Agenda item

The report of the Chief Planning Officer outlined a planning application for the development of a new engineering and technology campus (use classes B1/B2/D1), with all matters reserved except for access. Application is for land at Gateway 45 North, Aire Valley Drive, Cross Green, Leeds LS9 0PS.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer set out an outline application for the development of a new engineering and technology campus (Use B1, B2, D1), with all matters reserved except for access of land at Gateway 45 North, Aire Valley Drive, Cross Green, Leeds  LS9 0PS.

Members had visited the site earlier in the day. Photographs and plans were shown throughout the presentation. Apologies were given in relation to the fact that the layout plan had been omitted from the submitted report.

Members were advised that the application had been brought to Panel in light of strategic significance of the proposed development as it involves a new campus facility for the University of Leeds in which world-class research and development and the testing of high speed railway infrastructure and vehicles would be carried out.

The application site is to be developed by the University of Leeds as the Leeds Technology Campus (LETeC). The applicant had provided background and contextual information at 1.2 of the submitted report.

Members were informed of the following points:

·  All matters are reserved for future consideration with the exception of access, which was to be achieved off Aire valley Drive and Aire Valley Road;

·  The proposed facility would include two important components of an Infrastructure Test Facility and a Vehicle Test Facility;

·  The proposal for LETeC comprises of a range of buildings and structures to accommodate research and testing facilities as well as ancillary offices and teaching spaces. The development would also include associated internal access roads, car parking, service yards, rail sidings and landscaping;

·  The identified site lies adjacent to the proposed HS2 rolling stock depot, announced by the Government in July 2018. The site forms part of a wider development site, Gateway 45, formerly the Temple Green development site and lies within the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone.

Members were advised that the Environment Agency had no objection to the proposed scheme. It was noted that advice had been offered and was set out at 10.17 of the submitted report. It was suggested that CEMP and BEMP conditions be added.

Members discussed the proposals and were supportive of the scheme.

In response to questions and comments from the Members the following information was provided:

·  The park and ride was successful with all 1000 spaces being used. Provision had been built into the scheme for another 300/400 spaces on land which had been set aside and did not include the land to be used for the campus;

·  Parking would be available for staff. However, it would not operate as a traditional campus site with srudents only attending for special events, such as testing. It was therefore anticipated that students who would most likely be based in the city centre could utilise the park and ride;

·  Grant funding for this application had been successful.

RESOLVED – To grant planning permission in accordance with the recommendation.

Additional conditions to address:

·  Submission for approval of an environmental management plan during construction; and

·  Submission for approval of a bio-diversity enhancement and management plan.

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillor Dobson required it to be recorded that he had abstained during the vote to grant permission as resolved by the Panel.