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

The planning application proposes the demolition of the Grade II Listed former Weavers Cottages 42-46 Thomas Street that were listed in 2018 following the grant of planning permission for their demolition in 2017. Approval of this proposal would enable the delivery of the wider site proposal including the retention and refurbishment of 7 Kelvin Street.

The Planning Officer informed the Committee a representation had been received from a local business stating that the proposal would be a benefit to the Northern Quarter.

A member of the Committee requested a deferral of this item until the Committee’s previous decision to refuse an earlier application had been assessed by the Secretary of State.

The Director of Planning stated that this was a new application, albeit for the same proposal, and should be considered by the Committee and allow for officers to respond to any matters the committee may wish to raise before reaching a decision. 

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

Councillor Wheeler (Piccadilly Ward) addressed the Committee in objection to the application and requested that the application be refused due to the loss of a historic working-class site.

Councillor Lyons (having declared an interest and speaking as Councillor for Piccadilly Ward) addressed the Committee in objection to the application and requested that the application be refused in line with Historic England’s opposition to the demolition of the site.

(Councillor Lyons left the meeting for the remainder of this item and the following item).

The Planning Officer stated that there had been one earlier refusal of permission, not two as had been suggested by previous speakers. This was the second application for Listed Building Consent for these proposals. The Planning Officer advised that the current derelict site has a negative impact on the surrounding area. If the Committee made a decision to approve this application, it would need to be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who could decide to either call in the application for determination or refer it back to the City Council to issue a decision. This is different to an Appeal which are mutually exclusive processes.   

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

Councillor Hutchinson moved to defer the application for a site visit.Councillor Davies seconded the proposal.

Councillor Stogia said that the site, which was known by many, is in a poor state and that a decision should not be delayed. Adding that that the redevelopment would support businesses which was much needed as a result of COVID-19 and proposed the application should be Approved, in line with the Officer recommendation.

The Chair stated that the proposed deferral for a site visit would require a vote by the Committee.

The Committee voted against the deferral for a site visit.

Councillor Stogia moved the recommendation of Minded to Approve for the application. Councillor Shaukat Ali seconded the proposal.

Decision

The Committee is Minded to Approve the application, subject to referral to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, in accordance with the Arrangements for handling heritage applications – notification to Historic England and National Amenity Societies and the Secretary of State (England) Direction 2015.