Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That Councillor J McKenna be elected as Chair for the meeting.

There were no late items.

A revised report for Agenda Item 7 – Application 18/00251/FU – Land at Snittles Farm, Gelderd Road, Leeds 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 disclosable pecuniary interests.

Councillor T Leadley informed the Panel that he had submitted representations with regard to Agenda Item 7, Land at Snittles Farm.  Although he felt capable of making a balanced decision on this application without pre-determination, he withdrew from the meeting and took no part in the discussion or voting.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors C Gruen and A Hutchison.

Councillors J McKenna and T Leadley were in attendance as substitutes.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2018.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2018 be confirmed as a correct record subject to the inclusion of apologies for absence on behalf of Councillor J Heselwood.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for 87 dwellings with associated access and public open space.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application regarding an application for 87 dwellings with associated access and public open space.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting and 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:

·  The site was to the west of Churwell and was situated between housing and the motorway.

·  The site currently had a farmhouse and outbuildings that were no longer in use.

·  Access to the site was shown.

·  There had been objections from local Ward Councillors, Morley Town and 58 further letters of objection.  There had also been objections from Leeds Ramblers Group regarding proposed footpath diversions.  Main themes of objection included access to the site, the local highway network and access to local services.

·  The proposal would contribute to housing development targets in Leeds.

·  The scheme had been devised to minimise noise disturbance from the motorway and the layout of properties had been designed to reflect this.  This required the houses to

·  Noise levels had been modelled and all fell below 60 dB which was perceived to be below the severe limit but twelve properties would be over the recommended 55 dB limit in the rear garden areas.  Adjacent housing sites had a higher proportion of properties over the 55 dB limit.  There had not been any objection from Environmental Health with regard to this.  Mitigating factors included landscaping and fencing which would reduce noise pollution.

·  There would be seven standard house types on the development and examples of the elevations were shown.  There would be mix of materials used across the site. 

·  Distances between properties met standards for living guidelines.

·  The A6 type of housing was the only one that did not meet space standards which was below by 1.2 metres but on balance felt to be acceptable.

·  It was noted that the access arrangements did not meet street design guidance in terms of numbers of vehicles but there was not a suitable alternative access point.  There would be a traffic regulation order to that prevented on street parking to mitigate this.

·  Due to cumulative impact issues there would be a contribution towards improvements at the junction of the A643 and A6110.

·  The Nature Conservation Team had recommended conditions that would be included should the application be approved.

·  The site was a challenging site due to its proximity to the motorway and changes in levels.  It was felt that the generous areas of landscaping and greenspace would offer protection from noise and there was not considered to be a risk to highway safety. There were full affordable housing contributions and it was felt on balance that the application should be recommended for approval.

A local Town Councillor and a representative from the Leeds Ramblers Group addressed the Panel with concerns and objections the application.  These included the following:

·  Due to the numbers of houses already built in recent years and on other  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the development of a 49.99mw battery energy storage system (BESS) comprising 25 containers, transformers, sub-stations, cabling and other ancillary apparatus and enclosure.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the development of a 49.99mw battery energy storage system (BESS) compromising 25 containers, transformers, sub-stations, cabling and other ancillary apparatus and enclosure.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting and 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:

·  The installation would provide a battery energy storage system that collected energy from the National Grid and returned to the sytem when required.

·  There had been 8 objections with regard to amenity, ecology and loss of open space.

·  The site was close to existing developments for electricity infrastructure and currently used for caravan storage.  There was a marina to the south and to the west was Gotts Park Golf course.

·  The site was green space under the UDP but this would be removed under the emerging SAP due to existing business use.

·  The Panel was made aware of existing public rights of way adjacent to the site.

·  The control building would be sited next to Redcote Lane and the facing and roofing materials would be subject to approval prior to construction.

·  The battered would be kept in containers on the eastern compound of the site and would be finished in a dark green colour.

·  There would be a landscaping scheme to the southern boundary of the site.

·  Although there was conflict with the UDP it was felt that on balance that the application should be recommended for approval.

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

·  There would be some noise emitted from the installation and a background noise report had been submitted.  There had not been any objection from statutory consultees with regard to this.

·  The batteries would be in sealed containers and those containers sited on plinths to prevent any damage from flooding.

·  There were no plans to improve visual amenity along Redcote Lane.  The main points of the site for improvements to visual amenity had been identified by the towpath and southern boundary.

·  The permission was for a 25 year period.  In the event of cessation the development would be removed and the site restored.

·  The land between the two compounds would remain within the existing planning permission which is currently used for caravan storage.

·  The current landscaping condition could be amended to consider planting adjacent to Redcote Lane.

·  There would be a preference for the control building to be finished in a stone style material and for landscaping plans to be submitted to Ward Members prior to approval.

RESOLVED – That the application be approved as per the officer recommendation and conditions outlined in the report.  Also the following:

• Amendment of Landscape condition (No5) to include landscaping consisting of a scheme to under plant existing trees along Redcote Lane.
• An additional condition to ensure Battery housings are coloured dark green. 
• Condition re materials to Control housing be artificial stone.
• Consultation with Ward Members on planting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

Thursday, 20 December 2018 at 1.30 p.m.

Thursday, 20 December at 1.30 p.m.