‘Detrimental’ plans to install solar panels at the Kirkstall Brewery halls of residences off Broad Lane have been refused planning permission.
The panels would have provided power for hundreds of students living in Abbey House, Walker House, Musgrave House, Poplar House, Olive Mount House, Grove House, Elsworth House, Graham House, Monkwood House and Oakhouse residences.
But council planners said the proposals failed to meet planning policies and added: “It is also concluded that the proposed western section of solar equipment would be detrimental to the adjacent residential accommodation.”
Applicant Cloverco hoped the new panels will make the buildings more energy efficient on the 8.7-acre canal-side site, which caters for more than 800 students.
Once again, photographer Susan Tellum has been out with her camera, capturing the breathtaking Kirkstall Abbey and beautiful Abbey gardens in the sunshine.
In these photos, Susan captures the ethereal and enchanting wildlife and the remains of the ancient Abbey.
Many artists and photographers love to explore the beauty of the Abbey and translate it into their pieces, including JMW Turner, Thomas Girtin and John Sell Cotman.
Surrounding the ruins of the Abbey are the Abbey House Gardens, which are a beautiful and peaceful place to go for a walk, smell the flowers and look around!
Here’s a slideshow of photos from the Abbey gardens and the nearby cenotaph:
The Abbey House Gardens are supported by volunteers from the Friends Of Kirkstall Abbey Park group, who assure that the gardens are cared for.
Susan Tellum said: “The Abbey House Gardens are a credit to the volunteers and with a visit. Smell the honeysuckle and roses! And there are fine roses planted at the Kirkstall cenotaph too.”
The planters around the cenotaph are looked after by volunteers from Kirkstall in Bloom.
Roses at the cenotaph. Photo: Susan Tellum
There are also many interesting activities and community groups to get involved in based around the park and gardens, such as the Live Well at Leeds gardening group which focuses on both looking after and expanding on the nature and environment.
Abbey history
Kirkstall Abbey is a ruined medieval monastery which was founded in 1152 by a community of monks from Fountains Abbey as a place of religious worship housing monks and nuns.
Monasteries such as Kirkstall were major for all Cistercian European society, their initial intention was to serve as a religious community devoted to the continual worship of God.
However, it was surrendered to Henry VII during the dissolution of the Monasteries in late 1540 and remains in the same state from the destruction.
Although it is not the same as it was when first built, Kirkstall Abbey is in fact one of the most complete and best reserved Cistercian Monasteries in Britain- the church still stands to roof level!
Another aspect of history also in Kirkstall, located just outside the park of the Abbey is the Kirkstall cenotaph.
It commemorates the men of Kirkstall who died in World War I and World War II and is a space to allow others to pay their respects.
Photo shows (second left) Heritage Officer Alison McMaster at the Sunny Bank Mills Archive with students at West SILC.
An acclaimed West Leeds special school has moved into the historic Sunny Bank Mills complex in Farsley.
The Post-16 department of the West Leeds Specialist Inclusive Learning Centre (West SILC) is now based in the recently renovated Mending Rooms at Sunny Bank.
Rob Lakewood, of West SILC, explained: “The post 16 department of our school has been based in Farsley at Springfield Commercial Centre for the past six years, which has been perfect for developing our pupils’ confidence, road safety and employability skills.
“The Mending Rooms represent the next step in our journey. This space is our employability setting, developing key skills in specific job sectors that give our young people genuine opportunities to work towards employment.
“Being based in the heart of Farsley enables our pupils to take full advantage of all the amazing opportunities the village can offer our young people. Having previously worked on an exciting project with the Sunny Bank Mills Archive, we have a great insight into what Sunny Bank can offer us.
“Facilities such as the Mill Kitchen, Grumpy’s, Amity Brew and Scrap Creative have enabled us to show our students how we can give them aspirational opportunities.
“I’d like to thank John and William Gaunt, the co-owners and managing directors of Sunny Bank Mills, who have been so supportive of our school and our students. Having first spoken to John over three years ago, he was kind enough to put us in touch with the mills’ Archive and run a careers session about Sunny Bank Mills for our young people.”
John Gaunt welcomed the move. He said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome West SILC to Sunny Bank. They have played a pivotal role in our Archive project, called Weaving the Web, which has created a special online collection. This currently features 50 unique objects from our Archive that can now be viewed from every angle, thanks to 360-degree photography.
“I am full of admiration for the innovative and ground breaking approach Rob and the West SILC team have towards preparing their young people for life beyond their school. I am happy that Sunny Bank Mills and its community can contribute to that journey. In turn, they will add a new dimension to our community and the ongoing regeneration of the mills.”
During the past ten years Sunny Bank Mills has been transformed into a modern office and mixed-use retail and leisure complex for the 21st century, welcoming 100 new companies and creating 400 sustainable new jobs.
While the majority of Sunny Banks Mills is occupied, four spaces are available very soon, 1768 sq ft at the Spinning Mill, 977 sq ft in the 1912 Mill and 556sq ft in The Old Engine Rooms. The letting agent for these offices is Sarah-Jayne Lishman of boutique Leeds property consultancy Dove Haigh Phillips. Contact 0113 457 5551.
An area of land outside Pudsey Parish Church will be revamped. Photo: Google
By John Baron
A start date for work to transform an area opposite Pudsey Parish Church into a Jubilee pocket park has been revealed.
The scheme will transform a small piece of land, which has been used as an informal parking area, into a garden featuring planting and two commemorative benches marking the late Queen’s platinum jubilee.
Contractors Colas are set to start on site Monday, 26 June.
A council spokesperson added: “Some programming matters relating to other schemes ended up pushing this back slightly but we have a fixed date, the road permits are in place and the contractor is resourced up to start.”
Cllr Simon Seary (Cons, Pudsey) welcomed the start of work. He said: “I’m looking forward to the work actually starting, which will see the small waste land transformed into a small pocket park in front of Pudsey Parish Church.”
WLD reported in February that the final scheme had been signed off by council chiefs, following delays and some local opposition to the loss of the informal parking spaces.
Residents living in the Victoria Park area have mixed reactions to the upcoming permanent road closure scheme – but concerns remain over road safety following another collision at the weekend.
Following a series of car crashes in the area, the council’s highways officers are looking to push the scheme forward to tackle rat running and speeding between Broad Lane and Raynville Road in Bramley.
Proposals aim to stop vehicles rat-running between Broad Lane and Raynville Road, “while exploring the addition” of pedestrian crossings to help residents cross the road safely and easily.
A local resident contacted WLD following a crash involving two cars on Victoria Park Avenue and Raynville Avenue on Sunday, 11 June, which led to one person breaking their arm. “For all those thinking the Victoria Park rat run is OK, that’s now six crashes on that corner in seven years,” they said.
Gina Morris, a local resident who has been living in the area for 45 years, expressed her worry regarding speeding traffic.
“Every day. It happens every day,” she says. “It’s just a 20 mile-an-hour road here, but a lot of cars just go over 20. For years I have been living in this area, and I have noticed at least seven severe car accidents at the junction between Lancaster Grove and Victoria Park Avenue.
“There are a lot of young children living in the estate; they cross Victoria Park Avenue and go to Hollybush Primary School every day.”
An artist’s impression of the proposed scheme.
She also mentioned her concerns the scheme would cause inconvenience and increase traffic on nearby roads.
“We are living in Lancastre Grove; if the scheme happened, we would not be able to pass through it and would need to pass by Victoria Park Avenue to get to Broad Lane. It will be another five-minute drive.
“But the Avenue is always busy. Somehow the scheme might just put the traffic elsewhere.”
A permanent road closure to vehicles is planned at the junction of Victoria Park Grove and Lancastre Grove (A & B on map)
George Dawes, a student whose grandma lives on Kirkstall Avenue, mentioned the busy traffic and issue of speeding in the area.
He said: “Broad Lane is very busy, especially at 8am–9am in the morning, it takes more than 15 minutes just to get down the hill.
“There are lots of cars speeding up and down this road (Kirkstall Avenue). My grandma is living here, and she has lots of cats; there were two times her cats got knocked down by cars. I think the permanent road closure might help to reduce traffic here.”
A permanent road closure to vehicles would be located on Kirkstall Avenue at the junction of Abbey Avenue (D on map).
Mick Douglas, an elderly man who has been living in the area for 35 years, thinks the traffic is safe in general. “This is a quiet area. This neighbour is a good one. I don’t mind having road closures since I don’t drive. I think there is not much to worry about in this area.”
A permanent road closure to vehicles would be located on Kirkstall Mount at the junction of Victoria Park Grove (C on map).
Some of our readers also shared their thought when we last reported on the scheme in April.
Rod Whiting suggested that there are other methods to slow traffic down.
He commented: “I thought the original plan is to put jogs and deviations in. This would make the shortcuts unappealing,” he said. “However, I see we are getting completely blocked off in the middle.”
Jim Miller is worried about causing more traffic on other roads: “This will make life hell for parcel delivery people as well as adding to the queuing traffic at Kirkstall Bridge lights and the lights at Bramley Centre. Outgang Lane will carry at least three times the amount of traffic it does now.”
WLD has previously reported on traffic issues here. Local resident Paul Chatterton had been campaigning for action to make Victoria Park Avenue, at the junction with Lancastre Grove, safer following a number of collisions and near misses on the road.
Frank Bruno receives a rugby shirt from Sharon Burke, from the James Burke Foundation. Photo: Paul Abraham
Photos: Paul Abraham
Former boxer Frank Bruno received a rugby shirt from a West Leeds-based charity when he attended an event which discussed mental health services from a black male perspective.
Leeds Black Health Initiative held its “Black Men in Conference” event at Leeds Civic Hall to learn, reflect and identify areas for change.
Mr Bruno was the guest speaker and received a James Burke Foundation rugby shirt from Sharon Burke, who runs the West Leeds-based mental health charity in honour of her son who took his own life in 2017.
Mr Burke was one of the keynote speakers along with Dr Habib Naqvi, chief executive of the NHC Race and Health Observatory, Chief Inspector Darren Beech of West Yorkshire Police, and Sharon Prince, a clinical and forensic psychologist.
Bramley-based Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan (pictured above, right) was one of the MCs.
Sam Neave goes over for Bramley Buffaloes. Photo: Mick Wormald
by Paul Abraham
It was deja vu as Bramley romped to the same 68-12 victory against the Scarborough Pirates as they did earlier in the season in the Yorkshire Mens League Shield Competition.
Great credit to the Pirates for travelling from the East Coast in cars to play a match which they probably knew was going to be another big defeat.
They came and gave 100% up to the final minute and despite the score didn’t lose their discipline or resort to cheap shots as some other teams would have.
The blistering sun matched a Bramley side running hot. Half time came with the Buffaloes in a commanding 34-6 position.
As the heat sapped the energy levels in the second 40 minutes for both sides, errors became common place, however the Buffaloes kept their expansive game plan going and eventually as the final whistle went the score had mirrored the season’s earlier contest.
Bramley Buffaloes’ Kieran Hudson runs in a try against Scarborough. Photo: Mick Wormald
The 13 tries were shared throughout the team with Jamie Donnelly, Daniel Booth, Steve Neave, Keiran Hudson all crossing for a brace of tries each and successful goal kicks coming from Martin Loveridge (5) and Michael Wright (3).
The comment of the match came from a Scarborough player when he said: “Never had chaffing as bad as today.”
The team travel to Batley Boys on Saturday hoping to avenge the heart-breaking last second defeat of earlier in the season when the Buffaloes were outstanding and dominated the match only to fall with the last play of the match.
The Buffaloes are top of the table with Batley occupying second place but they have won five from five this season, so a tough encounter is expected, but with the Buffaloes selecting from strength and with confidence sky-high, coach Steve Langton and the boys will be looking to come back to West Leeds with the spoils.
The “Buffs” good fortune with cup draws continues as in the semi-final of the Yorkshire Mens League Shield Competition they have been drawn at home to Keighley Albion Academy on Saturday, 24 June.
Bramley are hoping fans old and new will be there in force to cheer the team on as it attempts to reach the final which will be held at Featherstone Rovers Post Office Road ground on Saturday, 15 July.
After the second team’s recent 44-0 home victory over Guiseley, the Buffaloes are hoping to arrange another fixture in the very near future.
The match provided action for many of the club’s younger players with hooker Dylan Murphy scoring a hat-trick of tries and two goals to claim a personal points haul of 16 points.
George Carpenter crossed for two tries while Ben Blanchard, Lewis Johnson and Lewis Gaunt scoring the other tries while Tom Jenkins kicked four goals to complete the scoring. In February when the Buffaloes felt they could be struggling to field one side and it’s great credit to the club and the coaching staff to now be in a position to field two sides.
New Wortley Food Festival was held on Jailey's Field in 2021. Photo: Michelle Corns
Residents in Armley and New Wortley are being urged to attend a public meeting to help bring a neglected community space to life.
Tomorrow (Thursday 15 June) will see residents hold an informal get together to form a Friends of Oak Road Recreation Ground group which will champion and help improve the area, which is also known as Jailey Field and is situated behind the jail.
The meeting will be held on Thursday, 15 June between 12pm and 1.30pm at New Wortley Community Centre. All welcome to attend.
For more information, contact 07856 785904 or e-mail Victoria.kortekaas@newwortleycc.org.uk.
Vandals have hurled stones at buses in west Leeds, a council committee has been told today, amid calls for a crack down on rising anti-social behaviour.
The number 15 bus, which runs from Farnley to Logic Business Park in east Leeds, via the city centre, has been targeted with missiles, local councillor David Blackburn said.
Conservative councillor Amanda Carter added the incidents were a symptom of a wider problem with youth crime in west Leeds, which she claimed has “gone beyond a joke” and is intimidating residents.
Teens from affluent areas as well as deprived ones are responsible for the troubles, a meeting of the council’s outer west community committee heard.
Speaking during a debate about CCTV, Councillor Blackburn, who represents Farnley and Wortley ward for the Green Party told the committee: “We’ve had some problems recently with the number 15, with people chucking stones at it on an evening.”
The committee chair, Councillor Carter, who represents Calverley and Farsley for the Conservatives, said she and others were “really unhappy with the amount of anti-social behaviour in our wards.”
She said: “We are taking the police to task about this.
“It’s not good enough. Especially with the summer holidays coming up, we must make sure that kids are distracted. If they’re not distracted, there must be a clampdown because they can’t be allowed to throw stones at buses.
“It’s beyond a joke and people are so frightened they’re not able to leave their homes sometimes.”
Councillor Carter later said there were “two groups” of youths responsible for causing trouble, one of which she said came from “affluent homes”.
She added: “They’re just bored and they think it’s fine to go and smoke cannabis and annoy neighbours and that kind of thing.
“There’s another group of kids who are from another part of our ward who are under-privileged. These are kids that I really worry about, because some of them won’t be in education. If they’re not in education then they can be lost.
“This is where youth services comes in. We’ve got to try to reach those kids first.”
The Outer West Community Committee is made up of nine councillors, three each from Calverley & Farsley, Farnley & Wortley and Pudsey wards. Today’s meeting was held at Farnley Hall.
Lengthy waiting lists for child swimming lessons in Leeds have been partly blamed on a shortage of qualified teachers.
Leeds City Council said it was trying to train more swimming teachers “every month” in a bid to grow capacity.
The news comes just days after the Swimming Teachers Association (STA) and Swim England said there were 12,000 vacancies across the country – a shortage the latter said needed “urgent” attention.
A backlog of lessons dating back to Covid, when pools were shut, is also a factor behind the waiting list, councillors on Leeds’ adults and health scrutiny board were told on Tuesday.
Steve Baker, head of the council’s leisure arm, Active Leeds, said: “We do have waiting lists across the board in terms of swimming lessons.
“We’ve now 1,500 more children learning to swim than what we had pre-pandemic.
“There is a backlog from Covid when people weren’t able to get in the pool. We’re just trying to catch up on that front.”
“There are workforce issues which prohibit us a bit, because we don’t have the volume of teachers coming through to enable us to grow capacity.
“But we’ve made some big improvements. We are now training a lot more swimming teachers every month.”
Mr Baker said 90 per cent of schools across the city were using council-run pool for swimming lessons, while the leisure centre workforce is becoming more diverse.
He added: “There are some challenges still, but we are starting to make some headway in terms of the waiting lists.”
Last week, the Swimming Teachers Association said more than 600,000 children across the country could be missing out on lessons. It warned many of those youngsters “may never learn a skill that could one day save their life”.
Dave Candler, the STA’s CEO, said: “The issue of swimming teacher shortages has been a subject of concern for the leisure industry for many years, with the pandemic exacerbating the problem as our initial research in 2021 identified.
Plans to move a private members’ club to a new location in Armley have been submitted to Leeds City Council planners.
Applicant M Cooper wants to move swingers club Pandora from its current base in a former shoe warehouse unit in Ledgard Way in Armley to a nearby basement unit used for storage associated with a pet store at 206 Armley Road.
The proposal includes a reception area, and bar serving only non-alcoholic drinks and 12 private rooms. Other facilities include changing areas, WC’s and ancillaryoffice/staff facilities.
A planning statement submitted with the application states: “The premises propose to provide a discreet, clean, safe and controlled environment for like-minded adults to meet and potentially engage in legal sexual activities, within the private rooms provided. The most accurate general description would be ‘a swingers club’.”
The statement adds that club offers a safe place for members to meet.
“The benefits of the club to the safety of members are substantial. “If such clubs were not to exist then members would be likely to look for alternative ways to meet like minded adults and engage with them if they were compatible,” the statement adds.
“All of the alternatives, such as meeting on the internet and then in public or private place are less controlled and ultimately less safe, particularly for more vulnerable persons.
“Although many people who meet outside of adult clubs are respectful people, some do engage in illegal sexual activity in public places, which is a problem in parts of Leeds area. The club will provide an alternative that will help to reduce illegal sexual activity in public.”
The applicant says there proposed use is not considered to be noisy when compared to a night-club. The group of buildings in the area share an 88 space car parking area.
The club would stay open until 2am on Friday and Saturday nights, and to midnight on Thursday and Sunday.
Plans to build three new apartments at a redundant Grade II Listed builder’s yard in Pudsey have been refused by Leeds City Council planners.
London-based Keygo Property Investments wanted permission to build three, two-bedroom apartments with parking at the Tannery Yard off Claremont Grove. The new block would have been three storeys high.
But a council planning officer’s report raised problems with the impact on the ‘listed’ – preserved – buildings on the site. It concluded “The proposal is considered to have a significant detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the street-scene through loss of the gap provided by the former tannery yard.
“The level of impacts on neighbours living conditions would be unduly harmful through overlooking, dominance and overshadowing due to the proposed building’s close proximity to the neighbouring residential development to the north.
“Concerns also exist regarding greater on street parking for existing flats as the proposal would remove the existing parking and bin siting for the flats at ‘The Tannery’.”
Applicant Keygo had argued that the new block would reflect the character of the adjacent historic buildings in terms of scale and appearance.
The refused plans can be viewed in full here. The applicant can appeal against the decision.
