There has been a lot of applications for the Planning Committee to review, although only a few required a formal response. This month there are lots of updates on past planning applications and many development matters which might be of interest to Trust members.
PRESENTATIONS
Residential Development, Meadow Lane.
Just south of Leeds Bridge, this scheme is for an apartment development on the Leeds City Council owned site of the Meadow Lane car park (there are hoardings there now). Designed as two linked elements, the northern part is six stories high and complements the ‘flat-iron’ Leeds Bridge House in scale, design and materials – we supported this approach. Whilst understanding that the architects have responded to a brief provided by Leeds City Council, which presumes an appropriate quantum of development, we had major reservations over the 24-storey tower bolted onto its southern side, lying alongside Aire Park and the Hibiscus Rising sculpture. We feel this is out of scale with other buildings in the vicinity which rise more gradually towards higher towers to the northeast and south. We also feel that if the tower were to go ahead, the look could be improved by designing it as a separate element rather than seeking to mimic the lower part.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS REVIEWED
Sunnyview Gardens, Beeston (26/02391)
It is proposed to replace an existing builders’ yard with a three-storey block of 34 self-contained flats to be occupied by clients of St Georges Crypt. We felt this would be a valuable resource for the city and so supported the application by friends and corporate members of the Trust, Pullans.
Merrion Centre Car Park (26/02603)
While supporting the concept of placing a public recreational amenity on top of the Merrion Centre car park (taking up spaces which are not often used), we objected to the design proposed. We felt the padel court enclosure would appear as a large ‘lump’ on top of what is otherwise a well-designed car park. Lower parapets would reduce its scale and the introduction of colour would add interest (perhaps lighter panels at high level would help it blend into the sky as with many modern warehouse units).
Other Applications
Other than these key schemes, we reviewed another thirteen applications and decided to make no comment. These included enhancements to the Civic Hall, minor changes to a drive-thru in Stanningley, new housing at Cross Green, various shopfronts in the city centre and apartments in Seacroft.
UPDATES ON SCHEMES PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED
Several applications discussed at previous meetings have been approved, including a medical centre at the Beckett Park campus, a 45-floor block of apartments close to the site of the former International Pool and a battery storage complex at Ledston. We objected to the demolition of a block of shops at Weston Parade in Otley, and this has been refused twice by the Council.
While accepting the need for the development of the STACK container village of bars on part of the Kirkgate outdoor market, we objected to the proposed location which has changed from what was initially discussed. An explanation from the Markets Manager said that the preferred site could not be used as WYCA will not release land which was reserved for the Supertram many years ago, in case it is needed for transport purposes. We have suggested an alternative location which would maintain a closer relationship between the outdoor and indoor markets.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT NEWS
Snippets of news garnered over the last month include the following:
- Following the confirmation of government support for a Leeds New Town focused on the South Bank, plans are moving forward for a Mayoral Development Zone bringing together LCC, WYCA and Homes England to deliver infrastructure investment to support significant new housing schemes.
- A peer review of the Leeds City Council Planning Service was generally positive, but a few points at issue are already being addressed – staffing is being enhanced, with several promotions and new appointments.
- Work has started on making the collapsed buildings on Kirkgate safe, with the hoarding decorated in partnership with the Fred Aldous art shop: a mural has been completed under the railway arch opposite the entrance to the bus station.
- Operators of the Emmerdale Studio Experience have applied to allow visitors to park at the site in Eccup rather than be driven there in coaches from Harewood
- We are supporting Wetherby Civic Society in its fight for a better approach to the town’s future expansion – applications in North Yorkshire will impact on Wetherby but will be determined by North Yorkshire Council, a different planning authority to that covering the present urban area (Leeds).
- The Old Medical School off Great George Street has been transferred to developers seeking to establish a new meditech complex. We have supported the Scarborough Group’s imaginative proposals for the building
- Developed in partnership with a wide range of organisations and individuals, including the Trust, the Council has published the Leeds Heritage Framework to highlight the distinctive features of Leeds heritage, to co-ordinate strategic development and to bring people together through heritage. The new framework sets out the need for action and three priorities for investment in representation, regeneration and partnerships.
- Work on the transformation of the Elland Road stadium has already started, but the Council, WYCA and the Club’s owners have created a development partnership to deliver the wider transformation of the site. Ideally linked to the construction of the Mass Rapid Transit past the stadium, this would deliver some 2,500 new homes, workspaces, retail units and new public realm around the enlarged stadium.
Mike Piet – Chair of Planning Committee
