Agenda item

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

A) HOTEL STREET, THE CITY ROOMS

Listed Building Consent 20050118 & Planning Application 20022488

Change of use & alterations

 

The Director noted that the City Rooms had recently been sold by the local authority. This application was for the conversion of the building to a restaurant on the ground floor, exhibition / banqueting hall and offices on the first floor with the upper two floors becoming a hotel.

 

The Panel raised no objection to the proposed uses, although it was felt that care was needed with the installation of services to prevent harm to the building. The Panel supported attempts to try to provide disabled access to the first floor. The Panel was also of the opinion that the ceiling to the ballroom should be restored, possibly with grant aid. It was also felt that the Statue of Queen Ethelfleda that stood in the lobby should be returned. It was suggested that the Panel take a site visit to assess the impact of a lift once possible location had been identified.

 

B) BATH LANE, DONISTORPE’S

Listed Building Consent numbers 20040657, 20040655, 20040659

New development & alterations & extensions to listed buildings

 

The Director noted that a scheme was previously considered by the Panel in May 2004. This involved the conversion of the main mill and boiler house to 17 apartments, and the pump house to a bar/restaurant. The factory and cottages fronting Bath Lane were to be converted and extended to create 13 apartments and 8 town houses with 25 apartments in the extension. A new 8 storey building to the north of the main mill was to be created for 92 new apartments.

 

A revised scheme was submitted for the comments of the Panel. The new scheme meant that the cottages would not be extended, a revised extension to the Pump House to create a brick / glass structure, a revised scheme of 14 flats for the main mill which retained the stair case & reinstated windows, a revised scheme for the new building which was pulled back from the river, there would be parking in the yard and underground and a walkway would be included along the river.

 

In respect of the listed buildings there was no objection to conversion of cottages or factory on Bath Lane. The Panel considered the extension to the pump house to be too solid and too high – it should be a more lightweight glazed structure to appear removable. The internal sub-division of Friars Mill was thought to be acceptable, but the link extension to boiler house not in keeping with the general appearance of the site.

 

In respect of the new build, there was concern about the height, the Panel suggested that the maximum should be 7/8 floors. The bulk of the proposed building and lack of on-site amenity space were also of concern. It was suggested that the amount of on-site parking be reduced to provide more open space.

 

More general concerns were raised about the amount of apartments and lack of housing in schemes along the waterfront.

 

C) 4-8 HORSEFAIR STREET & 11 EVERY STREET (BARCLAYS BANK)

Planning Application 20050042 , Listed Building Consent 20050045

Internal alterations, condenser units

 

The Director said the application was for internal alterations and installation of seven new condenser units.

 

The Panel raised no objections.

 

D) 23 WELLINGTON STREET / NEW WALK (FORMER COURT HOUSE PH)

Planning Application 20042572

External alterations / signs

 

The Director noted that the Panel had previously given support for the enforcement action to reinstate the timber bays at the December 2004. This application was for new signage.

 

The Panel recommended refusal as the signs were not in keeping with character/appearance of conservation area.

 

E) 9-11 UPPER BROWN STREET

Planning Application 20042508

Redevelopment

 

The Director said that the application was for the demolition of the existing building and the redevelopment of the site with a new building, ranging between five and nine storeys, for 46 self contained flats, offices, live-work units and a nursery.

 

The considered the proposed development to be too tall, poorly designed, inappropriate and would adversely affect the character/appearance of the adjacent conservation area.

 

F) 17 NEWARKE STREET

Planning Appliction 20050046

Change of use

 

The Director said the proposal was for the conversion of the building to create eleven loft apartments. The proposal involved external alterations to the front elevation.

 

The Panel raised no objection to the change of use, but commented that the windows should match existing and that ground floor symmetry should be restored. It was also commented that the Panel would support inclusion within Market Street conservation area. It was suggested that a commuted sum be sought for open space provision/revamp of Phoenix forecourt.

 

G) 47 MARKET PLACE

Planning Application 20042575, Listed Building Consent 20050030 & Advertisement Consent 20050075

Change of use

 

The Director said that the application was for the change of use of the shop to a hot food takeaway involving a new shopfront and signage and the erection of a flue to the rear elevation.

 

The Panel raised no objection to the change of use, but felt an improved design of shopfront would be more appropriate to a listed building. There was also no objection to erection of flue to rear elevation.

 

H) HIGHFIELD STREET / TICHBOURNE STREET

Planning Application 20050069

New flat development

 

The Director noted that the site was on the south-eastern corner of Highfield Street and Tichbourne Street directly opposite the listed Synagogue. This application was for the demolition of the existing garage and the redevelopment of the site with a new four storey building for fifteen flats.

 

The Proposed flats were not considered to be in keeping with the location.  I was also felt that the link to the to adjoining terrace was insensitive and the proposed building would not preserve/enhance the conservation area. The design used on a similar site at Highfield Street/Severn Street was considered to be better.

 

I) 37 NEW WALK

Planning Application 20042335

Access ramp

 

The Director noted that No. 37 New Walk comprised the Georgian Terrace blighted by the proposed ring road in the 1960’s and subsequently rebuilt in replica. This application was for a new pedestrian access ramp to the front of the building.

 

The Panel raised no objection.

 

J) 3-5 UNIVERSITY ROAD

Planning Application 20042486

Change of use

 

The Director said that the application was for the conversion of the building from a residential care home to eight two-bedroom self contained flats. The proposal involved a rear extension. The conversion of the adjacent property to flats was considered by the Panel at the last meeting.

 

The Panel raised no objection.

 

K) 204 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20050149

Replacement windows

 

The Director noted that the application was for replacement PVC windows. The Panel made observations on the conversion of the basement to a flat last year.

 

The Panel raised no objection to the change of use of basement to flat, but was opposed to the loss of boundary wall and would prefer to see less parking and more garden.

 

L) 234 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20050149

Replacement Windows

 

The Director said the application was for replacement PVC windows. The Panel made observations on the conversion of the basement to a flat last year.

 

The Panel repeated their opposition to upvc windows in a conservation area.

 

M) UPPERTON ROAD VIADUCT

Planning Application 20050106 & 20050107

Replacement highway

 

The Director noted that the application was for the demolition of the viaduct and construction of a new, lower level highway with a new bridge over the old river soar. A temporary bridge for vehicular use whilst the work was undertaken was also proposed.

 

The Panel regretfully accepted the need to demolish the existing structure, given its condition.

 

N) 60 FOSSE ROAD CENTRAL

Planning Application 20050115

Change of use

 

The Director said the application was for the conversion of the building from three flats to nine self-contained flats.

 

The Panel recommended refusal as the proposed number of flats was considered excessive and likely to affect the character of conservation area.

 

O) 10 WEST AVENUE

Planning Application 20050053

Replacement window

 

The Director said the application was for a new dormer window to the front roof slope.

 

The Panel raised no objection to the principle of a dormer, but suggested that it should match the design and proportions of other dormers in the street and that it should be timber not PVC.

 

The Chair agreed to take the following item of urgent business

 

FORMER NAT WEST BANK, 2 ST MARTINS

 

The Director noted that the Panel had previously made comments on this building for a change of use to bar / restaurant. A new application had been submitted which proposed to demolish the 1920’s extension to create a yard and a three storey new build for flats.

 

The Panel supported the principle of demolition of single storey extension to create a courtyard/ improved vista between the buildings.

 

The Panel raised no objection to the following and they were therefore not formally considered.

 

P) 14 STONEYGATE AVENUE

Planning Application 20050109

Rear extension

 

Q) 21 QUEEN STREET

Planning Application 20050112

Variation of planning application 20031538

 

R) 179-181 LOUGHBOROUGH ROAD

Planning Application 20050146

Fire escape, alterations

 

S) 9 LOSEBY LANE

Planning Application 20050083

Change of use