Decision expected for Kirkstall housing plans

Plans to build more than 200 houses in an area of Kirkstall are set to go before planning chiefs this week.
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Developers Artisan Leeds Kirkstall Ltd wants permission to build 183 flats and 80 ‘townhouses’ at a site in Kirkstall Hill, with plans set to go before Leeds City Council’s decision-making city plans panel later this week.

Plans, which also include demolishing several buildings on the site, are expected to be accepted in principle with details delegated to officers.

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According to a report from Leeds City Council officers, the development would comprise 32 one bed and 151 two bed apartments. The 80 townhouses would be a mix of two, three and four-bed units.

An artist's impression of the plans.An artist's impression of the plans.
An artist's impression of the plans.

The site is currently home to what was once a supermarket, the former Liberal Club as well as a number of vacant units ‘in disrepair’.

The document claims the application has been subject to 48 objections, including from local councillors. Complaints range from claims of a lack of affordable housing provision to highways and green space concerns.

However, council officers concluded: “This scheme is considered a significant regeneration opportunity that would contribute positively to the regeneration of a vacant brownfield site. It is acknowledged the proposals create a predominately residential use of the site which is allocated for a larger commercial/office use. However, the application proposal will create a lower impact in relation to vehicle trips and thus highways movements and this should be given material weight.

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“In this instance, conflicts have been identified with policies relating to the provision of on-site green space and affordable housing which do carry weight. However, the benefits of ensuring redevelopment of a largely derelict, vacant brownfield site and providing housing to contribute to the Council’s ongoing housing supply also attract weight.

“Given the identified viability issues and specific site constraints it is considered, on balance, the benefits of the proposal weigh against identified conflicts and as such the application is recommended for approval.”

A decision is expected to be made on the application at a meeting of Leeds City Council’s City Plans Panel on Thursday, March 12.

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