The Community Meeting to receive an update from officers on the current situation regarding the GE Thorn Lighting Site.
Minutes:
Jerry Connolly, Members Support Officer, gave a brief presentation on the future of the former GE Lighting site on the corner of Melton Road/Troon Way. Jerry reported the current situation on the site as received from Regeneration and Culture Department as follows: -
“Sale of Land/Timetable
The site is currently for sale for employment use. The first round of bids to buy the site closed on 28th March. The second round of bids is currently taking place, where further information is being submitted to the vendor.
A decision on which bid has been successful will be taken by the owner over the next few weeks. The City Council expects to be engaging in further pre-application discussions imminently and then to receive a planning application by the end of 2008.
Use for Housing
I understand that the sale particulars inform that a restrictive covenant will be placed on the land preventing the site’s redevelopment for residential use. There is no pressing need to bring this site forward for residential development.
Need for Employment Land
Leicester’s Employment land Study 2006 demonstrates that there is likely to be a future shortage of employment land with the worst case scenario of up to 60ha. being needed to fulfil future need by 2016. Losing 7.6ha. of top quality employment land would be adding to this shortage.
Jobs/Top Quality Employment Land
This site is assessed as being part of the best quality employment land in the City, by Leicester’s Employment Land Study. It is around 7.6ha. in size, so is very important for its contribution to the future employment needs of the City. It therefore has a very valuable role to play in terms of future employment provision. At its peak, it is understood that around 3500 people were employed there. It has the potential to provide at least 500 future jobs.
Detailed background Information
Future Employment Use
Consideration would need to be given in terms of any redevelopment to the relationship with the houses on the northern boundary. The site has been in General Insdustrial Use (B2) since the 1950’s.
Any future planning application would give us the opportunity to require modern high quality design and layout. Employment uses would have restrictions placed on them to minimise any impact on neighbouring homes.
Major applications such as for the redevelopment of this site have to be accompanied by full Transport Assessments as well as Design and Access statements. Applicants are also encouraged to carry out consultation with local communities.
The ’green’ area in the bottom right corner of the site (as indicated on the plan available at the meeting) is full of mature trees. A Tree Preservation Order has recently been confirmed there. A Bat survey will also be required.
Need for Housing Land
An adequate supply of housing sites has been identified to meet both current Local Plan and emerging draft Regional Plan housing requirements.
At 31st March 2008 there were outstanding commitments for about 20,000 new homes in the City. This figure comprises Local Plan allocations (e.g. Ashton Green and LRC intervention areas) for some 10,000 homes and a further 10,000 with outstanding planning permission or under construction.
The City Council has demonstrated a 5 year supply of housing in its LDF Annual Monitoring Report in accordance with Government requirements in PPS3.
The successful delivery of new housing in the key regeneration areas will require the relocation of some existing employment uses. Therefore, maintaining a supply of employment sites is essential component of the overall strategy.
Ms Mkanza
Planning Policy and Design
26th June 2008.”