Agenda item

To receive the report of the Chief Planning Officer to inform Joint Plans Panel of Buildings at Risk and the efforts that are being made to address this issue by securing emergency repairs and securing new uses.

(Report attached)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer provided Members with a list of buildings at risk and the efforts that are being made to address this issue by securing emergency repairs and securing new uses.

Members were informed that the list has been revised since the last report due to the ongoing building at risk survey being carried out by volunteers under the joint management of the City Council and Leeds Civic Trust which would be a to provide and up to date picture of the condition of listed buildings when it is finished at the end of the year. It was noted that it is intended to publicise the results of the survey and also to start an outreach programme with the owners of listed buildings highlighting the benefits of building maintenance.

Members heard that the Horsforth Corn Mill had been demolished.

The Panel were informed that since the last report the First White Cloth Hall one of Leeds’ most important buildings had been bought by Rushbond who are developing a refurbishment scheme with the intention of applying for planning permission this year and starting on site early in the new year.

Members heard that J M Construction were due to start on site at Hunslet Mills and that hoarding was already in place.

Members were advised of enforcement action on the trustees of St John’s Church which requires further emergency works. The urgent works notice specifies the repairs required.

Members noted that the refurbishment of the former Cookridge Hospital was tied by S106 agreement to the completion of the residential development. The developer had been asked to provide a schedule of emergency works, including improved security, while proposals for re-use of the vacant listed buildings are brought forward.

Members were informed progress on the following buildings:

·  Old York Road Library is to be converted into a gym and fitness centre

·  High Royds to be residential use

·  The Majestic had a temporary roof put on. Hopeful that progress will be made with development and officers will have more to report next year.

It was noted that the statue of Queen Victoria on Woodhouse Moor was on the list of buildings at risk. Cllr. Towler asked what work was being undertaken given that it will be the bicentenary of her birth in 2019. Members heard that an application had been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund and that fund raising was in progress as part of the restoration of this statue. Cllr. Towler said that Friends of Woodhouse Moor also wanted to assist with the restoration and suggested that she meet with the officer to discuss.

It was also suggested by Members that a group application be put forward for monuments and statues to the Heritage Lottery Fund as part of the European Capital of Culture bid.

Members discussed the long and ongoing issues in relation to Stank Hall Barn including new uses for the building and the possibility of moving the building. The officer suggested capitalising maintenance money that would have been spent on the building and use it as a reverse premium as an incentive to a developer.

Outstanding issues at High Royds development were discussed such as bus stops, lamppost etc. and the fact that there was still not a sustainable use for the building.

Cllr. Wood informed the Panel that Calverley Old Hall a grade 1 listed building owned and preserved by Landmark Trust had put the Hall forward for renovation. Prince Charles the patron of Landmark Trust had selected Calverley Old Hall for renovation to be undertaken. Cllr. Wood said that Landmark Trust were good a raising substantial amounts of money and had set up a small local committee. The Officer said that he would follow up on this.

Members were of the view that it should be noted that public money had been used to make repairs to St John’s Church and that the trustees should be required to carrying out emergency repairs.

The Chair noted that 17 buildings on the list were owned by Leeds City Council and he suggested that some may be repaired through Community Committee funding to try and reduce the number on the at risk list.

RESOLVED – To note the content of the report in particular that work is progressing towards reducing the number of Buildings at Risk in the city; and to report to Derelict and Nuisance Sites Steering Group on the findings of the pilot Buildings at Risk survey.