Agenda item

Reserved matters application for the erection of catalyst building along with access cycle parking and landscaping [Heslington Ward].

Members considered a major reserved matters application, submitted by the University of York for the erection of a catalyst building along with access cycle parking and landscaping.

Officers confirmed that no comments had been received from Natural England or any additional comments from Highways. They also confirmed that details of the scheme for dealing with the temporary arrangements for surface water from Cluster 1 had still not been agreed with the applicants agent and that the update report, circulated at the meeting covered this point.

Copies of the following information was circulated at the meeting:

• Recommended revised conditions in relation to Conditions 2, 9 and 10:

2. Within three months of commencement of development a detailed landscaping scheme shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall illustrate the number, species, height and position of trees and shrubs. The scheme shall be implemented within six months of the completion of the development. Any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless alternatives are agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Reason: So that the Planning Authority may be satisfied with the variety, suitability and disposition of species within the site.

9. Prior to commencement of development, details of foul and surface water drainage works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works shall be carried out in accordance with these approved details.

Reason: In the interests of the proper drainage of the site.

10. Development shall not begin until either:

(I)     part 2a of the central lake and the outlet control centre, both approved under reserve matters application 08/02543/REMM, have been constructed and are operational to the satisfaction of the local planning authority; or

(II)    details of alternative temporary drainage works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority and subsequently constructed in accordance with approved details and are operational to the satisfaction of the local planning authority.

Reason: So that the Local Planning Authority may be satisfied with the proper drainage of the site during construction.

• Plans of the landscaping proposals for Cluster 1 (Western and Central Vistas);
• Overall view of Cluster 1 buildings;
• Perspective of the Catalyst building;
• Details of north and south elevation and proposed materials;
• Details of the developed footprint calculations to September 2009, which gave the cumulative percentage footprint as 5.4% following the relevant submission/approvals to date.

Officers stated that Structures and Drainage were now satisfied with the temporary lagoon arrangements and it was hoped that agreement on a permanent solution would soon be reached.

Representations were received in support of the application from the applicant’s agent. She confirmed that the catalyst building would be used for knowledge transfer for which a Yorkshire Forward European Regional Development Fund Grant had been received. The building would provide accommodation for start-up businesses that developed university research and existing businesses that worked with university researchers and was essential to economic recovery in York. She confirmed that she was happy with the Officers revised conditions. In relation to the drainage arrangements she confirmed that she was awaiting additional information and that, subject to receipt of this, a drainage solution for the Cluster 1 site could be agreed.

Members questioned the following aspects of the scheme:

• Details of the Travel Plan and parking arrangements for Cluster 1;
• Public transport arrangements for the site;
• Reasons for delay in providing drainage details.

In answer to a question the Legal Officer confirmed that planning permission should not be withheld solely for drainage reasons. She stated that if permission was granted and conditions imposed that any subsequent breach of these could then be enforced

Some Members confirmed that they were not satisfied with the car parking arrangements within the site and its management in the absence of a Travel Plan.

It was then moved by Councillor Pierce and seconded by Councillor Potter that the application be deferred pending receipt of the Travel Plan for Cluster 1. On being put to the vote this was lost.

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

2. Within three months of commencement of development a detailed landscaping scheme shall be submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The scheme shall illustrate the number, species, height and position of trees and shrubs. The scheme shall be implemented within six months of the completion of the development. Any trees or plants which within a period of five years from the completion of the development die, are removed or become seriously damaged or diseased shall be replaced in the next planting season with others of a similar size and species, unless alternatives are agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

9. Prior to commencement of development, details of foul and surface water drainage works shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The works shall be carried out in accordance with these approved details.

10. Development shall not begin until either:

(I)                  part 2a of the central lake and the outlet control centre, both approved under reserve matters application 08/02543/REMM, have been constructed and are operational to the satisfaction of the local planning authority; or

(II)                details of alternative temporary drainage works have been submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority and subsequently constructed in accordance with approved details and are operational to the satisfaction of the local planning authority.

REASON:                  In the opinion of the Local Planning Authority the proposal, subject to the conditions listed, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the principle of the use, scale and appearance of the building, landscaping, transport, sustainability and drainage.  As such the proposal complies with policies ED9, GP1, GP9, NE7, T4, GP4a and GP15A of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.