Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding a pre-application for the change of use and extension to offices and a new standalone building to form student accommodation.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer informed Members of a

pre-application proposal for the change of use and extension to offices and creation of a new standalone building to form student accommodation at the Leonardo Building and Thoresby House, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds.

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

The following was highlighted:

·  The site had been sold in two parts.  Number 2 George Street had been sold separately to the Leonardo Building and Thoresby House and would be subject to a separate application.

·  The proposed use of the building met policy requirements and sustainable re-use.

·  There would be the erection of a new building on the car park adjacent in between Leonardo Building/Thoresby House and 2 George Street.

·  Heritage of the area was a key design driver.

·  It was proposed to retain key features of the buildings.

·  There would be a façade replacement of the office side of the Leonardo Building.

·  Massing of the buildings would be stepped down from Woodhouse Lane to Cookridge Street.

·  Connectivity in and around the site and access through the site.

·  Proposed floor plans within the buildings.

·  Landscaping proposals.

·  CGI Images of the proposals demonstrating views from the surrounding areas.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  The mix of accommodation across the buildings would be attractive undergraduates, post graduates and young workers.  There was a broad spectrum of accommodation to suit changing demands. In turn, the range of accommodation to be provided meant that it was adaptable if the demand for student accommodation altered in the long-term, thus the proposal was robust.

·  Size and design of the accommodation units, including the materials proposed to be used at this stage.

·  There would be detailing on the façade of the new building to the side facing the old school.

·  Some concern regarding the height of the proposed new building and that it may be over dominant.

·  The atrium would be retained with a new staircase between Leonardo and Thoresby buildings.

·  The corner rooms facing onto Millennium Square would be amenity rooms.

·  Ventilation and noise attenuation measures.

·  The ground floor area of the new building would be aimed towards amenity and could include uses such as cafes and other community and public use.  Thought could be given to active street frontages where possible.

·  There would not be any car parking spaces available with the accommodation.

Members broadly supported the proposals and agreed that there was a need for more detailing on the new building. 

In response to questions outlined in the report, Members considered that the proposed use of the site for student accommodation and loss of office accommodation was acceptable in principle.  It was also considered that the

living conditions within the student accommodation would be acceptable, subject to further details of the design and space standards being provided.  The emerging principles in respect of design were supported, but with the comment from some Members to be noted that had raised concern regarding over-dominance.

RESOLVED – That the report and discussion be noted.