Agenda and minutes

S. Bird (DAC), C. Laughton, D. Martin (LRGT), M. Davies (DMU)

None.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th May 2022 are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

The Panel agreed the notes.

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

A) Burleys Way, Corah Factory Site

Planning Application 20220709

Hybrid planning application comprising: Full planning application for the demolition of existing buildings on site (excluding 2 chimneys and the façade of the 1865 OTB building), the retention and alteration of the southern façade of the 1865 building (OTB) the erection of new building to the rear to provide residential (Use Class C3) accommodation and/or commercial uses (Use Class E and F2). Outline planning application with all matters reserved for the erection of buildings to provide up to 1,143 dwellings (Classes C2 and C3), commercial uses (Classes E, F2 and Sui generis (public houses, wine bars, drinking establishments and hot food takeaways)), hotel (Use Class C1), a multi-storey car park and a pedestrian footbridge with associated landscaping, public realm and associated infrastructure.

The panel considered the Corah complex was an historically important site within the city that was a visual reminder of the city’s manufacturing past and the particularly significant socio-economic role played by the company on a national scale. They contended that the frontage to the ring road had landmark quality and aspects of the site had potential to underpin a high-quality regeneration scheme between the city centre and Abbey Park.  

The panel felt that a large number of the buildings were of distinctive architectural quality and the condition reports showed many were in active use and had the structural integrity for re-use, which would be the preferred approach. It was accepted that some elements of demolition would likely be necessary but that there was no justification for the wholesale demolition of the wider site, something which would cause significant harm to the historic visual and cultural landscape of the city.

The panel welcomed the retention of the chimneys in the northern part of the site but did not feel these had the same significance to the city as other parts of the building, particularly the strong imposing façade along Burleys Way. Their retention, along with other public art proposals, was considered token and not adequate for a site of this scale.

There was some discussion over the proposed outline elements with a feeling that some form of scale close to the canal could be supported. The panel considered Abbey Park to have an urban setting and that new development at is margins could be successfully delivered if of high-quality design. The lack of clarity over the design of the bridge element was raised, although the panel were generally comfortable with the principle of new access being provided here. However, the scale of the larger development proposed was considered unacceptable in terms of the setting of the Grade I Listed St Margaret’s Church. Here it was felt that the 18-storey tower would be a harmful addition to the skyline and particularly harmful to the setting of the tower of St Margaret’s Church, when viewed form Sanvey Gate which is a historic route.

In terms of the more detailed design for the original headquarters building of the textile company, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 204.