Agenda and minutes

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 disclosable pecuniary interests.

Councillor Leadley informed the panel that in relation to Agenda Item 7, Application 18/00846/FU – Former site of Benyon Centre that he had observed previous discussions on the application and would not taking part in the discussion and abstaining from voting.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors B Anderson and A Hutchison.

Councillors R Stephenson and T Leadley were in attendance as substitutes.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2019

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2019 be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the construction of a mixed use retail-led development comprising retail (use Classes A1, A2, A3 and A5), leisure (use Class D2), non-residential institutions (use Class D1) and book makers (Sui Genris) with associated access, parking and landscaping.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer referred to an application for the construction of a mixed use retail led development comprising retail (use Classes A1, A2, A3 and A5), leisure (use Class D2), non-residential institutions (use Class D1) and bookmakers (Sui Genris) with associated access, parking and landscaping.

The application had been previously been considered at the Panel meeting held in December 2018 when it had been deferred following the Panel’s decision to overturn the officer recommendation for refusal.  The report set out the reasons for approving the application.  Conditions to the application had been agreed with consultees.

RESOLVED – That following Members resolution to approve the application, approval be deferred and delegated the the Chief Planning Officer subject to the conditions specified in the report (and any others which he may consider appropriate) and the completion of a legal agreement within 3 months from the date of resolution, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Chief Planning Officer, to include the following obligations:

1.  Local employment initiatives

2.  Travel Plan Monitoring Fee

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an outline application for residential development (up to 14 units) to consider layout and means of access only.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for residential development (up to 14 units) to consider layout and means of access only at land off Gibraltar Road, Pudsey.

Members attended 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 referred at the request of a local Ward Councillor due to highways safety concerns.

·  There had been 8 letters of objection.  Issues raised included the loss of wildlife habitat and greenspace.

·  The site was allocated for housing in the UDP and emerging SAP.

·  The site was adjacent to the greenbelt and any development should reflect this.

·  14 units on the site would allow for on-site greenspace provision.

·  Proposed access arrangements were explained.  There would be a slight diversion to existing arrangements to improve sight lines.

·  Conditions for nature conservation and wildlife were recommended.

·  The application was recommended for approval.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following as discussed:

·  There had already been development on the western side of the site.

·  There would not be any new footpath provision on Gibraltar Road.

It was proposed that there should be an additional condition imposed on the permission to restrict the units on site to no more than 14.

RESOLVED – That the application be approved as per the officer recommendation and conditions outlined in the report and that an additional condition be included to limit the maximum number of units to 14.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for one dwelling with detached garage.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for one dwelling with an attached garage at Masham Court, Shaw Lane, Headingely.

It was moved that the application be deferred to give Members an opportunity to visit the site prior to any determination of the application.

RESOLVED - That the application be deferred to allow Members to visit the site.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the change of use of dwelling house (C3) to residential home (C2)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the change of use of a dwelling house (C3) to a residential home (C2).

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 referred at the request of a local Ward Councillor.

·  Objections to the application had raised concerns regarding the potential impact on adjacent properties.

·  The applicant ran a number of homes in North West Leeds for young people.  The proposed home would provide a place for post hospital rehabilitation and independent living.

·  It was not considered that the proposed use of the property would cause any more disturbance than that of a large family.

·  There would be a condition to limit the number of residents.

·  The application was recommended for approval.

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

·  There were restrictive covenants that included the property should remain as a private dwelling.

·  There was a lack of local facilities.

·  Access was difficult and local road crossings were potentially dangerous.

·  There had been incidences of anti-social behaviour and drug use in the area which could be a hazard to vulnerable young people.

·  There would be an impact to residential amenity to properties to the rear.

·  There would be increased disturbance due to visitors to the property.

·  It was requested that the application be refused due to increased traffic, noise disturbance, breach of restrictive covenants and the potential to put young people and residents at risk.

The applicant and their agent addressed the Panel.  It was reported that the services carried out by the company included supporting young people with mental health issues who had been discharged from hospital.  There would always be specialist staff on site and in five years of operating similar facilities at other locations there had not been any problems with anti-social behaviour or that needed police attendance.

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

·  The applicant would be willing to provide some screening to the rear of the property to protect neighbours privacy.

·  The restrictive covenants were not of material consideration.

·  Young people in residence at the property would be escorted to schools/colleges and full risk assessments would be carried out for each individual.

RESOLVED – That the application be approved as per the officer recommendation and conditions outlined in the report.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the demolition of derelict buildings, conversion of former printing press manufacturing building to retail use, construction of care home, retail units, eight residential units and new pay and display car park.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the demolition of derelict buildings, conversion of former printing press manufacturing building to retail use, construction of a care home, retail units, six residential units and new pay and display car park.

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

Councillor Campbell informed the Panel that he had previously commented on an earlier version of the application but that he would be treating the application with an open mind and without pre-determination.

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

·  Areas to be developed were highlighted on an aerial view of the site. These included pedestrian links, access and locations of proposed buildings.

·  Proximity to the River Wharfe.

·  The first phase of the development was likely to be the care home.  Prior to use, existing buildings would need external restoration works.  The next phase would include the car parks and new retail units.

·  The proposals met the requirements of the emerging Site Allocation Plan.

·  The proposals had received supporting comments from Historic England.

·  The application was recommended for approval.

A representative of Otley Town Partnership and a local resident addressed the Panel with concerns and objections with regards to the proposals.  These included the following:

·  The proposed crossing at Church Lane would be dangerous.

·  There was no dedicated delivery points for retail units.

·  The footway between Church Lane and Westgate did not take account of changes in ground levels and was not in the ownership of the developer

·  The residential units would not be accessible for refuse collection.

·  The care home had insufficient parking for residents, staff and visitors.

·  Pedestrian access to Car Park 3 - routes would be across private land.

·  A pre-application submission would have been helpful.

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

·  There had been a well attended public consultation event in October 2017 and wider consultation with statutory consultees.

·  The proposals were in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework, the Leeds Plan and the Otley Town Council Development Brief.

·  The proposals had the support of Historic England.

·  Benefits of the proposals would include improved permeability and access to a closed off area; employment opportunities; provision of much needed care provision and regeneration of a derelict area.

·  All proposed pedestrian and vehicular accesses were deliverable.

·  The majority of existing tenants had been fully consulted and alternative premises and compensation packages had been sought.

In response to comments and questions, the following was discussed.

·  It was reported that the footpath connections were key and any permission would require that they be in place prior to use of the southern car park.

·  That further information should be sought from the developer with regards to additional plant on the roof of the care home.

·  There were a number of internal layout issues that could be addressed by alterations such as the identification of delivery for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 66.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an outline application to erect residential development and associated sports club.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an outline application to erect a residential development and associated sports club on land at Pool Paper Mills, Pool Road, Otley.

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 scheme would allow a capital receipt to be generated from the sale of the land to be re-invested into the Pools Paper Mills to secure its longer term operation.  It would also necessitate the provision of a new sports facility.

·  Access to the residential development would be from Pool Road.

·  Access to the sports facilities would be from the existing staff and visitor access to the paper mills, and an upgraded access track to a substation.

·  An indicative housing layout of 9 dwellings was shown.

·  Circumstances identified to justify the development in the greenbelt include the continued operation of the paper mills business, provision of a permanent sports facility and limited harm to the openness of the green belt.

·  Detailed information had been submitted regarded the long term operation of the business and the requirement for further capital investment.

·  It was felt that the opportunities for local employment, provision of a permanent sports facility and limited harm to openness of the green belt cumulatively amounted to very special circumstances which outweighed the inappropriate development in the green belt. The application was recommended for approval subject to a Section 106 agreement which included a requirement that the capital receipt from the sale of the land to be re-invested in the business and for provision of the sports facility.

·  There had been further objections following the publication of the agenda.  These included concerns regarding incremental development, potential for flooding, urbanisation of the rural area and development of the sports facility leading to a loss of wildlife.  There was also concern that an independent assessment of the business case for Pools Paper Mills had not been made available.

·  There had been wildlife and tree surveys and tree felling would be prevented where there were signs of bat habitats.

·  There should be an additional condition imposed restricting a maximum of 9 dwelling units.

A local Parish Councillor and local Ward Councillor addressed the Panel with concerns and objections to the application.  These included the following:

·  The green belt was not just local and could be viewed from Otley Chevin.

·  The proposals would be harmful to two green belt sites with the creation of buildings, tarmac, traffic and light pollution.

·  The local Neighbourhood Plan was to ensure that Pool remained separate from its neighbours.

·  The company had previously had to sell land for development.

·  The need to demonstrate very special circumstances.

·  In response to questions it was felt that the existing sports facility was sufficient but people would prefer new state of the art facilities.  However there were more people against new development.  It was also stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

Thursday, 21 March 2019 at 1.30 p.m.

Thursday, 21 March 2019 at 1.30 p.m.