Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from David Lyne.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 June 2010 are attached and the Panel is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the Conservation Advisory Panel meeting held on 23 June 2010, be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

The Director, Planning and Economic Development submits a report on decisions made by Leicester City Council on planning applications previously considered by the Panel.

The Director, Planning and Economic Development submitted a report on decisions made by Leicester City Council on planning applications previously considered by the Panel.

Comments were made on the following applications

All Saints Brewery, App. No. 20100392

It was noted that the buildings fronting the street had been damaged by fire. An officer from Planning, Policy and Design informed the meeting that the fire damage was superficial.

It was stated that a paper on the brewery was not included in a report on the Council’s website. The report went to planning and was approved. The said paper was then able to be viewed after this meeting on the website. An officer from Planning, Policy and Design assured those present that the paper had been seen by planning officers and circulated, but had been missing temporarily on the website.

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

A) BLACK FRIARS LANE, BATH LANE

Pre application enquiry

Redevelopment of site

The Director said the pre application enquiry was for the redevelopment of the area bounded by Bath Lane, Blackfriars Lane, All Saints Road and Jarvis Street.

It was noted that the Panel had made observations on and around this site several times over the last few years.

Architects that were due to present this item did not attend as they were working on further information on the project and would present this item at a later date.

B)  NEWARKE STREET, OXFORD STREET, ALLEN HOUSE

Planning Application 20101307

Change of use, extensions

The Director said the application was for the change of use of Allen House to student accommodation with additional roof extension, the demolition of the adjacent Antiques Centre and construction of further student accommodation along Oxford Street and Newarke Street. The ground floor of the development is intended for commercial use. There is a previous approval on the Antiques Centre site for demolition and replacement building (20071647) and an application to extend the time limit of this approval.

It was noted at the meeting that the application was adjacent to another application for student accommodation development, but the two applications were from different developers.

The panel expressed concern over an application for further student accommodation questioning whether there was evidence of need.  The new build was considered to overpower the retained building, and is completely out of scale in terms of mass and height with Newarke Street. The roof extension to Allen House was not seen as a positive contribution.

Whilst the panel accepted the principle of the development they considered that amendments be sought but did not support the scheme in its current form. 

C)  BISHOP STREET, REFERENCE LIBRARY

Listed Building Consent 20101253

Internal alterations

The Director said the application was for internal alterations to facilitate the relocation and move of the central lending library into the above building and to comply with fire safety.

The panel noted that the building had never been particularly welcoming and expressed concern that this was a poorly thought through scheme and a missed opportunity to make the building more welcoming and user friendly.  There was also concern expressed regarding the work space elements that would require a quiet environment, and this was not clear from the plans.

The Panel recommended seeking amendments to this application.

D)  7 BELVOIR STREET CENTRAL LENDING LIBARY

Listed Building Consent 20101041

Internal alterations

The Director said the application was for internal alterations including the subdivision of the lower ground floor level.

The panel felt that is was difficult to consider this as there was no indication of how and by whom the space was to be used.  The subdivision was poorly thought out and considered to be detrimental to the character of this open basement and, if small rooms are required the panel suggested that this was the wrong building for this use.

The Panel recommended  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chair, ought, by reason of special circumstances, to be considered urgently.

Members are asked to inform the Chair and Democratic Services Officer in advance of the meeting if they have urgent business that they wish to be considered.

There were no items of urgent business.

The meeting closed at 6.48pm.