Agenda item

The report of the chief planning officer sets out a reserved matters application for a part ten storey and part eleven storey office (B1A) development with flexible commercial ground floor (A1/A2/A3/A4/A5/D1/D2/B1A) uses together with basement gym, parking and associated landscaping at Wellington Place

Leeds LS1 4AP

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out details of a reserved matters application for a part 10 storey and part 11 storey office (B1A) development with flexible commercial ground floor (A1/A2/A3/A4/A5/D1/D2/B1A) uses together with basement gym, parking and associated landscaping at Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4AP

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 addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site/ location/context

·  The site is within a heritage location

·  The development is part of Phase 2 of the Wellington Place scheme (Application No.18/07929/OT)

·  The proposal is to construct two buildings, 10 and 11 storey’s in height for flexible commercial use

·  The buildings are joined together with a glass sided link bridge containing additional office floor space

·  Double height entrance

·  Materials - bronze metal framing with silver coloured metal linings

·  41 car parking spaces below the building, including 2 disabled and 4 electric charging points, 17 motorcycle spaces at basement level, 22 short stay cycle parking spaces at street level and 142 long stay cycle parking spaces at basement level

·  Associated plant, storage, hard and soft landscaping

·  Roof top terraces

·  Generous public realm areas

·  It is intended the buildings would achieve a BREEAM excellent status

Members raised the following questions to officers/ applicant’s representatives

·  Was there an aspiration to bring Park & Ride into the development

·  Had changes been made in response to previous concerns raised about disturbance of residential amenity by vehicles on the encircling access road

·  Was there an intention for the “lifting tower” to be brought into use

·  The building includes a substantial amount of glass, how would the building be cooled

In responding to the issues raised, Planning Officers/ the applicant’s representatives said:

·  The City Centre Team Leader indicated there was no firm intention to bring Park & Ride within the development Further, the City Centre Team Leader confirmed that the road route comes into the north of the site and then takes vehicles immediately into the basement of the proposed building, such that the road would be very pedestrian-friendly and so as to reduce Members’ earlier concerns regarding vehicles travelling in close proximity to residential units

·  The applicant said the lifting tower was an important asset and there was a desire for it to be brought back into use, with potential options currently being explored

·  The building would have climate-responsive glazing (in excess of minimum standards) and would also have a mechanical ventilation system to cool the building. Shading from Buildings 7 and 8 would also assist in keeping the building cool through the provision of shadow.

In offering comments Members raised the following matters:

·  All Members welcomed the scheme, commenting that the design was dynamic, of a high quality and would make a positive economic impact to the area.

·  It was agreed that the lifting tower was an important asset and formed a key part of the overall Wellington Place development

The Chair thanked the developers for their attendance and presentation, commenting that Members appeared to be supportive of the application.

RESOLVED – That Application No. 19/06879/RM be approved (Appearance, landscaping, layout and scale) pursuant to original outline planning permission and conditions (Application No. 18/07929/OT).