Agenda and minutes

Cllr. S. Barton, M. Davies (RICS), N. Finn (LAHS), M. Taylor (IHBC), D. Fountain (LSA), D. Martin (LRGT), S. Yazdan-Joo (Student)

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

None.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th April 2026 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.   Development at 16 Morland Avenue

Pre-app planning applications 202690107P

Keshiv Sudera of DSA presented a pre-app for the latest development proposal at 16 Morland Avenue. The panel began by emphasising the architectural quality of the host building, that it was not just the street-facing elevation that was of significance but rather all sides were considered in their own right and of real merit. Members questioned the principle of the scheme, including the need for a garage and that the extent of works proposed, with consensus that this house could not tolerate such extensive development. They did not necessarily disagree with the contemporary approach but were disappointed that previous concerns had not been addressed. Two primary issues remained: the size of the extensions and quality of architecture, both of which failed to respond to the architecture of the host building. The scale of the proposal did not respect the human scale of the room arrangements and detailing, as the proposal sought to create large open-plan layouts and introduce chunky features which would sit at odds with the delicate character of the house. The architectural detailing was criticised as lacking in subtlety and refinement in comparison to the Arts & Crafts architecture, and both features and materials failed to reference the host building. Windows in particular were highlighted as being disproportionately scaled and arranged. The panel strongly objected to the proposal and concluded that it was even less successful than the previous iteration

Objections

B.   Development of land at junction of Vaughan Way and St. Margaret’s Way

Outline planning application 20250484

The latest iteration of this scheme was presented, with minor amendments to plans submitted in 2025 including alterations to the arcading and different materials (this had not been submitted to CAP).

The Chair began by noting the importance and high quality of the architectural treatment of corners in Leicester, particularly given that this is a prominent junction in the city with busy roads. Panellists agreed with this principle, and concluded that the corner treatment of this particular proposal was good if not spectacular. Using flush glazing for the arcade was seen as positive. Members considered that the massing of the building connected reasonably well to neighbouring buildings.

In terms of critique, panel members felt that some of the architecture, such as the choice of materials and arcading, lacked a rationale or justification even if they did not necessarily object. There was some disagreement over the choice of materials. Glazing was discussed at length: the large number of windows for a residential building was questioned, as was the glazed link to the neighbouring building on St Margaret’s Way. The panel debate whether glazing could be reworked to allow for glimpses of the listed Roberts factory behind, either through or around the proposed building. All panellists agreed that the recessed top floor should be omitted, as it lacked quality and appeared like a later addition. The conclusion was therefore to seek amendments.

Seek amendments

The panel made no comment on the following applications:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 332.