SITE ALLOCATION PLAN FOR LEEDS – HAVE YOUR SAY
Consultation on the Site Allocation Plan for Leeds has now began and will run until Monday, 16th November 2015. The consultation is being carried out on-line, though some paper forms will be available at the consultation Drop-in Sessions. We can also provide a paper form if you contact us on 2790336.
The Drop in Sessions which are most convenient to get to from Farnley & Wortley are:
Thursday, 29th October and Friday 30th October 2015.
Both these are being held at Leeds Civic Hall, Banqueting Suite, Portland Crescent, Leeds. LS1 1UR from 2pm – 8pm.
If you have access to a computer you can get details of ALL the proposed sites by visiting:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/council/Pages/Site-allocations-plan-publication.aspx
and click on the document box entitled ‘Outer West’ for most of the information covering our ward, and click on’ Outer South West’ for the rest of the plans for our ward, this will give you access to the Site Allocation Plan and proposals for our area.
Some of the sites you may be interested in in our ward are: Part of Harper Farm (Whitehall Road), andd 2 sites on Gamble Lane lose their Green Belt status (The site mentioned on Harper Farm is down as housing). (The site between Tong Road and Gamble Lane is now recommended for housing and the land at the back of Hare Park Mount is recommended as PAS land). The PAS site on Lowmoorside remains the same. Wortley Low Mills (former Rhone-Poulenc Site, Whitehall Road) site is recommended for mixed use allocation – housing /employment. The former Wortley High School Site is down as part housing and part playing pitches. The football pitch on Oldfield Lane is recommended as housing with some green amenity space. For full details please visit the website link given above, and fill in the on-line consultation form.
Since the last consultation Travellers Sites have been included. In our area it is proposed to put a permanent site of 4 pitches on the mound of land at the back of the Gala Bingo Car Park and opposite Lakeside Road, off Tong Road. Your councillors are doing all they can to fight this proposal, but at the moment it is up to the public to make their voice heard by taking part in the on-line consultation.
When submitting comments please ensure that they are about why a site is unsuitable. The value of your home and remarks about travellers in general do not count as a valid objection.
If you have any problems accessing the website please contact us on 2790336 and we will put you in touch with our worker at the Civic Hall Office who can help you.
PASSIVHAUS MOTION (Council Meeting 16th September)
Cllr. Ann Blackburn put a motion calling for an early report to be brought to the Executive Board to specify Passivhaus Standard on all new buildings on council-owned land, and as a condition of sale on any council land. Cllr. Terry Wilford seconded the motion. (Passivhaus is an internationally recognised standard that typically means an average household can have heating bills of less than £100/year due to the highly efficient thermal performance).
Cllr. Sobel (Lab) put an amendment requesting that officers investigate the need for even more challenging locally set building standards. After Ann discussed the matter with
Cllr. Sobel (Chair of Climate Change Group) he stated he would give his support to the Council doing a Passivhaus Project, and she has asked to be kept informed on developments.
ELECTED MAYORS and DEVOLUTION
Cllr. David Blackburn submitted a question to the Leader of Council on Elected Mayors, asking her to agree to a referendum before any final decision is taken. He also spoke in favour of a Yorkshire Assembly in a White Paper debate and against the imposition of an elected mayor in the Report on Devolution.
YORKSHIRE GREEN COUNCILLORS had a meeting to discuss devolution. They decided to support the idea of a Yorkshire Assembly and, if an elected Mayor was forced upon us, they should be answerable to an Assembly, like they have in London, but this should only happen after a referendum is held in the areas affected.
VEGETATION
We have requested that vegetation be cut back on the path between Blue Hill Lane/Wheelwright Close, and the path between and Dixon Lane/Highfield Avenue. We have asked for the path across the grass at the top of Dixon Lane to be weed sprayed and work done so that the cobbles overgrown with grass can be seen again.
FLY-TIPPING
Cllr. Ann Blackburn has had fly-tipping removed from Cobden Road (top of Cobden Street), Greenthorpe Walk and Branch Place. Cllr. Terry Wilford has had dumping removed from Fawcett Lane and Highfield Avenue.
GAMBLE HILL DRIVE – PARKING
We have received complaints about people parking outside the council garages near the school and have asked the local housing manager to see what can be done to stop this.
NEW WORTLEY RECREATION GROUND
We took up the problem of footballers parking on Highfield Garth, causing the residents access problems. It seems that teams are training there on a night though they do not have permission to do so. Parks staff are now dealing with this matter.
We received reports of vehicles delivering building material to the Gardeners House churning up
grass on the park and leaving mud on the footpath. The work being done does not have planning permission and a Stop Notice has now been put on the site.
GREEN PARTY COUNCILLORS ADVICE SESSIONS
These are monthly, as below. No appointments are necessary, just come along:
1st Sat. 9.30 – 10.30am Lower Wortley Community Centre, Lower Wortley Road
11.00 – 12.00 noon Whingate Methodist Church, Whingate
12.30 – 1.30pm Main Line Club, Pudsey Road
2nd Sat. 10.00 – 11.00am St. Wilfrids Church, Whincover Drive, Farnley
3rd Sat. 10.00 – 11.00am St. James’ Church, Whitehall Road, New Farnley
11.00 – 12.00 noon Highfield Methodist Church, Highfield Avenue
4th Sat. 10.00 – 11.00am St. Wilfrids Church, Whincover Drive, Farnley
11.30 – 12.30pm Old Farnley Community Centre, Cross Lane
1.00 – 2.00pm Main Line Club, Pudsey Road
Alternatively phone David or Ann on 2790336 (DB Mobile 07943 780914 AB Mobile 07930 116395) and Terry on 2636407 (Mobile 07340 078732) or you can e.mail fwgreenparty@outlook.com