Agenda and minutes

The following sites were inspected before the meeting.

At this point in the meeting, Members were invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda. No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the West & City Centre Area Planning Sub-Committee held on Thursday 17 November 2011.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the last meeting of the West and City Centre Area Planning Sub Committee held on 17 November 2011 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, in this case 5pm on Tuesday 6 December 2011.  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.

To determine the following planning applications related to the West and City Centre Area.

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.

Single storey side and rear extension. [Dringhouses And Woodthorpe Ward]

Members considered a full application from Dr Daniel Crowley for a single storey side and rear extension.

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

REASON:                  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 impact on the residential amenity of neighbours and the impact upon the streetscene. As such the proposal complies with Policies H7 and GP1 of the City of York Development Control Local Plan and City of York Supplementary Planning Guidance to Householders (Approved March 2001)

Replacement lighting to front. [Micklegate Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered an application for listed building consent from Mr Marc Allinson for replacement lighting to the front of the building.

Members were advised that the lights were required to ensure security as the positioning of the street lights did not provide adequate light for the building.  

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

REASON:                  The proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to impact upon the historic character and integrity of the Listed Building As such the proposal complies with Policy HE4 of the City of York Development Control Local Plan.

Internal alterations at ground and first floor levels including installation of new staircase from rear bar area. Replacement windows to rear. [Micklegate Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered an application for listed building consent from Mr Marc Allinson for internal alterations at ground and first floor levels including the installation of a new staircase from the rear bar area and replacement windows to the rear.

Members discussed the reasons for the staircase and the general background to the application. Officers confirmed that the Conservation Architect was satisfied with the proposals.

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

REASON:                  The proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to impact upon the historic character and integrity of the Listed Building. As such the proposal complies with Policy HE4  of the City of York Development Control Local Plan.

Erection of 3 storey 64 bed care home for older people. [Rural West York Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a major full application (13 weeks) from Miss Tracey Kay for the erection of a three storey 64 bed care home for older people.

Officers advised that the consultation response had now been received from the Ecology Officer whose comments are based on the mitigation report that was received on 2 December 2011. He made the following comments:

§  With regard to the actual proposals, this involves the translocation of the existing sward to another receptor site and this also is acceptable as the best alternative option if retention on site cannot be secured. This will provide an opportunity to retain the existing unusual diversity rather than simply provide an alternative that is similar to the general interest elsewhere in the City.

§  A number of sites were discussed but the nearby Council owned site at Batchelor Hill was proposed as being the most suitable both in habitat compatibility terms and for future security.

§  The proposed outline method of translocation referred to in the report is acceptable.

§  On the basis of the mitigation report believe an adequate compensation for the wildlife interest can be achieved and would withdraw any objection on nature conservation grounds.

Officers advised, that for these reasons, the third reason for refusal has been withdrawn but that if the application was approved a condition could require a management plan.

Officers also advised that additional drainage information has been submitted. They advised that the Flood Risk Management Team had stated that there is information outstanding however they consider there is sufficient information already submitted that the additional information can be sought via condition if members were minded to approve. For these reasons the proposed second reason for refusal is withdrawn.

Officers also advised that additional information compiled by the group marketing the site had been received. The information included how the site was marketed and that this site has been marketed since March 2011. In addition a letter from the owner of the land - Evans Property Group stated that the site had been marketed (of varying intensities) continuously for a 10 year period. In January 2011 Evans Business Group took the decision to dispose of the land.

Officers advised Members that the position of the Planning Policy team remained the same with regard to retaining the site for employment uses. Their response was as follows:

·        The loss of employment sites has been resisted in the past, and this site has been identified in the Employment Land Review (ELR) as appropriate for B1(a) both in terms of market preference and suitability, it formed part of the Annex of future employment sites that went to Full Council in June and is identified in the Core Strategy Supporting Paper on employment. It is not therefore a peripheral site.

·        As part of the ELR, the consultants considered the attractiveness of the site for inward investment and it received a positive result, hence it was ranked quite highly. It is also questionable whether a care home should be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34d