Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from S. Bowyer.

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

Councillor Garrity declared a personal interest in Appendix C, Current Development Proposals as a member of the Planning and Development Control Committee. She undertook to listen to the views of the Committee and not make any judgements on any of the applications.

J. Dean declared an interest in Appendix C, Item M – Leicester University, The Attenborough Tower.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 August 2006 are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

D. Martin commented that she was present at the meeting but not on the attendance list.

K. Chhapi pointed out that the wrong organisation was included next to his name.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Panel held on 30 August 2006 be confirmed as a correct record, subject to the above amendments.

Town Hall Visit

Members of the Panel attended a site visit at the Town Hall to consider plans to the second floor of the building. Key issues considered at the visit related tiles in the toilets, disabled access matters around the Leader’s Office and the demolition of the rear of a safe.

The Panel were largely supportive of the proposed works to make the building more accessible and enable the upper floors to be brought back into use, but opposed the works to the second floor safe. They also asked that a condition be added to the permission to secure the retention of the historic bathroom tiles.

The Service Director, Planning and Policy submits a report on decisions made by the Planning and Development Control Committee on planning applications previously considered by the Panel.

55 Oxford Street

Officers noted that despite the refusal decision with regard to the above building, it was noted that the owner of the site had given notice to Building Control of their intention to demolish the building. It was noted that there was nothing to stop them from doing this.

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

A) 21 CAREYS CLOSE, FORMER A E HOLT FACTORY

Planning Application 20061206

Demolition and Redevelopment

The Director said that the application was for the demolition of the existing factory and the redevelopment of the site with a seven storey building for student accommodation with ground floor retail units.

The Panel reluctantly accepted the loss of the existing building as it is currently out with a conservation area but opposed the replacement building as completely inappropriate to this sensitive site. It was thought the proposed development was out of scale with its surroundings and would be detrimental to the setting of Wygston’s House.

B) 45 GALLOWTREE GATE, 49-51 MARKET PLACE

Advertisement Consent 20061276, Planning Permission 20061253 & Listed Building Consent 20061312

New Projecting signs

The Director said that the application was for internal alterations, a new aluminium shopfront, halo lit aluminium signage and a change to the windows on Gallowtree Gate.

The Panel had no objections to the proposed works but felt that the applicant could have been more adventurous with the Gallowtree Gate frontage. The Panel also supported the retention of the existing windows on the Gallowtree Gate elevation as per the amended plans.

C) 8 – 18 ST PETERS ROAD

Planning Application 20061368

Demolition and Redevelopment

The Director said that the application was for the demolition of the petrol filling station and the redevelopment of the site with a four storey building for flats.

The Panel judged that the new building was too high, of poor quality and would be overdevelopment of the site. They recommended that an alternative scheme should follow the historic building line and be of a modern style, not a pastiche.

D) GIPSY LANE, TOWERS HOSPITAL

Listed Building Consent 20061546

Self contained flat

The Director said that the application was for alterations to the old watch tower to create one self contained flat. The flat would be within the tower and spread over five levels.

The Panel raised no objection in principle to the proposal but opposed the new balcony. It was suggested that the roof could be lowered to allow the existing parapet to be used as a protective barrier.

E) 19 STONEYGATE ROAD

Planning Application 20061419

Extension to rear

The Director said that the application was for a two storey extension to the rear of the building which extended the roofline of the building lower and dormers to the front and rear of the building.

The Panel opposed all the proposed alterations as detrimental to the appearance of this notable building.

F) 31 KNIGHTON DRIVE

Planning Application 20061490

Extension to rear

The Director said that the application was for a two storey extension to the rear of the building. The Panel had previously made observations on two similar schemes in recent years.

The Panel reiterated their previous observations that any extension to this building must be subservient and in keeping with the character of the building. The current proposal was felt to be no better than the previous submissions and would still constitute overdevelopment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

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.

Jack Simmons

A member of the Panel recommended that Jack Simmons, a pioneer in building conservation should be recognised under the blue plaque scheme. Members of the Panel agreed that he made a very valuable contribution in this area on a national level. It was recommended that the house in which he lived in Stoneygate would be the most appropriate location.

(Further to the meeting the criteria for blue plaques was investigated and it was found that the person has to be dead for 20 years before they can be considered for a plaque or it has to be 100 years since their birth. It was thought that neither of these applied to Jack Simmons. Therefore he doesn’t as yet meet the criteria.)

Listed Buildings

Officers reported that Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre and the Robert Hall Memorial Church had gained listed status.

It was however noted that other applications had been unsuccessful for buildings such as Kings Lock Cottage and the Aylestone Pack Horse Bridge.

The meeting closed at 7.05pm.