Agenda and minutes

At this point in the meeting, Members are asked to declare:

·        any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        any prejudicial interests or

·        any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

At this point in the meeting, Members were asked to declare any personal, prejudicial or pecuniary interests they may have in the business on the agenda. None were declared.

Councillor Williams declared a personal interest as an employee of Yorkshire Water later in the meeting when the conditions involving Yorkshire Water were discussed in detail.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 23^rd January 2014.

Resolved:           That the minutes of the last meeting held on 23^rd January 2014 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

It is at this point in the meeting that members of the public who have registered their wish to speak can do so. The deadline for registering is by 5pm on Wednesday 19^th February 2014. Members of the public can speak on specific planning applications or on other agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of this agenda.

Please note that this meeting, including public speakers, will be sound recorded to allow members of the public to listen to the proceedings without having to attend the meeting.

The sound recording will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Members then considered three reports of the Assistant Director (Development Services, Planning and Regeneration) relating to the following planning applications, which outlined the proposals and relevant planning considerations and set out the views of the consultees and officers.

A major full application by The University of York for the erection of an outdoor velodrome with ancillary parking, lighting and landscaping. [Heslington Ward].

Members considered a major full application by the University of York for the erection of an outdoor velodrome with ancillary parking, lighting and landscaping.

Officers gave a brief update to advise they had received a query about whether a planning condition should be attached, as recommended by Sport England, to ensure that the velodrome would be available for use by the public. As the velodrome would be funded by British Cycling who require that the velodrome be open to the public, a condition to ensure public access was therefore not necessary.

The agent for the applicant was in attendance to answer any queries. In response to questions from Members he confirmed that funding and design of the velodrome would be finalised within the next 12 months.

A Member raised concerns about condition 5 and suggested it be amended to protect ground levels and the retention of trees. Officers confirmed condition 5 could be amended.

Resolved:           That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the officers report and amended condition 5 as follows:

Before the commencement of development a method statement regarding protection measures for the existing trees located close to the perimeter of the site shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. This statement shall include details and locations of protective fencing to be shown on a plan. The protective fencing will also include as much of the area of proposed soft works as practicable.  The works shall be carried out in accordance with the approved method statement, including the line of the protective fencing, which shall be adhered to at all times during development operations to create exclusion zones.  A notice stating 'tree protection zone - do not remove' shall be attached to each section of fencing and retained in place at all times. Ground levels within the root protection area of the existing trees close to the perimeter of the site shall remain as existing unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority.

Reason: To ensure protection of existing trees before, during and after development which make a significant contribution to the amenity of the area and/or development, and have bio-diversity value; and to minimise trafficking and compaction of soil over areas to be planted.

Reason:              Whilst the application is not pursuant to the outline consent for the campus, it complies with the outline consent and land use plan approved by the Secretary of State in 2007.  The velodrome would be in the same general location as the approved athletics track but would have lesser impacts in terms of footprint, lighting, site coverage and lighting levels.  The proposal complies with the National Planning Policy Framework and relevant policies of the local plan.

A major full application by Linden Homes North for a residential development of 102 dwellings with associated highways infrastructure, landscaping and public open space.

[Strensall Ward] [Site Visit]     

Consideration was given to a major full application by Linden Homes North for a residential development of 102 dwellings with associated highways, infrastructure, landscaping and public open space.

Officers circulated an update to the committee report, full details of which are attached to the online agenda for this meeting. The main points were as follows:

·        An amended plan had been received covering minor changes to the layout in relation to existing properties.

·        Details of solar panels had been added to the house types where appropriate. The relevant plots were identified on the site layout.

·        Various amendments to conditions to improve wording and meaning.

Mr. Parish, a local resident,  had registered to speak in objection to the application. He advised that on the day of the committee site visit, the ground was waterlogged yet the agent had not notified the Council of this. As a result of the poor drainage in the area,  water drains to the centre of the village and golf course. There is a problem with flooding already in some streets and the site if developed, would add to the problem.

Mr. Anscomb had registered to speak as a local resident, in objection to the application. He raised concerns about the impact of a further 102 dwellings on education and health provision in Strensall. He advised that Robert Wilson school can not accommodate more children and that portakabins were already being used as classrooms.

Mr. Little had registered to speak as a local resident in objection to the application. He advised that he had worked on collating the Village Design Statement consultation responses and the one thing residents wished to preserve in Strensall was the parks and green belt land. He stated that Strensall is part of the City of York, but it is also a village which needs preserving.

Mr. Fisher had registered to speak as a local resident in objection to the application. He advised that at peak hours there is a problem with traffic flow in the village due to 6.5k residents commuting to work. The application site is over 1 mile to the nearest school and additional school pupils will add to the number of car journeys. In addition, the traffic impact assessment had not considered the impact on the ring road which is already over loaded. He urged Members to refuse the application.

Mr Chapman had registered to speak as a local resident in objection to the application. He advised that the distance to the centre of the village from the application site was such that car use would be unavoidable. He also had concerns about the lack of leisure and retail facilities in Strensall to cope with the number of new houses already being built or due to be built and the impact upon nature and nesting birds at the application site.

Mr. Marquis had registered to speak on behalf of Strensall and Towthorpe Parish Council. He stated that the Parish Council had repeatedly said that there is too much development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

A major full application by Hungate York Regeneration Limited for the erection of part 5/part 6 storey building comprising 195 residential units, 1 new commercial unit (flexible use with uses classes A1, A2, A3, A4 or D1), parking, access and landscaping. [Guildhall Ward]

Consideration was given to a major full application for the erection of a 5 part 6 storey building comprising of 195 residential units and 1 new commercial unit (flexible use with uses classes A1, A2,a3,A4 or D1), parking, access and landscaping (full application for phase 2 of the Hungate Development Scheme).

Officers circulated an update to the committee report, full details of which are attached to the online agenda for this meeting. The main points were as follows:

·        Environmental Impact Assessment - It was considered that the proposed development would not have a significant environmental effect requiring the submission of an Environmental Statement.

·        Housing numbers, size and type – there will be a total of 363 units within phase 1 and 2.

·        An update to the recommendation - Additional point: (iii) payment to secure the provision enhanced pedestrian and cycle facilities in the vicinity of the St Saviours Place/Dundas Street/Peaseholme Green Junction consisting of zebra crossing and pedestrian refuges on Peaseholme Green at junction with St Saviours Place.

·        Updates to a number of conditions.

Dr. Peters had registered to speak in objection to the application as a resident of Rowntrees Wharf. He advised that he had bought his property on the basis of the old Hungate Site and had concerns about the proximity of the proposed 5/6 storey building to the north elevation of Rowntrees Wharf as daylight is already at a minimum. He also had concerns about a canyon effect between the two buildings.

The agent for the application had registered to speak in support. In response to comments made by Dr. Peters, he advised that the massing is no closer or higher to Rowntrees Wharf than the previously approved plans. In relation to design of the scheme, a riverside walk would be provided

Members queried a number of points as follows:

·        Whether the separation distance from Rowntrees Wharf differed from the outline application. The agent confirmed that there was no difference other than gable ends had been cut back.

·        How many commercial units were remaining. It was confirmed there would be one.

·        Some Members raised concerns about the impact on Rowntrees Wharf.

Following further discussion it was:

Resolved:                     That subject to completion of a revised section 106 agreement to secure the following:  

(i)  Minimum  16% affordable housing in this phase

(ii)  Revised trigger points for highway related, CCTV,   education  and open space payments

(iii) payment to secure the provision enhanced pedestrian and cycle facilities in the vicinity of the St Saviours Place/Dundas Street/Peaseholme Green Junction consisting of zebra crossing and pedestrian refuges on Peaseholme Green at junction with St Saviours Place.

The Director of City and Environment Services be authorised to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions set out in the committee report  and the following amended conditions:

Condition 11 -     A scheme of works for the restoration of the Foss Riverbank/wall, excluding the Kings Pool site, shall be submitted and agreed with the Local Planning Authority prior to the commencement of development ,and shall thereafter be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

This report informs Members of the Council’s performance in relation to appeals determined by the Planning Inspectorate from 1 October to 31 December 2013, and provides a summary of the salient points from appeals determined in that period.

Members received a report which informed them of the Council’s performance in relation to appeals determined by the Planning Inspectorate from 1 October 2013 to 31^st December 2013 and provided a summary of the salient points from appeals determined in that period. The report also included a list of outstanding appeals to date.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To inform Members of the current position in relation to planning appeals against the Council’s decisions as determined by the Planning Inspectorate.