Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Malcolm Unsworth, Chris Sawday, Simon Britton and Michael Goodhart.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 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 21 September 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no matters arising from the minutes.

A) ABBEY PARK ROAD, ABBEY MILLS

Planning Application 20111482

Demolition, redevelopment

The building was on the Local List

The application was for the demolition of the mill and redevelopment of the site with a new eight storey building for 24 self-contained flats and eleven four storey houses. The Panel had made observations on similar schemes over the last year.

The Panel reiterated previous comments regarding the importance of the building and wished to see it retained and re-used. When the city was approached from the waterway the building formed a key gateway into the city centre.  The building rose directly from the canal bank; this was an integral part of both the buildings and the canals special character. They questioned the sustainability of demolishing the building and replacing it with something new, noting that the previously approved scheme for conversion had clearly demonstrated that the building could be successfully converted.

The Panel were uncomfortable about making comments on the new build in case it lessened the strong views that the building should be retained. However, they thought the new build element was too busy and that the low rise and high rise elements did not sit well with one another. Overall they raised very strong objections to the demolition of the building.

The Panel recommended REFUSAL of the application.

B) 40-46 WESTERN ROAD

Planning Application 20110539

The proposal affected the former Equity Shoes factory which was on the Local List.

The Panel made observations on the development earlier in the year. The proposal was a revised scheme for new buildings ranging from five to eight storeys in height to create 581 bed spaces for student accommodation.

The revised scheme did not address the concerns previously raised with the exception of the break in the building to provide limited views of the Equity shoes factory over the old canal. They considered that the building was still too high and monolithic, dominating and compromising historic views within the city. Essentially it should be no higher than the adjacent factory.

The Panel recommended REFUSAL of the application in its current form.

C) 8 SALISBURY ROAD

Planning Application 20111442

Change of use, rear extension

The building was within the New Walk Conservation Area.

The application was for conversion of the building to nine flats. The proposal involved a two and a half storey rear extension.

The Panel were not overly impressed with the scheme but conceded that it was not visible from the public areas of the conservation area. Accordingly it would have little overall impact on the character of the conservation area. They did note that the original windows at the front should not be replaced with double glazed units and wanted an assurance that the front wall and garden would remain.

The Panel recommended APPROVAL of the application.

D) 84-86 GRANBY STREET

Planning Application 20111552

Change of use, alterations

The building was within the Granby Street Conservation Area.

The application was for change of use of the building from restaurant/café to bar/café  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The meeting closed at 6.05pm.