Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out detail of a

Pre-application presentation for the proposed demolition of existing office building and student residential accommodation development on the site of Arena Point, Merrion Way, Leeds LS2 8PA

(Report attached)

The Chief Planning Officer submitted a report which sets out detail of a

Pre-application presentation for the proposed demolition of an existing office building and the development of residential student accommodation on the site of Arena Point, Merrion Way, Leeds LS2 8PA.

Site photographs and plans were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

The applicant’s representatives addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site / location / context

·  The site located within the area identified for tall buildings

·  The proposal to demolish existing 19 storey building and replace with 43 storey purpose built student accommodation

·  Elegant slender building in design

·  Accommodation to consist of studio flats and cluster flats, 694 student bed-spaces in total

·  New building to occupy a similar footprint to existing building

·  Materials; smooth white metal cladding with shimmer, metal infill panels, moulded panels at street level, deep reveals, and full height windows to all rooms

·  Main entrance located on Merrion Way at ground floor level

·  The northern half of the building at ground floor level would contain bin store, a bike store, substation and generator room together with disabled parking spaces

·  Amenity space 970sqm

·  Improve public realm around the site, 3m wide pavements

·  New specimen trees

·  Drop off and deliveries on Brunswick  Terrace

·  Wind mitigation measures (Baffles)

Members raised the following questions:

·  Was the existing building currently in use

·  Members questioned the demand for purpose built student accommodation in light of the coronavirus pandemic and the likelihood that international students may not return in large numbers

·  What were the room sizes for each type of accommodation

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

·  Members were informed that the existing building was in use, with an occupancy rate of 40% prior to the Covid-19 lockdown

·  The applicant suggested the building would come online in approximately 4 years-time, “when we may be in less strange times”. If student demand is low the building could be reconfigured to residential accommodation

·  Members were informed that studio flats were 21sqm and the 6 bedroom cluster flats have 28sqm living/kitchen spaces

In offering comments Members raised the following issues:

·  Members were generally supportive of the scheme suggesting the design was elegant, impressive, well-proportioned and would make a positive statement to the street scene.

·  Some Members considered that the “Studio Flat” was too small, there was not enough space for occupants to sit for relaxation.

·   A number of Members welcomed more purpose built student accommodation within the City Centre

In offering comments on the officers’ questions in the report:

·  Members were of the view that the loss of office accommodation and proposed use of the site for student accommodation was acceptable in principle

·  Subject to confirmation of the detailed proposals, Members were supportive of the approach towards the living conditions for student accommodation, with the exception of the “Studio Flat” where further clarification was required 

·  Members considered the proposed mass and form of the development and its relationship with the surrounding context to be acceptable

The Chair thanked the developers for their attendance and presentation suggesting that Members appeared to be generally supportive of the development.

RESOLVED –

(i)  To note the details contained in the pre-application presentation

(ii)  That the developers be thanked for their attendance and presentation