Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the erection of a part 6 storey, part 4 storey, building comprising 19 apartments (Class C3) and commercial space (Class E) with associated parking, landscaping, and ancillary facilities at Land East Of Owlcotes Lane And South Of Woodlands Road, Stanningley, Pudsey, Leeds.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the erection of a part 6 storey, part 4 storey, building comprising of 19 apartments (Class 3) and commercial space (Class E) with associated parking, landscaping, and ancillary facilities at land east of Owlcotes Lane and south of Woodlands Road, Stanningley, Pudsey, Leeds. The officer’s recommendation was for approval subject to conditions specified in the submitted report and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

Panel Members had attended a site visit prior to the meeting.

Slides and photographs of the site and proposals were presented by the Planning Officer who outlined the application and contents of the representations received as detailed in the submitted report.

The application was brought to Plans Panel at the request of Cllr Andrew Carter who had raised concerns in regard to the design in relation to the massing and bulk of the proposed block, a lack of external amenity space and highway safety concerns in relation to additional vehicle movements, congestion, insufficient parking and rat-running.

A letter of support had been received from Cllr Peter Carlill which outlined he supported the re-development of a brownfield site given a demand for smaller properties within the ward along with the development creating local employment opportunities through the coffee takeaway kiosk, subject to ward members being involved in further discussions surrounding the Section 106 monies for traffic management in the vicinity.

Questions and comments from Panel Members then followed, with officers responding to the questions raised, which included the following:

·  In relation to green space amenity an off-site contribution of £23,511.70 was to be secured via a Section 106 agreement. This sum would be spent on green space enhancements within the Calverley and Farsley Ward subject to consultation with Parks and Countryside. A small external are of private amenity space was to be provided as part of the design to be used by residents of the development, with soft landscaping, seating and interactive features.

·  £30,000 was to be secured through a Section 106 agreement for the implementation of a traffic management scheme. It was noted that it would not be possible to close off any part of the roads due to commercial premises requiring access.

·  In relation to the proposed coffee takeaway kiosk, it was noted that this would not be a destination premises but would provide takeaway only, therefore parking would not be an issue. However, a condition could be added to restrict delivery times to the kiosk.

·  Details of the low carbon technology was to be submitted to the authority which must be compliant with policies EN1 and EN2 and separate building control. Paragraphs 75 and 76 of the submitted report provided details on this.

·  Bio-diversity net gain would be through the landscaping and planting of trees.

·  Some concerns were raised in relation to the massing and scale of the development and highway issues.

·  There was support for the scheme, which was close to bus and train links, which may encourage people to not have cars.

The Area Planning Manager summed up the debate.

Up on voting, a motion was put to move the officer recommendations, as per the submitted report. This was moved and seconded, and it was:

RESOLVED – To approve subject to conditions specified in the submitted report and the completion of the Section 1069 agreement and an additional condition in relation to; Deliveries to the coffee kiosk to avoid peak times.