Agenda and minutes

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.

The Chair noted, for transparency reasons, that in relation to Item 4a, York Station, his mother was a member of the steering group of York Disability Rights Forum (YDRF). 

To approve and sign the minutes of the last Planning Committee A meeting held on 5 October 2023.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the last meeting held on 5 October 2023 were approved as a correct record.

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 7 November 2023.

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 A.

This item invites Members to determine the following planning applications:

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

Internal and external alterations to front entry portico to include enclosing area with glazing to create pedestrianised and retail space with 2no. retail pods, repaving in Yorkshire flagstones, repairs to brickwork, re-pointing, repair rainwater goods, reinstate pigeon spikes, removal of external canopy and repair and repaint roof structure.  [Micklegate Ward]

Members considered an application for Listed Building Consent by London North Eastern Railway LTD, for internal and external alterations to front entry portico to include enclosing area with glazing to create pedestrianised and retail space with 2no. retail pods, repaving in Yorkshire flagstones, repairs to brickwork, re-pointing, repair rainwater goods, reinstate pigeon spikes, removal of external canopy and repair and repaint roof structure at York Station.

The Head of Planning and Development Services gave a presentation on the plans for the application and the Development Management Officer provided an update to the Committee that outlined four additional representations from the Victorian Society, The Conservation Area Advisory Panel, York Civic Trust and The Railway Heritage Trust.  It was confirmed that the additional information had been assessed and the planning balance and recommendation remained unchanged from the report.                                                                                                                       

Public Speakers

Flick Williams, a resident, raised concerns about the additional walking distances that would be imposed once the bus stops were moved and noted that additional seating would be needed.  She stated that the proposed commercial units would block desire lines.  She also raised concerns on the minimum width requirements for accessible doors and entrances.

Anne Norton spoke on behalf of York Disability Rights Forum.  She stated that accessibility had not been given sufficient consideration. She also raised concerns regarding walking distances, lack of seating and the width of entrances and exits.

Tim Hedley-Jones spoke in support of the application on behalf of the Railway Heritage Trust.  He stated that the trust had funds available to provide a grant to restore the brickwork and remove the canopy. He also stated that the porte-cochère was a transitional space and did not need to be open.

In response to questions from Members, he reported that the glazing at Sheffield and Newcastle was positioned in the middle of the brickwork.  He confirmed that grants of up to 40% of the capital cost of heritage works were available for up to 5 years.

David Horn, Managing Director of LNER, spoke as the applicant.  He stated that it was the intention to make improvements to the porte-cochère in time for the 150 year anniversary of the station in 2027.  He outlined the plans and noted that these were not part of the gateway scheme.

The reasons for the glazing decisions were clarified with the architect and it was reported that the retail pods, their number and size, were an integral part of the plans and the income was needed to offset costs.  The size and location of the entrances were also explained in relation to questions regarding access.                                                                                           

[5.24 – 5.28pm, there was a brief adjournment for a comfort break}

Officers responded to a number of questions from Members.  The Conservation Officer explained that he considered the application would cause significant harm to the appearance of the porte-cochère and that it was not designed to be a closed structure. Members were advised to consider the impact on both the porte-cochère and the taxi kiosk in their deliberations.  Officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

Erection of two storey school building with associated parking, play space and landscaping, and demolition of existing school buildings. [Heworth Without Ward]

Members also considered a major full application, submitted by ISG Construction on behalf of the Department for Education for the erection of two storey school building with associated parking, play space and landscaping, and demolition of existing school buildings.

The Head of Planning and Development gave a presentation on the plans and the Development Management Officer gave an update to Members which clarified the following:

·       Further to paragraph 5.62 of the report, In total 31.no individual trees are to be removed. Of these 11.no are Category B Trees, 17.no are Category C Trees and 3.no are Category U Trees. In addition to this 4.no tree groups are to be removed 3.no Category C.

·       The Officer recommendation as published does not include a condition to secure a Travel Plan for the development. Officers in consultation with Highways do not consider such a condition is necessary because:

•         The size/capacity of the school is not going to increase as a result of the proposed development.

•         The proposals will result in on-site parking increasing by 12.no spaces. This should reduce demand for on street parking (by staff) around the site.

•         There is sufficient cycle parking, but exact details will be resolved through condition.

•         The school is already a Modestars accredited site which is a Travel Plan programme and accreditation scheme.

The officer recommendation was unchanged from the published report.

In response to Member questions, officers confirmed on the plans the position of the trees in relation to the construction site.

Public Speakers

Cllr Nigel Ayre, spoke as Ward Councillor and recommended that improvements should be made to the parking arrangements by amendment of the traffic conditions.  He raised concerns regarding the future proofing of the proposed school buildings and noted that approximately an additional 250 places would be required within the next five years. Finally, he requested that Members gave consideration to the management of construction traffic.

In response to questions, he suggested a re-examination of the times scheduled for deliveries.

Brian Kavanagh, the agent for the applicant, spoke in support of the application.  He outlined the travel plan and noted that the removal of trees meant that the school would be able to continue to operate.

In response to questions from Members, it was confirmed that changes to delivery times would have a knock on effect but would be acceptable, the building was designed to facilitate an extension at a later date, trees would be replanted to meet bio diversity net gains, there was a travel plan in place at the school and further EV charging points could be added later and there was no loss of curriculum sports space.

Officers responded to questions from Members and reported that:

·       The development surpassed current carbon reduction targets.

·       An updated construction management plan had been submitted.

·       The applicant had considered a retrofit but a new build brough greater advantages. 

·       Condition 16 dealt with demolition dust management.

Following debate, Cllr Fenton proposed a change to condition 16 whereby delivery times were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.