Agenda and minutes

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 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.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor R Finnigan.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the demolition of Index House and the construction of student residential accommodation and ground floor commercial units.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the demolition of Index House and the construction of student residential accommodation and ground floor commercial units at 70 Burley Road, Leeds.

Site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The following was highlighted in relation to the application:

·  There would be a total of 57 bed spaces in the development and 3 commercial units at ground floor level.

·  The applicant had been brought to Panel due to the level of local concern regarding additional student accommodation in the area and the position of the site in relation to Rosebank Primary School.

·  Pedestrian routes to the university campuses.

·  The footprint of the building would cover the entire site with no space for parking.

·  Internal floor plans were shown.  Three commercial units at ground floor level.  First floor comprised of cluster flats, communal space, cycle and bin storage with exit to Hollis Place.  Other floors consisted of cluster and studio flats.

·  The original scheme was for a nine storey building.  This had been reduced by two storeys.

·  Their had been meetings with Rosebank Primary School to discuss their concerns.  Windows that overlooked the school would be treated with obscured glass.  The Children’s Services Safeguarding Officer had not raised concerns as residential developments near to schools was not unusual.  It was also felt that managed accommodation such as this could be seen as preferable to open market housing.

·  A solar study had been carried out and had shown that there would only be a minimal level of overshadowing.

·  The development was considered to be of good quality in a sustainable location and close to the university.

The Panel heard from objectors to the application.  The first objector represented Rosebank Primary School and the emerging Neighbourhood Plan.  Concerns raised included the following:

·  This would add to the already high concentration of students living in the area.

·  Highway concerns – no disabled parking or parking for servicing/delivery vehicles or taxis.

·  The tall building would alter the style and character of the area.

·  The development would take over a year to complete and cause disruption to the school.

·  There was a severe lack of social housing in the area and families were getting pushed out.

The second objector represented the Five Ways Recovery Academy, a charity to support people with drug and alcohol problems that operated from the converted chapel adjacent to the site.  Concerns raised included the following:

·  The proposals would overlook and damage the privacy offered to users of the academy.

·  There would be a loss of light to external areas that are used for therapy sessions.

·  Internal lighting relied on the use of natural light and this would be lost.  Open views would be replaced with concrete walls.

·  The noise and disturbance caused by development would disrupt services offered at the academy.

·  The client group at the academy had a range of health problems.

In response to questions, the following was discussed:

·  The Rosebank  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

Thursday, 1 July 2021 at 4.00 p.m.