Agenda item

Addition of third storey with 3 storey extension to the rear, cycle and refuse stores, external alterations and car parking at the Time Office Block. [Micklegate Ward]

 Members considered a full application, submitted by Mr Chris Hale, for the addition of a third storey with three storey extension to the rear, cycle and refuse stores, external alterations and car parking at the Time Office Block.

Officers updated the Committee with the following information:

·        Condition 11, in relation to trees has been amended as set out in the resolution below.

·        With regards to Condition 18 (cycle parking) – the applicants have agreed to provide an additional 2 covered spaces to the rear of the building so as to satisfy the comments received from the Council’s Highway Network Management Officer.

Representations were received, in objection, from a local resident who had the following concerns:

·        The building is listed as a building of architectural or historic interest.

·        The building is one of a group which were all built at the same time. The complex is a strong group in architectural terms, presenting a unified style. It is allowed, the addition of an extra storey to the Time Office building will spoil the completeness of the architectural style.

·        The purposely shaped parapet of the building will be blocked by the new storey.

·        The change will alter the appearance of the building which is one of a group which makes up part of the conservation area.

·        The proposed roof extension would be seen from adjacent listed buildings.

·        If approved this extension could become a precedent for similar alterations to other listed buildings on the site.

Representations were also received, in objection to the application, from a representative of Bishopthorpe Parish Council. The main concerns raised were linked with increased traffic generation accessing the site as a whole.

Representations were received, in support of the application, from the Applicant’s architect. The Applicant was relocating to York and intending to make the proposed development their new Head Office as well as providing some high quality office space for smaller businesses.

Members asked the Officers about any implications the proposed development would have on other buildings on the site and it was reported that they anticipated other buildings on this site being altered in the future.

In response to a Member’s question the applicant’s representative said that the proposed development would be fully DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant.

Members discussed the application and raised the following points:

·        The eco-qualities of the building.

·        Traffic issues and the effect any extra traffic would have on the village of Bishopthorpe.

·        Concerns regarding ‘piecemeal’ development.

·        The design of the roof extension.

·        The fact that the proposed development would not be for the sole use of the Applicant but would also offer accommodation for small businesses.

·        Concerns that this proposal may become a precedent for alterations to other buildings on the site.

·        The difficulty in using industrial buildings in a modern context.

·        The history of the building and the substantial changes and alterations that have happened throughout the years.

·        The reason for listing the building was for its historical connections and not for its architectural merits.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report and the following amended condition:¹

                                    Amended Condition 11

                                    No development shall take place until there has been submitted and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a detailed landscaping scheme which shall illustrate the number, species, height and position of trees and shrubs particularly at the rear of the former Time Office Building. This scheme shall be implemented within a period of 6 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 Local Planning Authority may be satisfied with the variety, suitability and disposition of species within the site.

REASON:                  That the proposal, subject to the conditions outlined in the report and the above amended condition, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the Former Time Office Building which is a listed building and the Racecourse and Terry’s Conservation Area. As such this proposal complies with policy E4 of the North Yorkshire County Structure Plan (Alteration No.3 Adopted 1995) and policies GP1, HE2, HE3, HE4, GP4 (a), GP11, T4, E3b and E4 of the City of York Local Plan Deposit Draft.