Agenda and minutes

The following sites were inspected before the meeting:

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Galvin declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in agenda item 4b (34 Grantham Drive, York) as he knew some people who lived close by.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the West & City Centre Area Planning Sub-Committee held on 17 April 2008.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting held on 29 April 2008 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 the working day before the meeting. 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.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme on general issues within the remit of the Sub-Committee.

Members will consider a schedule of reports of the Assistant Director (Planning and Sustainable Development), relating to planning applications with an outline the proposals and relevant policy considerations and the views and advice of consultees and officers.

Members considered a schedule of reports of the Assistant Director (Planning and Sustainable Development) relating to the following planning applications, outlining the proposals and relevant policy considerations and setting out the views and advice of consultees and officers.

Conversion of House in Multiple Occupation to form 7no. apartments including three storey side extension and dormer windows to rear [Guildhall Ward]

Members considered a full application from Mr D Lamb for the conversion of a house in multiple occupation to form seven apartments including a three storey side extension and dormer windows to the rear.

The case officer updated Members on the application and stated that if Members wished to change the bay window on the front elevation, condition 7 could be amended to include a request for details of the window frame to be submitted.

Representations were received in support of the application on behalf of the applicant. He explained that the application was for a side extension to the property, changes to the back extension, and change of use from a house of multiple occupation (HMO) with 10 bedsits to 7 apartments  comprising in total 10 bedrooms. He covered the following points:

• Development of apartments would produce a smarter, neater and cleaner looking property
• Bay Window at front would be retained keeping central mullion and installing a pair of sliding sash windows
• Forecourt area – would not be used for parking but be enclosed by a wall in keeping with neighbouring properties
• Parking – no issue as there will be no more residents than at present – probably fewer residents therefore fewer cars.

Members enquired as to the current situation regarding residents’ parking permits. The representor confirmed that the property was currently allocated  2 residents’ parking permits and that there would be no additional permits available for the proposed development. There is an informative on Residents Parking included in the report.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report and the following amended condition.¹

Amended Condition 7

Notwithstanding the approved plans, the bay windows on the front elevation shall be retained as existing. The bay on the right hand side (when facing the front of the house) shall be re-glazed with sliding sash windows with timber frames, the details of which shall be submitted to and approved by the Local Planning Authority  The development shall be implemented in accordance with the approved details prior to occupation of the flats and retained as such thereafter.

Reason:          To ensure that the finished appearance is to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority and maintains the appearance of the conservation area.

REASON:                  That the proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report and above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance with particular reference to the principle of the development, the character and appearance of the conservation area, amenity and highway. As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1, H4a, H3c, H5a, HE3, H8, L1c, T4 and GP4a of the Citiy of Yoirk Local Plan Deposit Draft.

Erection of detached dwelling with side dormer window (plot no.1) (resubmission) [Holgate Ward]

Members considered a full application from Mr Nick Squire for the erection of a detached dwelling with a side dormer window (plot no 1) (resubmission).

The case officer explained that this application had been deferred from the last meeting in order to obtain accurate drawings and confirmed that these had now been received and that the intention of this application was for what was now built on site.

Representations were received in objection to the application from a neighbour who voiced his concerns regarding ongoing issues over the development and in particular the height of the development.

Members discussed issues surrounding the dormer window and agreed that since the alterations had been made to the window it was more acceptable and less obtrusive than before.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report.¹

REASON:                  That the proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance with particular reference to the residential amenities of adjoining occupiers, the appearance of the street scene and highway safety. As such the proposal complies with Policies GP1 and H4a of the City of York Local Plan.

Siting of Portakabin to rear for a temporary period to be used as a standby point for Yorkshire Ambulance Service (resubmission) [Westfield Ward]

Members considered a full application from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service for the siting of a portakabin to the rear of Acomb Branch Library for a temporary period to be used as a standby point for Yorkshire Ambulance Service (resubmission).

Representations were received from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service in support of the application. The Estates Manager raised his concern over the following restrictions in the conditions:

• Condition 2 states “The development hereby permitted shall be removed and the land reinstated to its former condition at or before 31 May 2009…….” He requested an extension of this period to 2 years or at least “1 year’s operational use” as he explained they would lose 2-3 months use before the development would become operational if the condition was to remain as currently worded.

• Condition 4 states that that “the sirens and lights of the ambulance vehicles shall not be used until the vehicles have exited the Acomb Branch Library Site”. He stated that the condition as currently worded would mean they couldn’t use blue lights and sirens when exiting the site onto the road which may be necessary in heavy traffic conditions so as not to affect public safety. He said he understood why this condition had been added but would prefer the decision whether or not to use them was left to judgement of staff concerned who are well trained in when to use lights and sirens.

• Building Colour - He requested advice on what colour would be preferential as indicated in Condition 3.

The Chairman asked if they had considered siting a light at the exit to indicate that an ambulance was leaving the site. The Ambulance Service Representative confirmed he would be happy to look into this if it was felt appropriate.

Members discussed the following issues:

• Condition 2 (Length of development) – Members suggested that if approved the development should be allowed to remain on site for a period of 2 years. However a Member suggested that at the end of this period, it should either be removed or a permanent application be submitted as they would not be happy for a portakabin to be granted on temporary basis again.

• Condition 4 (Use of Lights and Sirens) - Members suggested an amendment to condition 4 to prevent lights and sirens being used on the site between 9pm and 8am (hours of darkness) but also raised the point that this shouldn’t  jeopardising public safety.

• Parking Issues - There were concerns about a possible increase in parking on the site and Members asked for clarification on whether this development would mean additional cars parked on the site. It was confirmed that the ambulance services staff would pick up the response vehicle from the base station and leave their cars at the base station therefore there wouldn’t be any additional parking on site.

• Retention of grassed area – Concern was raised as to whether use of the  grassed area, which was repaired when the library was improved, would be restricted. This was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 112c

Mooring of floating coffee bar with waiter service seated area on the river bank (Resubmission of 07/00266/FUL to allow use throughout the year) [Guildhall Ward]

Members considered a full application from Mr Andrew Gill for the mooring of floating coffee bar with waiter service seated area on the river bank (Resubmission of 07/00266/FUL to allow use throughout the year).

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report. ¹

REASON:                  That the proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to:-

-the visual amenity and character of the conservation area and the adjacent listed garden

-the use of the river including navigation and safety

- the amenity of the neighbours

- users of the adjacent public highway

- flooding.

                                    As such, the proposal complies with Policy E4 of the North Yorkshire County Structure Plan; Policies HE2, HE3,HE4,HE12, L4, GP15a, and GP1 of the City of York Development Control Local Plan- Incorporating the Proposed 4th Set of Changes; and national planning guidance contained in Planning Policy Statement 1  " Delivering Sustainable Development, " Planning Policy Statement. 15 " Planning and the Historic Environment., " and " Planning Policy Guidance Note No. 25 " Development and Flood Risk. "

Erection of a pitched roof and alteration of a garage to form ancillary accommodation for 20 Horseman Avenue [Rural West York Ward]

Members considered a full application from Mr and Mrs J Bennett for the erection of a pitched roof and alteration of a garage to form ancillary accommodation fro 20 Horseman Avenue.

Representations were received in objection to the application from a local resident. She voiced her concerns as follows:-

• Previous applications on the site have been refused.
• Need for structural survey to check foundations of 20 year old garage
• Loss of amenity to neighbours
• Low light level on garage site
• Development would not enhance the area and would disturb wildlife – frogs, newts, bats, garden birds, butterflies and mammals on site.
• Increase roof height would impact on views from neighbouring properties
• Concern over future intentions for building and change of use.

The case officer confirmed that the application was for a pitched roof over the existing garage structure to a height of 4.75 metres and explained that if the pitch was less than 4 metres there would be no need to obtain planning permission.

Members reiterated that this application was for a pitched roof on the garage. They advised that that they understood residents’ concerns about setting a precedence on using garden space but that conditions had been added to deter further development of the garage building in future.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report.¹

REASON:                  That the proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference the residential amenity of the neighbours, the visual amenity of the locality, highway safety. As such, the proposal complies with Policies GP1 and H7 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft; national planning guidance contained in Planning Policy Statement 1  " Delivering Sustainable Development " and  Planning Policy Statement 3 " Housing.