Agenda and minutes

Conservation Advisory Panel - Wednesday, 18 August 2021 5:15 pm

Venue: City Hall, 115 Charles Street, Leicester, LE1 1FZ

Items
No. Item

177.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

C. Laughton, L. Gonsalves (RICS)

178.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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

Minutes:

None.

179.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING pdf icon PDF 129 KB

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14th July are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

Minutes:

The Panel agreed the notes.

180.

CURRENT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS pdf icon PDF 196 KB

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

Minutes:

A) 170 London Road

Planning Application 20211424 and 20211425

 

Change of use from offices (Class E) to 6 student flats (sui generis); alterations

 

Retrospective application for internal and external alterations to Grade II Listed Building to enable change of use from offices (Class E) to 6 student flats (Sui generis)

 

The members commented on the clear architectural interest and quality of the Grade II Listed building and agreed that the harm to the building caused by the unauthorised works has been considerable. They expressed considerable concerns in relation to the level of detail and information submitted, considered insufficient considering the level of damage and alterations proposed, including no methodology of reinstatement works proposed to rectify the harm. The removal of the staircase to the rear of the property was considered as particularly problematic. The creation of a toilet cubicle on top of the main staircase was considered unacceptable, based on its impact on the original floorplan and legibility of the space.

 

Otherwise, the members agreed that the internal and external alterations proposed cannot be adequately accessed in the context of the unauthorised development that has taken place. They requested that all damage is rectified prior to any application for change of use and internal & external alterations to the Grade II Listed building.

 

OBJECTIONS

 

 

B) Lee Circle, City Industrial Units

Planning Application 20211339

 

Demolition of buildings; Construction of a 5 and 6 storey building comprising of 93 flats (15 x studios, 45 x 1 bed, 33 x 2 bed); substation; communal amenity space and facilities

 

The members agreed that the scheme is an improvement to the previous submission. They commended the reinstatement of the arched features to the ground floor but noted that these could be better highlighted, for example through a fenestration design that responded better to the framing provided. The general scale of the building was considered acceptable. 

 

It was noted again that the visuals provided by the applicant could be better in terms of presenting the building in context. It was noted that some of the presented detailing could be improved, including the top storey cladding and UPVC windows across the building. More information on framing to glazing and materials was requested. 

 

MORE INFORMATION / SEEK AMENDMENTS

 

 

C) 20 St Peter's Lane, Former Debenhams Highcross

Planning Application 20210461

 

Demolition of vacant retail store and the removal of existing car parking spaces; construction of 12, 11 and 8 storey building comprising commercial floorspace on lower and upper ground floor (Class E) and 305 residential units (Class C3); associated access, parking, cycle parking, refuse and amenity landscaping. (Amended 23/7/2021)

 

The scheme was considered to be a significant improvement to the previous submission in terms of scale, massing and elevational treatments. The members commented on the fitting choice of the brickwork, improved window articulation and generally improved appearance, in particular when viewed from Mansfield Street. Although aspects of the height were considered to be at a challenging scale and a view would be lost of the Cathedral spire, the reduced quantum  ...  view the full minutes text for item 180.