Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Peter Draper and Richard Gill.

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 21 January 2009 are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Panel held on 21 January be confirmed as a correct record.

The Panel queried why 158 London Road had been approved when they had objected to the scheme

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)  LANCASTER ROAD, FORMER ALLOTMENTS TO REAR OF FIRE STATION

Planning Application 20081943

New research building

The Director said that the application was for a new two storey laboratory building for use by the university. It was noted that this former allotment site was granted consent for a car park in 2002.

The Panel felt uneasy about this proposal. They felt that the new build would dominate the site and was too close to the listed building. They commented that the whole proposal would overcrowd the workshops.  They thought that the proposed flue was also very big and would conflict with the prominence of the fire station tower. The Panel commented that the space was important to appreciate the group of fire station buildings and should be retained without any building on the site.

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

B)  ABBEY PARK ROAD, SANGRA & SHONKI BUILDING

Planning Application 20090045

Change of use to flats, new building

It was noted that the Panel made observations on the conversion of the two buildings to flats last year with extensions. The Director said that the application was for the demolition of the Sangra building and its replacement with a new block of flats, and the conversion of the Shonki building with an amended extension.

The Panel noted that both buildings were great buildings of listable quality and should be treated sensitively. They felt that the two buildings together currently told a story of Leicester’s riverside.  They stated that as a fine industrial building like the Sangra building should remain as intact as possible, and they thought that it could be converted without too much alteration.  They also did not support the design of the roof extension to the Shonki building, which they felt would spoil the existing roofscape and would dwarf the watertower. The Panel felt that if the application was approved despite the Panel’s objection, a detailed recording of the building should be required before demolition.

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

C) WELFORD ROAD PRISON

Listed Building Consent 20090038, Planning Application 20090079

Internal and external alterations

The Director said that the applications were for internal and external alterations to the main prison building including enlarged windows, rendering and extensive repairs.

The Panel stated that it needed to be made sure that the new work could be distinguished from the old by the careful selection of materials. Apart from this they had no objections.

The Panel were also asked to comment on the planning permission for the proposal of three flagpoles on the front of the building and they had no objections to this.

The Panel recommended approval on both applications.

D)  REGENT ROAD, REGENT COLLEGE

Planning Application 20090044

Temporary building, replacement windows to college

It was noted that the Panel looked at an application for an extension to this building at its January meeting. The Director said that the application was for a temporary building until the extension was complete, and for works to the existing local interest  ...  view the full minutes text for item 156.

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

The Panel were informed that former Panel Member Rowan Roenisch would be giving a talk to Leicester Archaeological and Historical Society at New Walk Museum, 7:30pm on Thursday 26 February.

A Member of the Panel commented that he was pleased to see 332 Narborough Road resurrected. He added that the building next to the gas pipes needed to be removed and any demolition or conversion of the building would be good.

A Member of the Panel stated that the Leicester Industrial History Society would be making a video on the Equity Shoes factory, which would show operations in the building, the machines and how the factory looked when the administrators came in and it closed.

The meeting closed at 6:30pm.