A bit of a hiatus this month – it must be the holiday season as we have been unable to nail down dates for presentations on key development schemes in Leeds. But, planning applications still need to be reviewed and consultations require responses, so the committee has been kept busy.
The Royal Armouries is a key attraction in Leeds, both as the nation’s museum of armaments, but also as a venue for major events – the national UKREiiF event in May attracted over 16,000 delegates and generated over £20m for the local economy. However, permanent exhibition space is limited, and if Leeds wishes to compete at the national level, more halls are required. We were shown plans to build a new hall on the site of the Tiltyard, with entrances from the riverside and Armouries Square; a hotel would be at the east end of the site. Jousting would still take place in the hall, but, being indoors, a better visitor offer could be delivered. Gardens on the roof would provide mixing spaces overlooking the river. We welcomed the concept plans and looked forward to further details being released.
In our review of planning applications, we supported two schemes:
- New retirement living accommodation at Westgate in Otley: a reasonable building which was subject to local consultation and described in a comprehensive submission document
- 14-14A Clarendon Road: refurbishment of this Listed building to provide better accommodation, but no significant changes to the principal elevations.
We made comments on two further applications while supporting the principles of the projects:
- Site of Siegen Manor Day Centre, Morley: we felt that parts of this development of new Council apartments were a bit cramped, but the building would fit in well in the existing streetscape if the right choices are made with regard to brick colour, window design and landscaping.
- Victoria Hotel, Great George Street: we welcomed the restoration of this ‘historic’ Listed pub, but suggested that more should be done to make the building fully accessible.
Our objections related to the following applications:
- 38 Ouzlewell Green, Rothwell: the applicant wishes to clear the site of farm buildings and construct 3 new dwellings. We feel that further consideration should be given to converting at least some of the existing 150 year old barns
- Woodsley Green, Hyde Park: we felt that this was overdevelopment of a cramped site which restricts internal light, creates a cramped entrance and offers poor pedestrian access
- Tesco Aire Park: although we had no problem with the scheme, we felt that this was a very poor application which should not be considered in its current form – uninformative plans, incorrect details, etc
- University of Leeds: we felt plans for a timber cycle store would not sit well alongside the white concrete of the listed brutalist buildings.
Applications we saw but made no comment on included:
- Several conversions of dwellings to small homes for children with special educational needs
- Painted murals on new apartments in Whitehall Road
- Conversion of a dwelling to offices at Lazencroft Farm in Manston Lane
There are quite a few updates on subjects discussed previously:
- Plans to demolish Low Mills in Holbeck were refused, as were plans for a Battery Electricity Storage Site at Ledston – the latter notwithstanding the fact that the Council had lost a number of appeals against refusal of such developments elsewhere in Leeds and could be liable for costs if the applicant appeals.
- A large office scheme at Florence Square (site of the Halifax building, Water Lane) has been approved.
- Apartments at Sayner Lane were finally approved, but only after the developer responded to Councillors’ concerns over ‘cheapening’ the building by restoring some of the omitted elements.
- Some time ago, we welcomed plans to refurbish Wellington Plaza in Wellington Street by stripping back the facades, adding extra floors to the existing structure and then recladding the whole building. Unfortunately, this ‘sustainable’ approach has now been changed to a full rebuild.
- There has been much local outcry about plans for a new apartment block on the site of the Convent of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Headingley. We felt the scheme was overbearing and were pleased to see that the City’s planning officers had similar views and have mandated a redesign.
Turning to wider development and planning matters which might be of interest to Trust members, the following points were noted at our meetings:
- A dedicated subgroup has bravely worked its way through the confusing Leeds Local Plan document, which has not been laid out for easy consultation. Submissions need to be made by mid-September Leeds Local Plan
- Plans for a ‘Stack’ village of containers offering street food on part of the outdoor market are moving forward, but we have not seen a revised planning application.
- The Trust has reported examples of unauthorised shop signage in Leeds city centre and was pleased to see some of the worst examples being changed after enforcement action was threatened.
- We were pleased to see that an experienced urban designer has been appointed to work up plans for the vacant sites between Eastgate and the Inner Ring Road. We hope we will be given an early opportunity to help shape the future of this key area.
- Alanah, our Planning & Transport Officer, is coordinating some research on student accommodation. If you have a view on this, please send her an email via office@leedscivictrust.org.uk
On the transport side, a few points were noted during the month:
- The Council is consulting with businesses on a Workplace Parking Levy which would be charged on larger private car parks in the city centre. Funds raised would go towards the development of public transport such as the proposed tram system (as is the case in Nottingham).
- Things are moving forward on Bus Franchising, which will deliver a publicly-controlled bus network, with the first contracts being offered to potential operators in the Autumn.
- We’ll find out more about plans for enhancing Leeds City railway station at our meeting in late September. The Government has allocated some funding for significant works including new entrances, a new footbridge and a redeveloped South Concourse (between W H Smiths & Boots).
Unfortunately, we have only been able to get one presentation in the diary, but we’ll keep trying to get developers to talk to us before plans get too set in stone, concrete or glass. We offer an honest view on their schemes, hopefully acting as a critical friend who has the best interests of the city at heart.
