Agenda item

The Director, Planning and Economic Development submitted a report on current development proposals.

 

A) GREAT CENTRAL STREET

Planning Application 20120504

New student flat development

 

The proposal affected the setting of All Saints’ Church listed Grade B and 107-109 Highcross Street a Grade II listed building. The site was also within the All Saints’ Conservation Area.

 

The application was for an eight storey building for 196 student flats with three office units on the ground floor. The Panel had previously considered a development of similar scale on the site a few years ago.

 

The Panel accepted the principle of a new building on this site. They reiterated previous views that the new building should be no higher than the adjacent church tower but conceded that something slightly higher might be acceptable subject to a good design. They considered the proposed building to be too tall and lacked architectural details. In particular they did not like the blank wall that would present itself to commuters heading towards the city centre. They considered this to be one of the main gateways into the inner city and therefore a building of better architectural quality was required. They were happy with the palette of materials proposed but style, proportion and scale all need addressing.

 

The Panel recommended SEEKING AMENDMENTS to the application but REFUSED in its current form

 

 

B) EAST BOND STREET, FORMER GREAT MEETING SCHOOL

Listed Building Consent 20120479

Change of use, Internal and external alterations

 

The building was Grade II listed and within the Church Gate Conservation Area.

 

The application was for the change of use of the building from offices to a doctors surgery. The proposal involved internal and external alterations including a new access ramp.

 

The Panel supported the new use proposed for the building and had no objections to the internal alterations. They accepted the need for a ramp but it should be of a higher quality than the existing steps and hand rail.

 

The Panel recommended APPROVAL of the application

 

 

C) 76-80 LONDON ROAD, MASONIC LODGE

Listed Building Consent 20120450

New signage

 

The building was Grade II listed and within the South Highfields Conservation Area.

 

The application for alterations to the front entrance facing London Road to allow better access for the disabled was considered at a previous meeting. The proposal was for painted signs above the two entrance doors which was mentioned at the previous meeting but no details were available.

 

The Panel had no objections to the new signs but they should match the lettering on the plans.

 

The Panel recommended APPROVAL of the application

 

 

D) MARKET PLACE, ODEON ARCADE

Advertisement Consent 20120503

New signage

 

The building was within the Market Place Conservation Area.

 

The application was three internally illuminated fascia signs and two non-illuminated banner signs to both Market Place and Cank Street elevations.

 

The Panel had no objections to the banner signage or the fascia sign providing it was lettering only illumination. However they thought a better solution could be found for the sign on the canopy and suggested that the canopy could be restored and signage applied directly to it.

 

The Panel recommended SEEKING AMENDMENTS to the application

 

 

E) 129 GRANBY STREET

Planning Application 20120313

Change of use, rear flue

 

The building was within the Granby Street Conservation Area.

 

The application was for the conversion of the building from retail to a restaurant. The proposal involves an external flue to the rear.

 

The Panel had no objections to the change of use but stated that a better solution was required for the flue.

 

The Panel recommended SEEKING AMENDMENTS to the application

 

 

F) HERITAGE ACTION PLAN

 

The Conservation Team Leader presented the draft Heritage Action Plan for comment, which had previously been taken to a Heritage Partnership Meeting. The Action Plan, which will be updated annually, sets out the context of heritage, and is broken down into five key themes:

 

·         Heritage at Risk

·         Heritage Protection

·         Proactive Projects

·         Promotion and Participation

·         Ongoing Conservation Work

 

The Action Plan was discussed with the City Mayor, who stated he was enormously encouraged by how people had engaged with the Heritage Partnership.

 

 

The panel raised no objections with the following applications

 

G) 5-11 LANCASTER PLACE

Listed Building Consent 20120476

Change of use, internal alterations

 

H) 340 LONDON ROAD

Planning Application 20120034

Rear extension

 

I) 10 MARKET PLACE

Planning Application 20120512

Change of use