide enhanced bus and cycle provision.

·  Site option 2 involves a segment of land set between the existing Cottingley Vale shopping precinct and a Sheltered Housing Complex. Ongoing discussions are required regarding parking demands and site layout issues.

·  There are different material considerations for both sites. Site 1 – issues in terms of the healthcare facility being accessible by foot and public transport and the link to existing shopping and highway considerations. Site 2 – issues in terms of possibly identifying additional parking.

·  Amenity considerations on both sites. Site 1 – issues around noise and part of the development being a multiuse games area may be better placed elsewhere due to the nearby crematorium. Site 2 – located near residential homes.

·  There are mature trees on both sites.

·  Flood risk associated with site 1.

·  Highways have commented on site 2 regarding parking demand and the need for detailed parking surveys. The developer will need to pay for traffic regulation orders if it is deemed additional parking is required, as well as alterations to existing bus stops.

·  Consultation with Yorkshire Water is expected in relation to development around the existing sewer network and in respect of flood risk management.

·  Site 2 includes existing trees and parking facilities and there is an opportunity to explore ways to regenerate the existing shopping precinct.

 

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21.

22.

22/01376/FU - former South Leeds Golf Course, Gipsy Lane, Beeston pdf icon PDF 2 MB

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding proposed new 3G pitch and tennis courts, and associated fencing up to 4.5m high, former South Leeds Golf Course, Gipsy Lane, Beeston

 

Minutes:

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out a Position Statement in relation to a proposed new 3G pitch and tennis courts and associated fencing up to 4.5m high at former South Leeds Golf Course, Gipsy Lane, Beeston.

 

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

 

It was noted that representations have been received from Friends of Middleton Park and a local resident who runs a hedgehog facility, releasing wildlife on the proposed application site.

 

The Planning Officer presented the application, providing the following information:

·  The site involves a parcel of land forming part of the former South Leeds Golf Course situated to the immediate south of Cockburn Academy. The site incorporates a section of Leeds Public Footpath which runs in an east / west direction. The footpath connects Gipsy Lane to the west where residential properties and a boarding kennels and cattery are located.

·  The proposals will be used by students from Cockburn Academy and will be available for community use out of school hours.

·  The school fronts onto Gypsy Lane and consists of a large two storey structure which serves the main school building with 3 storey elements to the rear. It was noted that the school has a 35.5% deficit for soft outdoor PE space.

·  The western side of the site is more elevated than the east. Maps were shown to show an outline of the cutting required / land made up. The soil will not be removed from the site and is a sustainable solution.

·  There will be a 4.5m fence around the courts and 2.4m meshed fence along the boundary to provide some security for the school.

·  The diverted footpath will wrap around the proposed facility and connect to Gipsy Lane.

·  An overview of the materials that will be used for the proposals.

·  38 mature trees will need to be removed. The applicant is proposing off-site planting which amounts to 130 heavy standing mature trees. A considerable amount of shrub planting is proposed and achieves more than 10% of that required.

·   The site will be gated, and the footpath will be closed.

·  Ensuring the proposal doesn’t injure the openness of the greenbelt.

·  Representation seeking robust means assessment on the need for a Golf Course.

·  The applicant has carried out a full tree survey and ecological assessment. 3:1 planting proposed to take place off-site. It was noted that the trees lost will be category B and the value of trees against the climate emergency should be recognised in relation to carbon capture. Additionally, the biodiversity metric has been re-visited and re-calculated, and the nature conservation area has been re-consulted with no change on the survey findings. A response is awaited.

 

A representative from Friends of Middleton Park attended the meeting, and provided the Panel with the following information:

·  Friends of Middleton Park strongly object to the proposals and there is a small return / benefit for the community and the park. It was confirmed that the existing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Date and Time of the Next Meeting

Minutes:

The date and time of the next meeting is scheduled to take place Thursday, 4th August 22 at 1.30pm.

 

(The meeting concluded at 17:05)