by John Baron
Controversial plans for housing at the former Airedale Mills site in Rodley could be brought back before councillors next month, a senior planning officer confirmed today.
Detailed proposals for 67 new build-to-rent homes were first submitted in December 2021 by Casa By Moda (part of construction giants Caddick).
The scheme has been subject to delays and concerns over the construction of a replacement swing bridge to access the site. 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 at the last plans panel meeting in February, councillors deferred the application for further discussions between council officers and the applicant. Issues included the layout and design of the site, off-site parking and the lack of a meaningful green space contribution.
Concerns about the the workings and reliability of the bridge were also discussed at length.
At today’s south and west plans panel meeting, Leeds City Council area planning manager Steve Butler said the plans would not be brought back before councillors until next month (June) as discussions with applicants were still ongoing.
Mr Butler confirmed there had been ‘a number of’ site meetings over the bridge and that the new bridge had still not been signed off by council planning officers.
“I should remind councillors that the bridge does not directly related to the decision-making over the detailed planning application for houses,” he added.
He confirmed new information has been submitted by the applicants regarding the design of the site and added that there had been no change so far over parking issues and green space provision.