Agenda and minutes

N. Finn (LAHS), M. Davies (RICS), D. Martin (LRGT)

None.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th January 2025 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. Pre-application at Former Narborough Road School, Narborough Road, 2 Bruce Street

Pre-application 202490363P

Members welcomed this pre-application to the panel. There was a general consensus that the pre-application was an improvement on the previous pre-application seen by the panel, albeit the last scheme had not been taken further forward. The panel were keen to see all of the site in active use and were supportive of an integrated approach to the mixed-use development. There were more limited concerns with changes within the primary listed building, but the need for more evidence that new ceilings cutting across the height of the tall timber windows would not be visually harmful was raised. 

The more modern extension was discussed in detail with concerns raised regarding the massing and siting of the development. These concerns related to the proposed scheme obstructing the façade of the listed building, if viewed from further to the east on Upperton Road and the cumulative impact on the listed building on site and the setting of the nearby listed church. The panel established that the tower’s prominence throughout the surrounding area must be maintained in terms of the height of the extension. Further discussions were had regarding the proposed extension’s visual language. Some panel members felt the extension did not effectively read as a contrasting modern intervention or as a more complementary form to the existing listed-building and that further work should be sought to ensure any finalised scheme worked harder in this manner.

Concerns were also raised with the rhythm of the fenestration, specifically regarding the relationship between the proposed extension’s windows and those within the existing building. The panel welcomed that further alterations may be proposed on the scheme.

B. The Rowans, College Street

Pre-application 202490327P

The panel welcomed this pre-application for the grade II listed building that is also within the South Highfields Conservation Area.

Discussion was had regarding the existing boundary treatments that face onto College Street. The panel established they would welcome further elaboration as to what the application would propose in this regard, as they believe the view onto The Rowans from Prebend Street, should be preserved. On this subject, the panel also praised the proposed scheme’s removal of the flat roofed extension. It was established that this addition causes harm to the aforementioned façade and any changes to boundary treatment may want to consider this removal.

Panel members also sought clarity on the internal arrangements of the existing building. Particular advice was given to the applicants, regarding the approach to the main hall.

C. Land at rear of 38 St James Road.

Planning Application 20242177

The application was welcomed by the panel members, who felt the proposed scheme was an improvement on the previous application. Some members voiced concern over the shade of the colour of the brick; however, others argued the site was read as being more isolated and the need to harmonise with the other brickwork set further way was less acute.

Comments were generally positive regarding the scheme’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 296.