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Councillors’ concerns over Stanningley McDonald’s plans

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The proposed McDonald's site in Stanningley. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

By John Baron

Bramley & Stanningley councillors say they ‘share concerns’ over plans to for a McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant on the former Infinity Metals site on Stanningley Town Street.

The plans – revealed by WLD last week – could create around 70 new full and part-time jobs and include a new access road from Town Street, a patio area with outdoor dining space and a 32-space car park.

The proposed McDonald’s site in Stanningley. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

In a statement, councillors Tom Hinchcliffe, Kevin Ritchie and Adele Rae (all Lab) said: “We were disappointed that the applicant did not inform us about the public consultation that took place in December. We were only able to attend thanks to a local resident who notified us.

“It’s clear that residents were given extremely short notice for this consultation event and we have expressed our disappointment to the applicant.

“However, we were grateful to those residents who were able to attend the consultation event and, as your local councillors, we share concerns regarding the nature of a fast food chain opening in our community.”

A computer generated image of the proposed Stanningley McDonalds

McDonald’s claim the new restaurant will create 130 construction jobs, followed by 70 jobs once it opens. Following concerns raised by councillors and residents, McDonald’s has also reduced opening hours from 24 hours a day to 6am to midnight, seven days a week.

Councillors are encouraging Stanningley residents to comment on the application here or write to: Planning Services, Leeds City Council, Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8BB.

Kirkstall: Further delays to Morris Lane repair works

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westleedslife
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Morris Lane, at the junction with Abbey Walk. Photo: Google

Yorkshire Water has confirmed further delays to repairing a damaged sewer on busy Morris Lane in Kirkstall.

A burst pipe caused flooding on Morris Lane, between Abbey Walk and Hesketh Mount, on 9 October 2024.

It was hoped at the time that work would last around ten weeks and completed before Christmas – but engineers found the repairs more difficult due to work taking place 8.5m below ground and next to a mains electricity cable and announced in December that work would continue until March.

Yorkshire Water have now confirmed that the road will not reopen until early May.

A communication with Kirkstall’s councillors said: “During this work the existing pipe has been found to be in poor condition due to the presence of hydrogen sulphide which causes corrosion to concrete. This is gas that can naturally occur in sewers and is caused by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. It has a smell of rotten eggs.

“Therefore, further repair work to the pipe is required to help protect the pipe into the future. This will be by inserting a steel pipe and liner into the existing pipe. The new shaft will also need to be spray lined to avoid the same corrosion issues. This should ensure we don’t have to return and complete the work on this section of pipe again for a good few decades.

“Unfortunately this does mean the works are now expected be completed and the road reopened in early May 2025. This is still dependent on other unexpected engineering difficulties that may cause delays with the sewer repair and of course the work on the void once we’ve completed work on the pipe.

“After our onsite discussions in February this does include a week or two leeway as we’ve a more accurate timeframe on the pipe repair.”

The e-mail said engineers will continue working seven days a week, between 8am and 5pm.

It added: “As you’ll be aware we do appreciate that this work will be causing customers some inconvenience. Letters are being sent to the area and we’ve apologised for this. I’m sure you can understand the safety of our colleagues and the public is our primary concern as well as minimising disruption, where possible.

“Every effort is being made to repair the sewer and reinstate the road at the earliest opportunity and we continue to liaise regularly with Leeds City Council highways team.”

Comment: Cllr Fiona Venner

Councillor Fiona Venner (Lab, Kirkstall) said: “While this is clearly bad news, their new deadline does include some leeway if unexpected issues crop up.

“Their existing timeframes did not and councillors pointed out to them that this was flaw in the planning and the public would rather have a realistic picture of when the work is likely to end. We will continue to get regular updates from Yorkshire Water and attend site visits.”

  • If customers have any questions they can call the Capital Customer Experience Team on 0344 848 1099 quoting Capital YW.205827 (lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am until 5pm).

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Horsforth ladies’ gym wins recognition from Theo Paphitis

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westleedslife
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Horsforth‐based ladies-only gym W Fitness has received a business boost from retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis. 

Hannah Dudley, co-owner of W Fitness, with her mum Caroline Sheerin tweeted Theo about her business during ‘Small Business Sunday’. They were one of six weekly winners to gain a retweet or repost by Theo to his half a million Twitter, 50k+ Instagram and almost 300k LinkedIn followers. 

The weekly initiative, set up by Theo in 2010, now has over 4,000 #SBS winners and supports small businesses in the UK. 2025 sees the 15th anniversary of #SBS Small Business Sunday, since Theo launched it in October 2010.

Business and retail entrepreneur and self-confessed Shopkeeper, Theo re‐shared W Fitness’ message to his combined 800,000 Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram followers they are also profiled on the #SBS website that is exclusive to all Small Business Sunday winners.

Hannah Dudley said: “To have Theo Paphitis recognise our business is just incredible.

“As a result we get invited to his event every year to listen to incredible speakers, such as Stacey Solomon, Richard Harpin, Sara Davies and Sir Tom Hunter. The opportunities this has opened up for us is amazing. 

“It is great to have support from Theo because it’s tough trying to raise our profile and Theo has recognised our hard work and helped spread the word about what we do to his following.”

Small business champion and Ryman Stationery, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue chairman Theo Paphitis said: “We are thrilled to welcome new #SBS members every week and highlight just how important it is to support our small businesses here in the UK. 

“My vision is that everyone who has ever won an #SBS re-tweet from me becomes part of a friendly club; like-minded individuals who can share successes and learnings. The website will also give a valuable profile to the winners chosen and I wish W Fitness every success.”

W Fitness is based at Park Centre, Station Road, Horsforth.

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In photos: Sunny spring weather brings out Bramley and Kirkstall blossoms

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Photographer Susan Tellum captures the early spring weather in West Leeds.

Here’s a gallery of her photos:

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Popular support group launches branch in Horsforth

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Jill Stocks
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By Jill Stocks

Men’s suicide prevention charity Andy’s Man Club launches a new support group in Horsforth next week, the latest of more than 240 groups across the country.

Founded eight years ago in Halifax, the volunteer-led sessions held every Monday at 7pm attract almost 6,000 attendees and provide mental health support for men in a safe space. 

The latest group in Horsforth begins on Monday, 10 March and will be held at Leeds Trinity University on Brownberrie Lane. 

All of the sessions are free to attend. And the only rule at the sessions is “it’s ok to talk”. It is intended to provide a space to talk, or just listen, where men can open up without judgment. 

Nathan Atkinson is one of the facilitators for the new Horsforth group. He said: “You can be there for others when they’re feeling down and you know they’ll be there for you when you’re at rock bottom.

“For me that’s the essence of Andy’s Man Club and why I go every week.”

Andy’s Man Club was formed by the family of Andy Roberts, who took his own life in 2016 aged 23. His mum Elaine Roberts and brother-in-law Luke Ambler set up the groups to provide a safe, non-judgmental, non-clinical environment where men could talk and try to overcome the cultural stigma surrounding men’s mental health. 

According to the Office for National Statistics the suicide rate for males in 2023 was 17.4 deaths per 100,000, the highest since 1999. The age specific suicide rate, 25.5 deaths per 100,000, was highest for men aged 45 to 49. 

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Calverley Bridge earmarked for £3.5m repairs

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Proposals; Calverley Bridge. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

By Don Mort, local democracy reporter

Repairs are set to be carried out on the city’s roads following an £11.6m investment by Leeds City Council.

The maintenance programme includes work on bridges, tunnels and other structures around the Leeds road network.

Calverley Bridge. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

Calverley River Bridge

Calverley River Bridge has been allocated £3.5m for essential maintenance as part of the current year’s spending.

A council report said a contractor had already been appointed to start work on the bridge, which was being supported by temporary scaffolding.

It said: “Maintaining traffic flow over Calverley River Bridge is essential to prevent major disruption on the network.”

Weight restrictions or closure of the bridge may be needed without the repairs, causing traffic congestion on the route.

The report said: “At this point a replacement bridge would be required.”

Calverley Bridge. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield

Inner Ring Road

The Leeds Inner Ring Road (LIRR) is also included in the repairs scheme as part of a wider improvement programme over the coming decades.

Currently, the state of the inner ring road was being managed with short-term repairs.

The longer term strategy for LIRR would include 5km of retaining walls and 16 “critical” bridges and tunnels.

The report said: “Currently, the LIRR structures are managed through a deterioration strategy, with only reactive maintenance being undertaken.

“Essential maintenance is required over the coming decades to prevent extensive disruption to the city, should the structures deteriorate to a point of failure.”

The inner ring road accommodates 83,000 vehicles a day, the report said, and takes half the traffic redirected from the closure of City Square.

The current year’s maintenance funding includes cash from the council’s capital budget and central government.

The report recommends the allocation of funding for a list of at-risk road structures.

It is classed as a “key” decision, worth more than £500,000, so could be subject to scrutiny from councillors.

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West Leeds planning applications: 9 March 2025

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westleedslife
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Each week we publish a list of the latest planning applications related to the seven council wards in West Leeds.

The following applications were published on the Leeds City Council website in the past seven days.

Armley Ward

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Horsforth Ward

Kirkstall Ward

  • None submitted this week.

Pudsey Ward

Decided applications

Here are the planning applications decided by Leeds City Council this week:

Armley Ward

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

  • None decided.

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Horsforth Ward

Kirkstall Ward

Pudsey Ward

New school to join west Leeds-based chain of academies – updated

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Fountain Primary in Morley. Google image

By Don Mort, local democracy reporting service

A primary school is set to become part of a west Leeds-based chain of academies.

Fountain Primary in Morley will become part of the Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) from next month.

Leeds City Council reached a Commercial Transfer Agreement (CTA) with the Pudsey-based trust over the future of the primary.

A council report said the transfer would help pupils at the primary realise their educational potential.

It said: “The local authority has a duty to promote high standards and champion educational excellence.”

The CTA agreement allows for the formal transfer of the school to Owlcotes MAT, which is based at Pudsey Primrose Hill Primary School.

The staff team at Fountain is led by headteacher Emma Walker.

“We are happy to be joining the Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust,” said Mrs Walker. “We are looking forward to being part of a collaborative community of schools. Owlcotes’ partnership offer, and commitment to preserving the unique identity of our school, was a huge attraction to us and we are excited about the future as part of a multi-academy trust”.

Lesley West, CEO of the Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust, added: “Fountain Primary School is a great school which goes above and beyond to achieve the best for its pupils and the school community. We are excited to welcome them to the Owlcotes family and Fountain will be a valuable addition to our partnership of schools.”

A council report added: “The CTA deals with the transfer of the assets, staff, and contracts from the council and the governing body to the new academy trust.

“The academy conversion will take place on April 1.”

Fountain Primary is the latest school to become part of Owlcotes MAT after Morley Victoria Primary School joined last September. It is the eighth primary school to join the Owlcotes Multi-Academy Trust, joining Pudsey Primrose Hill Primary School, Pudsey Waterloo Primary School, Calverley Parkside Primary School, Armley Park Primary School, Manor Wood Primary School, Spring Bank Primary School and Morley Victoria.

Pudsey: M&S staff go extra mile for Leeds Women’s Aid

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westleedslife
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Pudsey M&S staff raising money for Leeds Women's Aid. Photo: Diane Sullivan

Words & photos: Diane Sullivan


M&S colleagues at Owlcotes in Pudsey are going the extra mile today (Friday, 7 March) to support Leeds Women’s Aid and are aiming to cycle 200 miles during an in-store Bike-A-Thon.

The fundraiser will support local women and children and mark International Women’s Day, which is held on Saturday, 8 March 2025.

M&S Owlcotes manager Claire Smith is confident that the 28 colleagues who signed up for the event will achieve the 200-mile target – and to lead the way Claire was first on the bike to set an impressive early morning target. 

Pedal power! Harriet Eggeling (left) and Claire Smith.

Claire said: “We do a lot to support our local community here at M&S and each year we support a different charity that is chosen by colleagues.”

The Bike-A-Thon runs until 6pm today to raise funds for independent charity Leeds Women’s Aid, and support women to live safely and free of domestic violence and abuse. 

Harriet Eggeling Fundraising Officer at Leeds Women’s Aid said: “M&S are really supportive of the charity and this is really appreciated at a time when the for demand for domestic violence and abuse services is increasing. 

“Bike-A- Thon is a great idea and fits really well with this year’s International Women’s Day theme of Accelerating Action.”

There is certainly lots of action planned throughout the day to achieve the 200-mile target and colleague Ellie Newsome welcomed the challenge as the second Bike-A-Thon rider of the day!  

Mo Alt Laheen (left) and Ellie Newsome (right)

Mo Alt Lahcen will be going the extra mile by completing a 30-minute stint on the bike while he is fasting and, along with other colleagues, sees this as a great thing to do.

Throughout the day shoppers can cheer the Bike-A-Thon team along and donate to Leeds Women’s Aid by making donations of cash, Easter Eggs or unopened toiletries which will go to local women and their children. 

If you would like to support this event please call into M&S at Owlcotes today before 6pm.  Alternatively, cash donations can be made here.

Leeds Women’s Aid is an Independent Charity based in Leeds providing a range of outstanding domestic violence and abuse services. Leeds Women’s Aid Charity Shop is located at 102 New Road Side, Horsforth, LS18 4QB and donations can be made here.

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New Wortley Community Centre goes purple!

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Litter pickers at New Wortley Community Centre.

By Rebecca Hunter

Did you know that New Wortley Community Centre is like a treasure chest for litter pickers?

They’ve got all the gear you need to tidy up, whether you’re going solo or with a group! You can even log your heroic clean-up efforts online—337 bags and counting! 

They’ve got a bi-monthly litter picking squad, so if you’re feeling the call of the wild (or, you know, the litter) drop the organisers a line at climateactionarmley1@gmail.com.

Get ready to roll up your sleeves for the Litter Free Leeds: Leeds Goes Purple Weekend! Volunteers will be on a mission to spruce up Tong Road, starting from New Wortley Community Centre and making their way to Whingate Junction. 

The event runs Friday, 28 March from 10.30am to 1pm.

  • 10.30am: Safety briefing and equipment hand out.
  • 11am-1pm: Litter picking.
  • 1pm: Snacks, drink and social.

Everyone’s welcome to join the clean-up fun—let’s make our area sparkle!

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Ofsted praise for ‘vibrant’ Lawns Park Primary School

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Lawns Park Primary School, Farnley. Photo: Google

Pupils are happy and proud to attend ‘vibrant’ Lawns Park Primary School in Farnley, an Ofsted inspector has found.

Pupils’ behaviour is praised, alongside the school’s commitment to reading and its high expectations for all its pupils.

The inspector praised the curriculum: “The school has identified the key knowledge for pupils to learn. This knowledge is thought through in a logical order. Mostly, teachers check pupils’ understanding effectively to address any gaps in their knowledge.”

The school provides well for pupils’ wider development. The report adds: “They learn about fundamental British values, understand their importance and connect them to daily life. Pupils learn about discrimination and the importance of respecting differences between people. This reinforces the school’s inclusive culture.”

The school’s early years set up is praised, with the inspector saying children are eager to learn: “A well-planned learning environment encourages children to develop their learning. Adults point out key vocabulary and connect activities to past lessons. This helps children build strong foundational knowledge in subjects such as art. Children interact positively with each other and the adults around them.”

The report also offers areas for improvement. While overall attendance has improved, disadvantaged pupils’ attendance is too low. As a result, these pupils miss important learning and the school needs to continue to develop its attendance processes.

And in a few foundation subjects, the school does not make sure that teachers assess pupils’ understanding effectively.

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West Leeds licensing applications: 7 March 2025

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westleedslife
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Cheesy Living Co is set to open opposite Pudsey Bus Station

Every fortnight we publish a list of the latest licensing applications related to the seven council wards in the West Leeds Dispatch patch.

The council’s licensing department regulates activities that require a licence, such as selling alcohol, providing entertainment, event notices and taxi licence applications. They also ensure that licensed premises and individuals comply with the law and protect the public

The following licensing application was published on the Leeds City Council website in the past seven days:

Bramley ward

Farnley & Wortley ward

Horsforth ward

Kirkstall ward

Pudsey ward

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