Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of an application which seeks the redevelopment of the existing buildings, to include a rooftop extension and the conversion of upper floors to student residential use with a ground floor reception entrance, at the former Debenhams, 115 - 125 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6LX

The report also requests Listed Building Consent (Application 1/02845/LI) for redevelopment of the existing buildings, to include a rooftop extension and the conversion of upper floors to student residential use with a ground floor reception entrance, at the former Debenhams, 115 - 125 Briggate, Leeds,

LS1 6LX

(Report attached)

Members considered a report by the Chief Planning Officer which set out details of an application which sought the redevelopment of the existing buildings, to include a rooftop extension and the conversion of upper floors to student residential use with a ground floor reception entrance, at the former

Debenhams, 115 - 125 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6LX. Listed Building Consent was also sought (Application 21/02845/LI) for redevelopment of the existing buildings, to include a rooftop extension and the conversion of upper floors to student residential use with a ground floor reception entrance, at the former Debenhams, 115 – 125 Briggate, Leeds, LS1 6LX.

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

The Planning case officer addressed the Panel, speaking in detail about the proposal and highlighted the following:

·  Site / location / context

·  Site history

·  The proposals seek to create basement, ground and first floor E Use Class commercial uses and student accommodation to the second and third upper floors and in a new two storey roof extension (which will replace the existing roof extension).

·  The commercial units would have floor areas totalling some 1052m2 for the basement unit (Unit B), 1255m2 for the ground floor and 1418m2 for the first floor.

·  The scheme includes a two storey stepped roof extension which will replace the building’s existing 1990s roof extension. This will house the student accommodation alongside the second and third floors of the host building

·  The student accommodation would be in the form of 124 bedspaces in 107 dwellings, with these being 90 studio flats (ranging from 20 to 36m2) and 17 double sized-duel occupancy studios, termed as “Twodios” (ranging from 32 to 50m2).

·  Four student’s communal spaces are proposed (754 m2  of communal space for the student residents to use (both internal and external).

·  A new courtyard wellness garden would be created in the centre of the department store from the second floor up. This would be approximately 240m2 in size. A further external communal space of some 130m2 is proposed to the roof area. Internally three communal spaces are proposed, with these being a communal lounge of some 292m2 and a study room of some 18m2 as well as a sky lounge on level 5, of some 74m 2.

Members raised the following questions to officers:

·  How would vehicles access the development; pick up and drop off

·  Could the windows for the commercial use be isolated from the space inside to ensure an acceptable appearance

·  The proposed rooflights to the top floor student bedrooms, was this the only source of light to this area

·  Could the style and quality of the retail frontages be co-ordinated and retained

In responding to the issues raised, officers said:

·  The LCC Highway Officer said a Student Management Plan would be included as a condition to control vehicle use of the pedestrianised  area, with the intention to use near-by car parks for pick up and drop off of students at the beginning and end of term. The nearest taxi rank was located at the southern end of Briggate.

·  The Planning Case Officer said a condition would be added to control the nature of the window displays

·  The Planning Case Officer confirmed this was the only light source and the size of the windows would be controlled to provide acceptable levels of natural lighting

·  A Design Code (Condition) would control the appearance of the retail frontages

In offering comments Members raised the following issues:

·  In general Members were supportive of the application suggesting this was an impressive design and would bring life back into this very important building

·  One Member suggested this was the way of the future and would welcome a visit once completed

In drawing the discussion to a conclusion, the Chair suggested there appeared to be a lot of support for this development.

It was moved and seconded that the application be approved in accordance with the report recommendation.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was passed unanimously.

RESOLVED –

(i)    That Application No. 21/02996/FU be deferred and delegated to   the Chief Planning Officer for approval, subject to the conditions   set out at Appendix 1 of the submitted report (and any   amendment to or addition of others which the Chief Planning   Officer considers appropriate) and subject to the completion of a   Section 106 Agreement to secure the following:

·  Employment and training of local people

·  Occupation of the residential units by students only

·  A management fee

(ii)  In the event of the Section 106 having not been completed within 3 months of the Panel resolution to grant planning permission, the final determination of the applications shall be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer.

(iii)  To defer and delegate Application No. 21/02845/LI to the Chief Planning Officer for approval, subject to the conditions at Appendix 1