Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a pre-application presentation for proposed student accommodation, junction of Portland Crescent and Woodhouse Lane, Leeds 2

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of a

pre-application proposal for proposed student accommodation at the junction of Portland Crescent and Woodhouse Lane, Leeds 2.

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

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

It was proposed to add two additional storeys to the approved tower element of the building (14 storeys) such that the tower would be 16 storeys in height. The lower limb would remain at 6 storeys. The architectural treatment of the uppermost floor (previously intended as a “sky bar”) may be refined in response to the proposed use as student accommodation.

The completed building would primarily contain student accommodation. 312 student studios ranging in size from 20sqm to 56sqm would be provided within the building.

Dedicated amenity space for students would be provided at basement and ground floor level totalling 600sqm. Other ground floor space would be occupied as retail accommodation (183sqm) and additional commercial office space would occupy basement and ground floor areas (637sqm).

The external space would be laid out to compliment the new public realm presently coming forward at the junction of Woodhouse Lane / Clay Pit Lane / Cookridge Street.

In response to Members questions, the following were raised:

·  Could the stalled building be completed

·  Would the development be ready before the applicant’s St. Albans Place development

·  Would there be a pedestrian barrier to Woodhouse Lane

·  Could further consideration be given to the provision of improved pedestrian connections to address pedestrian generation/movement in the immediate area

·  How much communal space would be provided

In responding to the issues raised, the applicant’s representatives said:

·  It was confirmed that the original building could be completed. The applicant was working with the original concrete structure contractor

·  The development would be completed after the St. Albans Place development

·  In terms of public realm provision it was intended that the space outside the building should be laid out as part of the development to complement the forthcoming landscaping and connectivity improvements being delivered on the northern side of Woodhouse Lane to the site. This would include a raised landscaped area which would act as a barrier to pedestrians accessing Woodhouse Lane

·  It was confirmed that further consideration would be given to the provision of improved pedestrian connections to address pedestrian generation/movement in the immediate area

·  Both the size of the flats and the average amount of communal space per flat would be greater than the St Albans Place Development

In offering comments Members raised the following issues:

·  The development was partially built and this proposal would deliver completion of this stalled site

·  It was suggested that Panel needed to be pragmatic about room sizes

In drawing the discussion to a conclusion Members provided the following feedback;

·  Members were of the view that the proposed use of the buildings for student accommodation was acceptable in principle.

·  Members were of the view that the living conditions within the student accommodation were acceptable

·  Members were supportive of the proposed changes to the height of the building and its architecture.

·  With regard to whether Members were supportive for the application to be determined under delegated powers, further consideration was required around the provision of enhanced pedestrian connections to address pedestrian generation/movement in the immediate area

In summing up the Chair said Members were supportive of the proposal and welcomed the submission of a formal application

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the details contained in the pre-application presentation

(ii)  That the developers be thanked for their attendance and presentation

(iii)  That the developers be invited to submit a formal application