First approval for Leeds homes plan

Developer Rahon Property Ltd had applied for outline planning permission to build the development on the former Civil Service Sports Association Ground on Newton Road, Potternewton, which has been abandoned for over a decade.

The report to Thursday’s planning committee recommended the plans be deferred to the Chief Planning Officer for approval as long as certain conditions are met. These include the provision of five affordable housing units, on site green space to be made available and a contribution of £175,000 by the developer to compensate for the loss of the sports pitch to the community.

The plans were previously up before the planning committee in July last year when councillors asked for further discussions with the developer on increasing the affordable housing, a layout of green space and consultation.

Public speakers and panel members at the meeting last week raised concerns about proposed affordable housing, and flooding on Newton Road.

Councillors vowed to look into drainage issues at the site, though it did not feature in their approval decision for the outline application, which considers only access and the development in principle.

Coun Neil Walshaw, chairman of the North and East Plans Panel, told the meeting: “I don’t have an objection to development in principle.”

But he added that there is “a concern of flood risk management around the site”, and asked officers to prepare more detail on the issue.

The meeting was told the plans would help reduce flooding at the playing fields, but more needed to be done.