Agenda item

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

A) THURMASTON LANE, MONTROSE COURT

Planning Application 20102008

Residential development

 

The Director said the outline application was for residential development.

 

Part of the site was within the Old Humberstone Conservation Area and includes a listed building.

 

The Panel supported the proposed residential use. They noted that the area contained many fine trees and open space and would like any development to retain as much of this as possible. They asked if Francis Dixon Lodge could be retained and converted but otherwise there was insufficient information for further comment at this time.

 

The Panel recommended APPROVAL of this application.

 

 

 

B) FOSSE ROAD NORTH, EMPIRE PH

Planning Application 20100708

External alterations

 

The building was on the Local List.

 

The Director said the application was for single and two storey extensions to the front and side of the building.

 

The Panel thought that the scheme as proposed was detrimental to the character of the building and recommended refusal. They would support a scheme that exploited the available space within the car park and welcomed a landscaping scheme that improved the current sea of hard surfacing. They did not wish to see the Newport Street elevation compromised. It was also noted that the windows had been changed without planning permission and asked for a better window to be reinstated.

 

The Panel recommended REFUSAL of this application.

 

 

C) HOLBROOKE ROAD, ST GUTHLAC'S CHURCH

Planning Application 20110044

Extension to front, access ramp

 

The building was on the Local List.

 

The Director said the application was for an extension to the front of the building and new access ramp. The proposal also involved additional parking.

 

The Panel noted that there was evidence that the original intention was to build the church with the additional bay currently proposed. They were supportive of this scheme.

 

The Panel recommended APPROVAL of this application.

 

 

D) 12-14 EAST GATES, 2B & 2C CHURCH GATE, FORMER COFFEE HOUSE

Planning Application 20101656

Alterations to shopfront

 

The landmark building dominated the corner of East Gates and Church Gate, and was within the High Street Conservation Area. It also contributed to the setting of the Clock Tower a Grade II listed building.

 

The Director said the application was for alterations to the shopfront.

 

The Panel noted that this building was currently being considered for listing and they did not wish to see a scheme implemented that would compromise the potential listing of the building. Whilst they reluctantly accepted the use of aluminium in the new windows they did not wish to see the strong vertical and horizontal elements (mullions and transoms) removed from the existing design. They welcomed the proposed repair work to the building. On seeing the proposed sign (although not part of this application) they considered it completely inappropriate for this building.

 

The Panel recommended REFUSAL of this application in its current form, and recommended SEEKING AMENDMENTS.

 

 

E) MARKET PLACE, LEICESTER MARKET

Advertisement Consent 20110071

New signage

 

The site is within the Market Place conservation area and the setting of a number of listed buildings.

 

The Director said the application was for new non illuminated signage. 

 

The Panel were supportive of all of the signage except the raised one that sits on the roof edge on the north corner which obscures views of the Corn Exchange tower and should therefore be omitted or moved to a less obstructive position.

 

The Panel recommended REFUSAL of this application in its current form, and recommended SEEKING AMENDMENTS.

 

 

F) 6 AVENUE ROAD

Planning Application 20102005

Extensions to house

 

The building was within the Stoneygate Conservation Area and covered by an Article 4(2) Direction.

 

The Director said the application was for front and rear extensions and the raising of the roof of the house dating from c.1930s.

 

The Panel accepted the fact that the building was not prominent in the street scene or one of the better properties within the conservation. Accordingly they accepted the principle for change. However they considered the current series of extensions to be badly thought through and would like to see a much better designed frontage. There was some suggestion that demolition and rebuild with a new design might be the best solution.

 

The Panel recommended REFUSAL of this application in its current form, and recommended SEEKING AMENDMENTS.

 

 

 

G) LONDON ROAD, MAYFIELD ROAD GARAGE

Planning Application 20101963

Extension to garage

 

The site affects the setting of the Stoneygate and Evington Footpath Conservation Area and the registered park and garden Victoria Park.

 

The Director said the application was for an extension to the garage. The Panel has previously considered proposals for the redevelopment of the site.

 

The Panel lamented the loss of the old 1930s garage. They thought the site deserved a well designed building to exploit the dominant corner and that the current proposal was not of sufficient quality. They suggested a building with a curved frontage that drew from the architectural styles of the nearby 1930s buildings would be more appropriate. They also noted that rows of cars addressing the street scene would be detrimental to both of the adjacent conservation areas and the registered park and garden.

 

The Panel recommended REFUSAL of this application.

 

 

H) 236 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20110054

Free standing sign

 

The site was within the Stoneygate Conservation Area.

 

The Director said the application was for a free standing sign at the corner of London Road and Stanley Road to advertise the forthcoming residential development on the 'Eastfield' grounds considered by the Panel in 2007 & 2008.

 

The Panel considered that a limited period consent for 12 months was appropriate.

 

The Panel agreed LIMITED PERIOD APPROVAL.

 

 

I) 22 ST JAMES ROAD

Planning Application 20102069

Change of use

 

The site is within the Evington Footpath Conservation Area.

 

The Director said the application was for the conversion of the house currently used as a care home to four self contained flats. The proposal involves external alterations.

 

The Panel accepted the principle of the conversion but ideally did not wish to see any alterations to the front elevation. If there has to be some intervention to the front roof slope then a small well designed dormer would be acceptable.

 

The Panel recommended REFUSAL of this application in its current form, and recommended SEEKING AMENDMENTS.

 

 

The Panel raised no objections to the following applications:

 

J) 75 MARKET PLACE

Listed Building Consent 20101736

Replacement signage

 

K) 7 HIGH STREET

Listed Building Consent 20110039

Replacement signage

 

L) 23 GILLIVER STREET

Planning Application 20110026

Replacement windows

 

M) 22-24 HORSEFAIR STREET

Planning Application 20102072

Change of use

 

Though no comments were made on this item, a Panel Member asked that a watchful eye was kept on the signage for this application. There were very few details for this.