By Don Mort, local democracy reporter
A plan to build 384 flats has been allowed to proceed after the developer agreed to provide more discount homes.
Councillors agreed to the scheme next to Armley Gyratory after design changes and additional green space were also added.
UCR Leeds Ltd sought planning permission from Leeds City Council for the project at Wellington Road and Armley Road.
A decision to allow planning permission was delayed by the City Plans Panel last month.
Council planning policy meant 20 per cent of the flats, some 77 properties, should have been let at 80 per cent of market rent.
But the developer offered to provide just seven at the cheaper rate after a financial assessment found the full requirement was not viable.
The panel gave planning permission at a meeting on Thursday after the number of discounted rentals was increased to 19.
Panel member Asghar Khan, Labour member for Burmantofts and Richmond Hill, said: “I think the design is impressive. I also do welcome the green spaces for the community.”
The panel was told a padel tennis court was removed from the plans to make more outdoor space for residents.
Separate financial contributions from the developer would include £530,000 for off-site green space improvements.
Panel members unanimously agreed to planning permission at the meeting at Leeds Civic Hall, with final approval delegated to the council’s chief planning officer, subject to legal agreements with the developer.
So the council says the developers need to let 77 of these new flats at a discounted rate, but the developer says they will do this with 19 flats? How does this meet the councils planning policy?
Money talks
Jokeers!!!
What’s the point of having green spaces next to one of the busiest roads in Leeds? Just what Leeds needs more flats, let’s hope nobody drives who’s going to live there!
When are these planners going to display an ounce of common sense? The fumes and noise and congestion will poison the occupants.
Was supposed to be 77 flats out of 400 to be cheaper rents, but now it’s down to 17 flats at an affordable price…what a joke! Not enough housing to home the legal people in this country, manifesto said that housing was a priority so that people can get a place to live..when really it’s just the developers who are laughing, all the way to the bank.
Fat brown envelopes and don’t you people sleep….
Next to a road that’s already gridlocked.