Agenda item

Erection of two and three storey 34no. room student accommodation building following demolition of existing buildings at 75-79 Clarence Street (revised scheme) Clarence Street York Limited. [Guildhall Ward]

Members considered a major full application for the erection of two and three story 34 room student accommodation building following demolition of existing buildings at 75-79 Clarence Street, York. 

The Development Manager gave a presentation on the application and the Development Officer outlined two additional conditions, firstly for the windows on north-eastern elevation that served a corridor to be of obscured glass, the second specified the boundary treatments on the northwest and south eastern boundaries.

The architect, Nick Watson, and his colleagues explained the layout of the studios and apartments. A representative from the University of York, who was in attendance, also explained the management of the site once operational.  They confirmed that the Construction Management Plan (CMP) would be handled by the contractor, who was yet to be appointed.

Officers responded to further questions from Members and confirmed existing conditions would limit hours of operation and noise.  An additional condition could be added to include an Highway Method of Works (HMW) which would cover the direction of deliveries.

Following debate, Cllr Orrell proposed the officer recommendation to approve the application subject to the section 106 agreement, the further two conditions contained within the update and an additional condition to include an HMW.

This was seconded by Cllr Daubeney.  On being put to a vote, with Members voting unanimously in favour, it was;

Resolved:            That the application be approved subject to the section 106 agreement, the additional conditions contained within the update and an Highway method of works including direction of deliveries from Clarence Street.

Reason:              The presumption in favour of sustainable development in paragraph 11d of the NPPF applies to this application. This means permission should be granted unless any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits when assessed against the policies in the NPPF taken as a whole. 6.2 There would be no significant adverse effect, in terms of the loss of the current use of the site, that would outweigh the benefits of the proposed use. Historic houses would be demolished but as they are outside of a conservation area and do not merit consideration as non-designated heritage assets. Their loss would not be a justifiable reason for refusal on heritage grounds. The scheme allows a more efficient use of the site and would meet current environmental standards. It is therefore consistent with the environmental objectives of the NPPF. The design of the replacement building has been amended to reflect design advice, its massing, scale, and articulation now considered to be generally respectful of both the Clarence Street and Page 110 Application Reference Number: 22/00599/FULM Item No: Page 19 of 32 Union Terrace context. There is no identified harm to the Central Historic Core Conservation Area, which is adjacent the site. 6.3 The scheme has been designed to the extent that there would be no undue effect on neighbours’ amenity and provides adequate amenities for its future occupants. Technical matters can be addressed, to achieve policy compliance, through conditions in respect of sustainable design and construction, biodiversity, drainage, archaeology, the highway network and ground conditions and pollution.

[8.00 pm – 8.05 pm the meeting adjourned for a comfort break. Cllr Fisher left the meeting.]