Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interest made at the meeting.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors M Coulson and J Walker.

Councillors N Walshaw and M Harland were in attendance as substitute members.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5^th December 2013

(Copy attached)

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2013 be approved as a correct record.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an Appeal Decision taken in respect of the land at the Former Otley School Site, Bridge Street, Otley.

It was the decision of the Inspector that the appeal be allowed and Planning Permission be granted subject to conditions

(Report attached)  

The report of the Chief Planning Officer referred to an appeal decision in respect of land at the former Otley School site, Bridge Street Otley.

The application for the demolition of the school building, newsagents and café and redevelopment for part 2, part 3 and part 4 storey residential accommodations with care, comprising 48 apartments was refused under delegated decision.

Reasons for refusal included the scale/massing of the proposal, amenity of neighbours and the effect of the proposals on trees.  Whilst  the Inspector agreed with some of the reasons for refusal it was felt that some of these could be resolved with conditions to the application.

The appeal was subsequently allowed and permission granted subject to conditions and a signed legal agreement.  There was to be no application for costs against the Council.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer, which sets out details of an Appeal Decision taken in respect of the land off Outwood Lane, Horsforth, Leeds 18

It was the decision of the Inspector that the appeal be dismissed

(Report attached) 

The report of the Chief Planning Officer referred to an appeal regarding a planning application at Outwood Lane, Horsforth for residential development.

The application was refused under delegated powers and following a public inquiry the appeal was dismissed.

In response to a question regarding the current position in relation to five year land supply, it was reported that the Council currently considered that there was a five year land supply and that the Kirklees Knowl appeal would look at this in more detail.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer, which sets out details of an application to demolish existing building and outbuildings and erect 30 student flats to land at 78 Lofthouse Place, Woodhouse, Leeds 2

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer referred to an application for the demolition of an existing house and erection of a part three storey, part two storey block of 30 student flats and a conservation area application for demolition of existing building and outbuildings.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and Members attended a site visit prior to the hearing.

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

·  The existing building on site was unsafe.

·  Retention of boundary trees.

·  Parking spaces.

·  Garden areas.

·  There had been no objections from conservation regarding demolition of the existing building.

·  The proposals would provide purpose built student accommodation and bring a brownfield site back into use.

In response to Members comments and questions, further discussion focussed on the provision of student accommodation and boundary treatment to the site.  It was reported that the boundary would be picked up in conditions to the application.

RESOLVED – That the applications be approved as per the officer recommendations and conditions outlined in the report.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer, which sets out details of an application to carry out alterations and extension to dwelling and Listed Building Consent for internal and external alterations to existing garage to form house at Springfield Farm, 69 West End Lane, Horsforth, Leeds 18

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer referred to an application and listed building application for alterations including first floor extension and conversion of dwelling to 2 dwellings at Springfield Farmhouse, West End Lane, Horsforth.

Site plans and photographs were displayed and Members attended a site visit prior to the meeting.

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

·  Access arrangements to the property including parking allocation.

·  Objections had been received regarding concerns over parking, potentially blocking the access road and the impact on a listed building in a conservation area.

·  Reference to a previously agreed application and changes to that application including an increase in height.

·  Garden boundary treatments.

·  It was recommended to approve the applications.

An objector to the applications addressed the Panel.  Concerns raised included the following:

·  Adverse effect on the character and setting of a listed building

·  Parking – it was currently difficult with just 2 cars parked and access would be obstructed with any more.

·  This application fundamentally changed the original application.

·  It was felt that the proposals did not have due regard to existing policy and the NPPF.

·  Blocking up of window on rear elevation.

·  Sub-division of the garden – the previous application had a condition so that this would not happen.

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

·  The application had been assessed in terms of the NPPF.

·  Sub-division of the garden – this was a fresh application and previous conditions did not apply.

·  It was felt that parking arrangements were sufficient.

·  Discussion on the proposed boundary of the site.

RESOLVED – That the applications be approved as per the officer recommendations and conditions outlined in the rerpotr and subject to the following:

·  Submission and agreement of curtilage plan and detailed parking layout

·  Case Officer to request opening up of walled up window on rear elevation.  Evidence request and advise Ward Members of response prior to issuing of decision.

Councillor R Finnigan requested that his vote against the decision on this item be recorded)

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer, which sets out details of an application to change the use of ground floor public house (A4) to three retail units (A1) at The Regent, Otley Road, Guiseley, Leeds 20

(Report attached)

This application was withdrawn by the application prior to the meeting.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer, which sets out details of an outline application for residential development and demolition of existing buildings at the Department for Work and Pensions, Government Buildings, Otley Road, Leeds 16

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer referred to an outline application for residential development including means of access and demolition of existing buildings at Department for Works and Pensions, Government Buildings, Otley Road, Leeds.  Members had considered a position statement on the application at the previous meeting.

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

·  There had not been any objection to the principle of residential development at the site.

·  Use of access from Otley Road was felt to be acceptable.

·  There had been no objection from highways for the use of Adel Lane.

·  The applicant had been made aware that there was to be no through access of the site.

·  Section 106 contributions to include £16k for new bus shelter, £150k for traffic calming on Adel Lane and £110k towards a pedestrian crossing.

Further to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  Concern regarding the use of Adel Lane and the cumulative effect with development from the Bodington Hall site.

·  Concern regarding local school places and the additional pressure that would be caused by this development.  It was reported that there had been consultation with Children’s Services and there was currently a surplus of secondary places in the area.  Contributions from the scheme would be used to fund additional primary places.

RESOLVED – That the application be approved as per the officer recommendation and conditions outlined in the report and submission and agreement of further modelling works to Lawnswood Roundabout.