Leeds Netto store plan faces opposition

The discount retailer has made an application to Leeds City Council seeking permission for the store to be built on land to the south of Barrowby Lane in Garforth.

A statement submitted with the planning application says the scheme has been designed to create an “attractive environment” and would add to the “overall quality of the area”.

But a string of residents have lodged objections to Netto’s proposals since the turn of the year.

Increased competition for independent traders on Main Street and a rise in traffic levels on Town End and Wakefield Road are among the issues they have cited.

One objector, Paul Roberts, wrote: “As a resident of Garforth for over 30 years I feel that to build this store would seriously damage the existing shops on Main Street who have worked very hard over the last few years to build up their businesses after the recession.”

Opponents also include Coun Mark Dobson (Lab, Garforth & Swillington), who is worried about the impact that the addition of new hard standing material could have on what he describes as “the already substantial flooding issues in west Garforth”.

Coun Dobson said yesterday: “Despite attending two public meetings organised by the developer, I can’t see how the very busy junction at that location can cope with the excess volumes of traffic this development would attract.

“Add to that the increased risk of flooding and the impact deliveries would have in a residential area and I can’t support this application.”

Council officials yesterday said Netto’s proposal was “pending consideration”.

As previously reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, another discount retailer, Lidl, is also planning to build a new store on Aberford Road in Garforth.