Plans to transform the former Wortley High School Site into 61 homes with public open space have been submitted by developers.
Keepmoat Homes wants to build five two-bedroom properties, 48 three-bed properties and eight four-bed houses. The majority of properties would be two storeys high but there are 19 that have rooms in the roofspace and the eight four-bed properties are three storeys high.
Access would be from Swallow Crescent. There would also be a small greenspace area on the site.
A planning statement submitted to Leeds City Council by Keepmoat says the proposals offer a ‘highly sustainable’ location for new homes that are within walking and cycling distance from local services and public transport. It adds:
“The details of the site layout and the appearance of the development have sought to ensure that this scheme will have a high quality, attractive character that complements the existing neighbourhood, respects the constraints imposed by features adjoining the site and provides a range of housing that is needed in the locality.”
Access concerns
The application, which was submitted last week, has so far received two letters of objection, mainly around access on Swallow Lane. Jeff Wright wrote:
“Swallow Crescent is a small street that bottlenecks at the entrance to the old school site. We understand that the street will not be widened at this point, with 61 new dwelling each with double parking that is potentially 122 vehicles exiting on a morning and the same returning on an evening.”
The plans can be viewed in full and commented upon here.
Site history
In 2015 the council unsuccessfully marketed the site for a potential two-storey, 45-unit staffed care home for older people.
The council agreed to sell the site for housing in December 2016.
The Dispatch reported last November on the demolition of the vandalised former caretaker’s house on the site.
The school itself was demolished in 2011.