Agenda and minutes

There were no late items.  A revised report for Agenda Item 7, Application 14/03674/FU – Construction of 10 dwellings at Haigh Moor Road, West Ardsley was published and distributed prior to the meeting.

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 a disclosable pecuniary interest.  With regard to Agenda Item 7, Land at Haigh Moor Road, West Ardsley – Councillor Finnigan informed the Panel that he regularly used the adjoining site for dog walking but would be treating the application with an open mind.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2014

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2014 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 10 dwellings and associated car parking and landscaping.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the construction of 10 dwellings and associated car parking and landscaping on land at Haigh Moor Road, West Ardsley.

Members attended a site visit prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on this application.

Further issues highlighted from the report included the following:

·  It was reported that the applicant had referred the application to the Planning Inspectorate due to non-determination.  The Panel was being asked to consider the application so that recommendations could be agreed for the forthcoming appeal.

·  Initial proposals had been for 12 residential properties.  This had now been reduced to 10 consisting of 8 four bedroom properties and 2 five bedroom properties.

·  The site fell within the East Ardsley Special Landscape Area.  The proposals included a landscape buffer alongside side the eastern boundary of the site and car parking and access to the reservoir would be retained.

·  The Panel was informed that there was approximately 2,000 tonnes of coal deposits to be removed from the site.  This would mean closure of the car park for a period of up to 12 weeks.

·  The site had been allocated as housing land in the draft Site Allocation Plan.  In accordance with policy, the principal of residential development at the site was considered acceptable.

·  There had been a high response to the proposals with 247 letters of objection and a 159 signature petition. Objections focused on matters including concerns regarding increasing traffic, too much local development, the proposals being out of character for the area, lack of local school places and GP provision and the limited amount of green space left in the area.

·  The reduction in the number of proposed dwellings from the initial application maintained some of the visibility across to the special landscape area.

·  The Panel was informed that should the application not be determined before the 6 April 2014, developers contributions would be calculated using the Community Infrastructure Levy.  This would be a pooled contribution that could be used towards education provision.

·  It was proposed to resurface the cat park.

·  Concerns from local residents had been acknowledged and the impact of the proposed development had been mitigated through design and conditions.

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

·  There was a shortage of school places in the area and a lack of health care provision.  Further development would exacerbate these problems.

·  The development would lead to a reduction in car parking spaces for people who used the reservoir and surrounding area.

·  The development would lead to more parking on Haigh Moor Rood and the obstruction of footpaths for wheelchair and pushchair users.

·  The reservoir and adjoining land was not only used by the local community but by users from across the city and other areas.

·  The pictures shown during the presentation were not taken at peak time and did not give a true reflection of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for a two storey extension with single storey link, expanded car park, new multi-use games court, relocation of existing habitat area, hard and soft landscaping with expanded cycle/scooter storage and new fencing.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for a two storey extension with single storey link, expanded car park, new multi-use games court, relocation of existing habitat area, hard and soft landscaping with expanded cycle/scooter storage and new fencing at Broadgate Primary School, North Broadgate Lane, Horsforth.

Members attended a site visit prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on this application.

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

·  The proposals would extend the school from one to two form entry.

·  Members were shown plans for surrounding highways and traffic calming measures.

·  There had been representations from local Ward Members and ninety objections for local residents.  These focussed mainly on highways and parking.

·  Proposals to increase the car parking at the school would mean loss of part of the existing playing fields.  There had been no objection from Sports England following the proposal for a new Multi Use Games Area at the school.

·  The extension would not cause any overshadowing or loss of views to any residential properties.

·  The Multi Use Games Area would be available for community use. There would be conditions to restrict the hours of use to prevent potential for noise and disturbance.

·  The proposals to increase the car park would be able to accommodate additional staff.

·  Highways and parking would be monitored and the full expansion of the school would be incremental over the next seven years.

·  Members were given detailed options to increase lay-by parking close to the school.  Metro had been approached with regard to re-locating a bus stop which would allow opportunity to increase parking but they had indicated that they were against any proposals to move the stop.

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

·  Local residents currently suffered due to on street parking at school opening and closing times.  It was felt the number of cars would increase and even more so as pupils from further away would be attending the school.

·  It was felt that the application should be deferred to allow an adequate appraisal for parking and drop off arrangements.

·  Further consideration should be given to using school grounds for car parking and dropping off.

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

·  It was considered that there was sufficient parking for staff and the school would have a parking management plan.

·  Further options for parking and highways management had been investigated including further use within the school grounds.  This had been discounted due to safety concerns.

·  It was understood that demand for the extra places would be met by pupils living in the immediate area.  The first additional pupils would start in September 2015.

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

·  The School would be responsible for the parking management plan.

·  Further discussion regarding the bus stop and proposals to increase the number  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the change of use to A3 with managers flat to first floor and external flue to rear

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the change of use of a private members club to a restaurant (A3) with manager flat to first floor and external flue to rear at 207 to 209 New Road Side, Horsforth.

The application had been deferred at the Plans Panel meeting held in December 2014 to allow Members to visit the site.  Members visited the site prior to the meeting and site photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on this application.

Members were reminded that at the previous meeting concerns had been expressed regarding the provision of car parking, adequacy of the access road to the car park and the impact on local residents.  Further discussion included a suggestion to include a condition to have fencing that would screen the car park from local residential properties and access in and out of the car park.

RESOLVED – that the application be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for approval subject to the submission of revised plans to show minor relocation of bin storage area and addition of a 2m close boarded fence to run from the existing conifer hedge on the North West boundary with number 211 New Road Side to the wall to the wall adjacent No 213 New Road Side.

Thursday 19th February 2015 at 1.30 p.m.