Agenda and minutes

There were apologies from T. Abbott and S. Britton.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

Councillor Garrity declared a general interest as Chair of the Development Control Committee. She undertook to express no opinions on any of the matters being discussed on the agenda.

Councillor Henry declared a general interest as a potential substitute member of the Development Control Committee. She undertook to express no opinions on any of the matters being discussed on the agenda.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2005 are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

Kanti Chhapi pointed out that the minutes of the previous meeting didn’t include the declaration he made and that the wrong organisation was included for his attendance.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 14 December be confirmed as a correct record, subject to the amendments as noted above.

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

The Panel will receive a presentation on the Hospitals Redevelopment Programme.

The Chair welcomed representatives from the Leicester University Hospitals Trust and their Architectural representatives.

It was noted that the timetable for the application would be that the outline application would be submitted by the end of January. The outstanding matters would be submitted in May. It was stated that the Panel would receive a further presentation on more detailed matters at the March meeting.

It was explained that Conservation plans had been undertaken at the General Hospital and Royal Infirmary sites. These were to assess the quality of the historic buildings on the sites. The social and historical significance of the buildings was considered, not just the architectural. Consideration was also given to the possibility of listing the North Eldington Infirmary building on the general site and the extent of the boundary of the listed building on the Royal Infirmary site.

It was noted that the building on the General site was not considered to be of listable quality, but it did retain a number of attractive features. It was intended to retain this building.

As part of the consideration of the boundary of the listed building, the significance of the Chapel was considered. It was noted that a balancing consideration needed to be given to modern clinical needs and retaining historic buildings. A catalogue had been made of the fixtures and fittings contained within the chapel and it was intended that these would remain on site.

The plans for the three sites were along the following lines:-

At the Glenfield Hospital it was intended to retain the mansion in the centre of the site. Clinical accommodation would be doubled at the site. A new building would be provided on the existing car park. Three storey blocks would be built for a new women’s hospital and for renal and general medical. A new lab building would be built for cardio research. There would be a two storey car park for staff. The existing hospital would be refurbished.

At the General Hospital site it was intended to keep the 1903 building as the central building. The original entrance to the at the south of the building would be re-used. New space for further developments on the site was sought and it is intended to use the existing car park and a small part of the site that could be demolished. The centre for planned care and rehabilitation would be on the site. The existing women’s wards would become the administration buildings which would be away from public areas. Teaching facilities would also be developed on the site.

At the Royal Infirmary site it was intended to build a new children’s hospital. This would need to be near the Accident and Emergency department, which would be why the chapel would need to be demolished. It was also planned to rationalise the car parking, including a new multi storey car park. It was generally proposed to remove the bad architecture from the site and bring a more ordered layout.

More detail on these  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

The Service Director, Environment submits a report on decisions made by the City Council on planning applications previously considered by the Panel.

The Service Director, Environment submitted a report on decisions made by the Development Control Committee on planning applications previously considered by the Conservation Advisory Panel.

RESOLVED:

that the report be received and the decisions taken, be noted.

The Service Director, Environment submits a report on planning applications received for consideration by the Panel.

A) 13 SOUTHAMPTON STREET

Planning Application 20052293 Conservation Area Consent 20052294

Demolition & residential development

The Director said that the application was for the demolition of the existing Spa buildings which were formerly the hide skin and fat market and the redevelopment of the site with a multi-storey building for 87 flats, offices and shops with two bars on the ground floor.

The Panel noted that this building was amongst the oldest and most important industrial vernacular in the area. The demolition of the building should be resisted and that conversion should be pursued to complement other conversion schemes in the area, perhaps as live/work units. The Panel felt that the proposed replacement building would not respect the character of the conservation area or the adjacent listed building.

B) 42/48 BELGRAVE GATE, FORMER ABC CINEMA

Planning Permission 20052172

Redevelopment

The Director said that the application was for the redevelopment of the site with buildings ranging from six to ten storeys for residential, hotel, casino, retail, financial and professional services, restaurant and café with basement car parking.

The Panel thought that the proposed new building did not respect the context of the site and would dominate Belgrave Gate. They also felt that the proposal lacked the architectural quality that should be sought for new buildings in the city.

C) BISHOP STREET, REFERENCE LIBRARY

Listed Building Consent 20052246

Internal Ramp

The Director noted that the Panel had previously discussed a new lift shaft for the external rear elevation of the building in November. The current application was for a new internal ramped access.

The Panel made no adverse observations.

D) 25-27 BEDE STREET

Planning Application 20052209

Rear extension

The Director noted that the Panel had previously discussed the conversion of this building to flats at a meeting in the summer of last year. This new application was for an extension to the rear elevation, which would be visible from Braunstone Gate.

The Panel were opposed to the design of the proposed extension as it would ruin the attractive roofline of the building. There was no objection to an extension in principle.

E) 62-64 CHURCH GATE

Planning Application 20052353

Three storey building

The Director noted that the Panel had considered an application for the demolition of the two storey building on the corner of Church Gate and St. Peters Lane and redevelopment with a three storey building in September 1996. It was the resultant archaeological report that led to the building being listed. The building has recently been de-listed and subsequently demolished and the current application was for a new three storey building.

The Panel accepted the principle of the new build and commended the use of natural materials. Concerns were raised over the blank east elevation expressing a desire for more detailing on this elevation. They noted that Leicester had a good history of developing corner sites and they felt that this proposal did not exploit the opportunity afforded a corner plot.

F) 8-10 MILLSTONE LANE

Listed Building Consent 20052338 & Planning Application 20052341  ...  view the full minutes text for item 67.

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chair, ought, by reason of special circumstances, to be considered urgently.

Members are asked to inform the Chair and Committee Administrator in advance of the meeting if they have urgent business that they wish to be considered.

The meeting closed at 7.05pm.