Agenda and minutes

Councillors Bithell, Manaka, Brooks, Taylor, Rontree and L Buckley attended the site visit earlier in the day.

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 were no exempt items.

There were no formal late items.

To disclose or draw attention to any interests in accordance with Leeds City Council’s ‘Councillor Code of Conduct’.

Members did not declare any interests.

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillors C Campbell, R Finnigan, E Bromley and T Smith. Councillor K Brooks attended as a substitute on behalf of Councillor E Bromley.

To receive and consider the minutes of the previous meeting held Thursday, 8^th June 2023.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the previous meeting held Thursday, 8^th June 2023 be approved as an accurate record.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for demolition of existing building and construction of a 36 storey residential development with ancillary commercial space, landscaping, and external amenity space - Cartwright House, Springwell Road, Holbeck, Leeds, LS12 1AX.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application regarding demolition of existing building and construction of a 36 storey residential development with ancillary commercial space, landscaping, and external amenity space at Cartwright House, Springwell Road, Holbeck, Leeds, LS12 1AX.

The proposed scheme is brought to South and West Plans Panel, following an earlier pre-application presentation of the proposals by the applicant at City Plans Panel, presented on 21st November 2019.

Photographs and slides were shown throughout the officer presentation, and Panel members were provided with the following information:

·  The proposal relates to a major residential-led scheme of 402 apartments over 36 storeys with ancillary commercial to the ground floor in Holbeck on the fringe of Leeds city centre. It is proposed that the housing mix will be 194 x 1 bed apartments (48%), 169 x 2 bed apartments (42%) and 39 x 3 bed apartments (10%). The 3 bed units are proposed to be on the top 3 floors.

·  The scheme presented at pre-application stage at City Plans Panel on 21^st November 2019 differed substantively from the scheme presented being for a block of 24 storeys, with a 30 storey option with a different use of materials. Members on that Panel were supportive of a tall building in that location.

·  The site lies close to the junction of Whitehall Road, Springwell Road and Springwell Street, which is located in an area of transition just outside the boundary of the designated City Centre, the boundary of which aligns with the railway line just to the north-east. The site is also located along the Whitehall Road corridor, which links traffic (including regular public transport) to and from Leeds Railway Station.

·  The Holbeck Neighbourhood Plan encourages commercial use in that area but does not preclude residential development.

·  The scheme presented is Phase 2 of the adjacent scheme for two tower blocks residential development. One Springwell Gardens known as Phase 1, has almost been built. The materials used for both phases are contrasting in design and Separation distances between primary windows come in at 35m which avoids potential issues of overlooking.

·  The proposal site offers easy access into the city centre, by walking, cycling or public transport.

·  Images referred to show the impact on the wider skyline of Leeds. The application site falls within a cluster of tall buildings.

·  The impact on the Holbeck Conservation Area. The applicant has submitted a heritage assessment and the application offers significant benefits in terms of regeneration, cycling infrastructure and the provision of housing.

·  Provision for Greenspace allows for offsite provision and therefore a commuted sum of £494,681.31 will be provided.

·  The simple form of the building is elegant, with a crown element at the top and brick-plinth element to the ground floor.

·  The applicants wind report has been peer reviewed and stacks up in terms of amenity and safety. Wind mitigations proposed include sculptures and screens.

·  There is a shared outdoor communal area.

·  There is a raised partition at podium level, for wind  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday, 3^rd August 2023 at 1.30 p.m.

RESOLVED – To note the date and time of the next meeting as Thursday, 3^rd August 2023 at 1.30 pm.

The meeting concluded at 15:30.