Housing proposals at former Leeds school site

A developer has submitted plans to build more than 60 homes and public open space at the vacant site of a former school in Leeds.
The former Wortley High School.The former Wortley High School.
The former Wortley High School.

Keepmoat Homes Limited wants to create houses on the old grounds of Wortley High School. The site is disused brownfield land and has been earmarked for residential use in Leeds City Council’s revised draft Site Allocations Plan, according to planning documents.

A submission for 61 homes was made last week. Buildings associated with the school were demolished in 2011.

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A spokesperson for Keepmoat Homes said: “This development provides an excellent opportunity to redevelop an unused brownfield site and provide much needed affordable first and second buyer homes within West Leeds, building upon our active developments across the East and South parts of the City.”

In terms of the proposal’s benefits, the company said it would provide “energy efficient modern homes” and those which are in a sustainable location, within walking and cycling distance from services and public transport routes.

The public open space in the north western corner of the site would mainly be a grassed area with trees and bushes.

So far, the plan has received two objections online from residents concerned that Swallow Crescent is not suitable for an access point.

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Jeff Wright, who lives on that road, said that it is a small street which “bottle necks” at the entrance to the old school site.

He raised concerns that with 61 new homes, each with double parking, there would potentially be 122 vehicles exiting on a morning and returning on an evening.

Leeds City Council’s travelwise team has advised the developer that it should contribute £30,195 towards a residential travel plan to encourage sustainable travel methods through a Section 106 Agreement.

Swallow Hill Community College in Wortley was formed from the merger of West Leeds High School and Wortley High School.

Council planners could make a decision by Friday, September 28.