Bradford Road, at Thornbury Roundabout Junction. Image: Google
Council highways chiefs have over-ruled a number of objections to traffic regulation orders (TROs) surrounding work on the £19.6 million A647 Bus Priority Corridor scheme.
In documents published by Leeds City Council, 14 objections were raised by the public over proposals to introduce a new peak period eastbound bus lane, and new peak period waiting and loading restrictions, on Bradford Road in Pudsey and Stanningley Road in Bramley.
All but one of the objections were over-ruled by highways chiefs, with one partially upheld.
Work to the A647 Corridor – which runs from Thornbury Roundabout, past Dawsons Corner in Pudsey to the Armley Gyratory – will include the creation of a new bus priority lane that council chiefs will shave up to eight minutes off bus journeys.
Concerns over-ruled by highways chiefs included that the new bus lane and waiting and loading restrictions on Bradford Road will make it more difficult for residents to access and leave their properties, as well as issues over accessing businesses in Bradford Road.
An objection surrounding the extent of congestion at the Stanningley Road / Hough Lane junction did not warrant the implementation of new waiting and loading restriction was also over-ruled.
One objection, surrounding waiting and loading restrictions outside residential properties on Woodhall Lane preventing food and medical deliveries, was partially upheld. The council agreed there should be no waiting and loading or unloading restrictions in front of properties 1, 3, 5 and 7 Woodhall Lane, subject to their period of operation being limited to Monday to Friday, 7-10am and 4-7pm.
In addition to the traffic regulation orders (TROs) on the A647 Bus Priority Corridor scheme, a number of TROs relating to the reconfiguration of the Thornbury Barracks scheme in 2015 were also re-advertised after it emerged that they had not previously been sealed due to an administrative error. Highways chiefs say these TROs will ensure the safe operation of the Thornbury Barracks junction.
Access to the site would be via the drive of 3 Crowther Avenue. Photo: Google
Fresh plans have been submitted to build four new detached properties on land surrounded by existing homes in Calverley.
The new proposals, on land in Crowther Avenue, come a year after previous proposals were withdrawn by applicant Frankil Ltd following concerns over the ‘over-dominant’ buildings and protected trees on the land.
The application, if approved, would see each of the homes have six bedrooms, open plan kitchens and dining rooms, a living room, study and three bathrooms.
The land bordered on all sides by properties in Crowther Avenue, Carr Road, Fraser Road and Ravenscliffe Road.
Access to the six houses would be via the driveway of number 3 Crowther Avenue.
The site is next to Full Circle funeral directors in Broad Lane, Bramley. Photo: Google
A former pub car park in Bramley could be sold off for housing by cash-strapped Leeds City Council, documents have revealed.
The car park area at the former Globe pub in Broad Lane will be put up for auction, with a council document suggesting the site could accommodate up to a couple of new houses.
The site is owned by the council and had been let to the pub. A council report says:
“Disposal of this site would divest the council of ownership and maintenance costs and would generate a capital receipt to help support a wide variety of projects.
“…Planning advice received suggests the site may be suitable for residential development of say one to two houses.
“Given the potential alternative use, it is considered the best consideration that could be obtained for the site would be by a disposal on the open market by way of public auction. Whilst some interest has been expressed by the owners of the former public house, which now operates as a funeral director, it is considered that the highest potential capital receipt that could be raised would be through an open market disposal.”
The pub closed a number of years ago and has now taken over by the Full Circle funeral directors.
Any new development of the site would have to be submitted to Leeds City Council for planning approval.
No concerns were raised over the sale by Bramley & Stanningley councillors.
Leeds Civic Hall. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
Controversial plans for a new dog exercise park in Calverley are set to be decided by councillors next week.
Applicant Nikki Goodall wants to use an area of land at the rear of Carr Farm Cottage, on Carr Road, as an outdoor pet recreation and exercise facility.
She wants to create a paddock area with rustic wooden post and rail fencing, in keeping with the conservation area and surrounding listed buildings. The proposed exercise area would open 8am until 8pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 4pm on Sundays.
The proposals have split opinion in the village, with 42 letters of objection and 47letters of support.
Cllr Andrew Carter
Cllr Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) has also objected, saying the dog park would be too close to properties on Clara Drive.
Concerns include increased levels of noise and disturbance and extra traffic, while supporters say there is a need for safe and secure space to exercise dogs in Calverley.
A report accompanying the application says the maximum number of animals of site at any one time would be eight. Staffing levels would be two full time and one part time member of staff.
Council planning officers are recommending that the plans are approved by councillors subject to 11 conditions, including that the area is used by one family or group/trainer/walker at any one time.
A pre-booking system should also be in operation, and there should be a 15-minute interval between each booking, to allow the previous customer to vacate the site.
Councillors on the south and west plans panel will visit the site ahead of their meeting at Leeds Civic Hall on Thursday, 17 February. The agenda can be found here.
Membership fees for council-run gyms – including Armley and Pudsey – may have to reduce in future to encourage more people on lower incomes to get active, a meeting of Leeds city councillors has heard.
It follows a report which stated that Covid-19 was causing people in the city to live more sedentary lifestyles, which could be storing up further health problems for the future.
The document added that many people from wealthier backgrounds were more likely to be physically active, adding that the pandemic has “widened health inequalities”.
Speaking at a Leeds City Council scrutiny board meeting, the authority’s director of public health Victoria Eaton said:
“I do think it is a critical issue around how much we can invest in removing some of those financial barriers, for example when we have been able to pull down prices or have free sessions. That is not where we are at the moment, but it is an absolutely critical issue for us to look at.
“We need to know what those financial barriers are in order for all communities to have as few barriers as possible.
“Resources is the key issue, as it is down to the service providers like us as a council, but there may be other creative ways to do this.”
According to Leeds City Council’s website, a full Active Leeds membership, which allows users to visit any council swim, gym, fitness or climbing facilities, costs £249.50 a year for adults and £159.50 for juniors.
The council’s executive member for health Coun Salma Arif said: “It would be remiss of me not to note that some parts of our community, particularly inner-city areas, can’t afford to go to the gym, because they have to make a decision about bringing food to the table and paying their electricity bills.
“I have asked the question about if we can make it more accessible with regards the cost pricing for people to access it.
“If you look at the footfall it is far larger in the outer areas and in the inner areas it is where you see health inequalities widening.
“It is something we will be pursuing over the coming months.”
The community newsroom is based at Bramley Lawn. Photo: John Baron
Words: John Baron, WLD Editor
A people-powered community newsroom has launched in Bramley, drawing together local people to help tell the story of their community.
The newsroom is run by community led West Leeds Dispatch, and is based at Bramley Lawn Social Centre, off Stanningley Road.
How it was: Bill Sunshine from Bramley Elderly Action takes down the dividing wall in the room, which used to be used for storage.
It aims to provide a friendly and relaxed base for community reporters and anyone interested in telling the story of their community to come for a cuppa, work on articles and receive advice or support.
The newsroom was put together thanks to a real community effort, including the support of local volunteers and businesses.
Making desks: WLD editor John Baron (centre) with volunteers Barry Brown and Gavin Lundy. Photo: Philip McConnell
Community reporters Iola Shaw and Philip McConnell helped to decorate the office, volunteers from the Bramley Care Bears group made two desks out of recycled pallets donated by Leeds council and Carpet Corner in Bramley generously donated the carpet.
Community reporter Anne Leng brought in the office plants and community project Shantona Women’s Centre generously gave us some chairs.
The community newsroom is open to all and features two desks for people to work from. Photo: John Baron
Dispatch editor John Baron said:
“I’ve been some humbled by how so many people have helped make this newsroom a reality – it’s been a real community effort. Everyone at WLD is really excited to open our new community newsroom, which will provide a base for the people of West Leeds to come and use – and have a friendly cuppa!
“It’s a great base for us, at the heart of the community in a bustling building with a wide variety of activities already going on.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has helped put this together – particularly the Bramley Care Bears and Carpet Corner. WIthout them we wouldn’t have been able to do it.
“Our thanks also go to Bramley Elderly Action for hosting us and for their help in clearing the room and taking down the dividing wall. We’re really looking forward to people joining us – and to running a new community reporters’ training course there soon.”
The newsroom is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am-3pm, and Thursdays 4.30pm-8.30pm. If you’re planning on popping in, give editor John Baron a call on 07446 968140 or e-mail news@westleedsdispatch.com before attending.
Bramley Lawn is based on Rossefield Lawn, off Rossefield Approach is run by Bramley Elderly Action (BEA) and offers a variety of community activities, including community cafes, events and services there.
Here’s the story behind making our community newsroom…
Bramley Care Bears care: Hard at work making desks out of recycled pallets. Photo: Philip McConnell
Bramley Care Bears have it nailed
“By ‘eck it’s a cold ‘un!’ volunteer Gavin Lundy said as the first nail was hammered into a wooden pallet in the freezing cold yard at Bramley Lawn.
It was a frosty January morning with the temperature set to rise barely above freezing all day when five hardy volunteers from the Bramley Care Bears group rocked up with woolly hats and enough community spirit to warm the coldest of hearts.
The outside of the WLD newsroom at Bramley Lawn.
With blue noses and fingers at the ready, the group looked to make two desks – named Molly and Brian – for the WLD community newsroom.
Much sawing, sanding and hammering followed – and plenty of hot tea and biscuits, as the volunteers performed heroics. And many of them came back for another couple of sessions to get the desks finished off. It was a determined team effort in cold conditions, with lots of laughs thrown in.
Volunteers showing how teamwork and community spirit makes a difference included Barry, Pete, Colin, Gavin, Philip (and WLD editor John).
Bramley Care Bears is a volunteer-run community group set up in September 2019 in Bramley.
They aim to develop a sense of community spirit, trust and support across the area and their volunteers carry out garden makeovers, Bramley Food Bank, homework club on the Broadleas, a woodworking shop and litter picks.
The carpet was generously donated by Carpet Corner in Bramley. Photo: John Baron
Carpet Corner to the rescue
Carpet Corner in Bramley came to the rescue when WLD board member Diane Law appealed for help in finding some carpet for the new community newsroom.
“We were really struggling and money was tight, so we were overjoyed when Carpet Corner very generously offered some quality carpet to make our community newsroom complete,” said WLD editor John Baron. “They were so friendly and helpful when I popped round – and the carpet is really lovely! We can’t thank them enough.”
Carpet Corner is a small family run carpet and flooring business which has been running for more than 30 years. It’s about five minutes’ walk from the community newsroom, on Stanningley Road.
It’s now run by sisters Charlotte Jones and Heather Bradburn, who took over running the business last year from their parents Rob and Gina Bradburn.
The business offers a large selection of carpets, vinyl, laminate and luxury vinyl tile flooring. More details here.
Contact us
West Leeds Dispatch is run by a board of volunteers who live and work in the area and is written by more than 50 community reporters.
Are you interested in getting involved with WLD? Do you have a story for us? E-mail news@westleedsdispatch.com.
Do you care about climate change? Do you want to make a difference to Kirkstall but would also like to hang out with your friends in the holidays?
Kirkstall Valley Development Trust (KVDT) is holding a young climate action workshop and, as part of its youth-led citizen’s assembly.
Led by experts from Leeds University, this hands-on session will help young people learn how to get their voice heard and how you can use nature-based methods to make a practical difference in Kirkstall.
It’s aimed at young people aged 11-15 years and lunch and snacks are provided. The first session will run Thursday, 24 February.
An initiative to encourage people to ‘Shop Local’ and support all Pudsey businesses has got its own website
The Pudsey Lottery is fully licensed by Leeds City Council and is managed though the Pudsey Business Network Forum. It’s been running since summer 2020 and has supported local shops, Pudsey Market and businesses.
The Pudsey Lottery pays out five prizes each month, each paid in Pudsey Pounds that can be spent in many of the local shops, market stalls and businesses. More than 23,000 Pudsey Pounds have so far been given out.
This week, organisers unveiled the Pudsey Lottery microsite, hosted by community information siteMyPudsey. The site, which includes places to buy tickets and previous lottery draw results, can be found here.
Praise: Kirkstall Valley Primary School. Photo: Google
Teachers and pupils at Kirkstall Valley Primary School are celebrating after the school was awarded a ‘good’ rating by Ofsted inspectors.
Kirkstall Valley Primary, on Argie Avenue, was rated as good in the quality of education it provides, behaviours and attitudes of pupils, leadership and early years provision. Inspectors visiting the school in January also rated it ‘outstanding’ in personal development.
The school’s last report in June 2018 rated the school as ‘requiring improvement’ overall.
There is particular praise for the school’s focus on developing pupils’ reading skills. The report says:
“Senior leaders have created an inclusive and caring ethos in this school which is exceptional. All staff focus on building pupils’ oracy skills to help them become confident and self-assured. The focus on oracy is particularly evident around issues of fairness, equality and tolerance. Pupils have an excellent understanding of British values.
“Pupils eloquently told inspectors that ‘this is a fair school’ and ‘we won’t tolerate name-calling’. The pastoral support that pupils receive is extremely strong. Staff have supported families and pupils well during difficulties caused or made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Headteacher Phil Robertson said on social media that he was delighted by the final report. He said:
“It’s lovely to read and confirms what everyone connected with KVPS already knew – that this is a good school with exemplary provision for the personal development of our children.
“I can’t express how proud and privileged I feel to be a part of this wonderful school community. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard – and lately in the most challenging of conditions – to make this possible.”
The Ofsted report – which can be read in full here – said governors need to have a clear strategy to support school improvement.
Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew has this afternoon been confirmed as the new housing minister by Downing Street.
Mr Andrew has been the MP for Pudsey, Horsforth & Aireborough Constituency since 2010 and was previously deputy chief whip.
Mr Andrew will be a minister in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and has previously held parliamentary under-secretary roles in the Wales Office and the Ministry of Defence.
The move comes as Prime Minister Boris Johnson reshuffles his top team in the wake of the partygate scandal.
Mr Andrew will replace Christopher Pincher, who has held the role of housing minister since February 2020.
Calverley and Farsley Labour Party have announced Craig Timmins as their candidate for the May Leeds City Council elections this year.
Mr Timmins will be known to many as manager of the Calverley Arms pub, as well as in his local community of Calverley, where he has lived with his family for the past 10 years.
He will be challenging sitting Conservative councillor Andrew Carter at the elections on 5 May 2022.
Mr Timmins says his priorities, if elected, will be to focus on community safety and security, boosting the local economy, and harnessing the good work of residents, community groups and businesses to invigorate the local areas.
He is also encouraging residents to let him know about their priorities in his community survey which can be completed online. Mr Timmins said:
“I want to be your Councillor because I have a passion for making the place we live better and strengthening our community ties. No areas of our ward will be forgotten. I will be a strong voice for Calverley, Farsley, Pudsey, Rodley, Stanningley, Thornbury and Woodhall. Our area will have a great advocate.”
Calverley and Farsley Labour and Co-operative Councillor Peter Carlill welcomed the news, he said:
“As a Calverley resident and local businessman, Craig knows our communities well. He understands clearly how the council, businesses and residents can work together to invigorate our areas, boost the local economy, and drive positive action in our communities.”
West Leeds Dispatch will feature all the candidates from all six wards we cover ahead of the May Leeds City Council elections.
Coronation Street actress Alexandra Mardell – Emma Brooker in the long-running soap – will be attending an open day at a performing arts school in Bramley this weekend.
LB Academy is a performing arts school and casting agency which provides weekly classes across acting, dancing and signing for youngsters aged two to 19. An in-house casting agency also offers students the opportunity to get involved in industry castings.
The academy performs regular shows throughout the year and students learn valuable life skills while having fun and making new friends.
Founder Craig Womersley said he was looking forward to Sunday’s open day and added:
“Alexandra will be joining us to keep a watchful eye on the peers throughout the open day, as she will be choosing two people to receive a one-year 50% scholarship to train with us here at LB Academy.
“We understand the impact that the pandemic has had on young people and this is why we think it is more important than ever before to make people aware of what we offer in the community.
“Whether it just be a hobby for one child or a push towards a career for another, we cater for all abilities and love to work with new people along the way.”
Class prices range from £6-£9 per week and take place Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings.
The open day this Sunday (13 February 2022) will be held at the studio next door to Monster Kidz in Broad Lane, Bramley. Full details in the poster:
