Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of applications for the partial demolition and rebuilding of the Leonardo Building, the conversion of the Thoresby Building and 2 Great George Street for a change of use from offices to a mix use of hotel, officer, restaurant / café and bar uses and the extension of existing buildings to the Leonardo Building, Thoresby House and 2 Great George Street, Leeds.

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which set out details of an application which sought the partial demolition and rebuilding of the Leonardo Building, the conversion of the Thoresby Building and 2 Great George Street for a change of use from offices to a mix use of hotel, offices, restaurant/ café and bar uses and the extension of existing buildings to the Leonardo Building, Thoresby House and 2 Great George Street, Leeds.

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

·  The proposal seeks the regeneration and extension of the Grade II Listed Thoresby and Leonardo Buildings and No.2 Great George Street and the creation of a new third building between the two historic buildings, contemporary in design

·  Rooftop extension to 2 Great George Street

·  Tower feature to the Leonardo Building

·  Levels and step changes

·  Massing of the building

·  Materials – Glass, slate and terracotta stone

·  New entrances

·  Connectivity through the site, public realm, landscaping

·  Vehicular access/servicing/ the calming of Rossington Street and Cookridge Street

·  Letters of objection received from the Leeds Civic Trust and the Victorian Society, following publication of the Panel report

Members raised the following questions:

·  What were the proposals/ treatment for Rossington Street

·  The public realm areas, was there suitable access for the disabled, had the appropriate groups been consulted.

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

·  Members were informed that the footways would be wider but the street would not be closed, discussions were ongoing with regard pick  up and drop off and also pay & display parking

·  Members were informed that the Council’s Access Officer had been consulted on the proposals, it was also possible that “SNAPS” could be factored into the consultation

In offering comments Members raised the following issues:

·  Members were generally supportive of the application suggesting that many of the earlier concerns raised by Members had been addressed

·  A small number of Members expressed disappointment about the rooftop extension to 2 Great George Street suggesting it was out of place, it was located in a prime position and the structure may age badly, further finesse was required.

·  Members also expressed the view that the parapet interface between the old and new (top of 2 Great George Street) was not quite right , could further refinement be considered

·  Could there be some refinement to the tower element to the proposed Leonardo extension to ensure it was not flat on top

In responding to the comments about the parapet interface at 2 Great George Street and the tower element to the Leonardo extension, the Chief Planning Officers suggested that it may be possible to amend the detailed design to address Members concerns.

In summing up the Chair thanked all parties for their attendance and contributions, he said the scheme had come a long way since it had first come  before Members and many of the earlier concerns had now been addressed. There remained some disappointment about the rooftop extension but the majority of Members appeared to be supportive of the application.

RESOLVED –

(i)  That Application No. 18/06365/FU be deferred and delegated to the to the Chief Planning Officer for approval, subject to the conditions specified in Appendix 1 of the submitted report and any others which the Chief Planning Officer considers appropriate and subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure the following:

·  Employment and training of local people

·  Publicly accessible areas

·    The provision and monitoring of a travel plan fee of a sum to be agreed

·  A contribution for loss of Pay & Display bays of £4290 per space per year (for 5 years).

·  A management fee

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.

(ii)  That Application No. 18/06366/LI be deferred and delegated to the Chief Planning Officer for approval subject to the conditions specified in the submitted report and following referral of the application to the Secretary of State following the receipt of an objection from Historic England