Hundreds object to Leeds housing plan

Leeds council’s City Plans Panel will debate the application for 550 homes on Lane Side Farm, Victoria Road in Churwell at its meeting at Leeds Civic Hall on Thursday.

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Papers being presented to the committee ahead of the meeting say the developer is being asked to ensure 15 per cent of the homes will be affordable housing, as well as making sure there is land to build a new primary school that will reduce pressure on existing schools.

The report prepared by Leeds council officers lists a host of objections from locals, including concerns about traffic and congestion, especially on the already busy Victoria Road, during peak times.

Residents also believe that the site will not be “sustainable”, as they say local health centres do not have the capacity to accommodate the additional 2,000 plus patients that the proposal will generate.

Campaigners argue that the area is densely populated with limited facilities that will not be able to cope with a further 550 dwellings.

Despite the raft of objections, Leeds City Council’s planning officers are recommending approval of the scheme, subject to the signing of a list of conditions.

The officers’ advisory report points to separate planning evidence which suggests “any adverse impacts arising from this proposal are not considered to significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits of bringing the site forward to deliver housing”.

The report stresses that “all representations received” have been taken into account.