Agenda item

Erection of a 4 storey building to form a 102 bedroom hotel [Guildhall] [Site Visit]

Members considered a major full application, submitted by S Harrison Developments Ltd and Sojourn Hotels, for the erection of a 4 storey building to form a 102 bedroom hotel.

Officers updated with the following information:

• Additional condition required to ensure that adequate facilities were included for the treatment and extraction of cooking odours.
• Revised plans were displayed which detailed the addition of decorative railings and the incorporation of brickwork columns to divide the glazing on the frontage.
• Comments of the Green Party in relation to the strengthening of the  proposals for sustainable building and renewables and coach parking.
• Officers confirmation that a coach could undertake a 3 point turn manoeuvre on Hurst’s Yard/Percy’s Lane. There was also sufficient room for a coach to load/unload on the Walmgate frontage whilst leaving sufficient space for a bus to pass.
• Confirmation that a Traffic Regulation Order contribution would be required to amend waiting restrictions in Percy’s Lane to enable servicing of the hotel to take place.

Representations in support of the application were then received from the applicants agent. He pointed out that this would not be a budget hotel but run by a new operator from the United States, rejuvenating the Walmgate area and creating up to 40 jobs. The design was sympathetic to the Conservation Area and as the main hotel business would be accommodation this would assist in boosting the local economy.

Members questioned and commented on a number of aspects of the proposals including:

• Need to provide 2 dedicated disabled parking spaces for hotel guests.
• Staff parking issues with late shifts eg motorcycles.
• Archaeological survey work and possible incorporation of any findings in the building.
• Recycling facilities.
• Management plan for the servicing of arrivals and departures.

Officers confirmed that they would take members comments on board in relation to disabled parking when drawing up the traffic regulation orders in the area. 

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

Amended Condition 2: The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following plans:-

D -103D site layout

Floor plans

D -201D - ground floor plan

202C - 1st floor

203B - 2nd floor

204B - 3rd floor

205B - roof

D – 302C -large scale elevations

Elevation drawings D-401D, 402D, 403E, 404D

Additional Condition: Prior to occupation of the development a servicing strategy detailing how deliveries and coach arrivals and departures from the site will be managed shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The development shall operate in accordance with the approved details thereafter unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority.

Additional Condition: There shall be adequate facilities for the treatment and extraction of cooking odours. Details of the extraction plant or machinery and any filtration system required shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority for written approval. Once approved it shall be installed and fully operational before the proposed use first opens, and appropriately maintained thereafter.

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 setting of nearby listed buildings, the character and appearance of the conservation area, amenity, highway safety, archaeology and flood risk.

As such the proposal complies with national policy established in PPS1, PPS4 and PPS5 and Policies SP7A, SP7B, GP1, GP3, GP4A, HE2, HE3, HE10, T4, E3B and V3 of the City of York Development Control Local Plan.