Agenda item

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

A) WESTERN ROAD, EQUITY SHOES

Planning Application 20100377 & 20100402

Redevelopment of site/Change of use

 

The Director said these applications were for redevelopment of the locally listed factory and surrounding area for student accommodation.

 

The Panel questioned the demand for further student accommodation and asked if a housing statement has been submitted with the application justifying the change of use.

 

The Panel was opposed to the demolition of the factory as per application 20100377 given its historic and architectural importance.

 

In application 20100402 they welcomed the retention of the factory but expressed concerns with regard to the replacement windows and also questioned whether the chimney was to be retained.

 

The extensions and new build element were felt to be acceptable in principle however the Panel was unhappy with the massing and detailing on both elements, particularly the new build element fronting the Old River Soar.  The architectural style was likened to Russian Communist apartment blocks.  There were also concerns over the open element at ground floor level in the new building; it was felt that this could result in crime and disorder issues.  The views across Bede Park were also a concern, the Panel noted that the new building would be too tall and dominant within these views.

 

Concerns were also raised over lack of car parking and it was mooted that residents parking scheme could be introduced in that area to prevent traffic congestion.

 

The Panel recommended seeking amendments, but refusing this application in its current form.

 

B)  77 – 79 MARKET PLACE

Planning Application 20100393 & Listed Building Consent 20100501

Internal & external works, alterations to shop fronts, ATM to Market Place

 

The Director said this was for the refurbishment of the shopfront and a new ATM machine.

 

The Panel had no objections to the principle of an ATM machine but would like to have seen it within the glazed shopfront rather than through the masonry.

 

The Panel recommended seeking amendments.

 

C)  16 HIGHFIELD STREET

Planning Application 20100358

Shopfront

 

The Director said this application was to replace the existing timber shopfront with an aluminium one.

 

The Panel noted the fine quality of the existing timber shopfront and considered that it should be retained and repaired.

 

The Panel recommended seeking amendments, but refusing this application in its current form.

 

D)  45 WELLINGTON STREET, HOLY CROSS PRIORY

Planning Application 20100578

Access ramp to church hall

 

The Director said this application was for a new access ramp to the old church hall fronting Wellington Street.

 

The Panel noted that this was the earliest part of the priory dating back to the early 19th century. They considered the current intervention to be crude and unsightly and that by extending what had already been done would not make it any better visually and it would be highly visible from the street scene. They felt a platform lift would be a much simpler and cleaner solution.

 

The Panel recommended seeking amendments, but refusing this application in its current form.

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E)  3 WELLINGTON STREET

Planning Application 20100649

Change of use

 

The Director said this application was for the conversion of the bar and offices to flats.

 

The Panel were reasonably happy with this proposal although the concern that the commercial side of the city was being eroded by yet more flats was again raised. They did ask that if documentation showing the original form of the ground floor could be found it would be nice to reinstate its original character.

 

The Panel recommended approval of this application.

 

F)  11 KING STREET

Planning Application 20100576

Change of use

 

The Director said this application was for the change of use of the shop to a hot food takeaway with self-contained flat above.

 

The building was within the New Walk Conservation area.

 

The Panel raised no objections.

 

The Panel recommended approval of this application.

 

G) 2 WEST STREET PAGET HOUSE

Listed Building Consent 20100642, Planning Application 20100433

Demolition of wall, new gates and surround.

 

The Director said that this application was for the removal of a surviving section of boundary wall and formation of new gates for access to the rear car park.

 

The Panel reiterated previous feelings that this surviving section of wall told a story and did add character to the conservation area. They would like at least some of it to remain and there was some strong feeling that all of it should remain.

 

The Panel recommended seeking amendments, but refusing this application in its current form.

 

H)  7^TH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH, LONDON ROAD

Listed Building Consent 20100566

COU from three to four flats

 

The Director said this application was for a new access ramp to the side elevation facing De Montfort Street.

 

The Panel saw no need for two ramps and suggested the front ramp would work better if replaced with steps.

 

The Panel recommended seeking amendments, but refusing this application in its current form.

 

I)  16 VICTORIA PARK ROAD

Planning Application 20100584

COU from three to four flats

 

The Director said this application was for the conversion of the building from three flats to four.

 

The Panel considered the extra flat to be over development. They did not like the rooflights on the visible elevations and the loss of the front garden to car parking.

 

The Panel recommended refusal of this application.

 

J)  48 KNIGHTON DRIVE

Planning Application 20100630

Extension at side & rear of bungalow, roof alterations

 

The Director said this application was for extensions to the bungalow and alterations to the roof to create an additional floor.

 

The Panel raised no objections but advised that good matching materials would be required to make the extensions successful.

 

The Panel recommended approval of this application.

 

K) 22-32 HUMBERSTONE ROAD

Planning Application 20100648

Change of use to flats alterations to rear and shopfronts

 

The Director said this application was for conversion of the upper floors to four flats.

 

The Panel supported the reinstatement of the smaller shop units although they would have preferred to have seen the original form of the shopfronts reintroduced if historic evidence was available. They suggested that the large fascia could be removed to reveal more of the original building. The rear windows were a concern and they suggested reusing blocked openings and creating a better rhythm as the proposal as existing looks a bit messy.

 

The Panel recommended seeking amendments, but refusing this application in its current form.

 

L) NEDHAM STREET, CHARNWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Planning Application 20100167

Security fence

 

The Director said this application was for new security fencing.

 

The Panel made no objections

 

The Panel recommended approval of this application.

 

The Panel made no observations on the following applications therefore they were not formally considered:

 

M)  SOUTHGATES BUS DEPOT

Planning Application 20100607

Change of use to car park

 

N) 5 JUNIOR STREET, FORMER RICHARD ROBERTS FACTORY

Listed Building Consent 20100519

External alterations

 

O)  139 LONDON ROAD, MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON P H

Planning Application 20100654

Smoking shelters to rear

 

P)  2A SOUTHERNHAY ROAD

Planning Application 2010702

Telecommunications cabinet

 

Q)  93 AVENUE ROAD

Planning Application 2010701

Telecommunications cabinet