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Headway (issue 23) - January 2008
Read the latest edition of Headway.
Headway aims to let local residents know which way we're heading in & around Headingley. Local community associations have got together to share & circulate information – Cardigan Triangle, Far Headingley, Headingley Network, Kirkstall Village, Moor Parks, North Hyde Park, South Headingley & Turnways. We'd be pleased if other associations joined us.
* Click here to read previous issues of Headway.
Everyone is invited to send us any news that matters to Headingley. Headway is an initiative of Leeds HMO Lobby, the collective campaigning for local housing balance.
Here's how it works: Latest news is published on an ongoing basis on the Headingley Community website. The printed version of Headway comes out every quarter. Anyone is welcome to send us items for either or both of these. Anyone is welcome to be on the mailing list. Let us know if you are online, and we can deliver Headway by email.
Brightening Prospects
The year has turned, the days are getting longer, and there are brighter prospects on the horizon. Through Headingley Development Trust, local residents are taking initiatives, and our local Council is introducing support. Nationally, valuable new moves are afoot. And even internationally, there is useful news!
SHAPing Our Future
At the beginning of this decade, in response to pressure from local residents, Leeds City Council set up a Student Housing Group (SHG, now the Shared Housing Group), to tackle the problems caused in the city by housing the universities' students. The SHG includes representatives of the Council and of the community (Leeds HMO Lobby, comprising all the local community associations), reps of both universities and their student unions, and reps of landlords. The SHG adopted a Shared Housing Action Plan (SHAP), based on the Lobby's recommendations, which has just been reviewed and revised. Its main aims are to improve balance – in & around Headingley, and across the city. SHAP has 26 actions in three main sections. The first is concerned with the root cause of the problems, housing. Two actions develop housing strategies, for student housing in general, and for balance in local housing in particular. Otherwise, actions are concerned with resisting further student housing within the Area of Housing Mix, and encouraging it outside the Area, as well as developing an Area Action Plan for Inner NW Leeds. A second section is concerned with managing student areas. Some actions are general, supporting Headingley Renaissance and Leeds Left Bank, and managing student arrivals and departures. Other actions tackle particular issues, social (noise, crime, ASB) or environmental (cleansing, letting boards, parking, gardens) or economic (promoting sustainability, controlling alcohol) or landlordism (HMO licensing). The final section of SHAP is concerned with monitoring all these actions. SHAP will be reviewed again at the end of the year. Copies will be available from Area Management: ring Richard Brown on (0113) 3952830.
HEARTening News
Many residents will already have heard that on 14 November, the Executive Board of Leeds City Council agreed to transfer the Headingley Primary School building to Headingley Development Trust on a 125-year lease at a peppercorn rent, on the condition that HDT integrates the current Community Centre into HEART. The HEART project was described by the Council leaders as a "catalyst for regeneration" in Headingley, and they spoke very positively of the work being done by the Trust. One of the significant turning points was the number of messages from HDT members that went to the council leaders, urging them to support the HEART project – they made a real difference and showed the level of community support.
The next day, Linda Robbins, HDT's Treasurer, made a mad dash by train to Newcastle to meet the 2pm deadline at the Big Lottery office for applications to the Community Assets Fund. The application for 750,000 was written by HDT, but supported by Council officers and jointly signed by the Chief Executive of Leeds City Council. The Trust still needs to raise 1.3m to refurbish the building. Some of this has been raised. So, although the principle of the transfer has now been agreed, there is still significant work to do to bring this project on stream.
National HMO Lobby
The effectiveness of the Shared Housing Action Plan (front page] is undermined by the limits to the Council's planning powers – for instance, planning permission is not required to turn a family house into a HMO or shared house. The National HMO Lobby (set up by Leeds HMO Lobby) has long campaigned for a change to the law (the Use Classes Order). We have been joined by a string of local authorities, Bath, Southampton, Newcastle, Bristol, Canterbury, Swansea and Nottingham, who have all petitioned the government for change. Now Leeds has joined them – in October, the Council resolved to petition too, and our Chief Planning Officer has written to the government. The pressure has paid off. A senior civil servant has told us that they agree that concentrations of HMOs cause problems – so they are going to consult on changing the Use Classes Order.
Leeds HMO Lobby
Headingley in Bloom
The first action day in early November saw an impressive turnout of community members armed with spades and forks, along with horticulturalist Richard Gill from Leeds City Council adding welcome muscle power. The central bed opposite Somerfield was cleared of rubble, enriched with local compost and planted with shrubs and perennials donated by local gardeners. The bed is settling in nicely over the winter months, and will be establishing its own little ecosystem in the heart of Headingley. The memorial at St Michael's church now has four planted half barrels within the railed area, already adding colour against the backdrop of York stone. On the second action day in early December, hundreds of daffodil, crocus and tulip bulbs were secreted into the grass verge at the junction of the main road with St Anne's Road. These will give a magnificent display of colour in Spring - if they manage to survive the foraging squirrels!
Brenda Frater, Headingley in Bloom
Cumulative Impact Policy
Following the recent review of the City's Licensing Policy:
* Headingley's Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP) will be renewed for another three years.
* The CIP will be strengthened – it will inhibit not just a certain type of pub (vertical drinking) but now any new pub or bar.
* The CIP will for the first time include a presumption against granting new takeaway licences, though not a prohibition against later opening as such. A renewed and strengthened CIP will benefit all of us. The weight of public representation helped to persuade council officers. The new policy came into force on 12 December 2007, the day it was ratified by a Special Meeting of the Full Council.
Cllr David Morton, Headingley Ward
Neighbourhood Design Statements
A Neighbourhood Design Statement (NDS) is a formal Statement about the Design of the environment of a particular Neighbourhood. Far Headingley led the way with its NDS in 2005. The following year, the Area Committee set up a fund to roll out NDSs throughout Inner NW Leeds.
* The Headingley & Hyde Park NDS, undertaken by Headingley Development Trust, is now well under way. It was launched by Greg Mulholland MP in September, questionnaires were circulated, it has held a Training Workshop, and has now begun Character Area Appraisals of the varied neighbourhoods in Central Headingley, South Headingley and Hyde Park. See the back page for dates, and the HDT website for more details.
* Meanwhile, North Hyde Park Neighbourhood Association is undertaking a more detailed Conservation Area Appraisal of North Hyde Park. A Conservation Area is "an area of special architectural or historic interest the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance." It covers only part of the NDS, but will feed into it and supplement it. Contact NHPNA for more info.
* Little Woodhouse NDS got off to a good start in 2007. Peter Baker has been appointed consultant and introduced the scheme at the October Little Woodhouse Community Forum. A steering group has been formed. Over two thousand questionnaires were delivered by hand to houses in the area as well as many placed in public places and shops. A presentation about the NDS was made at the LWCA AGM in early December including work already started by residents. And a progress report will be given at the Little Woodhouse Community Forum in January.
* Finally, Kirkstall Village Community Association has been considering a similar document for Kirkstall. A launch meeting took place on 1 November, which preferred an aspirational document, similar to Headingley Renaissance.
International HMO Lobby
Over the years, the National HMO Lobby has made contact with similar organisations in Canada and the USA. Now these have got together, and Rob Payne in Ontario has launched an international website. To share the experiences of our transatlantic cousins, visit www.towngownworld.com Studentification is not unique to the UK!
Leeds HMO Lobby
Hyde Park & Woodhouse DDPO
A Statutory Notice in the Yorkshire Evening Post, expected later in January, will give one month for comments to the Council about the proposed DPPO. A Designated Public Places Order is an alcohol control order, intended to be used only if drinking is causing a nuisance (to prevent harm or offences). It gives the police discretionary powers to remove alcohol and stop people drinking in the public place (a fixed penalty of 40 / arrest for non compliance, max fine of 500 if convicted). The Home Office (which issues the Guidelines) says a DPPO cannot create an alcohol ban or alcohol free area (as a Manchester byelaw can). Extra Guidelines (soon) will further clarify police powers and what is intended. The vast majority of local residents want Woodhouse Moor included in the DPPO, to stop street drinkers and rough sleepers being displaced there by the new DPPO, now the law allows this. They want all councillors to support them, for safety on the Moor, and councillors to urge the Council to make proper provision for the street drinkers in keeping with the newly released Leeds Alcohol Strategy (at www.leedsinitiative.org).
Janet Bailey, for DPPO Consultative Committee
Natural Food Store
At 10am on Saturday 10 November, over 200 proud new owners celebrated the buy-out of the Natural Food Store on North Lane. Each had invested at least 100, and together the new co-operative raised over 100,000 to buy and capitalise the business. A new manager, Stuart McClelland, is in post and trading is brisk. Community-owned services are more common in rural areas. The co-operative's directors think this is one of the first times a community buy-out of a thriving store has occurred in an urban area. For more information, email: info@naturalfoodstore.coop
Woodhouse Ridge Improvements
Injection of Section 106 Greenspace funds by the Council is slowly beginning to bear fruit, with our active assistance. It can be seen in the middle path resurfacing, installation of new seats, fencing and access controls to deter motorcyclists and car dumping/burning, and sowing of two large wildflower swathes in one of our meadows. Further work to be completed includes drainage, clearing of strategic vistas across the Meanwood valley, and installation of directional signage and interpretative panels. Last year saw eleven WRAG Action Days with a wide range of practical conservation activity. Recently we have been joined by environmental volunteer students from the University of Leeds, who have provided sterling support. For info, visit WRAG's website at: www.woodhouseridge.org.uk
Nigel Lees, Woodhouse Ridge Action Group
When Leeds Met Headingley…
… they trampled all over us. On their third attempt, Leeds Met got planning permission to build accommodation for 500 students at Beckett's Park.
* Now, Parklane want to follow suit – they have applied to build flats for 250 students at the old Glassworks on Cardigan Road. For objections, the ref is 07/07439, and the address, Development Dept, Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds LS2 8HD
Meanwhile, Leeds University has announced that it will close its Bodington Residences in a few years. This will leave a shortfall of 1150 rooms for students – but the University has promised that they will not be replaced within the Area of Housing Mix.
Planning Applications New planning applications in the area are published every Thursday in the Yorkshire Evening Post or on this website.
Planning Problems? Ask Andrew! For advice, contact Andrew Crates, Community Planning Officer, 2478027 or andrew.crates@leeds.gov.uk Or come to the Planning Surgery, 4.45pm-6.45pm, second Tuesday of the month, Headingley Library.
Neighbourhood News
Neighbourhood Design Statements
* Headingley & Hyde Park NDS is holding surveys on 5 January (Ash Road Area), on 2 February (Wood Lane Area) and on 1 March (Turnways & Stadium).
* Leeds Met landscape students are showing some of their work on Headingley Centre, 10-12 noon, Saturday 12 January, Headingley Community Centre.
* Little Woodhouse NDS Public Meeting, 7pm, Monday 21 January, Arthington House (Leeds Federated Housing Association HQ), Westfield Rd. Also, workshops for residents will be held on two separate weekends in February at Swarthmore and Arthington House.
Caf Scientifique
* Monday 7 January, Dave Haskins, Assistant Director, Metro, A 21st Century Transport System for Leeds?
* Monday 4 February, Prof. Ruth Gregory (Durham Uni) Anti-matter
* Monday 3 March, Prof. Stephen Morley (Leeds Uni) The Psychology of Pain. All at 7.45pm, New Headingley Club, 56 St. Michael's Road, admission 2.
For details about the Caf Scientifique or to receive emails about future meetings contact ann.clarke17@yahoo.co.uk
A Jewel for Headingley? Development of 75 Otley Road, opposite Arndale Centre:
* exhibition, 7-11 January, Headingley Library,
* consultation with architect & developer, 9am-1pm, Saturday 12 January, Methodist Hall, Chapel Street.
Little Woodhouse Community Forum 7pm, Tuesday 15 January, Leeds Civic Hall, with a progress report on the local NDS.
Deli Market 9.00-12.30 on the second Saturday of each month, 12 January, 9 February and 8 March, in the Rose Garden, North Lane (opposite the Community Centre). Local organic vegetables, fish, cheese, mushrooms, meat (farm reared and organic), honey, bread, free-range eggs, cakes and baked goods. Also, guest stalls every month.
Woodhouse Ridge Action Group (WRAG) Forthcoming Action Days are 27 January, 24 February, 30 March, from 10-2 (or whatever you can do). Why not come and lend a hand?
Cardigan Triangle have got an O2 It's Your Community Award to put up a community notice board in the Cardigan Triangle area. This will be used to tell all residents about the community association, as well as publicising events.
* Meetings: Wednesday 30 January, Thursday 13 March, Monday 21 April, all at 29 Broomfield Road.
* Also, sponsored walk to Golden Acre Park, Sunday 30 March. Contact Helen White at white.helen@btinternet.com
Headingley Network AGM 3.00-4.30pm, Sunday 9 March, Headingley Community Centre: Rubbish and Litter - some problems and solutions.
Area Committee 7pm, 7 February and 3 April, venues to be confirmed. Open to the public.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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