An update on planning and development issues in the Westcotes Ward not covered elsewhere on the agenda will be given at the meeting.
Minutes:
The Ward Members advised that:-
· Jamie Lewis Residential had appealed against a decision not to allow an illuminated sign on his development on Upperton Road. He had lost the appeal, but had put up another sign. A retrospective application had been submitted for a large sign on the ground floor, which would be considered by the City Council’s Planning and Development Control Committee shortly;
· Accommodation being built by the Co-op on Briton Street was to have been an elderly persons’ home, but it now was proposed for use for students;
· The CPH Thurmaston site was under consideration by two competing developers. One of these was Jamie Lewis Residential, who wanted to provide student accommodation there, and the other was a proposal for a doctor’s surgery. The latter was being supported by the Primary Care Trust and would keep the old building. Janie Lewis proposed to only keep part of the old building and use the rest of the site for retail;
· The Planning Inspector’s decision in relation to the appeal made by the applicants against the decision not to allow a hostel at 20 Westcotes Drive was awaited. It was hoped that a meeting could be arranged between the Planning Inspector and local residents;
· There was some concern that the height of the new building in Western Road did not match the approved plans. It was known that the back of the building would be high, but it had been thought that the front would be flush with the building line. However, the front appeared to be flush with the pitched roof, so the building was not “stepped” as it had appeared on drawings. This had been raised with the City Council’s Planning Officers, but it was recognised that illustrations were not necessarily accurate. Any decision would be based on the approved plans;
· The site in Western Road had been cleared by the previous owner, as there had been problems with break-ins at the buildings, drug misuse and antisocial behaviour. It was thought that the previous developer had permission to build apartments, (not for students), but this had fallen through. Jamie Lewis Residential had now bought the site, but to date had not submitted a planning application for it.
· The City Council had agreed to make a Compulsory Purchase Order for the house on Norman Road that appeared to be derelict. It would be sold at auction to be brought back in to use;
· Some unused shops in the City centre had vinyl window coverings, to stop them looking run down. Investigations would be made in to whether something similar could be funded through the Ward Community Budget. They could then be used in premises such as the empty shop on Gaul Street; and
· Approximately £225,000 was likely to be available from European Gateway Funding. This would probably be used on Narborough Road or Braunstone Gate. The City Council’s Economic Development team would consult all businesses on how this funding could be spent to improve the gateway. There was no requirement to spend the money in any particular way.
The Meeting questioned whether the current moratorium on new student accommodation, including change of use to provide it, would apply to the application for Briton Street. However, it was noted that the developers had advertised student accommodation there in October 2011 and Council officers had advised that this change could not be stopped, as space standards were less for student accommodation than for other accommodation. A planning application had been submitted for the change, but it was not known why in view of officers’ advice that it could not be stopped.
It also was asked if it was possible to make some streets in to conservation areas, but it was noted that this was very difficult to do. Discussions were on-going to see if it would be possible to extend the Ashleigh Road Conservation Area.
Investigations had been made to see if it was possible to extend the Westcotes Drives Conservation Area. It had to be shown that the houses were of a particular character for it to be approved, but they were fairly standard houses so it had not been possible to do.
It was questioned why planning applications were refused for pull-out blinds on Narborough Road, as these could be attractive. The Ward Members asked that details of this be passed to them so that they could investigate this.
AGREED:
That the Members Support Officer investigate whether it would be possible to fund the provision of vinyl window coverings for empty shop premises through the Ward Community Budget.