Agenda item

To consider a report by the Chief Planning Officer which sets out details of a Pre-Application Presentation for a Hybrid planning application for a phased development comprising: Demolition of existing buildings and structures and preparatory works; Detailed planning permission for erection of four residential buildings (use class C3) and a student accommodation building with ground floor uses comprising any or all or retail, commercial, community, health and leisure (use classes E, F1 and/or F2) totalling up to 66,232sqm gross external area and associated means of access, parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure works; and Outline planning permission, to be implemented in phases, for mixed use development totalling up to 70,540sqm gross external area comprising residential use (C3) and other uses including all or some of the following: retail, leisure, commercial, health and community uses (use classes E, F1 and/or F2); car parking, new public spaces; hard and soft landscaping; cycle parking; access; servicing and other associated infrastructure and engineering works at Former City Reach 1 & 2 Development Site, Kirkstall Road, Leeds LS3 1LH.

(Report attached)

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

pre-application presentation for a Hybrid planning application for a phased development comprising: Demolition of existing buildings and structures and preparatory works; Detailed planning permission for erection of four residential buildings (use class C3) and a student accommodation building with ground floor uses comprising any or all of retail, commercial, community, health and leisure (use classes E, F1 and/or F2) totalling up to 66,232sqm gross external area and associated means of access, parking, landscaping and associated infrastructure works; and Outline planning permission, to be implemented in phases, for mixed use development totalling up to 70,540sqm gross external area comprising residential use (C3) and other uses including all or some of the following: retail, leisure, commercial, health and community uses (use classes E, F1 and/or F2); car parking, new public spaces; hard and soft landscaping; cycle parking; access; servicing and other associated infrastructure and engineering works at Former City Reach 1 & 2 Development Site, Kirkstall Road, Leeds LS3 1LH.

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

·  Former Yorkshire Chemicals Works and First Bus Depot site

·  Existing consents

·  Kirkstall Road Renaissance area

·  The emerging proposals - The introduction of 1,437 new homes and 362 student rooms, located across 11 buildings, with approximately 4,247sqm (GEA) of flexible ground floor commercial, leisure, cultural and community floorspace (use classes E, F1 and / or F2).

·  The aim of the proposal to be at the heart of the development of a new community within the Kirkstall Road area

·  Improvements to the Kikstall Road frontage

·  Upgrade the pedestrian crossing and cycleway along the Kirkstall Road frontage

·  Public realm

·  Green link through the site to the river

·  Riverside frontage

·  New bridge crossing

·  New east / west link

·  Landscaping and public realm area provision (approximately 45% of the site area envisaged) – approximately 250 new trees to be planted across site

·  The diversity of property type and tenure envisaged

·  Central Square envisaged with proposed food court and play areas

·   Shared vehicle routes

·  234 car parking spaces

·  Swales and rain guards proposed to reduce the surface water run-off alongside a flood defence wall which would be purposefully integrated into the design of the park area so that it is not overly dominant or apparent

Members raised the following questions to the developer’s representatives:

·  What was the approach to low/zero carbon emissions on site

·  How would the community space be managed

·  The proposal suggests the delivery of up to 35% affordable housing, is that achievable

·  What would be the price of the student accommodation – would it be affordable

·  Could the landscaped areas be more adventurous and include informal rather than formal play

In responding to the questions raised the developer’s representatives said:

·  Members were informed that the applicant proposed the use of air sourced heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and sustainable forms of travel; cycling (dedicated cycle hub) to encourage more walking, and overall had aspirations as a developer to be carbon neutral by 2030

·  It was reported that the developers would work with the residents to set up not for profit organisations, the community use areas would be set up to be flexible

·  Members were informed the aspiration was to deliver up to a level of 35% affordable housing subject to grant funding.

·  It was reported that discussions were still on going with regard to choosing the operator of the student accommodation, but that efforts would be made to ensure this was also affordable

·  The Architect confirmed that the intention was to create adventurous play areas/ landscaped areas to be less formal.

In offering comments, Members noted the following:

·  Members welcomed the concept and innovative nature of the development, in particular the strong community aspect and the riverside linear park

·  Members welcomed the target for affordable housing

·  The central square area was promising, but in some areas the proposed greenspaces appeared to be broken up

·  The appearance of the residential accommodation blocks were too uniform and corporate, could the blocks be more individual

In offering comments on the questions posed in the Officer Report:

·  Members were supportive of the proposed uses on the site, subject to the appropriate sequential tests

·  Members were supportive of the emerging layout and scale of the development

·  Members were supportive of the emerging approach to Highway improvements and parking

·  Members were supportive of the emerging approach to biodiversity and the public realm

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