Agenda item

To consider the report of the Chief Planning Officer on an application for an eight storey building comprising 56 flats with flexible commercial units (a1, a2, a3, a4, b1 or d1) at ground floor and part first floor at Land Adj To Munro House, York Street, Leeds.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of an application which sought the construction of an eight storey building comprising 56 flats with flexible commercial units (A1, A2, A3, A4, B1 or D1) at ground floor and part first floor at land adjacent to Munro House, York Street, Leeds.

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

·  Commercial/ residential use

·  Massing of the building

·  Floor levels

·  Stepping back of roof form

·  Residents only roof terrace

·  Materials – Red brick/  aluminium cladding

·  Servicing arrangements

Members raised the following questions:

·  Members raised concerns about noise from neighbouring properties

·  Concern was expressed about the amount of natural light penetration in some of the flats, would light levels achieve minimum standards

·  At the site visit earlier today Members were made aware of unsafe structures within the adjoining properties, would these hazards be made safe

·  Was the level of cycle parking provision adequate for the development (Paragraph 10.4 of the submitted report referred)

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

·  The applicant confirmed noise mitigation measures would be incorporated, including the use double glazing and extra cladding. Council officers confirmed that measures were in place to control the level of noise from the adjacent premises and that the full details of noise insulation for the proposed development would be the subject of a planning condition.

·  Council officers stated that due to the size of the proposed windows and their position in relation to the roof slope of the neighbouring premises, it was considered there would be sufficient daylight within the living rooms to these flats. In addition the bedrooms would have daylight from windows to the adjacent courtyard.

·  The applicant confirmed that all hazards would be removed during construction of the building

·  The City Council’s Highway Officer confirmed that cycle parking provision was adequate at one cycle space per flat

In offering comments Members raised the following issues:

·  This was a good scheme with some clever features

·  A good development, welcomed the agreements made with the neighbouring properties

·  Although stone sills were not a feature of the application, could consideration be given to their inclusion

·  Really pleased with the development, however, the York Street elevation appeared to be slightly bland

In summing up the Chair thanked all parties for their attendance and contributions suggesting 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 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 on site provision in a pro-rate mix split 60:40 lower decile:lower quartile in accordance with the policy for the area.

·  Residential travel fund £13,860 including car club contribution £5,000 to support Travel Plan measures at the site

·  Travel plan monitoring fee £2,500

·  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.