Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Simon Britton, Joan Garrity, Deborah Martin and Alan McWhirr.

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

K Chappi declared an interest in Application 20072162, Bath Lane, All Saints Road, Jarvis Street, Ruding Street, Blackfriars Street in that the applicant for this proposal was a current client of his on another site. 

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 December are attached and the Panel are asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Panel held on 12 December 2007 be confirmed as a correct record.

A member of the Panel reported on the site visit that some panel members had attended to True Jesus Church, Humberstone Road. He stated that they had met the architect and that they had been informed of the problems and the options available for the building. It was reported that the building had financial constraints, which made it financially impossible to implement changes to the building in the current situation. The Panel agreed that they would consider a complete demolition and rebuild providing the design of the new building satisfactory.

A member of the Panel stated that they were unhappy that the hotel on Welford Road was granted planning application to be built.  The Heritage Regeneration Officer stated that the building was not listed and it was not in a conservation area therefore there was no statutory protection for it. They added that they could seek to retain the building however the planners were in their right to look at the new build.

A member of the Panel commented that they were disappointed with the information presented by the planner. The Heritage Regeneration Officer commented that there was the opportunity to make representations but the planners could ignore them. It was also stated that since the new arrangements where every application which was rejected went to the Planning and Development Control Committee, it had simply added to the process, however applications were still be approved by the Committee.

The Heritage Regeneration Officer commented that there may be new planning reforms where they may be public consultations, which could strengthen any appeals against approved applications. It was also stated that there was a group called “Save Britain’s Heritage”, which had received a lot of reports from other councils as well. The Heritage Regeneration Officer added they had also sent the group a considerable amount of photographs. 

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

The Service Director, Planning and Policy submitted a report on the decisions made by Leicester City Council on planning applications previously considered by the Panel.

RESOLVED:

that the report be noted.

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

A) BATH LANE, ALL SAINTS ROAD, JARVIS STREET, RUDING STREET, BLACKFRIARS STREET

Planning Application 20072162

Redevelopment

The Director said that the application was for the redevelopment of the site with a new build, ranging from three to nine storeys, for 352 residential units with ground floor car parking.

The Panel were quite impressed when they saw the application for the first time however they disapproved of the revisions to the design and in particular the loss of any lower level interest on the ground floors especially on Bath Lane. The Panel felt that the proposal should contain shops and cafes and other services for the residents living in the area. The Panel questioned if there was a master plan and if so did the proposal follow its guidelines. There was some debate about how larch boarding would weather and what would it be like in 10 years. The Panel stated that the flat roofs were disappointing and that there was very little greenery offered. The Panel suggested roof gardens be added to provide some greenery. 

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

B) LAND AT CHATHAM STREET & YORK STREET

Planning Application 20071926

Seven storey building

The Director said that the application was for a seven storey building for 57 new residential units with ground floor parking.

Overall the Panel were reasonably satisfied with the upper levels but commented again that the ground floor car parking presented a bland and unimaginative ground floor street scene. The Panel commented that at the very least that the car park entrance should have some gates with an improved appearance.

The Panel recommended to seek amendments on this application.

C)  ABBEY LANE, ABBEY PARK ROAD

Planning Application 20072260

Mixed use development

The Director said that the application was for a mixed-use development for new offices and flats.

Overall the Panel thought that the design was better than the other corner buildings nearby. However they commented that the curvy roof slope feature was rather dated for newly designed buildings. The Panel felt that the bland wall at the ground level should be changed to walls and railings.

The Panel recommended to seek amendments on this application.

D)  ALEXANDRA HOUSE, ST GEORGES CHURCH YARD, 27 YEOMAN STREET

Planning Applications 20072266, 20072269, 20072270, Advertisement Consents

20072271 & 20072267,

Lighting columns & projected images

The Director said the applications were for lighting columns and equipment to project images onto street surfaces and trees.The Panel made observations on some of the new themed lighting installations around the new theatre at the December 2007 meeting.

The Panel were generally supportive but commented that they thought there were too many images in such a small area. The Panel stated that trees in leaf were pleasant to view anyway and questioned whether the images were needed. They mentioned that there could just be basic lights instead. The Panel’s other main concern with the imagery was that if there were going to be ‘faith symbols’ they felt that there should be some Christian ones and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

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 Services Officer in advance of the meeting if they have urgent business that they wish to be considered.

The Committee Services Officer informed the Panel that the next meeting would take place on Thursday 21 February.

The meeting closed at 6:54pm.