Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application for a mixed use development comprising of 300 residential dwellings, a retail unit, a health care centre, vehicle and pedestrian access, parking, landscaping and associated works at land off Flax Place, Richmond Street and Marsh Lane, Leeds, LS9 8HG

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of an application for a mixed use development comprising of 300 residential dwellings, a retail unit, a health care centre, vehicle and pedestrian access, parking, landscaping and associated works to land off Flax Place, Richmond Street and Marsh Lane, Leeds, LS9 8HG.

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

The Planning Case Officer addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  The proposed development seeks to provide a predominantly residential development across two stepped blocks of 8 to 10 storey’s in Block A and 12 to 14 storey’s in Block B, housing a total of 300 apartments.

·  These will be laid out with 14 apartments to each floor in Block A ((6 x 2 Bed, 7 x 1 Bed and 1 x Studio) and 13 apartments to each floor in Block B (6 x 2 Bed, 6 x 1 Bed and 1 x 3 Bed). Each of the apartments would have a south, west or east facing aspect. The apartment types would be split to create the following proposed mix;

  11 studio apartments (3.3%)

  147 one bedroomed apartments (50%)

  130 two bedroomed apartments (43.3%)

  12 three bedroomed apartments (3.3%).

·  In addition to the front corner of the site where it meets Marsh Lane, East Street and Richmond Street a 200 sq m convenience shopping A1 Use Class retail unit and a 440 sq m Use Class D1 health centre/surgery are also proposed. The landscape scheme features include public open spaces around the buildings and roof top terracing for private resident’s usage at the 8th floor of Block A and the 12th floor of Block B. Car, motorcycle and cycle parking is also proposed with the added opportunity to provide a City Car Club space within the site.

·  With regard to transport matters the applicants had agreed in principle to the off-site highway works identified in paragraph 7.5 of the submitted report and on site car parking provision had now been identified to serve the proposed Doctors Surgery and retail unit. These matters would be controlled by planning condition or a Section 106 Planning Obligation as necessary.

·  Officers confirmed that a revised wind impact report had been provided to clarify matters raised by the Council’s wind consultant with confirmation awaited that the findings were acceptable.

In response to Members questions, the following issues were discussed:

·  Was there any affordable housing provision

·  Could green walls be incorporated into the landscape scheme

·  Clarification was required of the colour of the brickwork

·  Could the scheme be connected to the District Heating System

·  Had the Saxton Gardens Residents Association be contacted about their request to speak

In responding to the issues raised, the Planning Case Officer together with the applicant’s representative provided the following responses:

·  It was confirmed that 5% affordable housing would be provided on site (15 units) to be managed directly by the applicant and in accordance with a local lettings policy which would enable the Council to nominate people from its housing waiting list

·  Green walls had not been considered, however, this was a good suggestion and due consideration would be given to their inclusion within the landscaping scheme

·  It was proposed to use a lighter coloured brick, as shown on the visuals and to be controlled through the requirement to provide a sample panel on site

·  It was confirmed that the development would be designed to be connected to the District Heating System

·  The Saxon Garden Residents Association had been contacted and had agreed not to speak at panel since they were supportive of the proposal in line with the officer recommendation

In offering comments Members raised the following issues:

·  Members welcomed the affordable housing provision

·  In was the general view of Members that this was a very good scheme.

In summing up the Chair thanked the Developers for their attendance commenting that this was an impressive development and Members appeared to be supportive of the application.

RESOLVED – That the application be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for approval subject to the resolution of highways and wind issues, and subject to the conditions specified in Appendix 1 of the submitted report (and any others which he might consider appropriate) and the completion of a Section 106 agreement to include the following obligations:

·  Affordable Housing at 5% of the total units results in the provision of 15 affordable units (as described in paragraphs 10.34 to 10.37 of the submitted report)

·  Employment and training of local people

·  An off-site greenspace contribution of £80,351

·  The fee for the monitoring and evaluation of a Travel Plan of £3,500

·  A Sustainable Transport Fund Contribution £73,674.00

·  A Car Club space

·  A management fee – dependent on the number of obligations

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