Agenda and minutes

A Member’s site visit was held in connection with the following applications:

Application No. 18/06203/FU - Demolition of existing main school and erection of two new three storey school buildings, relocation of hard courts; reconfiguration and increase in parking provision and associated landscaping at Guiseley school, Fieldhead Road, Guiseley and Application 18/02152/FU – Construction of 143 apartments with car parking and landscaping to land at former Burley Community Sports and Social Club, Burley Road, Burley, Leeds and was attended by the following Councillors: C Gruen, S Hamilton, D Ragan, B Anderson and C Campbell

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 the refusal of inspection of documents.

There were no items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

The Chair accepted the inclusion of an additional item onto the agenda, “Minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th December 2018” (Minute No. 55 referred). It was reported that these minutes were not circulated with the main agenda and it was in the best interests of the Council and other parties concerned that they be considered without delay.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. 

There were no declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interests.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 20 December 2018

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th December 2018 were submitted for comment / approval.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20^th December 2018 be accepted as a true and correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the demolition of the existing main school and erection of two three storey school buildings, relocation of hard courts; reconfiguration and increase in car parking provision; and associated landscaping.

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of an application which sought the demolition of the existing main school and erection of two, three storey school buildings, relocation of hard courts; reconfiguration and increase in car parking provision and associated landscaping at Guiseley School, Fieldhead Road, Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 8DT.

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

Planning Officers addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site/ location/ context

·  The proposal was to demolish the majority of the existing school buildings and replace with two, three storey blocks

·  Provision of new hard-court play areas

·  The site changes in levels (Step down)

·  Existing car park to be extended by 51 car parking spaces

·  Changes to existing loop system

·  New pedestrian access

·  Landscaping and tree planting to provide screening

·  The proposal exceeds the separation requirement (Spatial standards) to nearby housing

·  No over-shadowing or dominance to nearby properties

·  Construction arrangements to be accessed off Back Lane

·  The majority of representations received consider the proposed development to be positive transforming a visually poor site into a modern community asset. There was some concerns from local residents about the potential impact the development would have upon their living conditions due the massing of the development, overlooking issues and the landscaping proposals reduce light to their properties.

The Panel then heard from a local resident who was objecting to the proposal.

It was stated that although she was not objecting to the proposal to build a new school, her and many of her neighbours on Back Lane were concerned that the new development was over dominant and there was a loss of outlook together with a loss of privacy. Referring to the Household Design Guide the resident said new development should not be over dominant on existing properties and should not be overlooked. It was her opinion and that of her neighbours that the current proposals should be resisted, there was scope to do more about the design of this development.

The Panel then heard from another local resident also objecting to the proposal.

He said he was also not opposed to the principle of the development his concerns were about the loss of light to his property and the impact it would have on his garden. He suggested that careful consideration should be given to the landscape proposals to ensure the appropriate species of trees and hedges were planted to not make the garden areas along Back Lane be too dark. It was also understood that there may be asbestos on the site with potential for health and safety concerns during the demolition phase of the development.

The Panel then heard from a third local resident also objecting to the proposal.

He said he was not opposed to the development his concerns were also about the landscaping and screening proposals for the scheme. The resident suggested that a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the construction of 143 apartments with associated car parking ancillary spaces and landscaping.

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which provided a Position Statement in respect of an application for the construction of 143 apartments with associated car parking, ancillary spaces and landscaping to land at Former Burley Community Sports and Social Club at Burley Road, Burley, Leeds.

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

Planning Officers addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site/ location/ context

·  The proposal was for the construction of 143 apartments (1,2 and 3 bedroom apartments) built in two blocks, each block 6 storeys in height.

·  The buildings would be formed as two interlocking “L” shaped buildings.

·  There would be modest amenity and circulation space separating the 2 buildings

·  Materials – Brick finish

·  Greenspace and car parking provision

·  It was proposed to extend the site into the Greenspace to accommodate further car parking provision

·  Further consideration was required on the adequacy of the on-site open space provision for future residents and the proposed provision of Greenspace through a financial contribution to upgrade existing Greenspace elsewhere

·  7% affordable housing provision

·  The scheme would be marketed as Private Rented Sector development (PRS)

·  It was reported that local residents had expressed concern at the proposed access arrangements. Councillor J Illingworth had commented that he considered the site to be not suitable for housing, the sports pitches on site had in the past been frequently used

The Chair invited the applicant’s architect to speak in support of the application

Councillor Campbell reminded Panel that the report before Members was a Position Statement and suggested that under the existing protocol representations should not be permitted. The Lead Planning Officer to the Panel confirmed the Council’s speaking protocol provided for speaking rights in relation to Position Statements. Councillor Campbell suggested that the Protocol be further considered by the Joint Plans Panel for a review.

The Chair suggested that the architect may be able to provide information which was not included in the report and which may be beneficial to Panel in progressing the application

The Chair called upon architect to address the Panel

The architect informed Members that the proposal had received full support from Local Ward Members and LCC Design Officers, he was not aware of any objections to the proposal. Members were informed that 35% of the site would be used for car parking provision. Members were also made aware that some land had been sacrificed to provide road junction improvements. Commenting on the Greenspace provision the architect said that any agreement would be subject to condition. In terms of distance from nearby properties Members were informed that the nearest dwellings were located at a distance of 30m away from the development

Members raised the following questions:

·  What would be the planning benefits and would there be any benefits to the local community

·  The proposal only provides for 10% of the units to be 3 bedroom accommodation,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

Thursday, 21 February 2019 at 1.30 p.m.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 21^st February 2019 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.