Plans for new council houses on an Armley estate have been given the green light by planners.
Leeds City Council will build 12 dwellings at overgrown land historically used for sport at Heights Lane, Armley.
The consists of two, three and four bed semi-detached houses and will provide much-needed local authority housing.
The plans received six letters of objection from four separate households.
Approving the plans, a planning offier’s report said:
“The application site is an allocated housing site within the council’s Site Allocation Plan and, therefore, the principle of developing the land for housing is clearly acceptable in principle.”
A public consultation on the development was held in November 2019. The council also wants to build 50 council properties on the former TV Harrison ground in Oldfield Lane, Wortley, despite widespread local opposition.
Playgrounds across West Leeds are set to re-open for the first time after lockdown.
Plans have been developed by Leeds City Council to reopen another 90 or so playgrounds across Leeds as part of phase two, with the opening programme starting on Monday 24th August and completed by Friday 28th August.
There are 200 parks across Leeds.
The latest parks to re-open include:
Farnley & Wortley
• Farnley Hall Park, Hall Lane, LS12 5HA
• New Wortley Recreation Ground, Oldfield Lane, LS12 4DX
• New Farnley Park, Low Moor Side, LS12 5DZ
• Western Flatts Cliff Park, Green Hill Lane, LS12 4TE
Demolished: This house was used as an undertakers until 2014. It has now been demolished. Photo: Google Street View
A former funeral directors’ building could be demolished and replaced with a supported living complex in Stanningley – less than a month after similar plans were refused by Leeds City Council.
Plans include the demolition of the existing building and outbuildings and construction of a specialist complex comprising of 12 flats and eight bungalows at The Homestead, at Wheater’s Fold, off Stanningley Town Street.
Planning officers refused the previous plans due to concerns over the design, and other issues.
Work would include the demolition of the existing garages, outhouses and a lean-to extension, and the renovation and extension of the undertakers – called The Homestead – to provide two houses instead of one.
Work is now complete on the refurbishment of Armley Library and Community Hub, one of Armley Town Street’s most iconic buildings, writes Jo Fiddes.
Opened in 1902, this Grade II listed building has seen thousands of people pass through its’ doors in the past 120 years. The most famous library user is probably the writer Alan Bennett, who was a frequent visitor to the library as a young boy.
The refurbishment began before the pandemic, and after a brief pause during lockdown, the refurbishment of the library area is now complete.
Whilst the community Hub has remained open and provided a vital service over the past few months, the lending library is only just back up and running.
Due to current guidelines however, you are still not allowed to browse the bookshelves.
Instead, the library are operating a click and collect book service. You can order your books online, or phone the library where a member of staff will make some suggestions based on your personal reading preferences.
Charlotte Batty, Community Hub Manager West North West, said:
“I’m immensely proud of our refurbished library and can’t wait to show it off properly when coronavirus guidelines allow.
“It has been a real labour of love but it’s all come together beautifully and we now have a building fit for the demands of the 21st-century without having lost any of our cultural heritage. As a community hub and library will be able to offer not just the library but also free computers, Wi-Fi, help with council services jobs support, Credit Union and much more.”
A man is due to appear in court today charged over the death of a man in Armley last week.
John Greechan, aged 37, of Highthorne Grove, Armley, has been charged with the manslaughter of Glenn Smith, aged 47, who died in an incident at his home in Whingate Avenue on Thursday, August 20.
He is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court this morning.
Jack Horsley, aged 28, of Heights Close, Armley, and Sean McLeary, aged 27, of Edinburgh Avenue, Armley, have each been charged with a public order offence in relation to the incident. They have both been released on conditional bail to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court on October 16 and 28 respectively.
A 36-year-old man has been released without charge in relation the incident but is due to appear at Leeds Magistrates Court today charged with two unrelated assaults on emergency workers. Two other men, aged 37 and 25, who were arrested have been released without charge.
One of the city’s most respected names in hospitality – who lives in Kirkstall – has announced that the popular Leeds Rum Festival will move online this September.
Organisers, the Leeds-based Rolling Social Events, say they held on to it being at its usual Corn Exchange home for as long as they could but recognise it’s not safe ‘to bring hundreds of people together in one space’.
Co-founder Samantha Fish, from Kirkstall, said:
“We’re so disappointed to not be at the Corn Exchange this year. The team there have always been so supportive of us and we really hope to be back, but even if the Government guidelines changed before September 19th, we just don’t feel comfortable gathering en masse at this stage.”
Launched in 2015 the annual event brings hundreds of different Rums together to celebrate what is known as the world’s most diverse spirit. Ticket holders get the chance to sample, talk to the professionals, and join in the popular masterclasses that explore the history of the spirit, its many guises, and flavours.
“Rolling Social Events mission is ‘to create modern experiences that connect our guests through food and drink’,” Sam continues. “We are passionate about this, and we weren’t about to let a pandemic take that away, so we got busy.”
The company has hosted seven Sip Alongs so far and most have sold out. The ticket holder gets a generous sample pack delivered to their door, a printed guide and a link to join the event on Zoom. There they are greeted by the experts in their field and are taken through a tasting session.
“The Sip Alongs are great fun,” says Sam. “We’ve hosted, Gin, Vodka, Rum, Whiskies, and Wine. People even get dressed up as if they were going out. We’ve discovered a whole new market of people who rather like socialising at home – be it for childcare, financial restrictions, accessibility, or just not wanting to hit the town. It looks like the Sip Along is here to stay!”
Leeds Rum Festival is now set to get the same treatment with ticket holders getting 16 Rums to sample, a premade cocktail, mixers and seven speakers from the Rum industry.
Leeds City Council is continuing to monitor a cluster of coronavirus cases in Kirkstall – as infection rates across the city increase.
A council e-mail circulated to Leeds residents on Friday afternoon said that as of Thursday 20 August the Leeds seven-day average infection rate was 19.4 per 100,000. Council spokesperson said:
“This follows similar patterns to what we are seeing across the region where the seven-day rate per 100,000 has increased in all local authority areas apart from Rotherham and York.
“We are continuing with the measures we have in place and would like to thank everyone for their part in keeping themselves and others safe.
“We are also continuing to closely monitor cases and take targeted preventative steps in Kirkstall, Harehills and the surrounding areas. There has been some increase in cases in the broader LS8 area, which may be a reflection of increased testing.”
By continuing to follow the guidance we can help prevent further cases and stay on top of community transmission.
These include:
Keeping a safe distance from others.
Washing your hands regularly, for 20 seconds.
You must wear a face covering on public transport, and in indoor areas such as shops, places of worship, hairdressers, libraries and healthcare settings. Your face covering must safely cover your nose and mouth and must securely fit around the side of the face. Further guidance about when and how to wear a face covering can be found here.
No-one in your household should leave home if any one person has symptoms.
If you need to stay at home and have no family or friends for support, ring 0113 378 1877.
On August 13, WLD reported how a team of eight people have leafleted houses in parts of Kirkstall ward to advise residents on how to stay safe after a cluster of Covid-19 cases in the area.
A West Leeds councillor has said the decision to pause implementing a Clean Air Zone will cost private businesses thousands of pounds and he believes it is the latest example of muddled thinking at Leeds Council.
Cllr Andrew Carter (Cons, Calverley & Farsley) believes that the delay in re-opening local playgrounds, and now the decision to review the clean air zone indicate a lack of clarity of thinking at the very top of the Council.
The deputy leader of the council James Lewis (Lab) said earlier this week that the Covid-19 pandemic has improved air quality in Leeds, and that the authority was working with the Government to understand whether pollution levels could ever actually reach illegal levels.
While it is not known if or when work on the scheme will restart, the council claims it should know further details in the Autumn once a review into the scheme had taken place.
Under the proposals, the owners of buses, heavy goods vehicles and coaches would have to pay £50 a day, while taxis and private hire vehicles will be charged £12.50 a day if their vehicles did not meet pre-determined emission standards.
The boundary of the Clean Air Zone would be the Leeds Outer Ring Road, meaning several other areas, including Armley, Bramley, Farsley, Rodley, Wortley and Burley would all be in the zone.
Councillor Andrew Carter, Leader of the Conservative Group, said:
“These are clearly very difficult times but decisive local leadership is now more important than ever and I am concerned that there is now growing evidence that things are not being handled properly at the Council.
“We have had a baffling delay in the reopening of council operated playgrounds whilst neighbouring authorities are seen to open theirs and now a decision to pause the Clean Air Zone after many local businesses, including taxi drivers and haulage companies, have spent thousands of pounds on making changes that would have made their vehicles compliant.
“The Covid-19 pandemic could not have been predicted and we accept this is a challenging environment to operate in, but what Leeds needs is decisive and coherent local leadership and I am becoming increasingly concerned that is just not happening. The ruling administration need to get a grip and fast.”
The GMB Union says taxi drivers have been forced to spend between £20,000 and £70,000 on new vehicles and its members are becoming increasingly angry and concerned.
GMB Organiser Andrew Aldwinkle said:
“GMB members have done everything they have been asked to do and have been forced into debt to do it.
“To be now told that the scheme has been suspended and is under review is a slap in the face for our members and all drivers across the city, WHO have piled up debt which may now have been completely unnecessary.”
But Coun Lewis (Lab, Kippax) said Leeds City Council was now working closely with central government to review the long-term impact that the pandemic and these other factors will have on the city’s air quality to understand whether pollution will ever reach illegal levels. He added:
“If the city’s air pollution is expected to stay below legal limits then we will no longer have the support of the government to introduce a charging Clean Air Zone. Given this uncertainty, our financial support will continue to be paused until the review is complete and we have received further direction.
“I recognise that at an already uncertain time, this latest update will be frustrating for many businesses. However, I would like to ask drivers and operators for their continued patience whilst we carry out this urgent review. I hope to be able to clarify the future of the Leeds CAZ in the Autumn.
“Many of our buses, taxis, private hire and businesses are now driving cleaner vehicles and we’ve accelerated highways schemes that will reduce traffic and create more space for cyclists and pedestrians. We’re investing in public transport infrastructure as part of our £270 million Connecting Leeds transport programme and have introduced policies and schemes to support the uptake of electric and low emission vehicles.
“Tackling the climate emergency and protecting the health of everyone in Leeds remain priorities for this council. Regardless of any future decision on the charging zone we will continue to deliver schemes that enable sustainable travel and the shift to zero-emission vehicles.”
Plans for a children’s home in Armley could receive the green light next week – despite the concerns of a local councillor.
Applicants Cambian Group want to change a six-bedroom house) into a children’s home in Billingbauk Drive.
The home would cater for three young people aged eight-18 years old on expected long-term residencies. It would employ three staff.
Cllr Jim McKenna
Councillor James McKenna (Lab, Armley) has opposed the application on the grounds that the area area is not suitable for a children’s home, there will be no chance for children to interact productively with community due to frequency of change, the lack of local services and lack of public consultation.
There are also five objections from local residents.
But a council planning officer’s report recommends the application be approved subject to conditions as the proposals meet local and national planning rules. The report concludes:
“The application site would operate within a use that would attract occupation and levels of noise and disturbance from comings and goings, akin to those that could reasonably and likely occur if a family resided at this address.
“The size of the building and its grounds provides suitable accommodation for three residents and the on-site staff. There is sufficient on-site parking for staff and visitors and the site is located within a sustainable location.”
Councillors on the south and west plans panel will consider the application next Thursday. The planning officer’s report can be read in full here.
Francis William Parkinson was born in 1858 at Ramsbottom in Lancashire. He came from a large family of eight children, writes Mark Stevenson.
He had left school and took up the trade of a stone mason. This served him well because at the age of 33 he was now the cemetery foreman at Burngreave Cemetery in Sheffield.
He may have heard through the grapevine or other means that a job was going in Leeds. He may have been in two minds as to whether he should up sticks and move his family to Leeds as he knew the job was not a popular one.
He may even have seen how unpopular jobs affected people as his dad was a tax collector.
In the 1850’s the people of Armley had to decide whether to accept the proposed new cemetery put forward by the Armley Burial Board or to leave it in the hands of the local vicar and to carry on burying people in the overcrowded church graveyard.
Hill Top Cemetery in Armley. Photo Mark Stevenson
One argument was any profit made from the new cemetery would go back into the community and not the vicar’s pocket. Such was local opposition that it was not until 1887 that the new cemetery was to finally open.
Francis seems to have thought it worth the risk and moved to Armley to start his new job as cemetery superintendent registrar at Armley Hill Top Cemetery.
He was to live at the Cemetery Lodge which still stands today next to the gates on Green Hill Road (and is currently for sale for £450,000 as a ‘hidden gem set in a rather enviable location’).
I assume he was to live there until he retired as he was still living there in 1911. He lived there with his wife Martha, his son also called Francis and his daughter Gertrude who was born in the lodge in 1893.
Both the Lodge and the gate posts are Grade ll Listed.
I feel I need to do a PostScript to this article because if you enter the cemetery from Poplar Gate you might notice a stone in the wall with the word ‘Lodge’ carved into it.
Photo: Mark Stevenson
I have never been able to find a map that shows that a Lodge ever stood there.
Detectives investigating the murder of man in Armley have today made three further arrests.
The men, aged 25, 27 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of murder over the death of Glenn Smith, aged 47, in an incident at his home in Whingate Avenue, Armley, yesterday. They are currently in custody.
Two other men, aged 28 and 37, who were arrested earlier today, also remain in custody as enquiries continue.
A post mortem is being carried out today to establish the cause of his death.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson said:
“Glenn’s family are devastated at his death in such sudden and violent circumstances and we have specialist officers supporting them at this difficult time.
“We are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries and will do everything we can to get Glenn’s family the answers they need.
“Although initial suggestions were that Glenn was assaulted during a disturbance involving a group of youths, we are now satisfied that the suspects are all adults. We believe they are known to the victim and that there is no link to any previous incidents involving the victim or in the area generally.
“We have already spoken to a number of witnesses but we are still keen to hear from anyone who witnessed that incident or who has any information that could assist the investigation.
“We know that people in the community will be concerned about what has occurred here and we are continuing to work alongside our neighbourhood policing colleagues to provide an ongoing presence in the area to reassure people.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101 quoting Operation Perchsea crime reference 13200418973 or online via www.westyorkshire.police.uk/101livechat.
