Agenda item

Agenda item

124918/VO/2019 - Albert Square, Manchester, M2 4JW - Deansgate Ward

The report of the Director of Planning, Building Control and Licensing is enclosed.

Minutes:

The application was for a City Council Development for the refurbishment and expansion of Albert Square public realm, including its continued use for temporary events and activities throughout the year; works to include: the installation of a new surface water drainage scheme, removal of existing trees and replacement tree planting and soft landscaping; installation of new lighting columns, wayfinding signage and street furniture; creation of new sloped access to the Town Hall entrances; highways and servicing access works, and associated works.

 

This proposal is one of two related applications that have been submitted in relation to the public realm and the Town Hall.

 

The Planning Officer drew the Committee’s attention to the late representation that had been submitted which provided further observations and modifications to conditions. Concern had been expressed by the Disabled Peoples Access Group and residents regarding the lack of consultation and engagement with scheme and sought reconsideration of some parts of the application. It was reported that the Design Team will continue to engage with stakeholder panels as the scheme progresses.

 

No objectors were in attendance.

 

The applicant’s representative addressed the Committee on the application.

 

The Chair invited Committee members to ask questions and comment on the application.

 

A member commended the use of age friendly public benches in the public realm area of Albert Square and the siting of female statue/monument. Reference was made to the drainage arrangements and if these would help sustain the green areas proposed. Also, would safety barriers be included in the design.

 

The Planning Officer stated that there were no proposals to site any statues in Albert Square but the comments made would be passed to the Design Team. The drainage system had been designed to help to sustain the green area and the provide safety features to prevent access by vehicles. Conditions for this have been included in the application.

 

A member referred to the sustainability of business resulting from the application, arrangements for the proposed road closure, safety of pedestrians, emergency access and relocation of the taxi rank in Albert Square to Central Street and Clarence Street.

 

The Committee was informed that there would be a road closure process involving a separate consultation process involved. The safety of pedestrians in Albert Square has been considered involving lighting and CCTV and it will secure accreditation through Secure by Design. The relocation of the taxi rank will be for a twelve-month interim period and will then be considered as part of the review of taxi ranks in the City Centre. This will be considered by the Licensing Committee.

A member requested that a condition be added to require arrangements to be made for a visit for members of the Planning and Highways Committee to Albert Square to allow members to visualise the proposals either through viewing the areas concerned or through drawings or digital images and for the Director of Planning to be delegated authority, in consultation with the Chair, to record any concerns raised and to report concerns to the Design Team.

 

A member requested explanation of the concerns received from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association on the application. Concern was also expressed on the design features of the proposal, in particular, the combination of existing heritage features such as statues with modern designs and if this would be appropriate. Reference was also made to the height of the lighting totems and the wider consultation process that has helped to produce the final proposal. 

 

The Planning Officer reported that the Association had raised issues regarding the vulnerability of blind people using Albert Square regarding the layout, hazards and cyclists. The Association had been invited to consultation meetings but no representatives had attended. Conditions have been included to address the concerns that were made. The heritage statues in Albert Square are listed and removing them would involve a lengthy process. The height of the lighting totems was proposed because they provide more light over the square. The Committee was informed that there has been a lengthy and broad process of consultation which has helped to inform the proposals taking in elements from across the range of responses to ensure the features are acceptable and appropriate to reflect the importance of the location.

 

Decisions

 

1. To approve the application, subject to the conditions and reasons set out in the report and the Late Representations submitted:

 

2. That arrangements be made for a visit for members of the Planning and Highways Committee to Albert Square and for the Director of Planning to be delegated authority, in consultation with the Chair, to record any comments and to report the comments to the Design Team.

 

Supporting documents: