Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a Pre-application presentation for a proposed multi-level college development in up to four buildings at Quarry Hill, Leeds 1.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report informing Members of the emerging proposals for a new Leeds City College campus development at Quarry Hill.

It was reported that Leeds City College was the largest further education establishment in the City and had pursued an estate rationalisation and

re-investment strategy since 2009. It was understood that the college’s ultimate goal was to have two campus sites in Leeds based at the Printworks, Hunslet Road and one other.

Officers reported that the College had originally considered a remodelled Park Lane site as the second site but had now moved to their preferred option to deliver a purpose built campus in the heart of what the College consider to be an education/cultural area based around Quarry Hill. The project would be funded in part by the College and a bid through the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The College programme scheduled the opening of the new campus for the 2018 academic year.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the pre-application.

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel.  Issues highlighted included the following:

·  The new build college facility would be delivered in two phases

·  The buildings had been developed as a series of linked building blocks sitting on a plinth which followed the curved frontage of Eastgate.

·  The blocks step up in height; 5 to 10 stories

·  The proposals had been developed to align on key vistas and respect the entrance to the Quarry Hill at Gateway Court

·  The design facilitates the delivery of an external terrace area which provides the opportunity to integrate with Gateway Court

·  A route through the buildings, to the main entrance courtyard of the scheme, was proposed on the southern elevation to provide pedestrian permeability and provide greater integration with the public realm to the south

·  Some car parking was proposed, the majority for disabled parking on phase two of the development site.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  Mixed views were expressed about the appearance of the proposed plinth, the use of good quality materials, arrangement of windows and an LED lighting scheme may address some of the issues raised

·  Further consideration was required to the connectivity with neighbouring sites: Victoria Gate, the West Yorkshire Playhouse and the Caddick development site. For example would it be possible for a footbridge to be provided linking Victoria Gate to the college/ Gateway Court.

·  There were mixed views that the building blocks appeared to lack finesse, “they were too masculine”

·  Members  welcomed the fact that the aim was to achieve BREEAM Excellent for the development

·  Greater emphasis on soft landscaping and the use of trees was highlighted

·  Further details around the need for roof top plant and the opportunities for providing green roofs and/or using roof mounted solar panels was required

·  The preparation of a travel plan for staff transferring from the Park Lane site to the new Quarry Hill site was required

·  In response to questions outlined in the report, Members considered the proposed uses for the building to be acceptable, further consideration was required around the detailed form of the building and  architectural treatment and further consideration was also required in respect of achieving an enhanced public realm provision, particularly along Eastgate adjacent to the building plinth

·  Members agreed in principle with the approach to providing limited car parking on the phase 2 site

·  Overall Members were generally supportive of the proposal

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted