In accordance with Paragraphs 6.24 and 6.25 of the Area Committee Procedure Rules, at the discretion of the Chair a period of up to 10 minutes may be allocated at each ordinary meeting for members of the public to make representations or to ask questions on matters within the terms of reference of the Area Committee. This period of time may be extended at the discretion of the Chair. No member of the public shall speak for more than three minutes in the Open Forum, except by permission of the Chair.
Minutes:
(i) Proposed Street Party Ebberston Place, Leeds 6 – Members heard representations from Mr Howard Eaglestone, a Hyde Park resident who was concerned about proposals to hold a street party at Ebberston Place, Leeds 6 which would result in noise/ nuisance to the detriment of local residents. Mr Eaglestone said that he had contacted the appropriate authorities; West Yorkshire Police and the Licensing Authority in order to make known his objections; but had been advised that because the event had not been held previously, there was no past history and therefore there were no grounds for objection. Mr Eaglestone suggested that such a situation was nonsense and made the Licensing regulations unfit for purpose.
In offering comment Councillor Hamilton said that if national legislation was at fault, the appropriate Minister should be made aware of the anomaly.
It was reported that the event organiser had submitted a road closure application to which 7 objections had already been received. Inquiries were also being made as to whether the event could be stopped on the grounds of public disorder.
Sue Buckle (SHCA) said she was aware that some dialogue had taken place with the event organiser.
In drawing the discussion to conclusion the Chair said it was important that all channels of communication be explored
RESOLVED –
(a) To support Hyde Park residents in objecting to the proposed street party event
(b) That the Chair be requested to write to the Minister responsible, requesting a review of the legislation dealing with Temporary Event Notices making it possible to receive objections to a TEN which had no previous history
(ii) New Generation Transport – Members heard representations from Mr Tony Green, Chair of the North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association and the A660 Joint Council who expressed concerns about the proposed New Generation Transport scheme, in particular:
· Did the proposed scheme offer value for money
· A substantial amount of the costs would be paid by Leeds Council –Tax payers
· There were some environmental advantages but at a cost of degradation of an attractive townscape
· The new trolleybus system would not be up and running until 2020
· Congestion along A660 was seasonal and at a peak when students were in residence
· The student population was shifting from the Headingley area to other part of the city, the demand for such a system was now questionable
· How many Compulsory Purchase Orders would be required
· The North West (Outer) Area Committee had already rejected the scheme
· The Committee’s views on NGT
Speaking in support of the scheme Mr David Salinger, Headingley resident said that the introduction of the trolleybus scheme would alleviate congestion, reduce journey times and bring substantial Government funding to the City.
Mr Bill McKinnon, Hyde Park resident, expressed concern about the demolition of shops at Hyde Park corner and the loss of mature trees along the route. It was a substantial amount of money to save ten minutes journey time, he suggested.
Members also joined in the discussion, some in favour of the proposal, others expressing doubts.
Councillor Hamilton suggested that many interested parties had received differing levels of information; some had seen substantial evidence, others not so much. Councillor Hamilton was of the opinion that there was a real possibility that the planning application for the scheme would be referred to a Public Inquiry where the application would be looked at in forensic detail and unanswered questions would be addressed.
In drawing the discussion to a conclusion the Chair said there was a need for further discussion about the scheme which should take place in the public arena.
(iii) New Planning Application - Former Leeds Girls High School field, sports hall and swimming pool site at Victoria Road/ Chestnut Avenue, Leeds 6 – Members heard representations from Sue Buckle (Hyde Park Olympic Legacy Action Group) (HPOL) who was seeking the support of the Committee in objecting to a new planning application for development on the former Leeds Girls High School site. It was reported that a similar application for the same site had recently been withdrawn following a large number of objections. Sue Buckle urged Members to become involved and oppose the new application.
In offering comment Councillor Illingworth suggested that the assistance of “Sport England” be obtained, with a view to exploring the possibility of Sport England purchasing the site.
(Councillors Hamilton and Walshaw did not participate in the discussion on this item as Members of City Plans Panel who may determine the application)
RESOLVED –
(a) To support the Hyde Park Olympic Legacy Action Group in objecting to the Planning Application.
(b) That Officers be requested to write to Sport England, on behalf of this Committee seeking their support in objecting to the proposed development and requesting they explore the possibility of purchasing the site.