Agenda and minutes

To receive any declarations of interest.

The following declarations of interest were made:

Application 23/000018/FUL – The Myriad Centre, St Georges Walk

(Minute No. 94)

Councillor Round – Councillor Round stated that on reflection she should have declared an interest at the last meeting with regard to this item, in that she has a 20 year old son with significant learning disabilities and complex needs and is also a Chief Officer of a Disability Charity.  Councillor Round was not pre-determined and came to the meeting with an open mind.

Applications 24/00006/FUL and 24/00007/LB – Scala Theatre and Corn Exchange, Angel Street, Public Conveniences, Angel Place

(Minute No. 95)

The Chair, following advice from the Legal Officer, provided guidance to Members who may have been involved in other Council Committees where aspects of the wider Scala Project have been discussed and voted upon.  The advice in terms of Declarations of Interest is that, other discussions and votes on Scala items would not be considered to be approval of the ‘scheme’ itself and that as such, all Members may participate and vote on this item, providing they don’t have a different interest to declare and that they are not pre-determined on the matter and they came to the meeting with an open mind ready to hear all sides of the debate.

Of the meeting held on 22^nd February 2024 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd February 2024 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That the minutes of the Conservation Advisory Panel of 7^th February 2024 be received.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Conservation Advisory Panel meeting held on 7^th February 2024 be received.

Such inspections of current application sites as may have been recommended by Officers and as may be approved by the Committee.

Members of the Committee should inform the Service Manager – Development Management of any requests for site visits by 5.00 p.m. on Monday 18^th March 2024 and reasons for the request.

Site visits will be conducted in accordance with the procedure attached which forms part of the Council’s Good Practice Protocol for Members and Officers dealing with Planning Matters.

The Committee visited the following site, which was the subject of an application to be determined, prior to the commencement of the meeting:

Applications 24/00006/FUL and 24/00007/LB – Former Scala Theatre and Corn Exchange, Angel Street, Public Conveniences, Angel Place

Up to a total of fifteen minutes can be allowed, each speaker being allocated a maximum of five minutes, for members of the public to present a petition, ask a question or comment on any matter on the Agenda or within the remit of the Committee in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 10.

None.

Members of the public will be allowed to address the Committee in respect of applications to be considered by the Committee in accordance with Committee Procedure Rule 11. Members of the public will address the Committee during the Committee’s consideration of the respective item.

Those representations made are recorded at the minute to which they relate.

The Corporate Director - Planning and Governance recommends that the Planning Committee grants planning permission, subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report.

Introduction

The Committee considered an application for the redevelopment of the Myriad Centre site, St George’s Walk involving the demolition of the existing building and replacement with a part one storey, part two story new development.

Reason Why Being Considered by Planning Committee

The application has been referred to Planning Committee at the request of Councillor Bisset, highlighting issues of parking and overdevelopment.

Report/Background/Late Papers

The report set out the background to the proposal, the site and surrounding area, the proposal itself, relevant policies, planning history and representations and consultations where applicable.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the late paper which related to the correction of paragraph 7.54 of the officer’s report and an update to condition 10.

The application was originally reported to Planning Committee on 22^nd February 2024, but was deferred to allow additional discussions to take place regarding the cycle parking design and layout.  The discussions had been concluded and for the purpose of transparency, additional text had been added within the report at paragraphs 6.15-6.20 – Highways final comments; 7.44-7.50  - The rationale and justification behind the revised cycle parking added and 7.78 – The Sequential Test extended to the current ‘Temporary’ site where the Myriad Centre currently operates from and is assessed accordingly.  Additional minor amendments had been made to the wording of conditions 9 and 10.

Officer Presentation

The information was presented as set out by the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance, in conjunction with a powerpoint presentation for the item.

Public Representations

In accordance with the City Council’s Constitution, Part 5, Committee Procedure Rules 11.3.7, as public representations were made at the 22^nd February 2024 meeting and no significant changes had been made to the scheme no-one had been permitted to register to speak on this application.  However, a local Ward Member, Councillor Bisset addressed the Committee as she had not had the opportunity to do so at the meeting in February.

Key Points of Debate

·        Local Ward Member, Councillor Bisset valued what the centre did and would like them to continue what they do in the city, but did not agree with its demolition and rebuilding.  She raised concerns over parking and highways issues, larger premises would mean more staff/clients and problems would increase.  Reference was made to highways comments in paragraph 6.14 of the report who had refused twice.  Her other concern related to the overdevelopment of the building which would take up most of the location and leave limited space. She was however grateful to the centre that they had attempted to find other premises.

·        Councillor Bisset responded to questions from Committee Members relating to the parking issues and overdevelopment concerns that had been raised.

·        In view of comments and concerns raised about parking issues the Service Manager – Development Management stated that Committee Members may wish to propose a Parking Management Plan and restrict the use of the site as currently and for no other use.

·        In response to a question on the site being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 94.

The Head of Planning recommends that the Planning Committee grant planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of The Town and Country Planning General Regulations 1992 (as amended) and that Listed Building consent is granted, both subject to conditions set out in Section 9 of the report. 

Introduction

The Committee considered an application for the proposed external refurbishment of the former Scala Theatre (including new balustrades and plant screens), change of use from Sui Generis (amusement arcade) to Sui Generis (arts centre, including bar, café, event and gallery space); change of use of the Corn Exchange from Use class E to Sui Generis (arts centre bar, café, event and gallery space with public conveniences at Angel Place.

Reason Why Being Considered by Planning Committee

The application had been referred to Planning Committee in accordance with the adopted Scheme of Delegation, as the applicant is Worcester City Council, and it is a major application.

Report/Background/Late Papers

The report set out the background to the proposal, the site and surrounding area, the proposal itself, relevant policies, planning history and representations and consultations where applicable.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to the late paper which related to the update of condition 3 and the amendment of condition 7.

Officer Presentation

The information was presented as set out by the Corporate Director – Planning and Governance, in conjunction with a powerpoint presentation for the item.

The Senior Planning Officer identified that the submitted Energy Statement concludes that the Scala Theatre having been assessed against the requirements of SWDP Policy 27, exceeds the requirements, its renewable contribution being 33.5% against a policy requirement of 10%, which has weighed heavily in the balance.

The Committee’s attention was drawn to paragraphs 8.7 to 8.9 of the report which set out the benefits of the proposed development in detail and overall, it is considered that the proposals constitute an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable form of development that accords with the Framework and the Development Plan as a whole.

Public Representations

The following person had registered to speak on the application:

Helen Grassly – Burrell Foley Fischer Architects (Agent for the applicant)

Key Points of Debate

·        The agent emphasised the opportunity this project has given them to repair and stabilise a building that is deteriorating.  She went on to outline the proposals for the building.  The proposals within the original Scala Theatre would create three studios of varying scales; the Box; the Stage; and the Screen.  The Agent explained the purpose of each of these studios.

·        Committee Members welcomed the site visit earlier today which they felt was informative and helpful.  Members welcomed the opportunity for the building being brought back into use which is starting to erode.

·        The Agent responded to a question on what items were going to be renovated and those items being removed what they would be replaced with in both the Scala and Corn Exchange buildings.

·        It was asked if plans could be easily adapted if things were to change in the future. The Agent stated that an asbestos survey was being carried out at the moment, once removed an assessment will be done, but looking at the old plans, the project should not change where the different locations will be.  Investigations have been carried out.

·        The Service Manager  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

Which in the opinion of the Chair is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

None.