Flats plan approved despite charity concerns

MAP is based in the Grade II listed Hope Foundry on Mabgate in Leeds

Plans to build an apartment block next to an youth arts charity have been approved, despite more than 5,000 people signing a petition against the development.

Cheyne Capital wants to build 310 new flats on the site in Mabgate, Leeds.

The Music and Arts Production (MAP) Charity, based in the neighbouring Hope Foundry, opposed the plans over fears new residents would complain about noise from music events held to fund its work.

However, Leeds City Council granted permission for the apartment block in Mabgate at a meeting on Thursday, subject to conditions aimed to limit complaints.

A decision on the flats was deferred by Leeds Council planning committee on 14 September when councillors said they wanted developer Cheyne Capital to produce a welcome pack for residents that would inform them of MAPs work and minimise the risk of noise complaints.

At Thursday's meeting the amendment was approved, requiring the developer to tell residents about MAP’s events and add noise complaints mitigations, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The mitigations include a detailed complaints procedure, a welcome pack, and the use of specially designed balconies, known as "winter gardens".

Planning officers told councillors residents would be required to make any noise complaints to the building operator who would then inform the council.

It would then be checked that residents were using the winter gardens effectively before any complaints could be upheld.

It was hoped this would limit the potential for noise complains that might affect MAP’s activities.

Following the meeting MAP manager Tom Smith said the charity remained concerned about the plans.

“We knew the flats were going to get built," he said.

“But there’s still work to be done to make sure the outcome is delivered that seems sustainable.

“The mitigations will stand for the lifetime of the building, which is a commitment.

“Who is going to keep an eye on the planning department to make sure it gets the detail correct?”

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