A Farnley church which dates back to Victorian times has applied for planning permission to put up religious paintings in the Grade II Listed building.
St Makarios The Great Church is based in Lawns Lane and parish priest, the Rev Petru Ciprian Nedelcu, wants to put up a variety of religious canvas paintings mounted on plasterboard and attached to the walls of the church.
Planning application: St Makarios The Great Church, Farnley.
Rev Nedelcu, of the Romanian Orthodox Church, said:
“When the present COVID-19 crisis is concluded we hope we can open the church not only for worship, but at other times when members of the public might like to visit.
“The experience, we believe, would be spiritually uplifting and informative. It would provide an opportunity for schools and other groups to see the artistry of a fine craftsman and artist.
“Our aim is to celebrate the great Victorian building we have inherited, as our traditions merge, enhancing both.”
The paintings would depict great Biblical events, the stories of the gospel and images of Saints, according to Orthodox Christian traditions.
The church was previously known as St Michael and All Angels Church. The building was bought from the Church of England by the St Makarios the Great Ecclesiastical Trust in 2011.
Community reporters graduating after successfully completing a course in New Wortley.
The West Leeds Dispatch is growing. Since we started in 2015 as an independent and community-led online newspaper, we have brought almost 5,500 articles to thousands of readers each day, writes Anne Akers.
We’ve trained dozens of community reporters and recently launched a pilot print edition.
Our editor John Baron has been meeting himself coming backwards with all the West Leeds stories from Armley, Bramley, Burley, Calverley, Farnley, Farsley, Kirkstall, Pudsey, Rodley and Wortley – he needs help!
Community reporters at New Wortley Community Centre.
So we’re looking for a volunteer deputy editor who will help John with the writing, editing and generally supporting the West Leeds Dispatch. You’ll need to have some skills and experience in writing and editing and be able to deputise.
You’ll be supported by our board and team of community reporters and become part of a growing community media organisation.
A Farsley not-for-profit company working to support the collection, preservation, access and research of sporting heritage in the UK is leading a national celebration this week.
The world of UK sport will be celebrated this Wednesday (30 September) when clubs, museums, community groups and individuals showcase and celebrate an amazing variety of sporting memorabilia, objects, photographs, audio and film in support of National Sporting Heritage Day.
Celebrating its sixth year, the day aims to raise awareness of the relevance of sporting heritage and encourage the public to access the collections, with a particular focus this year on sharing the collections digitally. Highlights include the previously untold story of cricket at Trent Bridge during WW2 and the centenary celebrations of the GB Hockey team.
Hundreds of sporting heritage collections are available at https://www.sportingheritage.org.uk/collections celebrating momentous national and local sporting events and achievements, covering over 100 sports from across the country. Many of the collections are making their debut digitally on podcast and video, alongside written documents, and physical exhibitions.
“All sport has a past to celebrate and heritage to share. Through these heritage collections we can access hidden histories and stories which are not traditionally shared, and those sporting collections which haven’t be celebrated previously.
“We want to show how sporting heritage isn’t just about tactile objects, but also in the value and importance of sporting memories, passions and stories that we are able to capture and share digitally.”
Five times Olympian, and four times World Rowing Champion, Frances Houghton MBE is sharing her experience, sporting achievements, and discussing the UK’s passion for rowing with the River and Rowing museum in an exclusive podcast with Sporting Heritage
Celebrating the centenary of Great Britain’s gold medal win at the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games, The Hockey Museum is releasing commemorative video footage featuring the family of Harry Haslam, the goalkeeper from the 1920s team, receiving his GB cap at a presentation ceremony, along with releasing details of a 5 year research project into the unknown history of the sport.
The governing body EMD UK is celebrating 90 years of Flexercise and the tenacity of fitness instructors during the pandemic with the release of several videos celebrating the sport and community of group exercise.
Justine adds:
“These collections play a really important role, not just in terms of the items and memories themselves, but also in terms of supporting wider social, cultural, political and economic understanding and cohesion.
“Sport undoubtedly plays an intrinsic role in our society, and although we now are experiencing a time where physical participation or attendance is restricted for many, the role sport plays in our lives now and how it has historically brought people together from all different communities, ages and backgrounds, is something to be celebrated.”
The public is invited to get involved on the day by searching the hashtag #NSHD2020 to view or share collections and objects from their sporting communities that tell their sporting story.
People can also take part in two free special events:
National Sporting Heritage Virtual Coffee Morning – funded by the Heritage Fund, this free to attend online event is aimed at supporting individuals and organisations working with, or wishing to work together, to network and support each other on sporting heritage
The Family Treasure Hunt brings together collections across the UK to celebrate access to them digitally. Families can enter for free for a chance to win a prize.
A community grants programme is currently open which is aimed at supporting community groups to deliver sporting heritage activity. Further details and applications can be made here.
Matchday parking in communities around Headingley stadium already causes concern
Headingley stadium has become one of the region’s biggest concert venues after council decision-makers granted permission for the rugby ground to host crowds of up to 20,000 for music events, writes Richard Beecham.
The rugby pitch, along with surrounding stands at the Emerald Headingley Stadium previously has permission to hold two events per year for up to 9,999 people.
However, a fresh application was submitted to licensing chiefs at Leeds City Council asking to increase this to four events per year, with no more than 19,999 spectators at each event.
A meeting of Leeds City Council’s licensing sub committee met last week to hear evidence, before the decision was made public by the authority today.
A statement from the council read:
“The application was made to increase the maximum number of live music events to four per year over two weekends and to increase the maximum number of people who would be permitted to attend to 19,999.
“The licensing sub-committee unanimously resolved to grant the application, subject to an additional condition that the dismantling and removal from site of any equipment and apparatus used in connection with a music event will not take place before 8am on the day after such an event has taken place.”
It follows concerns expressed by nearby residents in Headingley, Kirkstall and Burley, who claimed such a move would make sleep difficult for families and children in the area.
During the meeting, Sue Ward, representing the applicants Leeds Cricket, Football & Athletic Company Limited, said:
“As with all previous application – the club is outlining its intentions to work with the residents, rather than antagonise them in any way.
“There will be no increased spectator levels – it will be brought in line with rugby events. Pre-Covid-19, the number of sporting events planned for 2020 was 61. Last year we held 71, and the year before 68. Even with the addition of four live music events, this is still low for an iconic venue in Leeds.”
The application went before the committee due to the amount of objections from local residents to the plans.
Richard Parr, who was representing a group of nearby residents, said:
“The stadium is slap bang in the middle of a family area. The ground is encircled by families with children.
“A lot of the evidence (in the application) comes from two events in 2019. The licence was for 10,000 people – the sound requirements are completely different for 20,000 people.
“The kind of music that will be played at these concerts – which could last up to three hours at a time – we are talking about bassy, loud, non-stop music. Bass music can be heard a lot further away.
“I don’t think what we have seen so far is enough to justify significant expansion of events.
“It’s really worrying – if this goes the wrong way, the stadium will be able to move forward with that without any review. 11pm is incredibly late. Already, rugby matches and planes wake my kids up, so this is very worrying.”
Committee member Coun Neil Buckley (Con) said: “I have got the greatest sympathy with Mr Parr and the residents.
“The noise is always very disturbing, but the only thing I would put to him is that he made a comment that it is not just about this application, well actually it is just about this application.
“Things like aeroplanes and cricket and rugby matches at night have been going on for a very long time. While there may be disruptive, this application is about this specific thing.”
Mr Parr responded: “People who have moved here recently have moved here knowing it’s a sporty area under a flight path, but long-standing residents did not sign up for the noise pollution which goes on at the moment.
“It has been getting significantly worse and louder. It feels like we’re under siege.”
Ms Ward said: “I feel like the club is tarnished with these kinds of comments, and in actual fact, we have hosted rugby games at a very low capacity and the PA has barely been turned on. I cannot understand why Mr Parr would say noise levels are getting worse, because they certainly aren’t.”
The meeting was ended, with interested parties told they would be informed of the decision within five working days. Leeds City Council made the decision public this week.
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Secondary school pupils in Leeds will be expected to wear facemasks from tomorrow (Monday).
The move comes after the city was placed under strict restrictions on Friday night following increasing coronavirus rates. The measures mean there will be no mixing between households in private homes, including gardens.
“In education settings where Year 7 and above are educated, face coverings should be worn by adults (staff and visitors) and pupils when moving around indoors, such as in corridors and communal areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain.
“As in the general approach, it will not usually be necessary to wear face coverings in the classroom, where protective measures already mean the risks are lower, and they may inhibit teaching and learning.”
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson said:
“Our priority is to get children back to school safely. At each stage we have listened to the latest medical and scientific advice.
“We have therefore decided to follow the World Health Organisation’s new advice. In local lockdown areas children in year 7 and above should wear face coverings in communal spaces.”
There is no guidance for primary school pupils to wear masks.
A Pudsey company has launched an appeal for information after part of a boundary wall was stolen by thieves.
Pudsey Legal, on Bradford Road have been targeted by thefts yesterday. Client Relationship Manager Lesley Lyons said:
“Here at Pudsey Legal, we have had some section of our boundary wall stolen in the last few days. We have reported it to the police, but they have no lines of enquiries, so they have closed the case.
“If anyone has any CCTV around the area please can you have a look at it and let us know if you see anything suspicious.”
This weekend’s Kirkstall Deli Market has been cancelled due to the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The weekend-long event, held monthly in the grounds of historic Kirkstall Abbey, have been cancelled due to a lack of traders.
Posting on Twitter, event organisers said:
“We are sorry to announce that this weekend’s market at Kirkstall Abbey has been cancelled.
“We have not had as many traders register to take part as we would like in order to go ahead with the market. If you were planning to come along the ruins will be open for free as normal!”
An independent planning inspector has turned down a developer’s appeal against a Leeds council decision to make him demolish a house he has built.
Leeds Council last month issued an enforcement notice that a new property built on the former St Anne’s Villa site at 378 Burley Road should be demolished as it is not in line with the original planning consent.
The developer appealed against the decision, saying he couldn’t meet the council’s time frame for demolition.
But in the latest twist in a long-running planning saga, the Planning Inspectorate ruled in favour of the council and have insisted the property be demolished by January 2021 and all materials removed from the site by March 2021.
Read the full ruling below:
As previously reported, residents have opposed a number of applications on the site.
The developer, Khalid Malik, wanted to create a new dwelling in place of the original lodge house, the total demolition of which was approved in 2014.
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Residents in Burley have taken pride in their community and helped to remove graffiti blighting the area.
Before lockdown, a local resident formed a group to tackle the growing problem of graffiti tagging on houses and businesses in Burley.
The group had their first clean-up day just before lockdown and followed this up yesterday with an action day painting over tagging in parts of Burley.
Pictured above is Burley Park Bridge after Cllr Hannah Bithell and local volunteers painted over the graffiti. Cllr Bithell posted on Facebook:
“I painted a railway wall and others did all sorts of other graffiti work in Burley… Thank you to Cllr Fiona Venner for organising along side local powerhouse resident Jane, Fantastic work, and thank you to the volunteers! Sorry we couldn’t have more volunteers this time because of Covid. We will organise more days so others can join in!”
Cllr Venner Tweeted:
The Leeds council’s awesome anti graffiti team out in Burley today & the before & after shots of Burley Park station bridge after @hanbithell & local volunteers painted over the graffiti (bridge painting ideal for social distancing at each end!) pic.twitter.com/LpmADQrGnj
The street McLaren Fields in Bramley is not so called because of the rugby ground that once stood there where Bramley Rugby Football Club once played, writes Mark Stevenson.
It’s because of after years of asking Edith McLaren, she finally let Bramley Rugby Club have the land they had been after on the condition they named any development on the land after her.
Although she did make them wait until she died in 1958 when she bequeathed the field to the club.
The McLaren family gravestone. Photo: Mark Stevenson
Edith’s father in law was John McLaren. John did not have much of a connection with West Leeds other than the fact that he was to become Chairman of the Board of Management of the first National Ordnance Factories.
Two of which were in West Leeds. National Ordnance Factory 4 was in Armley. The other National Ordnance Factory 5 in Newlay.
John’s son Henry has more of a connection than his father as he actually lived in West Leeds at Rossefield (spelt Rossfield on his gravestone), which was a big house with a large garden and land adjoining it (the land the Rugby Club wanted).
Rossefield Parade, Bramley. Photo: Mark Stevenson
Rossefield Parade now stands on the site of Rossefield House and the surrounding streets may well be named after it.
John’s company J and H McLaren at the Midland Engine Works on Jack Lane in Hunslet were one of the great engineering companies of Leeds. John was knighted for his company’s efforts during World War 1 and Henry also distinguished himself during the war. Henry went on to become a Director of his father’s company.
McLaren’s built Britain’s first diesel powered road roller in 1927 using their own engine. Also, they are said to have invented the traction-centre engine for driving steam-powered fairground roundabouts.
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An artist's impression of the Kirkstall Road development
Latimer, Clarion Housing Group’s development arm, has completed the purchase of a major new £200 million residential site off Kirkstall Road.
The site, which was formerly known as City Reach, comprises 13 acres of brownfield former Yorkshire Chemicals site between the River Aire and Kirkstall Road.
The proposed development site off Kirkstall Road. Image: Google Maps
The site has existing planning permissionfor more than 1,000 homes alongside student accommodation, but Latimer has started a redesign to deliver a residential-led mixed-use scheme.
The ambition is to create a thriving community alongside retail units, space for creative industries and leisure facilities, providing employment opportunities for local people.
A cultural centre and facilities for local artists will be designed as part of the future plans, along with high quality public realm and improved access to the waterfront and across the River Aire to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.
Developers say sustainability will be at the heart of the development in both the design and energy use of the buildings and the materials used in the public realm. A focus on sustainable transport provision along with improved connectivity to the city centre will be a key element of the new vision for the development.
Designs for the residential units will support home working and reflect the need for good quality public and private outside space.
As part of the plan, the intent is that the new scheme will deliver up to 35 per cent of homes for affordable tenures. The overall investment in the scheme by Latimer will be more than £200m.
Work on site is expected to begin in early 2021 with site remediation and submission of a revised planning application.
Richard Cook, Group Director of Development for Latimer, said:
“Our vision is to give a new lease of life to the site, kick-starting a residential-led mixed-use regeneration along the River Aire and Kirkstall Road which has been a vison for the City of Leeds for more than ten years.
“We want to deliver a high quality, mixed and sustainable community which sets a new benchmark for the provision of affordable homes in Leeds, with private outside space for residents alongside public open spaces, employment opportunities and car-free access into the city centre.
“In addition to homes for private sale, this development will deliver much-needed affordable rent and shared ownership homes, enabling more people to benefit from all that the city has to offer.
“We welcome the opportunity to engage with both the City of Leeds and the wider community to bring forward this scheme of significant importance.”
Councillor Debra Coupar, Executive Member for Communities at Leeds City Council, said:
“This is an exciting opportunity to create a new community in the heart of Leeds, alongside the delivery of much needed affordable housing. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with Clarion Housing Group to make this ambition a reality for our city.”
Latimer aims to help tackle the housing crisis by building high quality homes and creating sustainable and thriving communities. The profits from Latimer schemes are reinvested into Clarion Housing Group to build more affordable homes, improve and maintain existing homes and support communities through the Group’s charitable foundation, Clarion Futures.
Developers hope the plans could lead to further regeneration in the Kirkstall Road area, which was hit by floods when the River Aire broke its banks on Boxing Day 2015.
