Agenda item

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

A)  69-77 WELLINGTON STREET, 50 NEW WALK

Planning Application 20091011 & Conservation Area Consent 20091009 & 1010

Demolition & redevelopment

 

The Director said that the applications were for the demolition of the existing nursery building which dated from the early 1950s and the redevelopment of the site with a new art gallery.

 

It was noted that the 1950s building received a civic award.

 

Notwithstanding the above there was no opposition to the loss of the 1950s building and the Panel were generally supportive of the use at the proposed location although it was noted that there were vacant listed buildings within the city centre that would make superb galleries.

 

The Panel considered that the new building was not of sufficient architectural quality for the proposed location which they deemed prominent. The Panel commented that the front elevation in particular with its blend of symmetry and asymmetry did not seem to work. The Panel expressed concerns regarding the encroachment over the long standing building line and in particular did not like the blank wall along the north western boundary which they commented would obscure the view of the Georgian building as you walked up the hill. The Panel were concerned that building forward of the building line established by a covenant in 1824 would set a precedent and that the open character of the walk could be compromised in the future. They stated that if the glazed front section was required because of the proposed use it should be a light structure and completely glazed. Concern was also expressed regarding the materials, particularly the dark rendered sections.

 

The Panel commented that the rectangle at the back was more successful than the front. They noted that if you took away the front of what would be the café the space was not divided very well. The Panel were of the view that the artist 'Mondrian' would have divided the space better. 

 

Overall the Panel welcomed the proposal for a new modern building but stated that the extremely sensitive location needed a building of real architectural merit and the Panel considered that the current design could be improved.

 

The Panel had no objections to the removal of the existing building but recommended seeking a better design for the new proposal.

 

B)  121 LOUGHBOROUGH ROAD

Planning Application/Conservation Area Consent 20090814

Demolition & redevelopment

 

The Director said that the application was for the demolition of the existing petrol filling station and redevelopment of the site with an extension to the adjacent nursing home. It was noted that the Panel made comments on pre- application enquires in January of this year and in 2008.

 

The Panel noted that they had seen various pre application schemes previously. They stated that the new design was a great improvement and in particular the proportion of the windows was much better. They had concerns regarding the blank wall on the north elevation but accepted the problems of overlooking.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

C)  52 LONDON ROAD, LILLIE HOUSE

Planning Application 20090872, 20090873 & 20090874

New shopfront, single storey extension to rear, air conditioning units to roof

 

The Director said that the application by Tesco was for a new shopfront, rear extension and air conditioning units to the roof of the building.

 

The Panel noted that the original shopfront was delightful with some attractive original details such as the decorative air vents within the stallrisers. The Panel commented that they would like to see the shopfront retained in its entirety but accepted that there might be some modifications required to the recessed entrance to create a level access for disabled people. They also stated that they would like to see the low level fascias removed and the original height of the shopfront reintroduced with the signage located on the upper fascia where the palimpsest original signage could still be seen. The Panel added that proposed plant on the roof should be screened with a timber cladding.

 

The Panel recommended refusal on this application in its current form but recommended seeking amendments to retain the shopfront.

 

D)  SAFFRON HILLCEMETERY

Planning Application 20090658

Maintenance building

 

The Director said that the application was a retrospective application for a prefabricated building and two containers for storing grounds maintenance equipment.

 

The Panel raised no objections to this application.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

E)  CHURCH ROAD EVINGTON

Planning Application 20090514

New house

 

The Director said that the application for a new house and extension to the existing house was considered by the Panel in May and a revised scheme in July. The Panel thought the design of the revised scheme had improved but still had concerns regarding the juxtaposition between the new build and the adjacent building. Following these concerns the applicant had revised the scheme and the Panels comments were sought.

 

The Panel were satisfied with the revised design and the more sympathetic relationship with the adjacent cottage.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

F)  44 PRINCESS ROAD EAST

Planning Application 20090784

Change of use external alterations

 

The Director said that the application was for the conversion of the building used as offices to five flats. The proposal involved some external alteration.

 

The Panel raised no objections to this application.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

G)  3 HALFORD STREET

Planning Application 20090975, Advertisement Consent 20090982

New signage and atm machine

 

The Director said that the application was for alterations to the shopfront, new signage and an atm machine.

 

The Panel raised no objections to this application.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

H)  52 SANVEY LANE

Planning Application 20090808

Side and rear extension

 

The Director said that the application was for a two storey extension to the side and a single storey extension to the rear of the house.

 

The Panel raised no objections to this application.

 

The Panel recommended approval on this application.

 

LATE ITEM

12 BELVOIR STREET

Pre-Application 200990746P

Change of use

 

The Director said that this was a pre application which was for change of use to a sports bar.

 

The Panel commented that the new shop front was an improvement and had no objections.

 

The Panel raised no observations on the following applications, they were therefore not formally considered.

 

I)  30 WEST AVENUE

Planning Application 20090671

Rear extension

 

J)  32 WEST AVENUE

Planning Application 20090671

Rear extension

 

K)  20 SPRINGFIELD ROAD

Planning Application 20090761

Rear extension

 

L)  4 ASHLIEGH  ROAD

Planning Application 20090701

External alterations

 

M)  40 NELSON STREET

Planning Application 20090919

Air conditioning units