Anger at plans to move and reduce the size of Pudsey play park

In October, frustrated local councillors in Pudsey voiced their concern at a proposal to potentially close the Pudsey Park Visitor Centre, as reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

On Monday, councillors including Simon Seary were involved in a zoom meeting with planning officers regarding the proposals to save the council £90,000 a year.

However, Coun Seary told the Yorkshire Evening Post the council "clearly haven't visited Pudsey" and do not understand "what we require as residents".

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, he said the new plans involve demolishing the existing animal section to the rear of the park and replacing it with a modular cafe.

Other plans include demolishing the glass house - before moving the play park from the existing site to the site of the former glass house.

The play park would also reduce by two thirds size and the original site be used for a new garden, according to the councilor.

Coun Seary said "additional borrowing would be required for this to go ahead" - describing the move as "totally unacceptable".

In a post on his Facebook page, Coun Seary said: "We have just come out of a zoom meeting with officers regarding the proposal to close the West Leeds Visitors attraction in Pudsey Park, saving the council £90,000 a year, listening to their proposal they clearly haven’t visited Pudsey and do not understand what we require as residents.

"Their proposal is to spend £300,000 (of section 106 money contributed by developers in Pudsey for improvements in green-spaces), recently we spend £120,000 on 3 trim trails for Swinnow, Tyersal and Queens Park.

"Their plan is to demolish the existing animal section and replace with a modular cafe, demolish the glass house moving the play park from the existing site to the site of the former glass house, reducing the play park by 2/3 thirds of the size and grass/garden the original play park - also additional borrowing would be required for this to go ahead which is totally unacceptable."

Coun Seary said he recognised that public toilets are the "number one priority" for local residents - with a former block being demolished.

He added: "Since [being] elected I have continually campaigned for toilets at the front of the park, the only reason for a cafe was to ensure the public toilets would be maintained.

"The consultation is planned to start next Monday and we will be sharing our views and comments and asking for residents to take part, we need to make sure our voices are heard.

"Clearly this shows that the Labour run Leeds City Council still doesn’t understand the residents of Pudsey and as Councillors we will be fighting hard to make sure public money isn’t wasted by officers and Judith Blake’s team on a project that isn’t needed or wanted.

"Spend millions to save £90,000 a year."

Consultations on the plans are due to start next week.

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “Due to the continued and severe financial pressures that Leeds City Council continues to face, a number of proposals have been put forward to reduce the deficit in the 2021-2022 budget.

“This includes a proposal to close the West Leeds Country Park Visitor Centre in Pudsey Park and potentially open a new café’ on the site.

"A public consultation on the proposal will open next week, and all comments received will be fully considered before any final decisions are made.”

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