Outline plans approved for Killingbeck houses

The plans, for land off York Road and Selby Road also includes blueprints for a new access onto nearby Killingbeck Bridge.

It includes a mix of two storey houses, terraces and flats, while a report by Leeds City Councillors into the scheme suggested it would also include shared amenity space as well as 44 car parking spaces.

Councillors were also told that no affordable housing or green space contribution from the developers was viable on the site, due to the high price that was paid to the council for the land.

And some warned that the site would put extra strain onto the area’s roads.

Speaking against the application, Coun Katie Dye (Lab) told the meeting: “My main objection is the exit onto York Road – I think it is important that the highways flats are due to be demolished, so I would like this to be deferred so we can look into it.

“We are putting double the traffic on a small road leading to a busy main road.”

Commenting on the application, Coun Dawn Collins (Con) said: “I am not usually happy when developers bring something forward that is not policy compliant, and the community is losing out enormously here.

“However, it does seem the developer has overpaid us to procure the site, so I understand why this site may be unviable for this than if they had paid the proper market value.

“I am minded to vote in favour of this development, but developers should know we have policies for a reason.”

Coun Trish Smith (Con) added: “I like the development, it brings homes to the area, it is on a brownfield site, I don’t dislike it at all. I feel disappointed for the community who aren’t going to benefit from the sums in our policy – I am more ‘yes’ than ‘no’.”

Coun Elizabeth Nash (Lab) said: “I don’t think the council can have its cake and eat it – it has already been paid a considerable sum.

“I am quite sure that if we were to turn this down, it would go to an appeal, and we would lose with all the costs.

“Although I don’t think it is perfect, I would like to move that we accept this application.”

The plans were approved in principle by panel members. More in-depth plans, known as a reserved matters application is expected to go back before the committee in the coming months for final approval.