Extra £2m put towards mass transit system which could run through West Leeds

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July 9, 2020

An extra £2 million has been put towards the development of a mass transit system which could run through part of West Leeds and beyond, writes David Spereall.

Plans to build a network connecting the centre of Leeds to its suburbs, as well as Bradford, Dewsbury and Castleford were first discussed last year.

The system may take the form of a tram, light rail or rapid bus network, though if built it’s unlikely to be up and running before 2033.

Purse-string holders at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), which oversees transport in the region, announced the extra money on Wednesday.

They say it will help support an assessment of the route options at their disposal, as well as an analysis of what mode of transport may be best.

Under the current provisional proposal, one line would serve Holbeck, Armley, Bramley and Pudsey before heading into Bradford and North Kirklees, ending at Dewsbury.

Line two would link Leeds Dock, Temple Green, Tingley, Woodlesford and Castleford.

A third route appears to go through Leeds Station to Leeds Arena, St James’ Hospital, Harehills, Seacroft and on to Thorpe Park.

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake said:

“It is more important than ever that our plans to improve transport across the region move forward as quickly as possible to support the economic recovery while taking into account the full impact of COVID-19 and potential long-term changes to how people work, travel and access services.”

Local council leaders also hope that the devolution deal recently struck with West Yorkshire will unlock more cash for the project.

The leader of Wakefield Council and chair of WYCA’s investment committee, Denise Jeffery, said:

“Our continued investment in schemes that help improve our transport network while tackling the climate emergency will be essential in the region’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Improved transport is vital to ensuring that we create a more inclusive economy that benefits all our communities.”

Bramley: New children’s home gains planning approval

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July 9, 2020

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A cafe and house will be turned into a small children’s home in Bramley.

Leeds City Council has approved plans to transform the Broad Lane property into a residential children’s home providing care for two children under 16 years old.

Staff would provide 24/7 parenting support which would mirror that of a family home, for example two adults and maximum of two children.

The house above the café will provide the actual home. What is currently the café will have a separate entrance located off Broad Lane and will be used as an office or an on-site educational facility should the children require home education.

Applicant CoreHubz say in their planning application:

“The primary aim of Broad Lane is to provide long-term support and individual care packages to young people who have faced significant loss and trauma in their lives and are not able to live with their families or in foster care.
“Staff and managers at Broad Lane will work in close co-operation with young people, parents / carers, social workers and other professionals to
ensure the young people reach their full potential.
“Broad Lane, in co-operation with the young person their parents / carers and relevant professionals, will aim for the looked after young person’s needs to remain at Broad Lane until ready to move into semi-independent living.”

Letter: Time for new lease of life for Pudsey town centre

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westleedslife

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July 9, 2020

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pudsey town hall — Pudsey Town Hall. Photo: Chris Heaton

As a former Pudsey resident sadly now exiled to another part of West Leeds, I’ve been reading with interest for some time the Dispatch‘s coverage of the issues facing Pudsey town centre.

It’s great to see initiatives like the Pudsey pound and the monthly farmers’ market, which are undoubtedly positive moves, but I think we need to be need to be more radical.

Visiting the town on a shopping trip recently, it’s clear that despite the marvellous ‘planting’ efforts made by volunteers from Pudsey in Bloom, the town is in need of major investment other town centres like Morley and Rothwell have had over the years.

The public realm desperately needs improving. Take a look at the pavements – some of them are a mess, particularly around the card shop and Boots area on Church Lane which are a hotch-potch of tarmac and paving. Armley Town Street, which has many social problems Pudsey doesn’t, received major lottery money for new pavements with slabs depicting the area’s history (like the Armley hippo!). It got new roadside barriers and new heritage shopfronts were brought in. Pudsey needs something like this.

We need a plan! Pudsey needs a coherent strategy for change and a town centre manager or voluntary group to lead this change and attract investment/business. What’s the future of town centres in general? Sure, people’s shopping habits have changed (online and supermarkets rule) so how do we get a town centre with a proper mix of leisure, retail? What other things can we have to engage people? What’s the vision for town centres in 2030? With a bit of vision, Pudsey can lead the way.

Put some effort into the market. Unemployment is about to soar, why not encourage people to set up their own businesses in the market? Offer cut-price pitches or something? Maybe put the market into community ownership, a bit like Bramley Baths?

The Town Hall needs to be part of that strategy. Let’s face it, I doubt the Town Hall will be here in its current form in five years. It’ll be flats or something. It’s not realistic to see Leeds City Council keeping that building going given it’s not well used and they have no money. What could it be used for? Anyone with out of the box ideas? Community ownership? Let’s have a proper community conversation about this.

I’d look at forming a town council to give us more of a voice. Look at Morley, Otley, Aireborough, Horsforth etc – there’s only Pudsey that doesn’t have one. I know going back to pre-1974 could be seen as viewing things through rose-tinted glasses, but it would be a way of encouraging community activity. (Although I do worry it might become another Labour-Conservative party political boxing match which Pudsey seems to specialise in).

Pudsey needs backing with proper marketing. Even if it’s just something on social media.

I know Pudsey’s not Ilkley and nor do I want it to be. But it should have a great future. I’m too old to be organising this sort of thing, but perhaps getting the people of Pudsey more involved in some sort of group or campaign?

Let’s get the town centre and its market back to where it was with a bit of bottom up vision and passion.

B. O’Reilly (Mrs)

Mark’s History: The Bramley back-to-backs demolished due to subsidence

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July 8, 2020

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Henley Crescent/View was a block of back-to-back houses in Bramley, writes Mark Stevenson.

They were demolished around the late 80’s due to subsidence.

The reason for this it was said, was due to a quarry – and that is the bit that intrigues me: why did it not affect any of the other houses?

**The circles show where the quarries were and the square is Henley Crescent**.

In the 1840’s the land was owned by the Earl of Cardigan and rented to James Arundel and is marked down as fields.

They remained as fields until the early 1900’s when the Henleys were built.

That’s not to say there were no quarries in the area, there were at least four, three of which have been built on Westover Avenue/View/Road area, Rossefield Grove and the ambulance station with no subsidence.

The fourth which was the largest of them is still just a field on Railsfield Rise.

The subsidence I don’t doubt, but subsidence due to a quarry affecting just that one street? I find that puzzling.

From the Foreign Office to Farsley: Fashion boutique relocates as COVID-19 lockdown eases

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July 8, 2020

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As lockdown eases across Yorkshire, Dawn Farr is opening the doors to her new independent ladies boutique in Farsley.

Following three successful years in nearby Stanningley, Apparel Leeds has relocated to Town Street, the village where Dawn grew up.

It is a homecoming for the former British diplomat, who spent almost 30 years working across the globe in the Foreign Office.

Selling quality contemporary fashions, footwear and accessories, Apparel stocks local brands including Laurelle Woman, the Jewellery Makers, Twice Fired, Forme Jewellery and Denbie’s Candles.

Apparel also stocks much-loved English brand Sugarhill Brighton, alongside leading European brands Soya Concept (Sweden), Garcia Jeans (the Netherlands) and Fly London (Portugal).

Dawn Farr, owner of Apparel Leeds, said:

“The time was right to return to Farsley, both personally and professionally. I’ve had three fantastic years in Stanningley but Farsley is where my heart lies. I’ve already had amazing feedback from the local community, and they are as excited as I am about a new boutique opening on Town Street.
“Opening during a global pandemic naturally brings its own challenges. Whilst it won’t be ‘business as usual’ for some time, I’ve put everything in place to make sure that shopping at Apparel during the ‘new normal’ is as safe and comfortable as possible.
“There will be a maximum of two people in the shop at any one time and I’ll be offering an appointment-only service on Thursdays for those who need the shop to themselves, such as those who are shielding.”

Dawn prides herself on the exceptional customer service offered at Apparel Leeds, people skills she developed during her time in the Foreign Office. Dawn spent 12 years living in Latin America in addition to stints in Cyprus, South Korea, Turkey, Bulgaria and Portugal.

Apparel Leeds will be open from 11am – 3pm, Wednesday to Friday and from 10am – 2pm on Saturday. An appointment-only service will be available on Thursday. To book an appointment, and for further information visit the website.

The Dispatch reported in March how a fashion show run by Apparel in Pudsey had raised cash for Stanningley-based Wills Way charity.

‘Nuisance’ Pudsey pub to become flats

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July 7, 2020

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Plans to transform a ‘nuisance’ former 19th century Pudsey pub into flats have been approved by Leeds City Council.

The Boar’s Head, on Roker Lane, has stood empty since 2003 and plans to transform it into five apartments, with new windows and doors, will see the building converted into residential use.

A planning officer’s report approving the development concludes:

“The proposal will regenerate a long-standing derelict nuisance property, with a quality refurbishment scheme. The proposal will also deliver new housing in a sustainable location, which will have a positive impact on the character of the locality.”

The proposals were approved subject to 12 conditions, including new stonework being natural stone and the final approval of new window designs.

Planning permission was granted last December for the demolition of the pub and the construction of a pair of semi-detached properties. Last May council planners refused permission for a row of three terraced properties.

The Boar’s Head is one of four pubs on about a mile stretch of road that has closed in the past 20 years. The White Cross, the Regent and the Weasel also shut their doors; only the Fleece on Fartown is still in business.

All articles on the Boar’s Head planning saga can be read here.

Letter: Bus facemask policy needs tightening by government

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westleedslife

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July 7, 2020

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Has anyone else encountered the following? I travelled on a bus for the first time on Monday, 6 July, suitably masked. Of three of us upstairs two of us wore masks one person did not, which I assumed must have been because of a medical condition.

However, on the journey home I was one of four people travelling on the upstairs and I was the only one wearing a mask.

Having asked the bus driver how that was possible as I understood that if you didn’t have a mask you couldn’t travel on public transport.

I was told that drivers were not allowed to challenge anyone travelling without a face covering.

I had intended writing a complaint to the bus company, but decided to check the government guidelines, and to my horror discovered the amount of exemptions was a complete joke.

Quite frankly, I feel that responsible people are being put at risk by many who just can’t be bothered to consider the people around them.

I am in complete agreement with people who have a medical condition not wearing masks, but it should be possible to confirm this. I also think the government need to take a serious look at the guidelines and tighten them considerably, before we enter a second spike.

regards, P. Wood (Mrs)

Photo and video company move into historic Farsley mill

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July 7, 2020

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Sunny Banks Mills Farsley — Venue: Farsley's Sunny Banks Mills

The iconic Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley – where YTV’s Emmerdale and Heartbeat were filmed – has a new tenant.

First Man Photography, a thriving photographic and video company run by Adam Karnacz, has moved into a prime business studio at 10 Old Combing in the heart of the historic mill.

The mill has been extensively renovated to provide quality space within an environment steeped in heritage for small and medium-sized businesses in West Yorkshire. Altogether 70 companies are now on site, creating 350 new and sustainable jobs.

First man owner Adam Karnacz said:

“After working in London for ten years, my family and I moved up to West Leeds. We initially lived in Rodley and also got to know Farsley for the local shops, cafes and restaurants, which included the Mill Kitchen at Sunny Bank.
“I then became aware of the wider Sunny Bank Mills site and the vibrant artistic scene it fostered. We eventually moved to Farsley in 2018 and SBM felt like a natural fit for my business – and happened to be walking distance from home.”

Mr Karnacz became a full-time professional photographer in March 2018. Having done landscape photography since he was 16 years old, he had started making videos for his YouTube channel, where he went out into the mountains on an adventure to capture some amazing images. People started tuning in and the channel now has over 125,000 subscribers and nearly 10 million views. He added:

“Lockdown has been extremely challenging. My usual commercial work, workshops, tours, talks and shoots have all be postponed or cancelled. Now, taking the space at Sunny Bank will allow me to create content in a dedicated space and to a higher quality.
“As landlords, the Gaunts were very helpful. It is, however, very strange meeting people, who you may do business with for years to come, and not being able to shake their hand.”

John Gaunt, joint managing director of Edwin Woodhouse Ltd, the owners of Sunny Bank Mills, commented:

“We are especially pleased to have been able to conclude a deal in these most challenging and testing of times. The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the whole world upside down, with the commercial property market almost grinding to a halt.
“So we are proud to welcome a new tenant to Sunny Bank Mills in this difficult climate. We trust that Adam will find Sunny Bank Mills to be the perfect base for his expanding business. We have been striving to make Sunny Bank an inspirational place to be for over ten years now and this is paying dividends, as people are now slowly thinking about returning to their workplace.”

Sarah-Jayne Lishman of marketing agents Dove Haigh Phillips, commented: “This is one of the most significant mill regeneration projects in Yorkshire. Steeped in history and with massive potential, Sunny Bank Mills is now one of the prime business locations in the West Leeds area.”

Kirkstall Festival 2020 goes online to celebrate community

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westleedslife

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July 7, 2020

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This Saturday should have been Kirkstall Festival’s 40th event. Unfortunately the event has been postponed until 2021 due to Covid-19, although members of the organising committee have been putting together virtual events to celebrate the community. Community reporter JIM CORAH spoke with John Liversedge, Steve Harris, and Fiona Butler about their plans.

kirkstall-festival-general-photograph — The best of Kirkstall …

The first event will be a dog show on Saturday, 11 July 2020. The dog show is one of the most popular entertainments at the first and draws an impressive crowd. The dog show, along with the other virtual events, will help relaunch the Kirkstall Online website with new features and content.

The dog show will take place at 2pm with participants joining via Zoom. Dog owners will receive details when they have signed up via the website. There will be six categories to enter, from most obedient to most unlikely pet friendship.

Throughout July and August there will be a number of other events taking place to promote the new website.

There will be an offline quiz to encourage people to search through the website for information, as well as a Zoom quiz later on. There is potential to host virtual tours of Kirkstall residents’ gardens, as well as performances from local artists and groups.

The new website will feature club sports listings for the community to engage with.

The Festival’s website has benefited as well, with more content being uploaded. Liz Minkin has provided a look back at the very first Festival in 1981, along with pictures.

Ahead of a display at the Abbey House Museum in 2021, members of the public are being encouraged to submit there Festival photos so they may feature in the display.

Armley Helping Hands boss praises Accessbus for community support

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July 7, 2020

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A service which usually provides a door-to-door bus to support people with limited mobility has continued to help older people in West Leeds during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AccessBus has use vehicles and drivers to provide an essential service across West Yorkshire and has been delivering shopping and meals to people who are shielding or unable to leave their homes, taking patients to clinics and delivering school lunches.

In Leeds, the team are supporting Armley Helping Hands to distribute hot meals to residents in sheltered housing. City wide the service is also supporting the NHS by transporting individuals to essential appointments, providing over 200 round trips since 27 April.

All the drivers are supplied with PPE, observing social distancing regulations. Vehicles are sanitized before and after each route.

Dawn Newsome, chief executive of Armley Helping Hands, said:

“We are very grateful for the support the AccessBus team have been providing to older people in the community through the pandemic.
“From helping deliver fish and chips to distributing emergency food parcels their help has been invaluable in helping us meet the needs of our community.”

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:

“When lockdown started our priority was to ensure all our service users had alternative means of getting their essential shopping whilst our service was suspended. Once that was done, we knew there was plenty we could do to continue to support our service users, partner organisations and stakeholders.
“In normal times the service caters for some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded members of society. Thanks to the efforts of the AccessBus team and our operators the buses are still out on the road supporting those people in these difficult times.”

AccessBus vehicles are all low-floor, easy-access minibuses fitted with the most up-to-date safety equipment. 

AccessBus services were suspended in line with Government guidelines to stop unnecessary travel and as community services became available to help meet customers’ shopping needs.

Bomb squad called to Bramley street

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July 7, 2020

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The bomb squad were called to a street in Bramley after a gardener thought he had found a World War II explosive.

Police arrived in Musgrave View, Bramley, shortly after 6.30pm last night (Monday, July 6.)

Nearby homes were evacuated and streets closed before police called in bomb disposal experts.

In a statement. a police spokesman said:

“At 6.28pm yesterday police were called to Musgrave View, Bramley, where a man working in his garden had reported finding an object with the appearance of a wartime bomb.
“A cordon was put in place and nearby homes evacuated until Army bomb disposal experts attended shortly after 9pm and assessed the item not to be a bomb.”

Bramley Baths launches online fitness classes as part of ‘new normal’

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July 6, 2020

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Community led Bramley Baths is adapting to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic by launching a timetable of online-only fitness classes.

The historic Grade II Listed building has been closed since lockdown in march – and still has no date fixed for its re-opening.

From tomorrow (Tuesday) the Baths – which features a pool, gym, steam room and classes – will roll out a small programme of online classes for people to do in the comfort of their own home.

“It’s all part of our aim to reach out the the Bramley community while we’re closed and help boost people’s fitness and wellbeing after lockdown,” said a Baths spokesman.

The classes, which cost £3 pay as you go, range from Zumba and Zumba Gold through to Yoga classes, Gentle Exercise and Kettlebells.

More details – and how to book – can be found here.