Agenda and draft minutes

To receive and note apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received and noted for Cllrs Clarke, Cullwick and Watson.

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. Concerning agenda item 5b Spark York, Piccadilly, York [25/01151/FUL], Cllr Ayre noted that he had been Executive Member responsible for the lease of Spark at the time.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Planning Committee A meeting held on 19 June 2025 and Planning Committee B meeting held on 9 September 2025.

Resolved: 

                     i.        That the minutes of the Planning Committee A meeting held on 19 June 2025 approved as a correct record subject to the Chair and Vice Chair clarifying with the Democracy Officer regarding clarification regarding speakers speaking in a personal capacity or as a Town or Parish Councillor.

                    ii.        That the minutes of the Planning Committee B meeting held on 9 September be 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 October 2025.

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 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.

Reserved matters application for appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of 314 houses ('Redrow Northern' Phase 1A and 1B) pursuant to outline planning permission 18/00017/OUTM. [Huntington and New Earswick Ward]

Members considered a major reserved matters application from Redrow Homes Limited for the appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of 314 houses ('Redrow Northern' Phase 1A and 1B) pursuant to outline planning permission Site to The West of The A1237 And South Of North Lane Huntington York.

The Head of Planning and Development Services outlined and gave a presentation on the application. In response to Member questions, she was asked and explained:

·        Where the green wedge was on the landscape masterplan.

·        [In answer to a question from a Member the Chair explained the planning history of the site].

·        On the screen showed which houses would be accessed from North Lane and where the access roads to the site were.

·        Cycle and pedestrian access to the site.

The Senior Planning Officer gave an update on the application, noting that there had been two additional representations Lead Local Flood Authority and Foss Internal Drainage Board and amendments to paragraph 4.5 of the published report. She further noted an update to paragraph 5.4 of the published report in which the second sentence not being a reserved matter. The Chair highlighted paragraphs 5.1 to 5.4 of the report and noted what was in the scope for the committee to consider.

Public Speakers

Cllr Chris Cullwick (Huntington and New Earswick Ward Cllr) spoke in objection to the application. He explained that that the Ward Cllrs supported the development of the site. He noted that North Lane was unsuitable and they shared the concerns of the highways officer. He noted their concerns regarding the housing mix and that the scheme would exacerbate challenges for schools and the highway networks. He added that the application was premature. In answer to Member questions, he explained:

·        The impact of larger houses putting pressure on primary schools.

·        Smaller properties were in demand and there was no provision for younger, older and first time buyers.

Jennie Hanbidge, Agent for Applicant, spoke in support of the application. She noted that the application was submitted in 2023 and that Redrow had worked with officers and had fostered a positive working relationship. She noted that the proposed scheme was a results of collaborative working with officers. She added that it was an allocated strategic site in the Local Plan and she noted the housing mix on the site. In response to Member questions, she explained that:

·        The country park application was a separate submission.

·        There were opportunities in the development for recreational use.

·        They had numerous conversations with officers and they had addressed the considerations of the highways officer.

·        There had been discussions with the case officer and highway officer.

·        The housing mix for the scheme had been discussed with officers and there had been an assessment by Savills for that particular area. It was felt that the housing mix was suitable for that type of area.

Members then asked Officers questions. Officers explained that:

·        Regarding the housing mix, the officer’s view was outlined in the report and they had asked the developers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Continued use of multi-unit mixed-use development, including commercial, business and service uses (Class E), food and drinking establishments and multi-purpose event space (Sui Generis) for a temporary period of 5 years (until September 30 2030). [Guildhall Ward]

Members considered a full application from Samuel Howarth-Leach for the Continued use of multi-unit mixed-use development, including commercial, business and service uses (Class E), food and drinking establishments and multi-purpose event space (Sui Generis) for a temporary period of 5 years (until September 30 2030) at Spark York Piccadilly York.

The Head of Planning and Development Services outlined the application and gave a presentation on it. The Principal Planning Officer gave an update noting that proposed condition 3 was amended to as drafted in the published report. This was to alter the cut off time for amplified sound from 9pm to 10pm. He explained that there had a representation in objection from Cllr Warters.

Public Speakers

David Chatfield, resident in the former FR Stubbs building, spoke in objection to the application. He noted that the previous application was on a temporary basis and that Spark was going to be a temporary 3 year use. He noted the impact of Spark on residents’ using their outdoor space and the impact on property value. He noted that his preference would be a hard stop for Spark. He was asked and explained why residents’ use of their outdoor space was impacted by Spark.

Franz Wallmann spoke in objection to the application. He explained that from 2018 until 2025 Spark had generated community complaints. He noted the complaints and breaches of the condition regarding amplified music. He added that there had been four temporary applications over 13 years. In response to Member questions, he noted that:

·        The noise from Spark was beyond the noise expected in the city centre. The amplified music and increased number of people raised the noise levels. He noted that a neighbour wore earplugs to get to sleep.

·        He expected Spark to move as it was temporary and confirmed that it would be more acceptable if it was in a building and hat four times approval was not temporary.

Matthew Laverack spoke in objection to the application. In answer to a comment from him, the Chair noted that the Committee was not predetermined on the application. He explained that shipping containers did not belong on the site. He expressed concern regarding the abuse of the planning system to which the Chair advised that the planning authority operated independently of the council and he asked Mr Laverack to consider the aspertions being cast. Mr Laverack noted that a car park would generate more income and he noted the number of times there had been planning applications for the site. He added that Spark was not needed for another five years. He was asked if he considered Piccadilly to be an industrial part of the city and he noted that it was a site inside the city walls in a conservation area.

Cllr Clarke, Guildhall Ward Cllr, spoke on the application. He noted that Spark supported businesses and the community and brought economic and public benefit. He explained that residents in Lawsons Court and Nelsons Yard  were negatively impacted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.