Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from S Dobby, M Elliott, R Lawrence, D Lyne, R Roenisch, C Sawday and D Smith.

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 18 July 2007 are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Panel held on 15 August 2007 be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

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 NEWARKE

Planning Application 20071282

4-7 storey academic building

The Director said that the application was for a new academic building for De Montfort University ranging from four to seven storeys in height. This was the second of a number of new buildings proposed by the university. The Panel made observations on the recently completed CEPP building in front of the Hawthorn building in 2005.

The Panel looked at both the application as submitted and the recent changes. They did not like the design or the materials and thought it was like looking at three different buildings. It did not draw on architectural elements of the surrounding area and was out of scale with some of the surrounding buildings, in particular the Old Gateway school. They thought that more open space between the existing and new buildings should be provided and that the space between the Hawthorn building and the new build would be quite dark and sombre. The internal yard would also be very shady. The design was thought to be lacking in articulation and the scale of the facades was overbearing in respect of rhythm. They also mentioned the loss of the now wonderful view of the Hawthorn building. Overall they thought that the University had given us great buildings in the past and this building did not come up to the same high standards.

B) MORLEDGE STREET

Planning Application 20071262

Media Centre

The Director said that the application was for a new six to eight storey building to form a new digital media centre with café/bar, business work spaces and 63 flats with basement car parking. The Panel made observations on a similar application for this site in June 2006, which was subsequently approved. This was for an amended scheme.

No objections to revisions were made.

C) MELBOURNE HALL

Listed Building Consent 20071351 & Planning Application 20071424

Ramp & entrance door

The Director said that the application was for a disabled access ramp and new door to the school rooms to the rear of the main church.

The Panel said that the Ramp was acceptable in principle.  They preferred to see the existing door retained in use for able-bodied people and remove the steps from the proposal. They also added that the proposed door required improving.

D) UNIVERSITY ROAD, ATTENBOROUGH TOWER, LEICESTER UNIVERSITY

Planning Application 20071309

New windows

The Director said that the application was for the replacement of existing windows with double glazed units.

The Panel raised no objections.

E) 119-121 GLENFIELD ROAD

Planning Application 20071261

Redevelopment

The Director said that the application was for the demolition of the buildings and the redevelopment of the site with seven three storey terraced houses and a four storey block for sixteen flats.

The Panel said they would like to see this fine pair of buildings retained. They thought that it could be converted to twelve flats and that the proposal at the rear could be modified in some way to make up the short fall. They thought that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

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.

There was no other urgent business.

The meeting closed at 6:45pm.