Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the construction of a 31 storey building providing 399 build to rent dwellings (Use Class C3) incorporating ancillary amenity space, landscaping and other associated works.

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the construction of a 31 storey building providing 399 build to rent dwellings (use Class C3) incorporating ancillary amenity space, landscaping and other associated works on land between Westgate and Cropper Gate, Leeds.

Members visited the site prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion of the application.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  There had been a pre-application presentation in March 2022 when Members had been generally supportive of the scheme.

·  The site had been cleared and was considered appropriate for a tall building.

·  Members were reminded of proposals at adjacent sites, some of which had commenced with development.

·  Connectivity through the site and to other sites.  It was proposed to introduce a new segregated cycle route which would link to other sites.

·  Remaining external areas would have soft landscaping.

·  Floor plans of the different levels of the building were displayed.

·  All apartments would meet or exceed minimum space standards.

·  66% of apartments would be 2 or 3 bedroom.

·  Photovoltaic panels would be placed on the roof space.

·  The materials would consist of a blend of red bricks.  Samples were made available for the Panel to view.

·  There would be double height glazing at ground floor level with more intricate brickwork.

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

·  The applicant had engaged a wind specialist at the pre-application stage which had implications on how the building was modelled.  This had been reviewed and with the mitigation measures there would not be any safety issues.

·  The cycle route would be linked in to improvements to junctions and linkages to other sites.  There would also be crossing provision at junctions.

·  This was a higher density scheme on a smaller site and the public realm works would not cost as much as on other sites.

·  Work had started on other sites in the area and would provide activity and a level of natural surveillance.

·  The proposed building was of a good design and would provide a proper landmark.  The detail in the brick work was welcomed.

RESOLVED – That the application be delegated and deferred to the Chief Planning Officer for approval subject to resolution of matters identified by the HSE and to the specified conditions set out in Appendix 2 (and any amendment to these and addition of others which he might consider appropriate) and the completion of a Section 106 agreement to include the following applications:

·  Affordable housing provision – on site, 20% (80) affordable private rent dwellings at 80% of local market rate.

·  Compliance with agreed Travel Plan measures and an indexed travel plan review fee of £5,396.

·  Residential travel plan fund £102,044.

·  Contribution of £91,000 (indexed) towards loss of pay and display revenue.

·  Marketing of adaptable accessible units as accessible units with costs of adaptation to be met by the developer.

·  24 hour public access through the site.

·  Local employment and training initiatives.

·  Section 106 management fee £2,100.

In the circumstances where the Section 106 agreement has not been completed within 3 months of the resolution to grant planning permission, the final determination of the application shall be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer.

(Councillor C Gruen left the meeting following this item and Councillor J McKenna took the Chair)