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CCTV, speeding drivers and community initiatives set for funding boost from councillors

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Similar funding supported speed checks along Troydale Lane in Pudsey last summer.

By John Baron

Councillors representing ‘outer’ west Leeds will next week decide whether to award thousands of pounds of grant funding to help tackle anti-social behaviour, speeding traffic and supporting community initiatives.

Members of the Outer West Community Committee will meet at Farnley Hall next Wednesday to decide the applications, which include supporting police to target drivers at speeding hotspots, as well as tackle anti-social behaviour. A separate application will support CCTV in Farnley, Farsley and Pudsey.

West Leeds Rugby Union Club in Wortley has also asked for £20,000 towards its clubhouse renovation appeal.

Here’s a list of all the wellbeing large grant applications:

Pudsey Park weekend litter picking – £1,218.70

Additional litter picking at Pudsey Park during warm sunny weekends covering the months of September to March for up to 10 weekends.

Adult Band Project – Music Box Yorkshire – £2,950

Participants in Pudsey will boost their wellbeing by creating music by either forming a band or having the chance to learn about electronic music such as DJ-ing, Launchpads and Ableton software.

Outer West anti-social behaviour and road safety operations – £6,178.40

Police say this will be an intelligence-led deployment to target where the offending such as speeding, dangerous driving and general community anti-social behaviour is happening.

Bawns & Heights Fun Day, Farnley – £2,500

The summer event will feature range of stalls including arts and crafts, volunteer, charity and faith groups and some food stalls. There will be an area designated for a stage where local artists/schools/clubs can perform and there will be a ‘Bawns & Heights Got Talent’ competition.

Site improvements & new equipment at West Leeds Activity Centre – £2,230

Site improvements will ensure that the centre remains fit for purpose and can continue to be used regularly and safely.

Public space CCTV cameras – £11,000

Cameras would be placed at Butterbowl and Cross Lane in Farnley, sites in Farsley, Lidget Hill car park in Pudsey and Pudsey Park, Lowtown, Lidget Hill and Chapeltown in Pudsey.

Applications for the youth activities fund include:

Andy’s Youth Project @ Robin Lane – £2,500

Youth provision for 11 to 17 year olds at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Pudsey every Friday.

Farsley Festival 2022

Farsley Festival 2023 – £4,350

Free one-day event held on Hainsworth Park, attracting attendees from Farsley, Calverley, Pudsey, Rodley and the wider area. This year’s event will be on Saturday 24 June 2023 between 12pm-5pm.

There is one capital grant to consider:

Environmental improvements at Owlcotes Road – £6,080.40

Funding will be used to transform a small piece of housing land Owlcotes Road which is proving difficult to maintain. The money would clear the shrubbery and site, landscape the area including grass seeding and rebuilding the stone wall which runs to the side of the site and opposite to ensure the area is in keeping with the wider area. There are future plans to turn it into a usable greenspace, with benches and a ‘little library’.

There is one community infrastructure levy (CIL) application:

West Leeds Sports & Social Club, Wortley – £20,000

The clubhouse is home to West Leeds RUFC, who are running an appeal to refurbish the building, including boiler and new shower upgrading, new suspended ceiling, re-decoration to areas of the clubhouse and interior design so to allow more social areas in the club, upgrading of floodlights with LED Lights and upgraded window blinds to the downstairs rooms of the club.

The clubhouse hall at West Leeds RUFC clubhouse, in Wortley.

The Outer West Community Committee is made up of nine councillors from three wards: Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley and Pudsey. The political make-up is five Conservative councillors, three Labour and one Green.

The committee next meets on Wednesday, 14 June at 1pm at Farnley Hall. Read the full agenda and reports here.

“People here are friendly and I have never experienced anything bad” – chip shop owner on life in Armley

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'Nio regrets': Kamal Jeet Singh runs a chippy in Armley Town Street. Photo: Jess Wong

In the second in our short series of articles putting the spotlight on traders in Armley Town Street, WLD’s Jess Wong speaks to an Indian entrepreneur running a popular – and quintessentially English – fish and chip shop…

“No regrets,” says Kamal Jeet, an entrepreneur who is proud to run his business in Armley.

Being the only fish and chips shop in Town Street, this takeaway has gained popularity among residents. Meet Kamal Jeet Singh, the proud owner of the 4.4-star shop.

Originally from India, Kamal Jeet has been living in the UK for two decades, with the last ten years spent in Armley.

His decision to move to the UK and open the shop was fueled by his desire to secure a bright future for his children, particularly in terms of education.

Despite his success, Kamal Jeet has no plans to open another shop. His focus remains on providing his children with opportunities for their futures. With three children in different stages of their academic journeys, Kamal Jeet is committed to supporting their ambitions. 

Reflecting on his decision to come to the UK and Armley, he expressed firmly: “No regrets.”

“I am grateful for the opportunities my family has found here and I am determined to give back to society. In addition to running my shop, I also support charitable initiatives in India, such as sending funds to support young children with their education.”

As a long-time resident of Armley, Kamal Jeet has forged deep connections with the local businesses and is hoping to witness the positive transformation of Town Street.

“People here are friendly and I have never experienced anything bad,” he added. His close friendship with Andy Parnham, a local councillor, has allowed them to share a unified vision for the community.

As Armley’s only fish and chips shop, Kamal Jeet’s establishment has become a hub for locals. It symbolises the aspirations and dreams of a determined father, striving to secure a bright future for his children while also making a positive impact on his community and beyond.

Buffalo Bulletin: Scarborough Pirates invade Blue Hill Lane

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bramley buffaloes

by Paul Abraham

The rugby league juggernaut, also known as the Bramley Buffaloes are back in action this Saturday when the Scarborough Pirates invade West Leeds Rugby Union ground at Blue Hill Lane.  

The hosts who are in a rich vein of form and will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the table.

The “Buffs” will be selecting from strength, with Kieran Foster-Matthews looking to add to his tally of eight tries for the season.

Captain Brad Wilson is enjoying his role at hooker this season and will also be looking to add to the six tries he’s scored in his six appearances this campaign.  Goal-kickers Kacper Mroz (11) and Colin Cobley (10) will be vying to add to their totals.

Bramley Buffaloes v Scarborough Pirates is on Saturday, 10 June is at West Leeds RUFC, 158 Blue Hill Lane, Wortley LS12 4NZ. Kick-off is 2.30pm.

The season so far…

The start of the Yorkshire Mens League Division 4A season started with a disappointing defeat as a very weakened Buffaloes lost to a more experienced Westgate Common “A” side by 0-44 at the impressive and immaculate West Leeds Rugby Union ground on Blue Hill Lane.  

As the Westgate Common first team game had been called off the visitors chose to select some players from their YML Premier Championship 2023 team which the depleted Buffaloes struggled to contain.

The following weekend brought Scarborough Pirates to West Leeds in the first round of the YML Shield competition.  

With players returning and over 40 attendees at the week’s training sessions, the side was pumped up and eager to show the Bramley faithful what to expect with a full side.  

The Pirates were put to the sword from the moment they went 0-6 behind to the Buffaloes.  The side from the East Coast had no answer to the quick passing and strong running of the Bramley side who raced to a 38-0 half-time score.  

The second half continued in the same vein, but credit to the Pirates who kept on battling to the final minute before the referee’s whistle ended their suffering following a 68-12 win for the home team. 

Highlights of the day included a Jamie Donnelly hat-trick of tries and a brace from Jack Boot as eleven different players crossed the try-line.

The Buffaloes returned to West Leeds and a league match against top of the table Batley Boys and heartbreakingly lost with the last move of the match in the 83rd minute. Batley went home with a 16-13 victory, which was completely against the run of most of play and left coach Steve Langton shaking his head in disbelief as to how the Buffaloes had lost a match they had dominated throughout. 

The disappointment of the previous match was brushed aside as was the Leeds Akkies side who felt the full force of the dominant attacking play. The “Buffs” sliced through the defence at regular intervals and after leading 32-4 at half-time, and continued to command all areas of the pitch to come away with an impressive 66-8 victory.  

Special mention for hat-trick hero Kieran Foster-Matthews and two-try Jacob Oldroyd among the ten try-scorers.

With Cottingham Tigers failing to raise a side for the YML Shield match, the Buffaloes next match was against the Goole Viking who at the start of the match sat one place above the hosts.  

Buffaloes fans were delighted to see the return of Tom Langton after his season with West Leeds RU had finished and he was back in the black and amber of Bramley.  

In a thrilling first half which saw the Buffaloes lead 24-12 at half-time, Bramley went up a couple of gears to sink the Vikings by 46-16 at full-time.  

Two tries for club captain Brad Wilson and five goals from right winger Colin Cobley being the highlights in this great victory.

The next visitors to take on the rampant Buffaloes were Crigglestone All Blacks who, at the start of the match, boasted four victories from their first five matches.  

With the sun blazing down, the All Blacks could not cope with a Buffaloes side that scorched to an incredible 40-0 half-time break. With the game already over as a contest the second half was more subdued but still enabled Bramley cruising to a final victory of 66-4.

Aiden Baranyi and Foster-Matthews each crossed for two tries as 11 players shared the 13 tries with Kacper Mroz slotting over seven goals.

What was expected to be a severe test for the Buffaloes in their YML Shield quarter-final at home to Upton, turned in to another demonstration of Bramley’s free-flowing style of rugby as the visitors had no answer to Bramley’s strength and speed as the home side ran in 42 unanswered points.  

Daniel Booth led the way with 18 points from three tries and three goals, Foster-Matthews and Louis Morrison both scored two tries with Jack Boot scoring the other try with Martin Loveridge completing the scoring with two goals.

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Leeds Bradford Airport broke night flight rules, investigation finds

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By John Baron

Leeds Bradford Airport breached the planning condition that restricts night-time movements, Leeds City Council announced this afternoon.

A planning enforcement investigation by council officers found the airport had exceeded the number of permitted night-time movements by 25% during the 2022 summer season.

In a statement has LBA apologised for ‘accidentally exceeding’ its allocation of night flights and said it understands the impact that this has had on its neighbours. A spokesperson said it was a mistake the airport had ‘worked hard to put right’.

The report’s findings and the issuing of a ‘breach of condition’ notice have been welcomed by campaigners the Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA). They said: “No-one is above the law.”

Investigation’s findings

Leeds City Council received a complaint in October 2022. As part of this investigation, compliance against all the planning conditions was assessed. The investigation received full co-operation from Leeds Bradford Airport.

Following a robust analysis of the data, the investigation concluded that during the 2022 summer season there were 3,667 night-time movements, exceeding the cap imposed by 747.

The night time period is defined as 11pm to 7am and an aircraft movement is defined as a landing or a departure.

A breach of condition notice has been served by the council which Leeds Bradford Airport has accepted. As part of this notice the airport have accepted the requirement to adhere to the limits set out in their 2007 planning consent.

A revised monitoring framework has been put in place by the airport, to be reviewed by the Leeds City Council on a monthly basis, to ensure continued compliance with all of the planning conditions.

If Leeds Bradford Airport fails to adhere to the limits set out in the 2007 planning consent there are other subsequent measures and steps that the council can take, such as an enforcement notice to ensure compliance.

Council reaction

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said in a statement: “Leeds City Council understands the public concerns which have been raised regarding night-time flight movements and have investigated this matter thoroughly, in accordance with our established procedures. 

“We will continue to monitor the situation and if required the council has many further options it can pursue including, but not limited to, an Enforcement Notice. It is also important to note that a Breach of Condition Notice offers the most expedient response to resolve this issue for the people of Leeds, with no right of appeal from Leeds Bradford Airport.

“If the Breach of Condition Notice is not complied with this can escalate into summary prosecution that can be brought in the Magistrates’ Court for the offence of contravening a breach of condition notice.”

Airport response

Leeds Bradford Airport has apologised for the breaches, and has attempted to reassure residents that the breaches were accidental and that measures have been taken to address the issues.

Vincent Hodder, Chief Executive Officer of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “On behalf of LBA, I sincerely apologise for the airport exceeding the permitted number of night flights in Summer 2022. 

“I want to reassure our local communities that actions have been taken quickly to address the problems that led to this error.

“These new controls, alongside our continued collaboration with Leeds City Council, will ensure that LBA will operate within the terms of its planning consent. The Summer 2023 schedules have already been adjusted with our airline partners to reflect the conditions and we are working with the Council to ensure that conditions of the planning consent are understood by all parties and adhered to.”

The airport says there have been a series of factors that have resulted in this exceeding of night time movements.

This includes the technology used to report on night flights failing to record flight traffic data correctly, and the organisation that facilitates flights to UK airports being unaware of LBA’s full operating restrictions, resulting in additional night flights being allocated to the airport.

Protesters put their anti-airport expansion message across at Leeds Civic Hall in 2021.

GALBA response

GALBA said the council’s enforcement action as necessary to stop the airport violating the rules and damaging people’s health again this year.

Chris Foren, chair of GALBA, said: “Last year, we told the council that we believed there had been over 600 more flights than allowed at night from LBA during the 2022 summer season. It turns out there were actually 747 over the limit!

“We’re pleased that the Council has accepted our complaint and is taking enforcement action. Sadly, the Council has no power to impose a fine but the breach of condition notice is important. It should mean the airport doesn’t break the night flight rules again this summer – that’s good news for local people and for the environment.”

Andy Tait, a GALBA member who lives near the airport, said: “It’s disgraceful that Leeds Bradford Airport just ignored rules that its own bosses signed up to.

“Night flights are strictly limited by a planning condition for a good reason – medical research has repeatedly shown that noise, especially at night, is linked to mental and physical health problems.

“And, of course, every additional flight means more air pollution and more damage to our climate. I don’t begrudge anyone their annual holiday but there has to be a limit on the amount of flying at night and the airport has to stick to that limit. No-one is above the law so it’s good news that the Council has taken action to enforce its own rules.”

Armley carpet fitter jailed over criminal transmission of HIV

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Convicted: Daniel Shaw, of Armley

An Armley man who recklessly infected a woman with HIV has been jailed following an investigation by police in Leeds.

Carpet fitter Daniel Shaw was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court today after he pleaded guilty to Section 20 grievous bodily harm at a hearing on April 18.

Shaw, aged 43, of Town Street, Armley, had unprotected sex with the victim without telling her he was HIV positive, and while he was not adhering to his medication regime.

The victim had searched online and found a news article from October 2020 when Shaw had been given an 18-month prison term for disclosing private sexual images with intent to cause distress, two counts of harassment and breaching a restraining order, all in relation to two previous partners.

In mitigation given in court at the time and reported in the article, it was mentioned that he had HIV.

The victim became ill shortly after making the discovery and was diagnosed with the condition.

When she confronted Shaw, he denied it and claimed that she had been aware.

The victim contacted the police in August 2021 and officers from Leeds District Safeguarding Unit launched an investigation.

Shaw was arrested and repeatedly denied the offence over the course of several interviews. He told officers that the victim had been aware of his condition and that she had chosen to take the risk.

He also claimed he was regularly taking his medication, but extensive enquiries uncovered overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Medical records showed he often missed appointments and failed to collect medication to manage his condition and reduce his risk of infection to sexual partners.

The victim was supported throughout the investigation by the officer in the case and Leeds Domestic Violence Service and advised on access to wider support for her physical and psychological wellbeing.

Shaw continued to deny his guilt from the initial report in August 2021 until his plea hearing in April this year, which had added to the victim’s distress.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lambert, who heads Leeds District Safeguarding, said: “It is important that we recognise the courage that the victim has shown in coming forward to report an offence of this nature.

“She has described herself as being completely devastated by Shaw’s actions, which will continue to have a significant impact on her life.

“We hope that seeing him held criminally responsible will provide her with some degree of reassurance as she continues to move on with her life.

“This was a complex and challenging case to investigate, and we hope it will help to demonstrate our commitment to getting justice for victims.”

‘People like to shop local’: Meet the business ‘thriving in Armley’s community spirit’

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Proud: Pete Farrell runs his business on Armley Town Street. Photo: Jess Wong

In the first in a series of articles celebrating the traders of Armley Town Street, WLD‘s Jess Wong catches up with independent trader Peter Farrell, who’s run his business on Town Street for eight years

“We look after them, and they look after us in return,” says carpet shop trader Pete Farrell about his customers.

Armley, often overshadowed by negative press surrounding Town Street, has proven to be a fantastic location for Pete’s Town Street business Tri-Flooring.

He says his business has fostered strong relationships and a loyal customer base by investing time in understanding their needs and providing quality products at reasonable prices.

“People like to shop local and they like to spend money locally,” he added.

Pete Farrell has not only built a successful business but has also actively participated in the community’s development. Living in Barnsley, he still decides to leave his charity bag in Armley and support properties work locally.

Pete also embraced the ‘community spirit’ that characterises Armley, and commends initiatives like the Armley Action Team, a group of dedicated volunteers working to rejuvenate Town Street through a series of initiatives. 

“There’s a lot of negativity going about, but it’s like anywhere, every area has got problems and got issues,” he said. “The people we deal with on a regular basis, we never have any problems with at all.

“I’ve got no bad words to say about the place. A lot of people do have, wrongly in my opinion. But in eight years I’ve not had a peep, I’ve never had any issues.”

His business primarily relies on word-of-mouth and the support of its customers.

One unique aspect of Tri Flooring’s strategy is their exclusive discounts for followers of the Armley Good Stuff Facebook page. By offering these promotions only to residents of Armley, the business reinforces its commitment to the local community and encourages residents to support their neighbours.

As Pete looks back on his journey, he expresses nothing but appreciation for Armley. While others may harbour negative opinions, he firmly believes that Armley is a place of untapped potential and genuine community spirit.

Music launch celebrates Men’s Health Week in West Leeds

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Music will be performed at Broadlea Community Centre. Photo: Philip McConnell

by Helen Fay

A Men’s Health Week event at a community centre in Bramley will see the launch of a special EP of music made by a men’s group.

Next week (12 to 18 June) is Men’s Health Week, which is an annual event to raise awareness about the health challenges faced by men and promote strategies for better physical and mental well-being.

In order to both celebrate this week and raise further awareness around health issues facing men, West Leeds charity BARCA is holding a Men’s Health Week celebration event at Broadlea Community Centre on Monday 12 June from 11am to 1pm.

The event is free and includes food, live music, an art exhibition and film showcase.

The event will also include the launch of an EP made by the BARCA men’s music group. 

The group, led by Jonathan Parker, have been meeting every Monday at Broadlea Community Centre, writing and playing songs together. 

The men have composed and recorded a song called ‘Well Again’, which will be performed at the event and features on the EP. 

Jonathan told WLD: “The event is in part to launch Men’s Health Week and to announce our EP.”  

The song’s lyrics were written by group member Kim Senior, and are based on the ‘five ways to well-being’ principles. 

Jonathan said: “Kim was given the five ways to well-being themes and wrote the words that night. Kim had written poetry but not for 20 years and has been inspired to pick up his pen again due to the group.”

Kim said: “I’ve written songs in the past, and recorded a couple of songs. I used to write poetry, but not since the 90’s. Joining this group on Mondays has lifted my spirits and increased my creativity.”

Watch the video with Kim below:

More information about the Men’s Health Week launch event and the music group from Jonathan on 07927 587088 or e-mail him at: Jonathan.Parker@barca-leeds.org. Further information about the West Leeds Men’s Network groups can be found here.

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Community pushes for scheme to restore ‘rat-infested’ Kirkstall Goit to former glory

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Kirkstall Goit

By John Baron

A ‘consortium’ of organisations has been formed in a bid to restore neglected Kirkstall Goit to its former glory, a public meeting decided last night.

The meeting saw a number of community organisations and individuals come together to speak of their frustrations over the lack of action to restore historic Kirkstall Goit, an artificial channel by the side of Kirkstall Abbey Park and the River Aire.

The goit was established more than 200 years ago so water could be used to power nearby mills.

But the flow of water towards the goit was cut off around 20 years ago when the sluice gates – which control the amount of water being let into the goit from the River Aire – were closed.

The meeting heard that residents have been campaigning for water to be allowed back into the goit for much of that time – but they feel their pleas have fallen on deaf ears, despite meetings with the council and local councillors over the years.

Tony Robbins, from the Kirkstall Village Action Group, told the meeting: “The goit has just been left to dry up for years and years. It is now just a rat-infested swamp.

“When I first moved here in 1974 it used to be lovely and there was so much wildlife. There were herons, kingfishers, swans and you could see fish swimming. Now it’s just a mess, it’s just a trickle of water in parts.” 

Martin Groom, chair of the Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park group, raised environmental concerns, warning low water levels would eventually lead to overheating in summer and the collapse of most aquatic life. Mr Groom wrote about his concerns in a letter to WLD two years ago here.

Another resident said: “We either have the goit or we don’t, we have to overcome the obstacles or we don’t. Things can’t just stay as they are. The goit should have been properly integrated into the flood defence scheme in the first place.”

The public meeting was attended by 11 people at St Stephen’s Church Hall and was chaired by Councillor Hannah Bithell, with Cllr Andy Rontree (both Lab, Kirkstall) also in attendance. There were also calls for more active support from local councillors.

The meeting heard a temporary diversion pipe to the goit was installed as flood defence work is carried out and has recently been lowered to allow more water to flow through the goit.

Works to install flood defences are ongoing in the area but Leeds City Council’s flood risk manager Jonathan Moxon warned that improvements to the goit had no funding attached and required a separate ‘substantial’ scheme separate to the current £105 million flood alleviation project.

He said the issues surrounding low water flow along the goit were mainly associated with the historic closure of the historic sluice gates upstream, and that legal permission to re-open the gates would need to be gained from the Environment Agency.

Mr Moxon said that restoring the goit wasn’t as simple as just re-opening the gates, and that a number of factors to ensure water flow of both the river and goit needed to be taken into consideration.

The meeting decided to form an informal ‘Goit consortium’ of individuals and groups to look at funding opportunities to progress and design a scheme to improve water flow in the goit. It was agreed to invite a member of the Environment Agency along to their next meeting to discuss the next steps.

Flood defence works along the Kirkstall Valley are ongoing. Photo: Leeds FAS

Flood defence works delayed

The meeting heard that work on the Flood Alleviation Scheme (FAS) in Kirkstall, which was due to be finished last year, had also run into a series of delays and were now unlikely to be completed before the end of the year or early 2024.

The works are looking to reduce the risk of flooding between Leeds Station and Apperley Bridge following the Boxing Day 2015 floods which affected local businesses and infrastructure along the Kirkstall Valley.

The delays were blamed at the public meeting on a series of technical and on-site difficulties, as well as managing inflationary costs attached to the multi-million pound scheme.

Adele Rae, of the Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT), said the Kirkstall community ‘had been left a bit short’ by the scheme, pointing to concerns about work near Kirkstall Valley Farm.

“My perception of this is that we as a community have no benefits to the scheme, other than the obvious flood protection. Work has taken so long and now we are talking about the New Year,” she told the meeting.

WLD reported in March that an extra £12.56 million had been injected into the scheme to build flood defences on the banks of the River Aire to help ensure the full scheme proceeds to completion.

Council report said increased costs were a result of hyper-inflation caused by unpredictable world events, as well as the impacts of Covid, Brexit and Storm Dudley.

When it is complete, Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme 2 will reduce flood risk to a 0.5% probability of occurring in any given year (a 1-in-200-year level of flood protection) for 1,048 homes and 474 businesses.

Work has been completed around the Kirkstall Bridge Inn. Photo: Leeds FAS

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Campaign film made in Burley receives national exposure

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A screenshot of the film for Epilepsy Action

A film to raise awareness of how to support a person having an epileptic seizure is receiving positive media attention for health charity Epilepsy Action, including coverage by BBC Breakfast.

The campaign video has been devised and produced by video firm On the Ark, which is based at Cardigan Mills, on Lennox Road.

It relies on a simple shorthand: C-A-R-E (Comfort, Action, Reassure, Emergency), to provide advice on the simple steps that people can take to help someone having a seizure. 

Creative director Alex Wright explains: “We worked closely with Epilepsy Action to create the campaign C.A.R.E. It’s a concise memory hook to remind people how to respond when faced with someone having an epileptic seizure. With C.A.R.E., an epileptic seizure needn’t be scary.”

Jon Eatoncommunications and digital engagement director at Epilepsy Action says: “For most people with epilepsy the fear of having a seizure in public is very real. It could result in feeling humiliated, serious injury or even death. General public awareness of how to administer epilepsy first aid is very limited. We wanted to show people they don’t need to be experts and a few simple steps can make all the difference.

“On The Ark helped us to do this by really focusing our messaging. All you have to do is CARE. This stands for:

C – Comfort: Cushion their head with something soft to protect them from injury.

A – Action: Start to time the seizure, and clear the area of anything that might be harmful. You could also check if the person has a medical ID or bracelet with more information on how to help.

– Reassure: After the seizure stops, put the person in the recovery position and reassure them.

E – Emergency: Call 999 if the person: is not regaining consciousness; goes straight into another seizure; has trouble breathing after the seizure stops; has never had a seizure before.”

Alex Wright says: “Within the first 24 hours of its launch, our C.A.R.E. film garnered over 1,100 likes on Epilepsy Action’s Instagram – making it their highest-rated post by a considerable margin, compared to their average 50-250 likes per post. We’re delighted to have supported Epilepsy Action in their important educational campaign.”

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Wildlife and biodiversity fears ahead of Rodley housing plan ‘D-Day’

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The new Moss Lane Swing Bridge is now in place on the Leeds Liverpool Canal, as photographer by Keef Williamson in November 2022

A West Leeds councillor has stepped up his objections to controversial plans for 67 homes on the former Airedale Mills site in Rodley.

Councillor Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) has written to the council’s planning department to object to detailed plans at the site, which are due to be decided by councillors on Thursday.

The decision comes despite ongoing concerns over the reliability of a newly-installed swing bridge which is the only link to the site.

Cllr Carlill told WLD: “As well as the ongoing saga with the bridge and the significant concerns around increased parking and traffic caused by the development, new information submitted gives me further concern that protection of wildlife and biodiversity in the area is not being treated with the importance it deserves.

“This site is between the important habitats of the canal and river, and borders the award-winning Rodley Nature Reserve – a key local destination, but also of importance nationally due to its unique wildlife.

“My previous comments have made clear that the nature reserve and local wildlife should be protected at all costs and therefore I have further objected on these grounds.”

In his objection Cllr Carlill raised concerns over possible works to trees earmarked for the ecology buffer between Rodley Nature Reserve and the development and asked that comprehensive plans to ensure protection of these areas be provided.

Council planning officers are recommending councillors approve the plan in principle and defer final approval to the chief planning officer, subject to planning conditions – including affordable housing of 10 units and off-site greenspace enhancements of £50,000 – being signed off with the applicant.

Trustees at Rodley Nature Reserve have also raised fresh concerns over tree works in the proposed ecology buffer between the two sites.

Yesterday WLD reported on the concerns of Calverley and Farsley Tory councillors Andrew and Amanda Carter, who have issued a formal complaint about the way Leeds City Council has handled the controversial planning application.

Background

Detailed proposals for 67 new build to rent homes were first submitted in December 2021 by Casa By Moda (part of construction giants Caddick).

Council planning officers are recommending that councillors on the south and west plans panel approve the plans in principle and defer planning conditions – including affordable housing of 10 units and off-site greenspace enhancements of £50,000 – to the chief planning officer for final approval.

The principle of the development – called the outline stage – and a new swing bridge to the site were approved two years ago, and the bridge opened in January. 

But the plans have been met with 214 objections, with concerns including the visual impact of the development, ‘poor’ deign of the properties and concerns over access and parking.

Other objections include impacts upon highway safety, appearance and design, impact upon the community, ecology considerations and disruption to the access of Rodley Nature Reserve and Rodley Cricket Club.

Plans south and west meets on Thursday, 8 June, at 1.30pm in Leeds Civic Hall. The agenda and reports can be read in full here.

Improvements to Bramley Park play area are welcomed

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shows Councillor Kevin Ritchie, Caroline Gruen and Tom Hinchcliffe with the new ice cream van in Bramley Park

Bramley councillors have welcomed fresh investment into the playground in Bramley Park.

As previously reported by WLD, the play park’s newest addition is a mini ice-cream van that has been custom-made and installed in memory of Mr Rossi, a very special ice cream seller and well-loved figure in the local community who passed away last year.

He was best known for his kindness and generosity, always finding a way to ensure all the children in the area got an ice cream regardless of their circumstances. Now children will be able to remember Mr Rossi in their own way.

This new addition to the play park – which cost around £10,000 – follows other enhancements including a replacement of the emoji disc roundabout and refurbishment of the soft land play surface. 

The improvements to Bramley Park play area have been funded by local ward councillors, the Inner West Community Committee well-being fund, and crowdfunded donations. 

Councillor Caroline Gruen, Tom Hinchcliffe and Kevin Ritchie (Labour, Bramley and Stanningley) said: “It is a real pleasure to see local people coming together for such a good cause and to celebrate the memory of someone who really cared.

“We would like to extend our thanks and gratitude to Ali Arnison, who came up with the amazing idea in the first place. Mr Rossi’s memory will now live on in the park, whilst children enjoy this new experience. We hope they have fun.” 

Local resident, Ali Arnison said: “We had to do something in memory of the best and kindest ice cream man ever. I’m so chuffed to see my vision come to life. It looks fantastic. Now Rossi will go on bringing smiles and happiness for a long time. And I’m sure he would’ve loved it!

“The jingle might have gone, but the memories haven’t.”

WLD also reported on a similar tribute being installed in Pudsey Park.

Bramley: Former residential home to be demolished

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Demolition: 600 Leeds and Bradford Road. Photo: Google

A former residential home in Bramley will be demolished ahead of the land being redeveloped, council planning officers have said.

The home, at 600 Leeds and Bradford Road, will be taken down brick by brick by hand and the materials to be re-used, although some of it could be retained

The building is a two storey stone-built character property set in its own grounds. The land was cleared of trees prior to submission of the application and is currently cleared of vegetation with the exception of a single tree, which is to be protected under a preservation order.

A council planning officer’s report approving the demolition states: “It is considered that the proposal represents an appropriate act of demolition as set out above; the works would not be unduly harmful to surrounding amenity or be environmentally harmful.”

The report can be read in full here.