Words: John Baron
Popular plants nursery Palmer Plants has received planning permission to build a new centre on its Calverley Lane site – almost a year after the proposals were first submitted
For over 35 years Palmer Plants have been growing their own trees and shrubs for sale to the public. The new two-storey plant centre building will provide a formal retail space, cafe, reception, children’s play area and WC facilities and will replaces the current building, which will be demolished.
The new car park will increase parking capacity to 66 car spaces, in addition to providing accessible parking and electric vehicle charging facilities on the green belt site.
The proposal will also provide office space for the landscaping side of the business (Palmer’s Landscapes), which is currently located off-site.
A total of 26 support letters have been received, highlighting:
- Positive and attractive design, character and appearance.
- Improved facilities for the community.
- Job creation and wider community benefits.
- Economic benefits through the attraction of additional people to the area, which would also benefit neighbouring businesses.
- Improved climate mitigation measures through biodiversity and planting.
Support has also been provided by Cllr Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley & Farsley) with no objections from other ward members. Civic watchdog Leeds Civic Trust also supported the proposals.
There was one objection over road safety and access.
A council officer’s report, which approves the application, states:
“It is considered the development as a whole preserves an existing established use whilst balancing the need for diversification of a garden centre business along with preserving its core use as such, without creating an out of centre retail destination.
“It is considered the proposals are an appropriate use of the green belt whilst preserving the wider openness of the green belt and minimising urban development through a modern and contemporary re-development which takes the opportunity to implement biodiversity improvements and climate mitigation measures.”
The plans can be viewed in full here.
WLD first reported on the plans last December.