Agenda item

To consider a report of the Chief Planning Officer and to receive a pre-application presentation in relation to a proposed Data Centre, Black Bull Street, South Bank, Leeds.

This is a pre-application presentation and no formal decision on the development will be taken, however it is an opportunity for Panel Members to ask questions, raise issues, seek clarification and comment on the proposals at this stage. There is no opportunity for public speaking about the proposals outlined in the presentation.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer introduced a pre-application presentation in relation to a proposed Data Centre at Black Bull Street, South Bank, Leeds.

The following representatives attended and addressed the meeting:-

-  Peter Connolly, Yorkshire Design Group

-  Nick Barnes, Garnett Netherwood Architects

Members were shown detailed plans and photographs of the scheme and had previously visited the site prior to the meeting.

The presentation highlighted the following key areas:-

• Background details and photographs
• Introduction to Yorkshire Design Group
• Introduction to AQL
• Fibre Optik Network
• The site and surroundings
• Existing site Infrastucture
• Catalyst for future development
• Site permability and connectivity
• Illustrative Master Plan
• Built form and open spaces
• Aerial view from the South
• View looking North up Black Bull Street/View looking down Black Bull Street
• Views looking west from New Dock
• Site Plan of Data Centre
• View of Data Centre from Black Bull Street
• View of Data Centre

The Chair then invited questions and comments from Members on the specific proposals of the pre-application.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

• To welcome the presentation and the vision and to acknowledge the importance of the issue
• To welcome the proposal for providing combined heat and power to adjoining sites and buildings, but to acknowledge that traffic calming measures would be a challenge
• The need to address the design of the building with a view to making it more ‘human’ and to consider introducing further changes to improve the elevational appearance
• To welcome the proposal to establish a Data Centre in Leeds, but to suggest improvements to the overall appearance of the building and acknowledge that Black Bull Street was a potential hotspot for speeding traffic
• To welcome the landscaping proposals to the front of the building
• To propose that a Plans Panel Workshop be convened to discuss the design of the building prior to a full planning application being considered
• To request the applicant to consider illuminating the building at night

At the request of the Chair, the applicant responded to the issues raised at the meeting and acknowledged that the photographs did not do the building justice. In view of the importance of the application, he welcomed the opportunity of re-considering the design aspects of the building and re-affirmed that Black Bull Street did not require three lanes of traffic and that traffic calming measures were possible.

The Chief Planning Officer addressed the meeting and requested Members to support the proposals, in principle, and that he would have further discussions with the applicant with regards to work on the design of the building, travel implications, elevations and materials with a view to receiving a full planning application at the October meeting.

In concluding discussions, the Chair put forward the following specific matters for Members consideration:-

• is the principle of locating a data centre building on part of this site appropriate, given the potential importance of such a facility to the City Centre economy, and as a catalyst for the regeneration of the South Bank?
• is the general approach to the illustrative masterplan right for the area and does it complement the City’s vision for the South Bank and the City Centre Park by creating appropriate links and physical relationships to surrounding sites such as New Dock ?
• is the form and massing of the building appropriate given the existing context of Indigo Blu, Brewery Wharf and New Dock developments, and evolving indicative context of the South Bank?
• are the architectural detailing and materials proposed appropriate for the building and do they project a modern and forward-looking image of this part of the City?

It was the consensus of the meeting that the above matters were acceptable, subject to further discussions with the applicant with regards to work on the design of the building, travel implications, elevations and materials.

RESOLVED –

a)  That the report and pre-application presentation be noted.

b)  That the proposals be supported, in principle, and that the Chief Planning Officer be requested to have further discussions with the applicant with regards to work on the design of the building, travel implications, elevations and materials with a view to receiving a full planning application at the October meeting.

 (Councillor M Hamilton left the meeting at 5.30pm during discussions of the above item)