Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer giving updates on Plots E and F – 109 houses and apartments, 1900 square metre retail and new public square.

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.  A ward member or a nominated community representative has a maximum of 15 minutes to present their comments.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer informed Members of a pre-application presentation for Phase 2 of the Kirkstall Forge development (Plots E and F) comprising 112 houses and apartments, circa 1900 square metres of retail space, amenity space and a new public square.

Members attended a site visit prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of this item.

Members were reminded that Phase 1 of the Kirkstall Forge had been approved in September 2015.  This had consisted of an office block which was due to open in August 2017.  A reserved matters application would follow in early 2017 and this pre-application asked the Panel to consider appearance, scale, layout and landscaping.

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

·  Work on the site had been ongoing for many years to produce a sustainable mixed use site comprising of homes, restaurants, shops and a railway station.

·  The railway station opened in 2016 and the first office building on site was midway through construction.

·  There was a focus on skills and training initiatives for local people which would include pathways to employment.

·  Phase 2 would include 112 dwellings consisting of 96 houses and 16 apartments along with 1900 square metres of retail space.

·  There would be a mix of house types and all houses would have a minimum of two parking spaces.  CGI images of the proposed development were shown which displayed proposed house types, highways and parking arrangements.

·  Provision of a residential refuse strategy and retail servicing strategy

·  Open areas and play spaces.

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

·  26% of properties would be 4 bedroom, 56% 3 bedroom with the remainder 2 bedroom.

·  Houses would benefit from generous glazing with large room windows to provide a bright and airy environment.

·  The commitment to landscaping would include the planting of semi-mature trees.  It was important to create a natural landscaping scheme.

·  Affordable housing – there would be a contribution via a commuted sum.  There would be more detail regarding this at the next stage of development.

·  Concern regarding lack of space between blocks of housing and the size of the blocks.

·  Concern that the appearance of the buildings was bland austere.  It was reported that there would be a texture to the architecture not demonstrated in the images and would be of a quality brickwork design.  There would also be generous landscaping.

·  Safety and security – this would be considered prior to a reserved matters application.

·  Balcony sizes – the balconies would provide an expansion of the living room areas.

·  The site would be enriched with public spaces and all properties would have external amenities which would include roof terraces and courtyards.

·  Riverside safety – there would be a robust balustrade along the riverside.

·  In response to questions outlined in the report, the following was discussed:

o  Members broadly supported the scale and layout of the development though some concern had been expressed regarding spacing between housing and the number of houses in some blocks.

o  With regard to the emerging appearance, there had been some concern that the designs gave an austere and bland appearance.  It was felt that more detail on architecture and materials to be used before a better judgement could be given on the final appearance.

o  With regard to the emerging landscape scheme it was reported that there was potential for more greenery of buildings and roof terraces could be used for this.

o  More detail on the delivery of the Section 106 agreement, with particular regard to affordable housing was requested.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.