Agenda item

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

A) COLLEGE HALL KNIGHTON ROAD

Planning Application 20061892, Listed Building Consent 20061904, Conservation Area Consent 20061977

Change of use, new development and demolition

 

The Director said that the application was for the conversion of the former halls of residence to self contained flats and a nursery plus 14 three storey town houses, new parking and landscaping. The proposals involved extensions to some of the listed blocks and internal and external alterations. The demolition of Latimer House, a large early 20^th century property was also proposed.

 

The Panel pointed out the national importance of this complex of buildings by Sir Lesley Martin and Trevor Dannett – perhaps the finest of its kind in the country. It was felt that there was little opportunity for change either to the existing layout or additions to the buildings externally, objecting to the increased height of one block and the new build that would replace the bike sheds which would prevent views into the site. The Panel was opposed to the demolition of Latimer house which it was argued was a well designed early 20^th century house that dominated views along Carisbrooke Road and played a significant role in the character of the conservation area. Concerns were also raised on the potential increase in motorised vehicle use that the proposal would generate.

 

It was however conceded that there may be scope for a new element within the car park space.

 

B) CHARLES STREET, FORMER CHARLES STREET POLICE STATION

Listed Building Consent 20061966

Internal & external alterations

 

The Director noted that the redevelopment of the former Police station site was considered by the Panel in 2005. This included the change of use of the grade II listed main building to office use with a ground floor restaurant. This application was for internal and external alterations to facilitate this conversion.

 

The Panel was happy with the proposed internal alterations.

 

C) 20-26 ELMS ROAD, CLARE HALL

Planning Application 20062028, Conservation Area Consent 20062041

Sixteen houses

 

The Director noted that Clare Hall was a university campus that had recently been vacated. This application was for the demolition of the 1960s buildings and the redevelopment of the site with 16 houses, 13 four bed and 3 three bed.

 

The Panel thought this proposal was an over development of the site. The design of the new build was considered to be a poor pastiche with particularly over powering roofs. The Panel expressed a preference for a modern design for the buildings – something that reflected the age in which we live - and a layout that made better use of the site. The loss of the existing 1960s buildings was conceded.

 

D) 138 WESTCOTES DRIVE, SYKEFIELD

Planning Application 20062017

Extension and new build

 

The Director noted that two applications for an extension to the house involving the removal of outbuildings and a freestanding new build were approved in 1993/1994. These applications had expired and the applicant was re-submitting an application of the previously approved scheme.

 

The Panel conceded that as these schemes had been approved some years ago that they could not object in principle to the new build. However there were some reservations regarding the design and it was suggested that some of the top heavy roofs could be lowered and that they should have chimneys and ridge details to match the main house.

 

E) 16/26 OXFORD STREET & 28 NEWARKE STREET

Planning Application 20061516

Demolition and Redevelopment

 

The Director said that the application was for the demolition of the existing buildings and the redevelopment of the site with a new building ranging from three to six stories to create 51 self contained flats with 40 car parking spaces.

 

The Panel thought that this was over development of the site. The proposed new build was too high and the Newarke Street elevation seemed not to relate to the rest of the design. Further concerns were expressed regarding access and egress to and from the busy road network. Overall it was though that the design should be reduced in height and redesigned to accommodate the reduction in height.

 

F) UNIVERSITY ROAD, LEICESTER UNIVERSITY ENGINEERING BUILDING

Listed Building Consent 20061978

New sub station

 

The Director said that the application was for a new electricity sub-station. The current electricity sub station was located on the ground floor and dated from the early 1960s and was becoming obsolete and dangerous.

 

The Panel had no objections to the scheme.

 

G) HIGHCROSS STREET, ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH

Planning Application 20061716

Change of use

 

The Director said that the application was for the change of use of part of the church to a stained glass workshop. The application related to the Chancel only and no alterations were proposed to the main building. Externally a new ramped access was proposed.

 

The Panel had no objections to the scheme.

 

H) 4-6 WHARF STREET SOUTH, 1-3 CAMDEN STREET

Planning Application 20061939

Change of use / extension

 

The Director said that the application was for the change of use of the first and second floors of the buildings from a factory to twelve self-contained flats. The proposal involved a two-storey extension and alterations to the ground floor retail shop. This was a revised scheme to 20060860 which was discussed by the Panel in June.

 

The Panel had no objections to the scheme.

 

I) 15 ANDOVER STREET

Planning Application 20061782

Replacement rear windows and door

 

The Director said that the application was for a new flat block for eleven self-contained flats. This was a revised proposal to the one previously presented to the Panel.

 

The Panel commented that as this was designed as a Georgian block, it should be redesigned to better represent that style of architecture with stronger elements eg. a stronger more projecting central bay and proper timber windows with deep moulded profiles.

 

J) 123 BELGRAVE GATE

Planning Application 20061993

Change of use

 

The Director said that the application was for the change of use of the basement and ground floor from offices to bar and the first, second and third floors of the building from offices to four flats. A similar application for the conversion of the upper floors to flats was considered by the Panel in 2005.

 

The Panel accepted the change of use. It was commented that the existing front windows should remain and all proposed new windows to the rear and side should match the existing. It was also recommended that rooflights to the front roof slope should be removed as the rear dormer should be sufficient. If the roof lights were essential then they should be positioned as in the previous scheme and be flush conservation style.

 

 

K) 296 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20061815

Additional flats, rear extension

 

The Director noted that this large early 20^th century house had previously been converted to flats. The current application was for the conversion of the basement and a single storey extension to the rear to create further flats.

 

The Panel noted that the building had been badly treated over the years with poor rear extensions and a front dormer that was out of character. It was requested that, ideally, the whole rear should be remodelled in a sympathetic way and the front dormer re-designed with something more appropriate to the style of the building. The Panel was also concerned at the loss of garden and requested that this be reinstated at the front.

 

L) 62A LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20062061

Four telecommunication antennas

 

The Director said that the application was for four telecommunications antennas with associated equipment cabinets. This was revised scheme to one seen by the Panel earlier this year.

 

The Panel said this was no better than the previous submission and therefore should be refused.

 

M) 144 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20062020

Covered area to rear

 

The Director said that the application was for a covered area to the rear of the public house.

 

The Panel were unclear what exactly was intended as the plans were somewhat lacking in clarity and detail and requested more information to consider at a future meeting.

 

N) 2-6 ST MARTINS WALK

Planning Permission 20062021 and Advertisement Consent 20062012

Change of use from shop/café to restaurant/takeaway and new banner signs

 

The Director said that the applications were for change of use and the retention of two banner signs.

 

The Panel had no objections to the scheme.

 

O) 73 MARKET PLACE

Advertisement Consent 20061959

New signs

 

The Director said that the application was for an internally illuminated fascia and additional projecting sign.

 

The Panel raised an objection to the height and size of the projecting sign. Concerns were also expressed about the depth and internal illumination of the fascia sign. The Panel requested that the fascia sign should have letters only illuminated or external illumination and that the projecting sign should be brought down to fascia level and reduced in size.

 

P) 46 RATCLIFFE ROAD

Planning Application 20061953

Conservatory

 

The Director said that the application was for a single storey conservatory to the rear.

 

The Panel considered the proposed conservatory to be out of character with the age of the building. It should be simplified and not made of uPVC.

 

The Chair agreed to consider the following as an item of urgent business:-

 

109 HIGHCROSS STREET

Grille on shop frontage

 

The Director said that the proposal was for a metal grille to be attached to the shop frontage at night to prevent vandalism.

 

The Panel raised no objection to the grille subject to a full listed building application.

 

The Panel raised no objection to the following, therefore it was not formally considered:

 

Q) 18 DE MONTFORT STREET

Advertisement Consent 20061617

Replacement rear windows