Agenda item

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

A)  ST NICHOLAS PLACE

Planning Application 20090121

Park and ride

 

The Director said that the application was to change the existing surface car park to a new park and ride facility. The proposal would involve the loss of some car parking to highway land, new bus shelters, street furniture and signage.

 

The Panel noted how green the site was and the unusual shape of the site. They wanted to see more details of the proposed scheme before assessing its impact on the conservation area.

 

The Panel requested more information on this application.

 

B) SANVEY GATE, NORTHGATE STREET, HIGHCROSS STREET, GREAT CENTRAL STREET & ALL SAINTS' OPEN

Planning Application 20090228

Highway improvements

 

The Director said that the application was for highway improvements to the junction of the above roads and to All Saints Open.

 

The Panel noted that the area was suffering from a large number of demolitions and little of the old character survived. They stated that the loss of two more buildings of some architectural character on Northgate Street would merely compound this erosion. They thought that there was plenty of scope to use part of the cleared site on the other side of the road. The Panel noted that All Saints Open was one of the only surviving roads laid out along the Roman grid footprint. They were completely opposed to the widening of the All Saints Open and the proposed works in front of the listed buildings because it would destroy the intimate vista along the road and be detrimental to the setting of the listed buildings. They advised the applicants to re-think the scheme.

 

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

 

C) GRANBY STREET, THE FORMER GRAND HOTEL

Listed Building Consent 20082006

New handrail

 

The Panel were asked to give their views on an application for a new brass handrail to the front steps.

 

The Panel raised no objections to the works.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

D) UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER

Planning Application 20082043

Single storey building

 

The Director said that the application was for a new single storey building to the south of the Sterling and Gown Engineering Building.

 

The Panel accepted the principle of a building in this location but felt that the building proposed would be detrimental to the setting of the adjacent Engineering Building because of the poor quality design and materials.

 

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

 

E) UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER

Planning Application 20090181

Extensions to student union

 

The Director said that the application was for extensions to the Percy Gee Building. The Panel heard that it was a revised scheme to one that had been discussed by the Panel in October 2008.

 

The Panel felt that this was an improvement on the previous scheme and raised no objections.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

F)  ST JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL, EAST AVENUE

Planning Application 20090224

Alterations to main entrance

 

The Panel were asked to give their views on an application for alterations to the main entrance facing East Avenue, to provide additional classroom and staffroom space.

 

The Panel reluctantly accepted the revised frontage but were adamant that the strong dark horizontal band that ran along the frontage should be retained and opposed the UPVC canopy.

 

The Panel recommended that amendments be sought in respect of this application.

 

G)  HIGHFIELD STREET SYNAGOGUE

Listed Building Consent 20090274

Grilles to windows

 

The Director said that the application was for the installation of metal grilles to protect the windows.

 

The Panel raised no objections to the works, provided that the grilles were powder coated and not painted

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

 

H)  CROSS CORNERS, BELGRAVE

Listed Building Consent 20090238

Alterations to reception area

 

The Director said that the application was for internal alterations to the reception area lobby.

 

The Panel welcomed improved disabled access and had no objections to the works.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

I) 70 HIGH STREET

Planning Application  20090252

Canopy

 

The Panel were asked to give their views on an application in respect of a retractable canopy to the front elevation.

 

The Panel were not happy with the level of details submitted and were wary of allowing canopies along High street because of the precedence it would set. They would accept a well designed sun blind or possibly a smaller well designed canopy using good materials and one that retracted back into the fascia.

 

The Panel recommended that more information be submitted in respect of this application.

 

J) 1 GALLOWTREE GATE, 1 EASTGATES

Planning Application  20090222 & Advertisement Consent 20090223

New signs, alterations to shopfront.

 

The Panel noted that the building had been in use as a jewelers shop until recently, and heard that the application was for alterations to the shopfront and new signage.

 

It was noted that the existing grilles were achieved after long negotiations and the Panel did not support the introduction of a more robust grille. They liked the existing shopfront on Gallowtree Gate and would like it retained. They were opposed to the internally illuminated signs.

 

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

 

K) 2-6 ST MARTINS WALK

Advertisement Consent 20090248

New signage

 

The Director said that the application was for new externally illuminated signs.

 

The Panel thought the shopfront needed improving and raised no objections to the new signage.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

LATE ITEM: 3 SOUTHERNHAY ROAD

Rear extension

Planning Application  20090152

 

The Director said that the application was for an extension and alterations to the front of the property.

 

The Panel felt that the extension was too big and should be reduced in length by half, with the roof hipped to further reduce the impact as seen obliquely from Southernhay Road. They requested more details for the work to the front boundary but did not wish to lose the fine gate piers.

 

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

 

LATE ITEM: BRAUNSTONE LODGE

Boundary Wall

Planning Application  20090205

 

The Panel heard that the application was for fencing around the Braunstone Lodge and they stated that they would prefer to see timber fencing.

 

The Panel recommended that amendments be sought on this application.

 

The Panel raised no objections to the following applications:

 

L)  VICTORIA BOWLS CLUB, KNIGHTON

Planning Application  20090125

Extension

 

M)  EVINGTON PARK

Planning Application 20090145

Play equipment

 

N)  VICTORIA PARK

Planning Application 20090144

Ball court