Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, 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.

Members were asked to declare, at this point in the meeting, any personal interests, not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests they may have in respect of business on the agenda. In respect of agenda items 4a [Northern House, Rougier Street, York [22/00098/FULM], Cllr Crawshaw noted that he was a Governor at Scarcroft Primary School and Cllr Doughty noted that his employer was a tenant of Northern House. There were no further declarations of interest.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee A held on 4 August 2022.

Cllrs Crawshaw and Melly noted a number of suggested amendments to the minutes of the meeting held on 4 August 2002.

Resolved: That the approval of the minutes of the meeting held on 4 August 2022 be deferred.

Reason:     In order to consider suggested amendments.

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 6 September 2022.

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 application:

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

Demolition of 1 - 9 Rougier Street and erection of mixed use development including 153 apartments (Use Class C3), offices (Use Class E), visitor attraction (Use Class F1), aparthotel with 88 rooms (Use Class C1) with associated landscaping and public realm improvements - (resubmission) [Micklegate Ward]

Members considered a major full application from Rougier Street Developments Ltd for the demolition of 1 - 9 Rougier Street and erection of mixed use development including 153 apartments (Use Class C3), offices (Use Class E), visitor attraction (Use Class F1), aparthotel with 88 rooms (Use Class C1) with associated landscaping and public realm improvements (resubmission) at Northern House, Rougier Street, York.

The Head of Planning and Development gave a presentation on the application showing the existing site, views, elevations and 3D isometrics. She advised that Members needed to base their decision on the scale plan.

An update was given to the committee, informing them of two additional representations in relation to the bat survey being out of date and a request for the full Financial Viability Assessment to be published, not just the Executive Summary. There had also been additional consultations from the Council’s Design, Conservation and Sustainable Development (Conservation) officer, Design, Conservation and Sustainable Development (Ecology) officer, Design and Conservation and Sustainable Development (Design) officer and Yorkshire Water, resulting in a number of additional conditions being recommended. These were related to the biodiversity enhancement plan and drawing, the lighting design plan and construction.

Public Speakers

Johnny Hayes spoke in objection to the application noting concerns regarding harm to heritage and archaeology, the need for affordable housing and disclosure on the Financial Viability Assessment. In response to Member questions he explained the need for the full FVA to be published and not just the Executive Summary. He was asked and explained that he could not comment on what would change as a result of seeing the full FVA until he had seen it.

Flick Williams spoke in objection to the application detailing concerns regarding disabled access. She explained a number of problems with the exterior of the building, issues with public transport infrastructure and size of the flats and shared space.

Ken Smith spoke in objection to the application on behalf of the Council for British Archaeology (CBA). He explained the CBA rationale for objecting to the applicationon the grounds of harm to the central conservation area and concern regarding the proposed approach to archaeology on the site thus resulting in the CBA recommending refusal of the application. In answer to Member questions he explained that:

The timescale and funding for the site needed to be sufficient and it was not know what laid under that ground.

The CBA perspective would be an evaluation of the site when the building was dropped. He added at policies nationally and locally were not being applied.

There was a degree of assurance in that it was recognised that it was not known what was under the site however but there were further concerns which were explained.

In accounting for the fundamental difference between the CBA and York Archaeological Trust (YAT), it was noted that YAT were part of the application. The CBA tried to take an objective view in context of designated heritage assets and what was the best way forward.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.