Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That Councillor C Gruen be elected as Deputy Chair and to assume the Chair in the event of Councillor J McKenna (Chair) losing internet connectivity.

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.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:-

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.

To receive apologies for absence (if any)

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor N Walshaw.

Councillor S Hamilton was in attendance as substitute.

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16^th July 2020

(Copy to follow)

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 16^th July 2020 were submitted for comment/ approval.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 July 2020 be confirmed as a correct record subject to the following amendment:

• Councillor Nash requested that her objection to the provision of a feeder rank on Concordia Street be noted due to the cobbled street being a heritage asset and proximity to residential properties.

To consider any matters arising from the minutes.

With regard to Minute No. 9 – Application 20/02048/FU, it was requested that an update report be brought back to Panel if the disabled access to the taxi rank could not be satisfactorily resolved.  It was reported that the considerations of provision of a ramped access solution as discussed would be referred to the Chair and if required the matter could be reconsidered by Panel.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which seeks outline planning consent with all matters reserved except for access, for the creation of a new community comprising up to 800 dwellings, a food store (A1) (up to 372 sq.m), primary school and public open spaces at Land off Racecourse Approach, Wetherby, LS22.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer present an outline planning application with all matters reserved except for access, for the creation of a new community comprising of up to 800 dwellings, a food store, primary school and public open spaces at land off Racecourse Approach, Wetherby.

The application had previously been considered by the Panel when Members had opportunity to visit the site.  The application had been deferred at the meeting held in January 2020 for further consultation due to the fragmentation of the site and lack of access to the South West corner. 

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:

• Members had requested that the applicant purchased the land in the South West corner to provide a site access.  The landowner had refused an offer from the applicant although was in support of the application.
• The scheme had cycle and pedestrian linkages to the South West Corner which would link to the town centre.
• There were three proposed access points that ran along the North Eastern side of the site.
• There had been a design workshop with the applicant and there would be further engagement with the community with regards to design.
• The applicant was willing to embrace policy relating to climate change.
• The applicant had given a notice of intent to appeal against non-determination of the application.  It was felt that as the land had been allocated for housing that there was limited opportunity in defending an appeal.
• There had been further consultation with the Better Wetherby Partnership.  Issues raised by the Better Wetherby Partnership included the following:

o  It was felt that the application was contrary to guidance in the Neighbourhood Plan, Site Allocation Plan and National Planning Policy Framework.

o  No safe pedestrian/cycle access to Wetherby

o  Consultation had not been carried out

o  The proposed shuttle bus scheme was tokenism

o  The scheme needed to be compliant with the Leeds Climate Emergency/

• Wetherby Civic Society had made further representations which included concern regarding the lack of access from York Road; that the development was isolated from the town centre and lack of facility for pedestrians and cyclists to cross York Road.
• Wetherby Town Council was opposed to the principle of development at the site and that access arrangements were not satisfactory and also dangerous.
• There had also been letters of objection from Ward Councillors and 24 local residents.
• An indicative masterplan was shown which included details of the proposed locations for the school and shop.
• Plans of how the South West corner to the site could be developed.
• Enhancements to Carr Lane with improved pedestrian and cycling routes.
• Proposals for underground refuse storage.
• The applicant felt they had done all they could to address the Panel’s concerns and done all they could to purchase the land to the South West Corner.  Ultimately should that area of land be developed there could be an access to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which seeks the demolition of existing building and erection of part 4, part 10 and part 32 storey student accommodation building with commercial unit (Use Class A1, A3 or A4 or D1), D1 unit at upper ground level and associated access; parking; alterations to public realm and landscaping works on the site of 44 Merrion Street, Leeds, LS2 8LW

(Report attached)

With reference to the meeting of 20^th February 2020 when the Panel received a pre-application presentation on the emerging redevelopment proposals,

the Chief Planning Officer now submitted a report which set out details of a

an application which sought the demolition of the existing building and erection of part 4, part 10 and part 32 storey student accommodation building with commercial unit (Use Class A1, A3 or A4 or D1), D1 unit at upper ground floor level and associated access; parking, alterations to public realm and landscaping works on the site of 44 Merrion Street, Leeds, LS2 8LW.

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

The City Centre Team Leader addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site / location / context

·  Situated within an emerging cluster of tall buildings in the Arena area

·  Proximity to neighbouring properties, St John’s Church 55m away

·  The existing building is a redundant red brick office block (Former Santander Building)

·  Positive feedback/ support received at the pre-application stage

·  Historic England and the Leeds Civic Trust had objected to the proposal commenting that the proposal was unduly dominant

·  The proposal is to demolish the existing building and construct a multi-storey student residential-led development comprising a 4 to 10 storey street building with a tower element rising up to 32 storey’s containing a total of 660 student bedrooms (A mix of cluster and studio apartments)

·  Shared communal space 1100sqm

·  Night time lighting scheme

·  Triple height entrance hall

·  Double height ground floor frontage with retail space

·  Public realm and connecting corridors, high quality landscaping scheme including green walls and planters, aspiration to include greenery within the arcade space

·  Servicing area to be located to the rear of the building, accessed from Merrion Place. Two disabled parking spaces located in this area

·  Materials – the building podium to include red brickwork and ceramic tiling with deep windows and utilising quality materials in context with the street scene, the tower element to be extensively glazed in clear fritted double glazed panels, perforated metal screen and insulated panels faced with black painted glass

·  Aspiration to reduce dominance of the highway along Merrion Street, potentially narrowing the carriageway; reducing or relocating the taxi rank and decluttering street furniture

Members raised the following questions:

·  Had any pre-application wind surveys be undertaken

·  Could the provision of green walls be extended within the landscape scheme

·  This buildings green credentials/ aspect need designing into the building from the start, they should not be just an “add on”

·  The CGI graphics, were they a true representation of how the building would look, in particular the materials

·  In terms of the level of student accommodation within the City Centre, was the city approaching saturation point

·  In view of Covid19 was there a danger that international students may not return

·  Were there any proposals to remove buses from Merrion Street

·  Could the tower element be repositioned to the west side of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 3^rd September 2020 at 1.30pm (Remote Meeting)

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday 3^rd September 2020 (Remote Meeting)