Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application for the partial demolition of 17 Wellington Street and total demolition of 49 Aire Street, change of use and seven storey extension with a new Basement to remaining building to form Restaurant and Café use (A3) on ground floor and first floor and 22 Apartments at 17 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4DL

(Please note that Appendix 3 contains confidential information and is classed as Exempt under Schedule 12A Local Government Act 1972 and Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4 (3)

(Report attached)

With reference to the meeting of 2^nd February 2017 and the decision to defer determination of the application to allow further discussions with the developers and officers on the Aire Street proposal

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report indicating that further discussions had taken place and the proposal had been subsequently revised.

Officers reported that the scheme still involved the partial demolition of the rear Wing, however, it was now proposed to retain both the boundary wall with No.19 Wellington Street and the detailed historic façade of the rear wing as it fronts Aire Street. The scheme still proposed the full removal of an internal staircase of the Grade II listed building as well as demolition of the standalone building to the rear, No.49 Aire Street which was a curtilage listed building.

In addition the applicant had submitted a financial viability appraisal in support of the proposal which had been independently reviewed by the District Valuer.

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

The Chief Planning Officer together with the applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Members had already expressed support for the principle of the development

·  Concern had been previously expressed around the level of demolition

·  The impact on the character and visual amenity of the host site and surrounding area

·  The scheme would allow an important listed building to be brought into use

·  The level of harm caused by the demolition of part of the heritage asset was outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal

·  The design of the seven storey building would be a high quality, contemporary addition which would sit comfortably within the context of the host listed building, street scene and the City Centre Conservation Area

·  The Financial viability appraisal demonstrated that the proposal would not be viable without the demolition works

(At this point in the meeting, the Panel moved into closed session to receive a submission from the District Valuer)

(Back in open session)

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

·  Affordable housing provision 5% (one single unit) the applicant was willing to engage with a Social Registered Landlord

·  Was there a record of the Listed Buildings that had been demolished in the city

·  Clarification around the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) provision

·  The new extension was a good design

In responding to the issues raised, the Chief Planning Officer reported that the applicant was willing to engage with a Social Registered Landlord to secure the management of the affordable housing provision, on the issue of a record of Listed Buildings that had been demolished, it was reported that Historic England “kept a watching brief” and reviewed the Buildings Register accordingly and a CIL contribution only applied to the new build element.

RESOLVED - That the application be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for approval, subject to the conditions specified in Appendix No.1 of the submitted report together with any others which the Chief Planning Officer considers appropriate and following the completion of a Section 106 Agreement to secure the following:

·  The employment and training of local people

·  Affordable housing provision at 5% (one single bedroom unit)

·  The provision of a free car club trial for the sum of £3,200.00

In the event of the Section 106 not been completed within 3 months of the Panel resolution to grant planning permission, the final determination of the application be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer.