Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor R Blackmore, D Hollingworth, C Sawday, D Smith, and P Swallow.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 April 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 20 May 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising.

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)  THE SILVER ARCADE

Planning Application 20090459

Change of use, extensions and alterations

The Director said that the application was for the conversion of the basement from a shop to a demonstration kitchen theatre and the third floor from shops to restaurant. The proposal involved alterations and extensions to the building.

The Panel noted that the nature of the building was always one of small shop units.  They were of the view that removing all the small units to create continuous spaces on each floor would therefore be detrimental to the character of the building. They commented that they would accept some opening up, but would like some small units to survive. The Panel queried could the opening up be achieved by putting openings into the existing walls rather than total removal.

The Panel commented that the new proposed staircase in the centre of the arcade would be detrimental and spoil the view through. It was noted that there will be several other new access points to the upper floors and therefore the Panel questioned the need for the staircase. As a last resort some Panel members thought that a glazed, clean and simple stair might be acceptable as a trade off to retain other features. 

Overall the Panel was sympathetic to the developer trying to bring the building into use but not with the level of alterations currently proposed. It was suggested that some changes could be allowed now, and if a tenant could not be found then some of the other works could be revisited in the future.

The Panel recommended seeking amendments to this application.

B)  2 YEOMAN STREET

Planning Application 20090327

Change of use to hotel and extension

The Director said that the application was for the conversion of the building to a hotel. The works included a three storey extension to the roof at the rear.

The Panel noted that the idiosyncratic charm of this part of Leicester was the differences in building heights. In this case the Secular Hall, adjacent pub and the factory behind created an interesting group and if the proposal was carried out this would be affected. The Panel though it was difficult to assess the impact without a photo-montage, but from the drawings submitted, the extension would dwarf the Secular Hall to the detriment of its setting and did not preserve or enhance the character of the conservation area.  The Panel was not convinced on the merits of the scheme.

The Panel agreed that further information was required on this application.

C)  157 – 159 GRANBY STREET

Planning Application 20090314

Change of use, extension

It was noted that the Panel had made observations on this site for the conversion of the upper floors of the pub to residential and rear extension at two previous meetings. The Director said that this was a revised scheme.

The Panel commented that this was the former Victoria Hotel designed by James Bird in c.1875 . The Panel were satisfied with the work to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 180.

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

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

The Panel were informed that the Heritage Quarter Report was not yet ready for consultation however the Senior Building Conservation Officer commented that when it was publicly available, it would be brought before the Panel.  

A Member of the Panel raised concern that the building on the Donisthorpes site was in an extremely poor state. He commented that English Heritage had met with himself and the leading officer from the Council for the site and had stated they could only help if the building was listed as Grade 2*. The Senior Building Conservation Officer commented that the owners had made efforts in the past to clean up the site however there had been problems such as burglary. She added that there could be notice served on the owners to clean up the site however they could not be forced. The Panel were informed that there was continuous communication with the owners of the site.

A Member of the Panel raised a query the coffee house site in Eastgates. The Senior Building Conservation Officer commented that building control had taken action against the owners of the building.

The Senior Building Conservation Officer announced that the next meeting of the Panel would be her last meeting

The meeting closed at 7:07pm.