Agenda and minutes

The following site was 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.

Cllr Cuthbertson declared a personal non-prejudicial interest in the application for The Pupil Support Centre, Danesgate, Fulford Cross as a Member of the Children’s Services Advisory Panel.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 28 September 2006.

RESOLVED:That the minutes of the meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 28 September 2006 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Arising out of consideration of the Minutes, the Chair confirmed that in Minute 26b (Tang Hall Library, Fifth Avenue, York (06/01558/GRG3)) negotiations had now resulted in the applicant agreeing to reduce the roof height of the building by 300mm following Members concerns.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding specific planning applications, other agenda items or matters within the remit of the Sub-Committee can do so. Anyone who wishes to register or requires further information is requested to contact the Democracy Officer on the contact details listed at the foot of this agenda. The deadline for registering is Wednesday 25 October 2006 at 5.00pm.

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

To determine the following planning application related to the East Area.

Members considered the report of the Assistant Director (Planning and Sustainable Development), relating to the following planning application, outlining the proposal and relevant policy considerations and setting out the views and advice of consultees and officers.

Members considered a General Regulations (Reg3) application, submitted by Education Services City of York Council, for a single storey skills centre and extension to the Bridge Centre at Danesgate, Fulford Cross, York.

Officers updated that following consultation with the Council’s Archaeologist he suggested the addition of a Condition requiring a watching brief on the site. Following a query received on the hours of use and discussions with Environmental Health it was proposed to include a condition allowing evening use until 9pm with the site vacated by 10pm. It was confirmed that Members had received a copy of the Sustainability Statement for the development and it was suggested that a condition tying the statement to the scheme would be appropriate. 

Officers also confirmed that during the site visit the previous day Members had referred to the illumination of the site, in particular the boundary adjacent to Maple Grove. It was reported that the Architect for the scheme would be appointing a Lighting Engineer to examine the illumination of the whole site. It was therefore proposed to add a condition stating that, before work commenced on the development, a lighting scheme was to be agreed with the Local Planning Authority.

Representations in support of the development were received from a representative of the Education department. She confirmed that the proposal would fill a vital gap in York’s educational provision for young people between leaving school and College. It was confirmed that the building could not be moved further away from the site boundary, as this could affect drainage and other services. The Police Architectural Liaison Officer had wanted the school site as open as possible to allow for passive surveillance, as two large buildings close together would create dark corners, which he wanted to avoid.

Cllr Hill, as Local Member, reported the comments of the Fishergate Planning Panel they indicated that they hoped that all the existing boundary fencing would be replaced by new and that the existing playground surfacing could be used for paths in the adjacent nature reserve. They were concerned that the temporary widening of the road could impact on the sensitive green triangular area in front of the site and the close proximity of the cycle sheds to an oak tree.  

Officers confirmed that access to the site was via a narrow road so some enabling work would be required to cut into the grass banks. The Council’s Tree Officer had originally had concerns regarding damage to trees but details of these works were now to be agreed in writing with the Local Planning Authority prior to commencement. Following construction work the contractor would then be required to return the area to its original condition within one month.

Certain Members expressed concern that at one point the new building was only 20.5 metres from the rear elevation of one of the neighbouring properties on Maple Grove when the Authority normally sought a minimum of 21 metres.  Officers confirmed that there were no guidelines to state that there should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31a