Agenda and minutes

S. Hartshorne (TCS), S. Bowyer (LCS), S. Bird (DAC), C. Sanliturk (LU), S. Forde (student).

None.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th January 2024 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)   Leicester Railway Station (pre-app presentation)

KL explained this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to exact beneficial change in the Station and make it a destination in this part of the city. He explained it was major investment in an undervalued and underused building. He detailed the proposed works to the listed Porte Cochere: revealing the currently hidden elevation, removing modern internal balustrading and ramps, repairing the existing gates, fixing them in place and glazing in openings, refurbishing the modern ticket hall and introducing new landscaping and canopy.

The Panel thanked KL for his presentation. They acknowledged and thanked the project team for taking into account comments raised by the Panel following the initial presentation. Some members raised questions about the possibility of discovering historic material under modern features and finishings of the building. KL explained that there would be a detailed process in place were this to occur, and based on the potential discovery the plans would be adjusted. There were some further questions on smaller details of the scheme, such as the infill glazing to openings and signage and the functionality of the internal and external spaces. The Panel also expressed a desire to see the clock in the tower functioning again as part of the proposed work. Members queried the proposed treatment of the separately Listed Grade II Gates and Gate piers to the Former station. It was explained that they will be carefully dismantled and relocated slightly further up Station Street. Given they represent the only surviving fabric of the original station building, it was suggested by members that something should mark their original location within the pavement of the new carpark/turning circle.

B)   150 St Nicholas Circle, 1-7 and 13 Bath Lane

Planning Application 20221210

The Panel acknowledged the importance of the site, as a gateway location into the city centre. They felt there had been some improvement over the previous iteration and welcomed the reduction in height from 9 to 6 storeys in parts. However, members retained reservations about the scheme, and agreed that it continues to lack sufficient quality for this sensitive site. They cited the massing as one of their principal concerns, which they felt to be monotonous and uncompromising, particularly along the Bath Lane elevation. They also expressed disappointment in the Castle Gardens elevation, which they felt does not adequately address the corner. Overall, the Panel agreed that the revised scheme did not resolve their previous concerns and voted to sustain their objection.

One member requested that, should the application be approved, a condition be included to carefully salvage and reinstate the LRSA City Trail terracotta plaque in a similar position as existing.

OBJECTION

The panel made no comments on the following:

28 Stoneygate Avenue

Planning Application 20232290

Demolition of single storey store and fire escape stair at rear; construction of single storey detached building to form 1 self-contained flat (1 x 1bed)(Class C3) at rear of mixed use property (house in multiple occupation (7 beds) (Sui Generis) & 1  ...  view the full minutes text for item 264.