Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Aldred, Joel and Valand.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, reminding them that this was a virtual meeting, as permitted under Section 78 of the Coronavirus Act 2020 to enable meetings to take place whilst observing social distancing measures.

At the invitation of the Chair, officers present at the meeting introduced themselves.

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

Members will be aware of the Code of Practice for Member involvement in Development Control decisions. They are also asked to declare any interest they might have in any matter on the committee agenda and/or contact with applicants, agents or third parties. The Chair, acting on advice from the Monitoring Officer, will then determine whether the interest disclosed is such to require the Member to withdraw from the committee during consideration of the relevant officer report.

Members who are not on the committee but who are attending to make representations in accordance with the Code of Practice are also required to declare any interest.  The Chair, acting on advice from the Monitoring Officer, will determine whether the interest disclosed is such that the Member is not able to make representations.  Members requiring guidance should contact the Monitoring Officer or the Committee's legal adviser prior to the committee meeting.

Members were asked to declare any interests they had in the business on the agenda, including under the Council’s Good Practice Guidance for Member Involvement in Planning and Development Management Decisions.

Each member of the Committee present at the meeting introduced themselves in turn and stated that they had no such interests.

Members are asked to confirm that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Development Control Committee held on 5 August 2020 are a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning and Development Control Committee held on 5 August 2020 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation submits a report setting out objections received to proposals to introduce speed cushions in the Humberstone Village area.  The Committee is recommended to consider the report and pass its views to the Director of Planning, Development and Transportation to take into account when considering whether or not to make the proposed traffic regulation order.

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation submitted a report setting out objections received to proposals for speed cushions to be added within a 20 miles per hour scheme in the Humberstone Village area.

The Special Projects Manager introduced the report, outlining the proposals.

RESOLVED:

That the Director of Planning, Development and Transportation note when considering whether or not to make the proposed traffic regulation order that this Committee supports the addition of speed cushions within the 20 miles per hour zone in the Humberstone Village area.

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation submits a report setting out objections received to the speed cushions included within the proposed 20mph scheme in the Letchworth Road & Dovelands Area.  The Committee is recommended to consider the report and express its views to the Director of Planning, Development and Transportation to take into account when considering whether or not to make the proposed traffic regulation order.

The Director of Planning, Development and Transportation submitted a report setting out objections received to proposals for speed cushions to be included within a proposed 20 miles per hour scheme for the Letchworth Road North and Dovelands area.

The Special Projects Manager outlined the proposals, noting that there was a lot of community support for them. When designing the scheme, the number of cushions had been minimised and roundels included where appropriate to reduce the impact of the new features.  Nevertheless, eight objections to the proposed speed cushions along Letchworth Road had been received.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Special Projects Manager confirmed that a number of residents had reported “rat running” in the area and it was hoped that the proposals for this scheme would help reduce this by reducing the volume of traffic generally.  A survey of traffic had been undertaken as part of the preparation of the scheme and a post-implementation survey also would be undertaken, to help assess the effect of the whole scheme.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the amendments made to the proposed 20 miles per hour scheme for Letchworth Road North and Dovelands area at the design stage be welcomed; and

2)    That the Director of Planning, Development and Transportation note when considering whether or not to make the proposed traffic regulation order that this Committee supports the proposals for the inclusion of speed cushions within the proposed 20 miles per hour scheme for Letchworth Road North and Dovelands area.

The Committee is asked to consider the recommendations of the Director, Planning, Development and Transportation contained in the attached reports, within the categories identified in the index appended with the reports.

The Chair announced that he would take the planning reports in a different order to that given in the agenda, due to the attendance of members of the public and Ward Councillors who had registered to speak.

RESOLVED:

That the report of the Director of Planning, Development and Transportation dated 16 September 2020 on applications, together with the supplemental report and information reported verbally by officers, be received and action taken as below.

Ward: Rushey Mead

Proposal: Construction of Single Storey Temporary Building at Front of Surgery (Class D1)

Applicant: Dr B Modi

The Planning Officer presented the report and drew Members’ attention to the supplementary report, which set out representations received in support of the application.

Dr Modi, the applicant, addressed the Committee and spoke in support of the application. 

Councillor Willmott, then addressed the Committee as a Ward Councillor, and spoke in support of the application.

Members considered the report and supplementary report, and officers responded to the comments and queries raised.

Members of the Committee agreed that space already available at the surgery premises was very restricted.  It therefore would not be possible to find the additional space needed as a result of social distancing requirements arising from the current Covid-19 epidemic.  This meant that the surgery could not provide adequate waiting room accommodation, which would be particularly problematic as this winter’s flu vaccination programme progressed.  Community health needs therefore could be considered to outweigh the visual and residential amenity impact of the temporary building in this instance.

Officers advised that, if permission was granted for a temporary building, this could not be for an undefined period and Members also should give consideration to whether any appropriate conditions should be applied.  It therefore was suggested that a period of 12 months could be appropriate, along with other conditions including use of the temporary building only in conjunction with the use of the existing surgery, removal of the temporary building and cessation of the temporary building, and relating any consent to the plans previously submitted.

Members suggested that, if it could be ensured that the temporary building would be removed after 12 months, consideration could be given to approving this application, contrary to the officer recommendation.  It was noted that, if such permission was granted, any extension of the temporary permission could only be considered if a formal application was received by the local planning authority.

The Chair therefore moved that, contrary to the officer recommendation, the application be approved subject to conditions requiring the site to be returned to its current condition within 12 months, allowing the temporary building to only be used in conjunction with the existing surgery, and requiring the temporary building to be in accordance with the plans already received by the local planning authority.  This was seconded by Councillor Halford and, upon being put to the vote, the motion to approve was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

That, in view of social distancing requirements and restrictions introduced through the Coronavirus Act 2020 in response to the current Covid-19 pandemic, and the surgery’s limited accommodation, this application be approved contrary to the officer recommendation and subject to the conditions set out below:

              CONDITIONS

1.               The building shall be removed and the land restored to its former condition not later than 16 September 2021 unless consent for a further period of time has been granted before that date.  (The proposal does not represent a satisfactory form of permanent development)

2.           The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 168.

Ward: Castle

Proposal: Double sided free standing digital sign

Applicant: Clear Channel UK Ltd

The Planning Officer presented the report.

The meeting paused while Mr Gellini left and rejoined the meeting in an attempt to resolve technical issues.

The meeting then paused further while the Chair left and rejoined the meeting in order to resolve technical issues.

Following confirmation that both Mr Gellini and the Chair had successfully re-connected, Mr Gellini addressed the Committee and spoke against the application.

Members considered the report and officers responded to the comments and queries raised.

The Chair moved that, in accordance with the officer recommendation, the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report.  This was seconded by Councillor Gee and, upon being put to the vote, the motion to approve was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

that the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions as set out below:

              CONDITIONS

1.           The proposed advertisement spaces shall display static images only and not animated, scrolling, intermittent or flashing images, or directions to drivers at any time. The rate of change between successive images shall be no greater than 1 second with no swiping or other animated transition methods between successive images. The minimum display time each successive advertising image shall be no less than 10 seconds per image. (In the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the High Street Conservation Area and in the interests of highway safety and in accordance with Core Strategy policies CS03, CS14 and CS18.)

2.           The maximum luminance signs displayed on the advertisement spaces shall not exceed 600cd/m². (In the interests of visual amenity and the character and appearance of the High Street Conservation Area and in the interests of highway safety and in accordance with Core Strategy policies CS03, CS14 and CS18.)

3.           The functionality of the advertisement spaces shall have a default mechanism to switch it off in the event of a malfunction or during periods of maintenance. (In the interests of highway safety and in accordance with Core Strategy policy CS14.)

4.           This consent shall relate solely to the submitted plans received by the City Council as local planning authority on 17.07.20 (For the avoidance of doubt.)

              NOTES FOR APPLICANT

1.           The City Council, as local planning authority has acted positively and proactively in determining this application by assessing the proposal against all material planning considerations, including planning policies and representations that may have been received and subsequently determining to grant planning permission with appropriate conditions taking account of those material considerations in accordance with the presumption in favour of sustainable development as set out in the NPPF 2019.

Ward: Castle

Proposal: Construction of single storey and first storey extensions at rear to create single storey flat (1 x 1 bed) at rear of office; part change of use from offices (Class B1(a)) to two flats (2 x studios) (Class C3)

Applicant: Mr Holt

The Planning Officer presented the report.

Members considered the report and officers responded to the comments and queries raised.

The Chair moved that, in accordance with the officer recommendation, the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report.  This was seconded by Councillor Gee and, upon being put to the vote, the motion to approve was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

that the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions as set out below:

            CONDITIONS

1.         Start within three years

2.         Before the commencement of the development a 1 metres² brick sample (showing brick type, bonding and mortar) shall be submitted to and agreed by the City Council as local planning authority. The works shall be carried out in accordance with these agreed details. (To preserve the character and appearance of the New Walk Conservation Area and in the interests of good design and the visual amenity of the area and in accordance with Core Strategy policies CS03 and CS18.) (To ensure that the details are agreed in time to be incorporated into the development, this is a PRE-COMMENCEMENT condition.)

3.         Before the commencement of the development a sample of the materials to be used for the roof shall be submitted to and agreed by the City Council as local planning authority. The works shall be carried out in accordance with these agreed details. (To preserve the character and appearance of the New Walk Conservation Area and in the interests of good design and the visual amenity of the area and in accordance with Core Strategy policies CS03 and CS18.) (To ensure that the details are agreed in time to be incorporated into the development, this is a PRE-COMMENCEMENT condition.)

4.         Prior to the commencement of development section details at a scale of 1:10 of the windows and doors shall be submitted to and agreed by the City Council as local planning authority. The works shall be carried out in accordance with these agreed details and retained as such. (To preserve the character and appearance of the New Walk Conservation Area, and in accordance with Core Strategy policy CS18.) (To ensure that the details are agreed in time to be incorporated into the development, this is a PRE-COMMENCEMENT condition.)

5.         No waste bins shall be stored in front of the property on De Montfort Street. (In the interests of the visual amenity of the conservation area and in accordance with policy PS10 of the City of Leicester Local Plan and Core Strategy Policies CS03 and CS18.)

6.         No part of the development shall be occupied until secure and covered cycle parking for four cycles has been provided and retained thereafter. (In the interests of the satisfactory development of the site and in accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 170.

Ward: Westcotes

Proposal: change of use from police station (sui generis) to 30 residential apartments (11x Studio, 19x 1bed) (Class C3) Alterations (Amended Plans Rec 25/10/19)

Applicant: K Enterprise Limited

The Planning Officer presented the report, which Members then considered.

The Chair moved that, in accordance with the officer recommendation, the application be approved subject to the conditions set out in the report.  This was seconded by Councillor Halford and, upon being put to the vote, the motion to approve was CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

that the application be APPROVED subject to the conditions as set out below:

            CONDITIONS

1.         Start within three years

2.         Prior to the commencement of development full design details of on-site renewable energy generation and energy efficiency measures shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the City Council as local planning authority. No flat shall be occupied until evidence demonstrating satisfactory operation of the details, including on-site installation, has been submitted to and approved in writing by the City Council as local planning authority. (In the interests of securing energy efficiency in accordance with Policy CS02 of the Core Strategy. This is a PRE-COMMENCEMENT condition).

3.         Prior to the commencement of development an acoustic survey shall be undertaken and details of a noise insulation scheme (including mechanical ventilation arrangements) to prevent the transmission of noise into the development and to prevent the transmission of noise to adjacent properties shall be submitted to the City Council as local planning authority and agreed in writing.  The scheme shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details prior to occupation of any flat. (In the interests of the amenities of nearby occupiers, and in accordance with policy PS10 of the City of Leicester Local Plan, this is a PRE-COMMENCEMENT condition). 

4.         Prior to the commencement of development details of drainage, shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. No flat shall be occupied until the drainage has been installed in full accordance with the approved details. It shall be retained and maintained thereafter. (To ensure appropriate drainage is installed in accordance with policy CS02 of the Core Strategy. This is a PRE-COMMENCEMENT condition).

5.         Prior to the commencement of development details of a Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. No flat shall be occupied until the system has been implemented in full accordance with the approved details. It shall be retained and maintained thereafter. (To reduce surface water runoff and to secure other related benefits in accordance with policy CS02 of the Core Strategy, this is a PRE-COMMENCEMENT condition).

6.         No part of the development shall be occupied until secure and covered cycle parking has been provided in accordance with written details previously approved in writing by City Council as local planning authority. The cycle parking provision shall be retained thereafter. (In the interests of the satisfactory development of the site and in accordance with policies AM02 and H07 of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 171.

The meeting closed at 7.28 pm