The report of the Director of Planning, Building Regulation and Licensing I enclosed.

This application relates to a full Planning Application for demolition of existing structures on site, erection of one 11-storey plus basement office building (Use Class E) and one 14-storey plus basement office building with ground floor commercial unit (Use Class E), landscaping, highways works, and associated works. The application includes 519 cycle parking spaces and on-street parking bays would be re-arranged to include two on-street parking bays for disabled people and a car club space.

The Committee undertook a site visit prior to the meeting.

The Planning Officer did not any further comments of the planning application submitted.

The objector’s representative addressed the Committee and referred to the reasons for objection relating to:

•           Amendment to the proximity of the development to City South residents;

•           Loss of privacy

•           Shadowing on City South;

•           Loss of natural light;

•           Noise concerns.

•           Access to City South on Shawcross Street;

•           Putting back the development date to 2024;

•           Impact on selling of properties at City South development;

•           Increase in pollution;

•           Construction work impacts;

•           Environmental pollution, litter during construction;

•           Car parking for the office space;

•           Increase in traffic;

•           Loss of trees and green space

•           Loss of visual amenity.

The applicant’s agent addressed the Committee on the proposal.

Councillor Jeavons (ward Councillor) addressed the Committee to object to the application. Reference was made to the loss of amenity to the residents of City South as detailed in the planning report.

The Planning Officer reported that it was important that development continues in this area of the city centre to provide homes and places of work and a balance was needed to address resident’s tensions with new developments in order to move forward. Officers considered that the design of the development provided an acceptable balance.

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

A member referred to the reference ‘bounce back’ and made the point that many office workers are working from home and this may continue resulting in another office block becoming unnecessary. Reference was also made to the permeability of the site to pedestrians and the appearance of the access which looked like an entrance to the proposed building.

The Planning Officer reported that there is a belief by developers that there is a requirement for Grade A office accommodation within the city centre and this development would help meet that requirement. The new accessible walkway proposed would be similar to the walkway currently used as a public access between the Town Hall Extension and the Central Library on Library Walk between St Peter’s Square and mount Street.

Members referred to the assessments made to determine acceptable levels of natural light for new buildings and the issue of noise for the properties with no alternative rooms to move to. The point was made that it is important to assess the impact of new developments on people in their homes. Reference was made to the construction management plan and the importance of the involvement and consultation with residents in process when producing the plan.

The Planning Officer reported that consultation with residents and contractors is at the forefront of any development and consultation on the construction management plan would be raised with the developer. Officers would also look at providing a new format for the presentation of information relating to the impact new development on light levels for residents.

Councillor Andrews moved the proposal for the Committee to approve the application. Councillor Shaukat Ali seconded the proposal.

Decision

The Committee approved the application subject to the Conditions detailed in the report submitted.

(Councillor Flanagan left the meeting took no part in the vote on the application or the remainder of the meeting.)