Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a pre-application presentation for a stepped block of part 11 storeys, part 18 storeys (with roof top plant and lower ground floor) providing student accommodation comprising some 98 units with ground and lower ground floor communal spaces and a landscape scheme around the building at land to the north of Brunswick Point/Q One, Wade Lane, Leeds, LS2 8DS.

(Report attached)

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

pre-application presentation for a stepped block of part 11 storeys, part 18 storeys (with roof top plant and lower ground floor) providing student accommodation comprising 98 units with ground and lower ground floor communal spaces and a landscape scheme around the building at land to the north of Brunswick Point/ Q One, Wade 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:

The proposed scheme would comprise of 98 studio dwellings, for occupation by students, ranging in internal floorspace from 21 sq. metres to 31 sq. metres. These are currently proposed to be set out as follows:

10 studios of 21 sq metres

17 studios of 22 sq metres

37 studios of 23 sq metres

17 studios of 29 sq metres

17 studios of 31 sq metres

The proposal would include a range of high quality communal facilities within the ground and lower ground floor levels of the proposed building, comprising a lounge, reception area with TV, a breakfast room and study rooms/pods. The Developer advises that occupiers would also be able to make use of the lower ground floor of the existing Q One building, which would provide a cinema room (c. 30 – 40sqm), a games room (c.80sqm), a storage area for students (c. 30-40sqm) and additional cycle stands. In addition the Developer also stated that student occupiers would be given free annual membership of the nearby Pure Gym at the Merrion Centre.

Members raised the following questions:

·  The communal space would be located in two different buildings, had consideration been given to the provision of an extension to link the two buildings together.

·  Could further details about the security of the building be provided

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

·  It was proposed that the façade to the existing building would be redeveloped and new landscaping would be provided that would give the impression the two buildings were linked.

·  Entrances to the building would be gated and there would be a managed reception at the main entrance

In offering comments Members raised the following issues:

·  A number of Members expressed the view that the design / proposals was an improvement on the earlier scheme.

·  A number of Members expressed concern about the size of some of the studio apartments.

·  Had cluster apartments been considered

·  Further details of the landscaping proposals were required

·  There was concern that some of the communal facilities were to be located in the neighbouring property, could consideration be given to linking the two buildings

Responding to the comment as to whether cluster apartments had been considered, the Chief Planning Officer said Members needed to be mindful about the type of student accommodation that was being proposed, there were distinct markets for both studio flats and cluster flats.

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

·  The majority of Members supported the revised scale, massing, layout and design of the proposals

(Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5 Councillors: C Campbell required it to be recorded that he considered the living conditions within the student accommodation to be unacceptable)

The Chair thanked the developers for their attendance and presentation.

RESOLVED –

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

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