Agenda and draft minutes

To receive and note apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received and accepted for Cllr Whitcroft.

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see attached sheet for further guidance for Members].

Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on the agenda, if they had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. There were none.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Planning Committee meetings held on 9 October 2025 and 11 December 2025.

Resolved:

                     i.        That the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 9 October 2025 be approved as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

·        Under speakers Spark York, Piccadilly, York [25/01151/FUL] the second sentence under Matthew Laverack’s speaking slot to change from ‘He’ to ‘Mr Laverack.’

·        Clarification on the proposers for the determination of the application for Spark York, Piccadilly, York [25/01151/FUL].

                    ii.        That the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 11 December 2025 be approved as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

Listing of Cllr Baxter as a Substitute in the attendance list.

·        Under public speakers for Castle Car Park, Castlegate, York [22/00209/FULM], the second bullet point under speaker David Staniland to change to ‘Regarding concern that the hostile vehicle measures would not prevent a terrorist attack, there was a condition for the submission of a hostile…’

·        Under the resolution the wording ‘informal accessible’ to change to ‘interim access arrangements.’

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Tuesday 10 March 2026.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact Democratic Services.  Contact details can be found at the foot of this agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme on general matters within the remit of the Planning Committee.

This item invites Members to determine the following planning application:

Members considered a report of the Head of Planning and Development, relating to the following planning application, outlining the proposals and relevant policy considerations and setting out the views of consultees and officers.

Members considered a major full application from Study Inn Investments (James Street) Limited for the Demolition of existing motor cycle showroom (sui generis) and erection of a purpose-built student accommodation (sui generis) with up to 110 units and associated landscaping and parking at 5 James Street, York.

The Senior Planning Officer have a presentation. Members asked questions on the presentation to which she explained that:

The small trees were on the bus depot site and the tall narrow trees were part of the development.

The plans showed 102 bedrooms. The Chair clarified that the number of bedrooms had reduced from 110 to 102.

The Senior Planning Officer gave an update on the application noting that the proposal description had had reduced from 110 to 102 bedrooms. There had had also been two additional representations in objection to the proposal and an additional representation from the applicant with advice from Counsel which was detailed to Members. The Development Manager noted the officer planning balance and that the additional submissions have been taken into account and the officer recommendation remains as refuse.

Public Speakers

Paul Harris, Agent for the Applicant, spoke in support of the application. He explained that land was available in the and employment came in many forms. He explained that the scheme would generate full time equivalent (FTE) jobs and there was not a loss of employment land. He noted the quality of the amenity space in the accommodation. He noted that the planting issue related to one tree. He added that the proposal was for employment use and would deliver student accommodation.

In response to Member questions, Paul Harris explained that:

The FTE jobs created were front of house reception and general operatives. He was not certain on whether they were full time jobs or whether students could fill the jobs.

There was a lot of cleaning roles as it was a fully serviced facility. The one full time members of staff to clean ten rooms was the number that had been given by the provider.

If the use class was to change another operator would have to retain employment. It was a use class that employed a significant number of people.

A significant number of staff would work on the ground floor in the gym, spa and store.

It was a commercial site marketed as was.

It was not unusual for a commercial business not to have a board up while it was being marketed.

The ability to enter into a nomination agreement was not in the gift of the applicant.

The development was car free.

Regarding arrangements for moving in and out days, the applicant was an experienced operator.

Concerning the access arrangements with Dunlin House, the waste collection would be done by a private operator and would be collected by a small vehicle. If access to Dunlin House was not available, a smaller vehicle would be used.

A key card granted access to to where students were allowed to go in the accommodation. Students  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18a