Plans for two new footbridges on the Kirkstall Valley corridor have been given the green light in principle by the council’s planning department.
The outline planning permission means the principle of building two new 30m-long bridges at St Ann’s Mill and Burley Mills has been established, but another, more detailed application will need to be submitted for the detailed design.
At the same time, full planning permission has been granted for new footpaths and cycleways and landscaping south-east of Washington Street, Burley, within Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve and near St Ann’s Mill.
The proposals link to ongoing work on flood defences as part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme.
“These works will provide cohesive access routes and improve public accessibility to the nature reserve and river frontage,” said a report submitted alongside the application.
In passing the proposal this week, a council planning officer said: “In conclusion it is considered that the proposals represent a further milestone in the delivery of a strategically important key part of the Core Strategy and the city’s ongoing commitment to developing the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme.
“This would both reduce flood risk to a large number of businesses and homes by raising the standard of protection from the effects of flooding and protecting employment in the West Leeds catchment, while providing improved connectivity and pedestrian access for recreation along with enhancements to public open space.”
The plans, which were submitted in February 2019, were approved subject to a raft of 26 conditions, which include minimising the impact on wildlife and their habitats. A full, detailed, planning application will need to be submitted ‘in due course’ for the new bridges.
