Agenda item

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

A) PEACOCK LANE, CATHEDRAL SQUARE

Planning Application 20091719

Remodelling of Leicester Cathedral precinct

 

The Director introduced Michael Goodhart who presented an application for the remodelling of the Cathedral Square precinct.

 

The Panel discussed this application at length. Panel members agreed that mistakes were made with the 1980s scheme and that there was scope for improvements. However they felt very strongly that the remaining gravestones should remain on site. The gravestones represented generations of social history; the inscriptions and details on them created unique pieces of artwork. They were opposed to the loss of the boundary walls, railings and mature trees on site, which would sweep away what was at present an attractive and intimate place. They noted that historically this was never intended as a public square and there are more suitable open spaces within the centre that could be remodelled to create an events space, the market place being the best example. They were concerned that the intimate and distinctive walkways of St Martins Walk East and West would be lost in the proposals. Underlying archaeology and burials would also be compromised. Issues were also raised concerning the proposed materials and in particular the pink granite.

 

The Panel felt that the proposed scheme did not enhance or preserve the area, as it was destroying everything that is aesthetically and intrinsically pleasing.  ‘How can it possibly preserve or enhance the historic environment when everything of historical importance is being swept away?’

 

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

 

B) LILLIE HOUSE LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20091723

Change of use, roof extension

 

The Director said that the application was for conversion of the upper floors to 44 student flats. The proposal involved a single storey roof extension.

 

The Panel generally accepted the principle of the rooftop extension although they raised concerns with the heavy oversailing roof of the extension that tended to draw the eye and was particularly detrimental to the setting of the adjacent listed Porte Cochere. They thought that this could be reduced in size or perhaps finished in a colour that would be lost in the skyline. They would also have preferred that it was set back further from the roof edge.

 

The Panel recommended that amendments be sought.

 

C) LEICESTER UNIVERSITY FIELDING JOHNSON BUILDING

Listed Building Consent 20091577

Internal alterations

 

The Director said that this proposal was for alterations to remove some of the internal walls to create a larger more efficient space.

 

The Panel raised no objections.

 

The Panel recommended approval of this application.

 

D) 61 GRANBY STREET

Advertisement Consent 20091624

 

The Director said that this application was for new internally illuminated signage to both the Granby Street and Belvoir Street elevations.

 

The Panel considered that the proposed internally illuminated signage was completely inappropriate and detrimental to the character of the conservation area and the listed building.

 

The Panel recommended refusal on this application.

 

E) 45/47 HORSEFAIR STREET & 20 HOTEL STREET

Planning Application 20091677 & 20091678

Awnings & air conditioning unit

 

The Director said that these applications are for five retractable advertisement awnings at first floor level and new air conditioning units to the rear.

 

The Panel considered that the proposed awnings with signage were detrimental to the character of the conservation area and the building and that the high level awnings could create a precedent in the future. They had no objections to the rear condenser unit.

 

The Panel recommended refusal for the awnings but approval for the condenser unit.

 

F) 58 HIGH STREET

Listed Building Consent 20091673

Internal alterations

 

The Director said that this proposal was for internal alterations for a new internal staircase to provide access to the basement.

 

The building is Grade II listed and within the High Street Conservation Area.

 

This proposal is for internal alterations for a new internal staircase to provide access to the basement.

 

The Panel raised no objections

 

The Panel recommended approval of this application.

 

G) 12 NEW WALK

Planning Application 20091606

Roof extension, change of use

 

The Director said that this application was for the conversion of the upper floors currently in use as offices to a house in multiple occupation (9 bedrooms). The proposal involved raising the existing roof and adding dormers to create a third floor.

 

The Panel were mixed in their views on this proposal. They thought that the drop in scale was important and this is one of the oldest buildings along New Walk and changing the scale and appearance of the building would be detrimental to the character of the Walk. They conceded that some drop in scale would still be evident with the new scheme and the retention of the existing chimney and pots along with a new natural slate roof was positive, as was the proposed residential use. The additional height would also help to obscure the blank wall of the adjacent 70s building.

 

The Panel recommended approval of this application, subject to the scheme being carried out to a high specification with good natural materials.

 

H) 52-54 CHURCH GATE

Planning Application 20091332

External roller shutter

 

The Director said that this application was for an external roller shutter.

 

The Panel accepted a roller shutter providing it did not have an external shutter box. They considered that the new shopfront did not preserve or enhance the character of the building and they would not have recommended approval if it had been the subject of a planning application.

 

The Panel recommended approval of this application.

 

I) NARBOROUGH ROAD/UPPERTON ROAD, LEICESTER COLLEGE

Planning Application 20091362

Temporary building

 

The Director said that this application was for a temporary building to provide social facilities.

 

The Panel would accept a short-term temporary building providing if there was sufficient justification for it. They would not like to see the long term siting of a temporary building that has been the case with others in the past.

 

The Panel would like to see more details on this application.

 

J)  43 STRETTON ROAD

Planning Application 20091709

Change of use, replacement windows

 

The Director said that this application was for a temporary building to provide social facilities.

 

The Panel raised no objections to the change of use but they would object to uPVC windows at the front of the building and suggested something more appropriate in timber to match the adjacent property.

 

The Panel recommended approval for the change of use but refusal for the uPVC windows at the front.

 

 

The Panel made no objections to the following applications, they were therefore not formally considered.

 

K)  33 SAXBY STREET

Planning Application 20091659

Change of use

 

L)  OLD CHURCH STREET, MEADOW COURT

Planning Application 20091309

Extensions

 

M)  17 WESTCOTES DRIVE, THE VICARAGE

Planning Application 20091697

Internal alterations

 

N)  LILLIE HOUSE, 50 LONDON ROAD

Advertisement Consent 20091723

Signs

 

O)  ST JAMES ROAD, 11 ST JAMES COURT

Planning Application 20091541

Replacement uPVC windows

 

P)  22 MORELAND AVENUE

Planning Application 20091707

Rear extension