Agenda and minutes

A Members site visit was held in connection with the following applications:

Application Nos: 18/07367/FU, 19/01277/LI, 19/01279/LI & 19/01280/LI – Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme – Phase 2. PREAPP/19/00037 – Commerce House, Wade Lane, Leeds and was attended by the following Councillors: J McKenna, D Blackburn, C Campbell, P Carlill, E Nash, P Wadsworth, S Hamilton, R Grahame, R Stephenson and J Hesselwood.

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 against the refusal of inspection of documents.

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 were no items identified where it was considered necessary to exclude the press or public from the meeting due to the confidential nature of the business to be considered.

There were no late items of business identified.

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. 

Although there were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests made at the meeting, Councillor R Stephenson required it to be recorded that a family Member had submitted a tender for works associated with the construction of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme (Phase 2) – Agenda Item No. 8 (Minute No. 8 referred)

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors; C Gruen, P Gruen A Khan and G Latty.

Councillors: R Grahame, S Hamilton, J Heselwood and R Stephenson were in attendance as substitute Members.

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 9^th May 2019.

(Copy attached)

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 9^th May 2019 were submitted for comment/ approval.

Councillor J Heselwood requested a minor alteration to Minute No. 172, substituting the word “manned” and replacing with “staffed”

To consider any matters arising from the minutes. (If any)

Councillor R Grahame said there were a number of references within the minutes to the provision of “green walls”. Could an explanation be provided as to what a green wall was?

In offering an explanation Councillor N Walshaw said living walls or green walls were vertical gardens that are attached to the exterior or interior of a building with an irrigation system.

The Chair thanked Councillor Walshaw for his explanation.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application for the construction of phase 2 of the Leeds flood alleviation scheme (FAS) to land adjacent to, and within the River Aire Corridor between Leeds City Centre (Whitehall Waterfront) and Calverley.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of an application for the construction of phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) to land adjacent to, and within the River Aire corridor between Leeds City Centre (Whitehall Waterfront) and Calverley, Leeds.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting. Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The Planning Officer confirmed and clarified the following by verbal updates to the Panel report issued:

Page 34 – 10.10 – embankments would be up to a max. height of 4000mm (not 400mm as mentioned).

Page 37 – 10.29 - Zone 12 – the wall shown either side of the Locomotive sheds at Armley Mills would be 2.3m high (not max.1.8m as suggested)

The Planning Case Officer reported that further representations had been received following publication of the report to Panel:

·  Yorkshire Wildlife Trust had confirmed no objections to the proposal.

·  Environment Agency, raised no objections subject to conditions, the full detail of these are expected by 12^th June 2019.

·  Councillor A Carter (Calverley & Farsley Ward) had commented there was a strong case for effective action following storm Eva in 2015 and was broadly supportive of the proposals.

·  The Home Office confirmed that they were supportive of the proposals, particularly given the history of flooding in the area and the impact on their offices at Waterside Court.

·  2 sets of residents from Newlay Bridge had requested their ‘objections’ be changed to ‘comments’ following the revised drawing at this location and additional clarifications from the Project Team

·  Horsforth Town Council were neither supporting or objecting to the proposals (neutral response)

·  Kirkstall Ward Members Veener and Bithell expressed their support for the scheme and look forward to working with Officers and local residents on the detail of the scheme as it develops. Specifically they wished to mention that protection of natural habitats and the nurturing of the various species that thrive in the valley are of particular concern to our constituents and we look forward to discussions with them and the ecologists working on the scheme in order to ensure that local wildlife are protected as much as possible in the development and building of the flood defences.

·  Councillor J Illingworth (Kirkstall) confirmed that he would not now be attending to speak and address Panel, but was content for the application to proceed and welcomed more details about the scheme as the work progresses.  In addition, Councillor Illingworth requested (1) experience from this proposal be used to inform an improved approach to consultation on large-scale planning applications in the future (2) that as part of the proposals consideration be given to mitigation measures being relocated to wider areas

Planning Officers addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

Construction of Phase 2 of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) including flood storage areas, flow control structure (including plant and machinery) and defence to include;  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a pre-application presentation of proposed Student Residential Accommodation development on the site of Commerce House, Wade Lane and St Alban’s Place, Leeds LS2 8NJ

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of a

pre-application proposal for Student Residential Accommodation development on the site of Commerce House, Wade Lane and St Albans Place, Leeds,

LS2 8NJ.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting. Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site / location/ context

·  Demolition of the existing office building and the construction of a multi-storey student residential accommodation development

·  Located within the tall building cluster

·  Key views

·  The proposed new development would comprise a stepped block, rising from 18 storey’s to 28 storey’s in height

·  The building would contain 362 studio flats designed for students

·  Bicycle/ bin stores and gym located at lower ground floor level

·  Main entrance located at ground floor level together with cinema room, general amenity space

·  Additional communal space, including study rooms would be located at first floor level

·  The studio flats would comprise 21m² of floorspace

·  Large floor to ceiling windows

·  Public realm/ courtyard area/ enhanced pedestrian facilities along Belgrave Street

·  Agreed new pedestrian access from St Albans Place

·  Turning head for deliveries, pick up and drop off area

·  Landscaping and tree planting (28 new trees)

·  The developers are aware that a wind assessment requires undertaking

Members raised the following questions: 

·  The proposal is for studio flats but isn’t there a move away from this type of accommodation following concerns about student isolation

·  Could the courtyard space be publicly accessible

·  Concerns about the lack of connectivity between the development, surrounding buildings, and the wider city centre

·  The size of the studio flats at 21m² was a concern

In responding to the issues raised, the applicant’s representatives said:

·  The Architect suggested there was a need for a mix of student accommodation across the area. In terms of student isolation, the developers were aware of such concerns and intended to provide communal facilities and social events to address these issues.

·  Members were informed that there was a proposal to locate some of the studio flats at ground floor level which had safety concerns for residents if the courtyard space was not managed privately and open to public access. Member’s attention was also drawn to the comments by West Yorkshire Police (Paragraph 5.9 of the submitted report) which suggested reducing the number of access routes into the site, the provision of gates, access control measures for authorised entry and visitor access being directed through the main reception.

·  It was suggested that students would not be unduly isolated from the wider community, as they will be able to access the public space at St Albans Place.

·  In addition, Members were told that opportunities for students to mix and interact would be enhanced if they could feel that there were safe and private communal spaces in which they could do so.

·  It was suggested that the provision of a private courtyard area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which provides an update on Application No. 18/05017/FU – Removel of condition 50 (MLLR delivery) of approval 16/07938/OT, on land between Barrowby Lane and Manston Lane, Thorpe Park, Leeds.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which provided an update in respect of an application for the removal of Condition 50 (MLLR delivery) of approval 16/07938/OT on land between Barrowby Lane and Manston Lane, Thorpe Park, Leeds.

Members noted that this report had been submitted as part of the agreement to bring regular updates to Panel regarding the Manston Lane Link Road (MLLR). 

Officers confirmed that the MLLR opened to traffic on 10^th May 2019. It was understood that work would continue to complete the entire project (landscaping works) by the end of June.

Members were informed that the Thorpe Park bus service had also diverted off Selby Road onto the MLLR to provide the originally intended route to Crossgates and beyond.

Members welcomed the opening of the MLLR.

The Chair thanked officers and developers for their efforts in completing the scheme and suggested that the regular reporting of the project to City Plans Panel was no longer required.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That the contents of the report be noted and welcomed

(ii)  To agree that further regular reporting of the project to City Plans Panel was no longer required

To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 27^th June 2019 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.

RESOLVED – To note that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, 27^th June 2019 at 1.30pm in the Civic Hall, Leeds.