Agenda and minutes

There were apologies from S. Bowyer, S. Britton, D. Smith and P. Swallow.

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

Cllr. O’Brien declared a personal interest as he was a member of the Development Control Committee.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2005 are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 16 January 2005 be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

The Service Director, Environment submits a report on decisions made by the Development Control Committee 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.

A Panel Member enquired whether it was likely there would be an appeal against the refusal for 7 Elmsleigh Avenue. Officers commented that it was difficult to know, but agreed it was possible.

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) HOTEL STREET, THE CITY ROOMS

Listed Building Consent 20050118 & Planning Application 20022488

Change of use & alterations

The Director noted that the City Rooms had recently been sold by the local authority. This application was for the conversion of the building to a restaurant on the ground floor, exhibition / banqueting hall and offices on the first floor with the upper two floors becoming a hotel.

The Panel raised no objection to the proposed uses, although it was felt that care was needed with the installation of services to prevent harm to the building. The Panel supported attempts to try to provide disabled access to the first floor. The Panel was also of the opinion that the ceiling to the ballroom should be restored, possibly with grant aid. It was also felt that the Statue of Queen Ethelfleda that stood in the lobby should be returned. It was suggested that the Panel take a site visit to assess the impact of a lift once possible location had been identified.

B) BATH LANE, DONISTORPE’S

Listed Building Consent numbers 20040657, 20040655, 20040659

New development & alterations & extensions to listed buildings

The Director noted that a scheme was previously considered by the Panel in May 2004. This involved the conversion of the main mill and boiler house to 17 apartments, and the pump house to a bar/restaurant. The factory and cottages fronting Bath Lane were to be converted and extended to create 13 apartments and 8 town houses with 25 apartments in the extension. A new 8 storey building to the north of the main mill was to be created for 92 new apartments.

A revised scheme was submitted for the comments of the Panel. The new scheme meant that the cottages would not be extended, a revised extension to the Pump House to create a brick / glass structure, a revised scheme of 14 flats for the main mill which retained the stair case & reinstated windows, a revised scheme for the new building which was pulled back from the river, there would be parking in the yard and underground and a walkway would be included along the river.

In respect of the listed buildings there was no objection to conversion of cottages or factory on Bath Lane. The Panel considered the extension to the pump house to be too solid and too high – it should be a more lightweight glazed structure to appear removable. The internal sub-division of Friars Mill was thought to be acceptable, but the link extension to boiler house not in keeping with the general appearance of the site.

In respect of the new build, there was concern about the height, the Panel suggested that the maximum should be 7/8 floors. The bulk of the proposed building and lack of on-site amenity space were also of concern. It was suggested that the amount of on-site parking be reduced to provide more open space.

More general concerns were raised about the amount of apartments and lack of housing in schemes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

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 Committee Administrator noted that the agendas and minutes for all CAP meetings would now be available on the internet.

They can be found at the following address:-

http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk then Browse meetings and click on Conservation Advisory Panel.

The meeting closed at 7.00pm.