Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from K Chhapi, S Heathcote and R Roenisch.

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

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Panel held on 19 September 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 the Planning and Development Control Committee 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, Environment submits a report on planning applications received for consideration by the Panel.

The Chair agreed to accept this item of urgent business.

LATE ITEM

WELFORD ROAD PRISON

Satellite Dish.

The Director said that the application was for a Satellite Dish on the top of Welford Road Prison

The Panel raised no objections to the proposal.

A) 27 WHARF STREET SOUTH

Planning Application 20071365

New ten storey building

The Director said that the application was for a new ten storey building for 39 self contained flats, offices and café. The proposal also included a 4.1 metre wind turbine on the roof of the building.

The Panel thought that the proposed name was in bad taste and would have preferred it to be called Merrick House. It was noted that there were factories with fine architectural qualities within the area, some of which were on the Local List and did not wish this building to detract from them. It was thought the design was acceptable but considered it to be too tall. A reduction of three stories was suggested.

B) ABBEY PARK ROAD, SANGRA/SHONKI BUILDING

Planning Application 20071448

Change of use, extension

The Director said that the application was for the conversion of the building to 200 apartments. The proposal involved a two storey roof top extension and external alterations including the removal of the roof tower.

The panel raised no objections to the proposed conversion. The Panel commented that they would like to see the tower on the Shonki building retained and no roof extension on this building. It was also thought that the roof extension on the Sangra building was acceptable. The Panel also wished to see the windows retained.

C) GIPSY LANE, THE BEECHES

Planning Application 20071384

12 Self Contained Flats

The Director said that the application was for three two and three storey buildings to provide 24 flats was considered by the Panel earlier this year. The application was subsequently refused. This was a revised proposal for 12 self contained flats.

The Panel agreed that 12 flats were better than 24 and the design was better than before but the windows on the rendered gable looked awkward. The Panel thought they would look better with a curve on the double window and the render should be on the whole of the central bay rather than just the upper section.  It was agreed by the Panel that the design required some refining.

D).NEW WALK MUSEUM & ART GALLERY

Advertisement Consent 20070016

Four freestanding banner signs

The Director said that the application was for four 6m high free-standing banner signs within the forecourt of the Museum.

The Panel thought that the banners were unattractive and they took away from the eminence of New Walk. It was commented that the signage needed to be introduced in a more subtle way.  It was pointed out the signs were neither one thing nor another just a post with a banner on it. The Panel agreed that the signage should be made into an art feature such as a pyramid/ obelisk with perhaps with a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 30.

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 Services Officer in advance of the meeting if they have urgent business that they wish to be considered.

Matthew Reeves, Committee Services Officer announced that it was the last meeting of the Panel that he would attend and the Panel thanked him for his all work.

Panel members confirmed that they would accept literature relating to the work of the Panel occasionally if it were thought to be of their interest.

The Building Conservation Officer confirmed that David Trubshaw would replace Sue Dobby as a representative from the Institute of Historic Building Conservation to the Panel.

The meeting closed at 6:50pm.