Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for the demolition of existing buildings and construction of a mixed-use residential scheme comprising of up to 928 apartments, ancillary ground floor commercial uses, car parking and public realm set over 5 buildings of 6-20 storeys at 123-125 Hunslet road, Hunslet, Leeds LS10 1LD.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of an application which sought the demolition of existing buildings and construction of a mixed-use residential scheme comprising up to 928 apartments, ancillary ground floor commercial uses, car parking and public realm set over 5 buildings of 6-20 storeys at 123-125 Hunslet Road, Hunslet, Leeds LS10 1LD.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting. Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

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

·  Site location/ context

·  Site layout

·  Massing of the building

·  Balconies/ terraces

·  Materials – Red brick/ ceramic cladding/analysed aluminium

·  Vehicular access

·  Servicing strategy

·  Public realm/ landscaping

Members raised the following questions:

·  Why was the affordable housing provision located in Block No.3

·  The end elevation facing the Print Works Tower appeared to be a little bland, would it be possible to create a feature within the brickwork

·  What species of trees were proposed, shallow rooted trees would not be suitable

·  Was it intended the development would connect to the District Heat Network

·  Could a sample of the red brick be provided

In responding to the issues raised, the applicant’s representative and council officers said:

·  The applicant confirmed that the affordable housing would be delivered in a range of unit types within Block No.3 

·  The Environment & Design Officer said there was a proposal to include glazing in the area referred to, the glazing would be set back creating a subtle feature. The design would not detract from the Print Works Tower

·  Members were informed that a full landscape plan had been submitted to meet soil volume requirement / colour/ and structural definition. Although the tree species currently included Cherry and Purple Beach the exact species will be controlled by condition.

·  The applicant confirmed that it was intended the development would be designed so that it could connect to the District Heat Network when that was available. The Network would not be available for phases 1 & 2 but would be ready for phases 3, 4 & 5.

·  The applicant confirmed that a sample panel of the materials would be provided on site prior to commencement of the development.

In offering comments Members raised the following issues:

·  Members expressed the view that it was important that a sample of the red brick was agreed on site

·  Members considered this to be an excellent application with many fine features

·  Members welcome the level of family accommodation at 23%

·  One Member commented that it should be noted that the scheme in his view was not in line with the Council’s Development Plan which required a mix use development on the site. Going forward the Council needs to ensure that sufficient capacity is retained for meeting the needs of employment uses.

In summing up the Chair thanked all parties for their attendance and contributions, he said this was an excellent scheme 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 lifting of Highways England’s holding direction regarding the impact of the proposed development on the strategic highway network, the conclusion of discussions with the Environment Agency regarding flood modelling, and the conditions specified in Appendix 1 of the submitted report (and any others which he might consider appropriate) and following the completion of a Section 106 agreement to include the following obligations:

·  5% Affordable housing provision pro-rata mix split 60:40 lower decile:lower quartile in accordance with the adopted policy for the area

·  Residential travel fund for Travel Plan measures £229,680

·  Travel plan monitoring fee £6,640

·  Public access to and maintenance of routes and spaces within the site

·  Cooperation with local jobs and skills initiatives

In the event of the Section 106 Agreement having not 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.