Agenda item

Conversion of Clock Tower and former Boiler House to form 22no. apartments with Museum Space and  associated car parking [Micklegate] [Site Visit]

Members considered a full major application by Mr Andrew McMurtrie for the conversion of the Clock Tower and former Boiler House to form 22no. apartments with Museum Space and  associated car parking.

Officers provided an update to Members that a response had been received from Housing Strategy and Development in regards to the provision of affordable housing.  A response had also been from Education Services in relation to the financial contribution to Scarcroft Primary School. They also suggested an amended recommendation full details of this were found attached to the online agenda following the meeting.

Officers suggested that if Members were minded to approve the application that the recommendation be amended to seek delegated authority to approve the proposal subject to the conclusion of a Section 106 Agreement covering sustainable transport measures and the relevant commuted sum contribution towards the provision of affordable housing following further discussion with the applicant in terms of viability of the scheme and compliance with Regulation 123 of the 2014 CIL Regulations.

There had been one registration to speak in respect of the item:

Kate Bailey, the agent for the applicant stated that despite spoke a previous application on the site no alternative plans for a sustainable development that would sustain the future of the clock tower had been submitted and as a result the vacant buildings had deteriorated.  There had also been a number of opportunities for the public to comment on the proposals. She informed the Committee that if planning permission was granted, £36k could be transferred over to affordable housing.

In response to questions from Members she confirmed that provision of a museum and public access would be pinned down in the Section 106 legal agreement. There would be a void behind the clock and the clock mechanism would be reinstated. The residents within the building would pay a maintenance charge, and in order to supervise public access there would need to be a group identified to organise this. It was confirmed that the applicants were content to discuss further details of this in the Section 106.

Some Members expressed regret that the commercial and community uses of the clock tower were had not been realized, but felt that it would bring much needed housing. They hoped that public access to the tower would be maintained. Other Members highlighted that the original building did not have public access, and felt that a more robust discussions were needed in regards to affordable housing contributions.  Finally, some supported the application as they felt unless the scheme was financially viable, the tower would collapse.

Resolved: That delegated authority be given to the Assistant  Director for Planning and Public Protection approve the application on completion of the Section 106 legal agreement to secure sustainable transport measures and the relevant commuted sum contribution towards the provision of affordable housing following further discussion with the applicant in terms of viability of the scheme and compliance with Regulation 123 of the 2014 CIL Regulations.

Reason:   It is felt that the relevant requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework as well as the statutory duties outlined in Section 66 and Section 72 of the 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act have been fulfilled.