Consultation on the Revised Submission

Urgent response from you needed

The Council is embarking on a further round of consultation concerning the revised submission of the Leeds Site Allocation Plan (for proposed housing sites) which will be considered by Planning Inspectors in due course. All responses need to be submitted by 5pm on 26th Feb 2018.

The urgent consideration is for the Land South of Dunstarn Lane that is currently in Greenbelt.

The Council has accepted that some sites across the city (which it was considering to remove from greenbelt) should remain in greenbelt but do not accept that this should apply to HG2-38 Land south of Dunstarn Lane.

The council are proposing to take this land out of Greenbelt to allow the development of 68 homes. Furthermore it is to bring this proposal forward to Phase 1 which means that it would be immediately vulnerable to an approach by developers.

The rationale for wishing to withdraw this site from Greenbelt is unclear.

The Site Allocation Plan  Revised Submission Draft Background Paper Jan 2018 (Leeds City Council).

In its ‘Consultation on a Revised Submission Draft Schedule of Amendments’ the Council states it ‘ is seeking to reduce the impact of the Site Allocation Plan of Green Belt release by proposing revisions of the Plan as submitted. These revisions propose to designate some land (for a total of 7,834 homes across 43 sites) as ‘Broad Locations’ instead of housing allocations and safeguarded land designations meaning they will remain in the Green Belt until a further review of the Plan.’

‘Once a future housing requirement and government guidance have been clarified, the Site Allocations Plan can be reviewed and sites that are Broad Locations can be released if needed for housing, or retained as Green Belt with the Broad Location designation removed.’

But this does not apply to the Dunstarn Lane site

On Page 27 of Site Allocation Plan  Revised Submission Draft Background Paper the Council’s rationale is that ‘Strong links to urban area and would partially round off settlement -negating the risk of further sprawl. Boundary treatments would need to be well thought out as the boundaries to the south and east are poorly defined.’

Site Assessment Conclusion (Leeds City Council)

Development of the site could be considered to ’round off’ the existing built up area. Access would need to be through adjacent site HG1-74 or property needs to be acquired. Suitable in principle for residential.

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) Suitability (Leeds City Council)

This site scores generally neutral or positive on most of the SA objectives. The site scores positively in relation to Access to Primary Health Facilities, Access to Greenspace/Existing Greenspace, Flood Risk. It is noted that the site scores significantly negatively in relation to Landscape.

Adel Neighbourhood Forum (ANF)

Adel Neighbourhood Forum will fight these proposals with the support of the Adel Community. This is an important opportunity for you send your comments to Leeds City Council to the contacts below as noted at the end of this message. The ANF organised a public meeting held on 6th February at which many issues were raised including:

The existing properties on the south side of Dunstarn Lane can already be considered to provide a ‘rounding off’ of the settlement of Adel.

We question the criteria used to assess that the site scores negatively in relation to landscape. These are open fields that provide unfettered views across the Meanwood Valley and beyond. We would like to know what criteria is applied and how this compares with comparable sites. All our research shows that what Residents value most about Adel is the green and natural features and wider landscape setting.

The Council’s rationale may be that this recommendation will only affect a small number of properties but Adel residents have been vociferous in raising their concerns with the Neighbourhood Forum regarding the level of development that has already taken place in Adel as well as proposed new future developments. We remain opposed to any existing greenbelt land being used for development whilst brownfield sites in the city remain available. Our policy is in accordance with Leeds City Council and national guidance.

No reference is made in the background paper to the impact on infrastructure. Traffic will continue to use routes through Adel as ‘rat runs’ to avoid traffic congestion on the A660 and Headingley Corridor. New housing development is underway nearby at Bodington Manor and the former Government Buildings site (Bellway). Also future development at Bramhope, Pool and Otley will add to the traffic chaos. Additional traffic demand will add to the already existing peak time bottleneck congestion at the junction of Adel Lane and Long Causeway approximately 1.5 kilometres from this site.

We have always understood the premise of any development should be to do no additional harm. We believe it will.

Whilst Adel Neighbourhood Forum have severe reservations about the Council’s use of “broad locations” our preferred option would be:

1)    To have the site totally withdrawn   2)    If it has to proceed despite our reservations about it, it should be designated a broad location 3)    It should at least be put into a phase towards the end of the plan and not Phase 1

Deferring to a future date can store up problems for the future as we have seen with the PAS site off Church Lane for which outline planning approval has now been given.

Where you can help.

If you care passionately to protect the further erosion of greenbelt provision in Adel you must write. It is for residents to make your feelings felt in your own words. The ANF cannot prescribe exactly what you should say but you can include your personal objections and some of the key issues noted above.

The council would prefer to receive your comments using the on-line response form at www.leeds.gov.uk/yourcity

Or use the comments form (see documents section on the webpage) and

email comments to: sap@leeds.gov.uk

Or write to:

Leeds SAP Revised Submission Draft ConsultationPolicy and Plans Group,

The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds, LS2 8HD

Written comments to need to be received no later than 5pm on 26th February 2018.

Your Views urgently needed on three housing developments in Adel.

Land off Church Lane opposite Adel Parish Church. 

East Moor Reformatory Site. 

Land South of Dunstarn Lane. Proposal to be taken out of Green Belt, urgent action required.

A public meeting of the Adel Neighbourhood Forum is to be held on Tuesday, 6th February.

A free glass of wine, refreshments and nibbles will be available  at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start until 9pm at The Old Stables Church Hall, Back Church Lane, LS16 8DW.

This is an important opportunity for you to meet Cllrs Barry and Caroline Anderson and Members of the Forum to express your concerns.

The purpose of the Adel Neighbourhood Forum, which is a recognised body of local volunteers, is to give a renewed sense of ownership to the Adel Community on land development and the issues arising. Set out below is where we are in the planning process to receive full statutory recognition.

We have finalised a draft of The Neighbourhood Plan for Adel which has been informed by our “Open Days”, Surveys, Focus Groups, events and publicity. The Plan is for the next 20 years and it covers the design, layout, character and mix of proposed housing but also critical issues arising from such developments such as education provision, traffic, heritage and green issues, community facilities and business support.

The feedback from the Community has been overwhelming positive the main issues being the Leeds City Council proposals under its Site Allocations Plans which include;

-the land opposite Adel Parish Church where there are traffic issues and concerns about the proposal to locate a playing field with fencing on the east side of the beck.

-the Green Belt land in Dunstarn Lane.

-the Tile Lane Site including the old Reformatory Site.

The green space, cycle ways and paths issues drew encouraging support as did plans for a children’s play area.

The Draft Plan was passed to Leeds City Council for comments. Although generally positive there were some comments from them which need to be addressed.

So now The ANF Steering Committee will take account of the comments received and also bring the the Draft Plan up to date.

The Plan as revised will then be submitted to an independent Inspector to review it against the legal requirements. Once agreed by the independent inspector it will go to a Referendum where 50% support of those voting would be needed to gain approval. If successful it would give statutory powers for the Forum to be consulted on land development issues.

Site Allocation Plan Inspection 

Meanwhile Leeds City Council’s Site Allocations Plans are being reviewed by the Inspector.The fundamental question is ‘Is the Site Allocation Plan (SAP) produced by the LCC sound?”

The comments and feedback agreed by the Inspector will be taken into account in the final SAP. There has, to date, been presentations on such as GreenSpace.  However, following new consultations with the Department of Communities and Local Government, Leeds City Council requested a suspension of the Inspection to take account of the new information received.

The result of this is that the Inspection process of the Leeds’ Site Allocation Plans has been put on hold probably until May 2018.

If you have any comments on the above please contact: Ian Bond, Joint Chairman, Adel Neighbourhood Forum by

e-mail bondster@btinternet.com 

Follow us on Twitter @AdelForum

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A letter to Leeds City Council’s Planning Officer from the Secretary of State has advised the Council that he is not going to call in the application which means the outline planning application will now be approved.

The application will then move on the Reserved Matters stage where the exact details of number of houses, building materials, green space on the site etc. will be lodged. At this point a further planning application will be submitted and there will be opportunities to comment on it.

How can we make best use of our green space and footpaths?

What type of community facilities do you want in Adel?

Ian Bond Co-Chair of the Adel Neighbourhood said ‘Following community feedback, after publication of the pre submission draft Adel Neighbourhood Plan last autumn, we are now consulting the Adel community again on our proposed green space designations to make sure we get it right.’

A  presentation on green space and environment issues will take place together with a consultation on how best to invest community infrastructure funds in our area.  All Adel residents and businesses are warmly welcomed.

Come and meet Cllrs Barry and Caroline Anderson and the Adel team and enjoy a free glass of wine and nibbles at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start in the Main Hall, Adel War Memorial Association, Church Lane, Adel LS16 8DE

A report on last year’s work on the Adel Neighbourhood Plan and election of officers will also take place at this event as it will incorporate the Adel Forum’s Annual General Meeting.

Held on Tuesday 7^th February 2017 in Adel War Memorial Association

Attendees: Ian Bond (Co-Chair), Nick Brown (Co-Chair), John Hartley, Jeremy Emmott, Francis Garbutt, Cllr. Barry Anderson, Cllr. Caroline Anderson (Minutes) (all from Steering Group), plus 6 local residents.

Apologies: Received from Grace Clark, Geoff Steel, Graham Bond (Treasurer).

1. Feedback from public consultation

Jeremy gave the feedback from the most recent public consultation. 4 events were held; approximately 180 people attended the sessions. 36 questionnaires were completed plus 2 questionnaires received from developers.

There was support across the board for our Plan policies. Disagreement came from those who objected to development on Church Lane and the land south of Dunstarn Lane.  Some comments were made about no provision for cycling.

The next step is to get our final version of the plan to the Council and for the Inspector to receive it. It will then go to Referendum.

2. Addressing comments made by Leeds City Council on the draft plan

Ian advised that we could take on board most of the comments the Council has made. There is a difficult decision to be made in when to submit the Plan. The Council say they would not accept it if it does not conform to the Council’s Site Allocations Policy (SAP).

Cllr. Barry Anderson outlined the SAP timetable. A review of the Core Strategy will take place concurrently.

3. Planning Application – Church Lane/Otley Road

There are 120 objections on the planning portal. The Steering Group has worked through the documents on the portal. We have raised issues about highways. Ian read out the objection from Historic England. The Planning Officer is regarding the first letter from Historic England as their substantive response.

Explanation was given about the land for the school and the status a school would take i.e. a Free School or an Academy.

A short discussion was held on the Government’s Housing White Paper that was issued today.

4. Adel Reformatory Site (Eastmoor)

Nick updated the meeting on the Reformatory site. This has been on the market and offers for bids closed 2 weeks ago. If a bid is accepted and a scheme put forward we should be made aware of this soon.

5. Dunstarn Lane site

The Heath site which was been agreed as a site to develop a number of years ago is in the process of going through the planning stages. The developer listened to residents’ concerns and has made some changes, following the public consultation events. The Council are not content with these changes and are in discussions with the developer.

The adjacent site at Dunstarn Lane is in the Site Allocations Plan for future development. A bungalow on Dunstarn Lane has been bought by a developer and this would give access to this adjacent land.

6. Green space

Ian explained that we need to ensure that where there is green space in Adel that this is afforded protection e.g. the American Plantation and the land opposite Adel Wood Stores.

Paul Simkins, who is leading on green space for the Forum, is to be asked to bring his green space display to the AGM.

7. Landscaping

The Council has suggested that we incorporate the sections on landscaping into one part of the Plan.

8. Businesses

John Hartley gave a presentation on how we are working with the businesses in the area during the development of the plan and gave everyone an updated map of where all the businesses are situated within Adel. The Council liked the Plan for business but would want to ensure we do not stifle change of use for the future, for example, we have had to justify our Hot Food Takeaway position where we have stated no more than 15% should be in the area at one time. The Council’s own Public Health plan objects to a proliferation of hot food takeaways. The Royal Society of Public Health Report on the High Street in 2015 was particularly critical of fast food outlets and proposed a limit of 5% on every high street.

The Council has also asked why we want a new Business Centre. According to the MINT database there are 258 businesses either based (226) or registered (32) in Adel. Many are working from home which can be both lonely and isolating. The Forum would like to see somewhere that people could meet up for a few hours or 1 or 2 days a week to share ideas and experience. We have added to the wording to say that a Business Centre would not replace an important retail facility.

9. Next Steps

Nick explained that we now need to tighten up the plan; we are being encouraged to submit it. We will be able to select our own Inspector and they will assess the plan. Compliance is just the Inspector’s opinion on whether we adhere to the policies and we have to be in compliance with the Council’s Core Strategy and the Site Allocation Plans.

The test is to define a sustainable way forward for the future of Adel. We are not here to stop development but to influence where it goes. The Forward Planning team at the Council are interested to see how we progress.

As a Forum we shall also get a share of any Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) which can be used for improvements within the Adel area.

10. Financial Statement

There is £656.90 in the bank account. This is needed for the hire of rooms for consultation events. We require funds.

11. Marketing Update

John Hartley advised of the various publicity outlets we use e.g. ANF Website, Facebook, and Twitter; also hard copy magazines North Leeds Life, Adel Bells and Suburban.

12. Footpath from Church Lane to Bedquilts (public right of way)

Nick raised the issue of the footpath on which the Council currently wants residents’ views in terms of their plans to upgrade it. It was agreed that the Forum would support the plans.

The Next Meeting will be the AGM to be held on 17^th May at 7.30pm in the Main Hall, Adel War Memorial Association.

The next public, open meeting of the Adel Neighbourhood Forum will take place on Tuesday, 7th February 2017 @ 7.30pm in the Tetley Room, Adel War Memorial Association, incorporating Adel Sport & Social Club, Church Lane, Adel, LS16 all residents and local businesses are welcome.