Another month with no presentations and fewer significant applications to review – I do hope it’s not an indication of a slowdown in the development industry. However, there are plenty of other matters to report on to keep you up to date with changes in Leeds.
Unfortunately, it was back to the normal pattern with more objections to planning applications than ‘supports’, albeit one of these was more technical than a matter of principle:
- First White Cloth Hall. We welcomed operator interest in the Kirkgate building (restaurant, café-bar, beauty salon and tattoo parlour) as this would ensure the building is being looked after – however, we were concerned about the lack of information regarding finishes and interventions required with regard to a Listed building.
Windsor Farm: distinctive farmhouse which could be restored - Windsor Farm, Scholes (on A64 just west of the A1(M) junction. Approval has been given for conversion of unused barns to residential use, but this application seeks to demolish the historic farmhouse and build a ‘pastiche replica’ on its site. Conservation and design stakeholders have objected to this plan and we feel the existing building is repairable.
- Little Sisters of the Poor, Headingley. The discovery of faulty concrete in the roof of the convent and residential home led to an emergency evacuation of the building – it is now proposed to fund the reconstruction of the convent/home (not a significant design issue as the replacement is low and surrounded by trees) by the development of a tall, uninspiring block of apartments which would dominate the skyline and surrounding Conservation Area.
We made comments on two other applications:
- The provision of accessible toilets and a conference room in the Central Library – we felt the proposals were not properly explained) and
- The provision of outdoor seating at the White Cloth Hall food hall behind the Corn Exchange – we were concerned over the climate impact of heaters under the proposed canopy – they should be off by default and only come on for a short period when people request them.
Other applications upon which we made no comment included:
- An advertising shroud around a refurbishment project opposite Kirkgate Market,
- An electric vehicle charging station at Gildersome,
- A rooftop extension in St Paul’s Street,
- A new McDonald’s drive-thru in Stanningley (which had been ‘designed’ in consultation with nearby residents),
- A new engine shed at Armley Mills Museum
- The replacement of roof panels in Park Row.
The only application we could support was a warehouse development in Hunslet, but even here we commented on accessibility issues and the proposed landscaping.
Updates on subjects discussed previously include:
- Planning consent being granted for a major residential development of 418 apartments at Aire Park (the former Tetley’s site)
- An imaginative project to refurbish upper floors for residential use in Vicar Lane (Wray’s Buildings – Title Image)
- An ammendment to the new McDonald’s in Headingley to remove an external ramp which would have partially blocked the footway.
The decision on a scheme for three apartment blocks on Armley Road (close to Armley Gyratory) was deferred by Councillors as they felt there should be more greenspace, a greater contribution to affordable housing and a more interesting design for the prominent corner block. To our relief, consent was refused for the installation of video advertising above the Vicar Lane entrance to Victoria Gate and in the open car park facing The Playhouse.
Other planning related matters discussed at our meetings included:
- Flood Alleviation Scheme. Although there is still some tidying up going on, the city is now essentially protected from flooding by a mixture of walls, embankments, moveable weirs and upstream tree planting stretching as far as Malham. This is one of the most comprehensive flood prevention schemes in the UK
- Demolition of The Core Shopping Centre on The Headrow. Local businesses on Lands Lane and in the arcades are being hurt by all the dust, vehicle movements and noise; they are looking for support from shoppers.
- Leeds Architecture Awards. Applications are being sought for these. If you feel there is a building completed in the last two years worthy of recognition, please contact the Trust.
- Holbeck Urban Village. A new office building will soon start construction on Globe Road and discussions are proceeding over developing Temple Works to accommodate the British Library of the North.
- Kirkgate. The collapsed building by the railway bridge is to be made safe by Leeds City Council, with the cost being charged to the building owner who has been reluctant to do the work himself.
- New Pudsey. The former Lloyds Bank computer centre is to be redeveloped for social housing if an appropriate developer can be found.
- Elland Road. We will be keeping an eye on plans for expansion of the LUFC ground. We understand this could go ahead rapidly if the club is promoted.
Looking at transport issues, we picked up the following news:
- The Connecting Leeds Strategy seeks to create ‘a city where you do not need a car’, but we all know of the issues with poor public transport in Leeds. Linked to this, car use is actually increasing, so the Council is exploring the potential of introducing a Workplace Parking Levy to generate funding for public transport improvements, as is the case in Nottingham.
- We continue to engage with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on the design of a potential tram system, acting as critical friends to explore some of the areas where there could be issues with detailed route alignment
- Network Rail is consulting on the lengthening of Platform 17 at Leeds Station and enhancing access to platforms 16/17 which can get very congested. The operator has determined that the Holbeck Viaduct is not required for rail use so the prospect of a ‘High Line’ from the city centre to Elland Road has been revived.
- There are plans to carry out safety works along Roundhay Road in Harehills, adding traffic signals at some of the junctions which have particularly high accident statistics: a consultation exercise is currently online.
- Due vandalism, many of the electric Beryl Bikes have had to be withdrawn, but this month should see the arrival of more robust cycle stations and bikes covered by CCTV.
- While work is winding up on improvement of the Outer Ring Road in Horsforth, it continues on the stretch in Farsley (a new footbridge should arrive later this year) and will soon start in earnest at Dawson’s Corner (New Pudsey) and Lawnswood.
Alanah is now settling in as our new Planning & Transport Officer and, having served on Planning Committee as a volunteer, has hit the ground running. This should allow us to deliver more projects and ensure the Trust is more visible and influential within the City.
Mike Piet – Chair of LCT Planning Committee
Title Image: Wray’s Buildings, Vicar Lane: imaginative use of courtyard access balconies
