Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer providing information on the application for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 for the Leeds Southern Station entrance

(Report attached)

Plans, photographs and graphics were displayed at the meeting

Officers presented a report of the Chief Planning Officer informing Members of the progress on the Leeds Southern Station entrance

Members were informed that the application for an Order under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to authorise the construction and maintenance of the scheme had been submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport in May 2012 by Metro and Network Rail; the Council’s role in this being that of a consultee. The proposals are almost identical to the proposal that was granted planning permission in May 2012. The necessity and importance of the proposals in providing an improved access from the south of the city; an additional stimulus to continued regeneration of this part of the city, providing shorter journey times and helping to reduce congestion at the main station entrance were outlined

Whilst the proposals would have an impact on a small number of flats located closest to the new entrance structure, this had been fully considered when Panel had approved the scheme in May 2010 with the possible benefits the scheme would bring outweighing these considerations

Amendments to the scheme had been made with Little Neville Street now to be pedestrianised to discourage the use of the road as a vehicle drop off / pick up point, although this would still provide a service access that would be controlled by a Traffic Regulation Order.  Along the south side of Little Neville Street a pedestrian route/safe route would be provided using high quality surfacing which would be augmented by tree planting, lighting and signage.

As barges would be used to bring the building materials into the area, a construction compound would be sited on Water Lane. This was currently a derelict area, within the City Centre Conservation Area, although the remnants of a former building and its foundations were present.  It would be necessary to remove these and level the ground, although the stone archway which mirrored an archway on a listed building in close proximity – at 2 Water Lane – would be rebuilt upon completion of the development, with Officers being satisfied that these proposals would adequately preserve the heritage value of the remains.

In terms of the consultation on the scheme, this had ended on 28^th June 2012 and Leeds City Council had confirmed its support for the proposals.  In the event of substantive objections, a Public Inquiry could be held in November 2012.  If the scheme was approved, work would commence in 2013 and end in 2014

  Members commented on the following matters:

·  the possibility of retaining the wharf which would need to be created to service the construction compound once the scheme had been completed

·  the importance of this development for Leeds; the strong support for the scheme throughout the city; concerns at the lengthy timescale envisaged to determine the application for the Order and that the Secretary of State should be advised of the need for this to be considered quickly

·  the improvements the scheme would bring, especially to the walkway under the Dark Arches, which despite attempts to improve the pedestrian experience remained grim

In respect of the demolition works relating to the construction of the wharf, the Central Area Planning Manager advised Members that the Secretary of State had been asked to consider a Conservation Area application and a condition had been requested by the Local Planning Authority to be added to this to require details of the final treatment and how the site would be reinstated to be agreed by the Chief Planning Officer

The Chair commented on the overwhelming public support the scheme had received and welcomed an early positive decision by the Secretary of State, without the need for the Public Inquiry

RESOLVED -  To note the report and the comments now made and that the Chief Planning Officer be asked to write to the Secretary of State requesting early consideration of the Order