Agenda item

The report of the Chief Planning Officer requests Members consideration of a reserved matters application to increase the number of apartments from 18 to 23 at former site of Stanks Fire Station Sherburn Road, Swarcliffe, Leeds,

LS14  5DW.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer for a reserved matters application to increase the number of apartments from 18 to 23 at the former site of Stanks Fire Station, Sherburn Road, Swarcliffe, was presented to the Plans Panel as Members had previously resolved to grant permission on the 7^th June 2018 for the construction of 18 flats with associated car parking. (Ref: 17/17114RM) Minute 10 refers.

The proposal for the laying out of 23 flats was set out at point 2.0 of the submitted report.

Representations had been received from 3 ward councillors who are not supportive of the proposals their objections were set out at point 6.2 of the report. 1 letter of objection had also been received, the objectors concerns were set out at point 6.4 of the report.

7 letters expressing support for the proposals had been received and were summarised at point 6.3 of the submitted report.

Members were advised of the following points:

·  2017 permission work had started but has stopped in November 2018 pending the outcome of this meeting;

·  TPO trees are still in situ;

·  The 5 extra flats to be located within the roof space of the development already approved;

·  An additional condition recommended for the reinstatement of redundant crossings and works to the  new access to be agreed;

·  Parking spaces to increase to 30 spaces.

Members were shown photographs, plans, comparison plans and floor layouts for proposed additional flats.

Cllr. Gruen addressed the Panel informing them of the following points:

·  A previous application for 13 houses had been refused and had also been refused at appeal;

·  Approval was given for 18 flats which in his view was over development of the site but he was prepared to give the benefit of doubt;

·  An additional 5 flats would be a 30% increase of flats on this site;

·  Proposed parking currently has spaces for 3 electric vehicles and 2 disabled parking bays, Cllr Gruen suggested that 33 spaces were required, as the adjoining roads were not wide enough for on street parking;

·  The 3 ward members were not supportive of the proposal;

·  The design and quality of flats should be the same across the city and the development should be sustainable;

·  Additional bin storage was needed.

Mr Hurst the applicant attended the meeting and provided the Panel with the following information:

·  All policy tests had been met for the 5 extra flats;

·  No objections had been received from Highways in relation to parking;

·  There is a demand for housing in this area;

·  Negotiations had taken place with officers and the density was within policy;

·  The development provided opportunities to make money and also provided homes for the people of the area;

·  No dormers would be placed at the front of the buildings;

·  Parking spaces have met Highways Policy tests;

·  The extra flats were an after-thought to use space that would otherwise be wasted.

Members discussed at length the following points;

·  Space standards;

·  Quality of life of those residents in the flats;

·  Noise issues;

·  Accessibility of the flats;

·  Bin storage;

·  Specification of security locks;

·  Housing mix.

Officers provided advice and guidance for Members in relation to the following:

·  Provision of bin storage and access for refuse collection;

·  Condition in place so that parking spaces remain unallocated;

·  Compliance with emerging policy H9 relating to internal space standards;

·  Emerging policy H10 in relation to accessibility.

At the conclusion of the discussions Cllr. Collins moved a motion to reject the recommendation as detailed in the report and defer for 1 cycle, to allow for examination to ensure that the additional flats were policy compliant under H10. The motion was seconded by Cllr. Dobson.

Members were advised that the Council could be open to appeal and challenge for non-determination.

On the motion being put to the vote, Cllr Collins motion fell.

RESOLVED – Approval granted in accordance with officer recommendation and subject to the prior completion of a legal agreement to deliver a contribution of circa £75K for greenspace enhancements and the provision of 4 affordable housing units.

Additional conditions:

·  Reinstatement of redundant crossings and works to the new access to be agreed.

·  Submission for approval of a management plan for the open space and grounds.

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 16.5, Councillors B Anderson, M Dobson and S Seary required it be recorded that they had abstained from the vote.