Agenda and minutes

D. Martin (LRGT), M. Richardson (RTPI), S. Sharma (DMU), I. Johnson.

None.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th June 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) 53 New Walk, New Walk Museum

Planning and Listed Building Applications 20240827 & 20240828

Partial demolition of existing roof; replacement with new roof; new roof lights; heating plant and ventilation at roof level at Museum (Class F1); replacement of part of fenestration to front; alterations. / Internal and external alterations to Grade II listed building

The Panel supported and welcomed the principle of the development and the majority of the works to re-order the museum commenting on its long history of interventions and alterations. The majority of the works were supported including the internal circulation spaces, new lift and provision of the flexible café space with the lowered and remodelled windows and new doors. The Panel supported the principle of the works to the roof including the encasing of the existing lanterns in a metal cladding to allow for the opening up of the galleries below. There was a discussion about how prominent the lanterns were, but a general agreement that the detailing would need to be important to avoid them having a boxy and industrial appearance.

The Panel re-iterated their preference for the multi-pane top windows facing New Walk to be retained as they have aesthetic and historic value and help tie the 1890s extension to the arts wing. They did not feel the justification of providing signage space justified the harm caused.

SEEK AMENDMENTS

B) 80 Wharf Street South

Planning Application 20240308

Part demolition: Conversion of 80 Wharf Street South & construction of 6 storey building to form flatted residential development (Class C3); associated access and landscaping

The Panel welcomed the investment and repurposing of a locally listed building, and were pleased to see the proposed reinstatement of two lost window bays at ground floor level. They felt however that other aspects could be improved further, with some opportunities missed to execute more elegant detailing. In particular they were disappointed by the proposed infill treatment to the carriage way, feeling the various vertical and horizontal elements were “clumsy” and did not go far enough to treat it as a distinctive feature. Other members commented on the parapet, believing it once held a central feature which has been lost.

Members expressed concerns about the new residential development proposed on the rest of the site, noting the locally listed building would be completely encased by tall buildings. They felt the approach to the streetscene was monolithic and formulaic, treating the development as a single block, instead of responding to the two distinctive streets they face onto. They wished to see cues taken from the existing/surrounding building such as picking up and continuing datum levels in the locally listed building. They also felt that the corner could be better emphasised and celebrated, while prominent areas of blank walls were a missed opportunity.

Overall, the panel felt that the application would diminish the sense of place and objected to the application on design grounds.

OBJECTIONS

C) 4 Knighton Park Road, The Scotlands

Planning Application 20240777

Demolition of existing garage; construction of two self-contained  ...  view the full minutes text for item 276.