Work to reduce the threat of wastewater backing up into streets is set to begin in Burley later this month.
Yorkshire Water is undertaking a programme of works in West Leeds to reduce the risk of wastewater backing up into streets, homes or businesses after heavy or prolonged rainfall.
This will involve the installation of large underground storage tanks, four of which will be sited in Kirkstall and Burley.
Work on the Burley Village Green project is due to begin on Monday, 20 October until June next year.
Kirkstall councillors Fiona Venner, Hannah Bithell and Andy Rontree have welcomed the work, and have asked for signage to be put up to warn people that the area will be closed to the public.
“We have asked for details of any impact on trees at the Burley Village Green site,” they said in a statement.
“We are particularly concerned that some of the standard trees recently planted here by our Parks Department are likely to be under threat. YW have undertaken to replace any trees that have to be removed, but of course it’s best if trees are left in situ whenever that is possible.
“YW advise that they have no plans to remove any trees from the western edge of the Green (the side facing The Village Street) and the wooded bank on the eastern side is entirely outside the boundary of their site.
“Concern has been expressed about the proposal to cover the vent stack with a ‘poster drum.’ Burley Village Green is part of the Burley Conservation Area, and we are not convinced that it’s appropriate to facilitate flyposting by putting a poster drum here. YW will be required to obtain planning permission for the vent stack, and for any structure covering it.
“As YW’s plans provide for much of Burley Village Green to be closed to the public for approximately eight months, we have asked them whether public access to any part of the site could maintained for part of that time. They are considering whether part of the southern end of the site can be re-opened before the works are completed.”
Work at Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club has already started.
A new entrance to the works area has been created next to the existing gate to accommodate large vehicles.
Councillors say they have been assured by the project team that there is no need to remove any trees from the KECC site, although some hedging and low-level vegetation may need to be cut back along the eastern boundary.
Similar projects on Spen Lane and Vesper Road are scheduled to begin in February and March 2026 respectively.
Contact Yorkshire Water’s Customer Experience Team for further details on 0344 848 1099.
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