Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from David Lyne, Alan McWhirr, Councillor Roger Blackmore and Councillor Michael Johnson.

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

Michael Goodhart declared an interest in item A “Leicester Grammar School, Appelgate/Peacock Lane” as he was the Project Manager for this application.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 March 2009 are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting of the Conservation Advisory Panel held on 22 April 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

The Senior Building Conservation Officer informed the Panel that the deadline for the Spinney Hill Conservation Area review was 1 May and the deadline for the St Georges Conservation Area was 28 May.

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) LEICESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL, APPLEGATE/PEACOCK LANE

Planning Application 20090385 and Listed Building Consent 20090387

Extensions and demolition of boundary wall

The Director said that the applications were related to the proposed conversion of the former school to a regional office for the Diocese of Leicester. The extensions were for a single storey reception to the playground elevation, a single storey addition to the new public meeting rooms and a first floor extension to the Applegate elevation. The proposals also included the demolition of a wall attached to the Grade I listed Guildhall and the Grade II listed wall to the existing visitor centre.

The Panel were largely supportive of this scheme but had some reservations regarding the new curved extension (20090386) and the first storey extension to form a new kitchen (20090385). In particular they thought that the curved design conflicted with the geometry of the Victorian building and should be set back to reveal the buttress with a reduced canopy. The Panel commented that the kitchen extension should ideally be articulated by first floor windows to replicate the existing windows or possibly some signage. They also noted that this extension obscured the interesting roofscape when viewed from Applegate.

The Panel recommended seeking amendments to this application.

B)  BARCLAYS BANK, 4-6 HORSEFAIR STREET

Planning Applications 20090258/0287 and Listed Building Consent 20090275

Change of use, internal and external alterations

The Director said that the applications were for change of use to A1 (retail), A2 (financial services), A3 (restaurant) or A4 (public house) with associated internal and external alterations to remove the bank fittings and ATM machines.

The Senior Building Conservation Officer informed the Panel that the application was still incomplete and therefore would not be considered at the meeting.

C) 92 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20081497

Change of use and extensions

The Director said that the application was for conversion to restaurant on the ground floor with 12 flats above, a roof extension to the front elevation and a three storey extension to the rear.

The Panel thought that the roof extension to the front of the building would spoil the proportions of the building and would not preserve or enhance the character of the conservation area.

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

D) 6 KNIGHTON ROAD

Planning Application 20090195

Side extension and external alterations

The Director said that the application was for demolition of the existing garage and erection of a two storey extension.

The Panel noted how important the spaces between the large houses in Stoneygate were to the character of the area. They thought that the existing garage was worth preserving as part of the whole ensemble and suggested an extension to the rear would be acceptable.

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

E) EXCHANGE BUILDINGS, RUTLAND STREET

Planning Application 20090249 and Listed Building Consent 20090255

Internal and external alterations

The Director said that the application was to link three existing retail units into one larger restaurant unit, involving demolition of internal walls, removal of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 173.

The meeting closed at 6:34pm.