Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Richard Lawrence, Chris Sawday, David Lyne and David Trubshaw.

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

Councillor Gary Hunt declared an interest in Appendix C, Item c, as he was a member of Friends of Leicester Cathedral, but had no prior knowledge of the proposal.

Michael Goodhart declared an interest in Appendix B, St Martin’s Walk railings.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 March 2011 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 16 March 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

Joan Garrity asked for it to be recorded that she had sent her apologies for the last meeting.

A letter received from the designer of the Black Friars development was taken at the end of the meeting

The Service Director, Planning and Policy 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:

St Martins Walk railings, App. No. 20101934

It was noted that the application had been withdrawn and not refused.

74 Church Gate, App. No. 20101746

The use of uPVC windows were approved by Committee, not the recommended aluminium windows.

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

A) 31 GRANBY STREET

Pre Application Presentation

The former HSBC Bank was a Grade II* listed building and within the Town Hall Square Conservation area.

The item was presented by the architect, though for confidentiality reasons the architect was not named. The Panel were in the main reasonably happy with proposals although the cloaked nature of the presentation made comments difficult. The main concern was the mezzanine floor which would require great thought and expertise to make it work without detriment to the building. They agreed there was an opportunity for improvement to replace the modern extension at the rear and to make the building more a part of the Town Hall Square.

B) LONDON ROAD, RAILWAY PORT COCHERE

Pre Application Enquiry 201190280P

Alterations to the internal layout

The building was Grade II listed and just outside of the South Highfields Conservation area.

This item was deferred until a later time, as negotiations were still underway.

C) ST MARTINS, LEICESTER CATHEDRAL

Advertisement Consent 20110454

New signage

The Cathedral was a Grade II* listed building and within the Cathedral/Guildhall Conservation Area.

The Panel were generally happy with most of the signs, except for the banner sign at the front by the main entrance.

The Panel recommended SEEKING AMENDMENTS to the application.

D) KIRBY ROAD, ST PAULS CHURCH

Listed Building Consent 20110262, Planning Application 20110261

Change of use from church to offices

The building was Grade II listed and to the outside of the West End Conservation Area.

The Panel found the change of use acceptable. The new entrance at the front was acceptable, although the change in levels would have to be addressed. The Panel also had strong reservations regarding the mezzanine floor, which they suggested should be removable for the future. They stated they would require more details to see how it would be constructed and attached before making any firm decisions.

The Panel suggested MORE DETAILS WERE REQUIRED before making a decision on the application.

E) 208 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20110125

Building to rear garden.

The building was within the Evington Footpath Conservation Area and covered by an Article 4 direction. The proposal also affected the setting of the adjacent Grade II* listed St James the Greater Church.

The Panel made no objections but they offered a note of caution to make sure that the use was ancillary to the enjoyment of the main house and it should not become a separate dwelling.

The Panel recommended APPROVAL of the application.

F) 29 STONEYGATE ROAD

Planning Application 20101854

Extension and demolition

The building was within the Stoneygate Conservation Area.

There was a general feeling amongst the Panel that seven to fourteen flats was a very intensive use of the building but conceded that the alterations to the building would not affect the character of the building of the conservation area.

The Panel recommended APPROVAL of the application.

G) 2 SOUTHERNHAY ROAD

Planning Application 20110437

Extensions, new garage

The building partly in use as a dwelling and part  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

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 Committee Services Officer in advance of the meeting if they have urgent business that they wish to be considered.

A letter had been received from the designers of the Black Friars development, which endeavoured to meet the issues and concerns raised by the Panel at the meeting on 16 March 2011.

The Panel deliberated over the contents of the letter. It was stated that something that made money should not outweigh other considerations, for example heritage. The Panels decision was that objections to the development still stood.

The meeting closed at 6.55pm.