Detailed plans to redevelop Armley Gyratory should be advanced as soon as possible and co-ordinate with other major highway schemes to minimise disruption to motorists, a Leeds City Council report has said.
The council last year announced plans to revamp the roundabout, by building a new road that cuts straight through it and installing new crossings, traffic lights, footpaths and cycling and pedestrian walkways.
The draft Armley Gyratory scheme
This week council highways officers approved the preliminary design of the proposed scheme and allow progression to the detailed design and construction phase. They also authorised the appointment of Balfour Beattie to carry out the work.
The report also released £5 million to fund the detailed design, which it said should be advanced as soon as possible.
This will allow work times to be co-ordinated with a range of other major schemes – including Regent Street Flyover, Meadow Lane, Bishopgate Street Enhancement and Neville Street – all of which are leading towards the closure of City Square to general through traffic by 2023.
The report said:
“Over the next 5-10 years, Leeds city centre will be the focus of major changes through a series of infrastructure investments aimed at betterment and transformation of public transport and public realm.
“The works at the Armley Gyratory are fundamental to the removal of unnecessary through traffic from the city centre, unlocking the potential of City Square and other public realm schemes.”
West Leeds history buff Mark Stevenson argues it’s better to ‘tell the truth and don’t butter it up’ when it comes to the city’s statues. monuments and buildings – while pointing to some local connections to the slave trade…
I’m sure you have all seen over the past few years politicians of various parties going on about Brexit and how this and that will or will not happen because of it.
Now if you step into Doctor Who’s Tardis and go back in time to around 1800 and change the word ‘Brexit’ for ‘Slavery’ you will get an idea of the debate it caused back then in the country.
Is it just people who were directly connected to the slave trade or people and institutions that supported them?
If it is the latter then for the next few sentences the Tories are going to get it in the ear, mainly because they are the only political party around now that was around then – a great achievement in itself.
The Tory party at the time supported the Slave Trade – James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan was a Tory MP. He voted as he was told. So when he was told to vote in favour of the Slave Trade, he did. Many streets around West Leeds are named after him and his family including a pub and Cardigan Fields.
Should we change these names because he supported institutions that supported the Slave Trade? I must also say that the Tory party also played a part in the ending of the Slave Trade later on.
What else should we hide away? The Flogging Parson of Farsley maybe.
Samuel Marsden
Even in an era when punishing criminals harshly was the norm he stood out. His vindictiveness towards the Irish Catholics with sentences of 300 lashes was the norm. Samuel Marsden was the driving force behind the New South Wales “Female Register” which said all women except widows were either ‘married’ or ‘concubine’.
Only marriages by the Church of England were recognised. Women who married in Roman Catholic or Jewish ceremonies were automatically classed as concubines.
Not to mention the Aborigines he stole land from. Farsley has a monument to him, with cottages and streets named after him.
What about wars? Always a tricky one but sometimes we as a country do not cover ourselves in glory.
A few monuments around West Leeds remember and honour the dead mainly from the second Boer War 1899-1902 (fought in South Africa against Dutch Settlers).
Thousands of Prisoners of War were shipped overseas, some never to return. Nearly 30,000 women and children were to die in British Concentration Camps.
All these things – good and bad – are part of our history and heritage and none should be hidden away.
Just tell the truth and don’t butter it up. Let people make their own opinions. Better to know your history than hide away the parts you dislike.
West Leeds Dispatch is set to produce a pilot printed newspaper – just months after the Coronavirus pandemic led us to scrap our initial plans to move into print.
We areone of just eight news organisations (and 25 freelance journalists) across Europe to be awarded €5,000 each for specific initiatives to engage their communities during the pandemic.
“We’re thrilled to receive this funding, which will allow us to reach a new audience who may not have access to local news through the internet or other means.
“We were just a matter of days from printing our pilot edition in late March/early April when it became clear we wouldn’t be able to print. We were gutted to have to pull the plug, but determined not to let coronavirus stop us at a time when people need accurate local information more than ever.
“We’re pleased to be linking up with some of the incredible community hubs across West Leeds who have been supporting vulnerable people during the pandemic to help distribute the paper, alongside the marvellous neighbourhood networks helping older people.
“Keep your eyes peeled for more details in coming weeks!”
Mr Baron added his thanks to European Journalism COVID-19 Support Fund and the Facebook Journalism Project (FJP). See the full list of successful applicants and more information here.
Although the planned April newspaper didn’t make it to print, we did produce a virtual version which you can read here.
Food and health champions FoodWise Leeds and Zest delivered an interactive competition for families as part of the #Vegrocks campaign to promote eating and growing vegetables during April and May.
TJ aged 6 and Stevie aged 7 are brother and sister and were both winners of #Vegrocks! TJ was the winner of the Whingate Primary School #Vegrocks competition in Armley. Stevie was one of the winners of the overall #Vegrocks competition. Community reporter JOSIE ARMITAGE interviewed proud mum, Vicky...
Winner: Stevie
How did you find out about the #Vegrocks competition?
We found out about #Vegrocks through Whingate Primary School where both TJ and Stevie go.
What inspired you to get involved and draw your picture?
When I told TJ and Stevie that they could draw their favourite vegetables they were very happy. Their Dad Tristian helped them.
TJ drew a picture of Kevin Carrot. Stevie drew a picture of Maddy Mushroom.
How did you decide which vegetables to draw and what picture to draw?
TJ’s favourite vegetable is carrots and Stevie’s is mushrooms so we thought they were suitable. We all absolutely love vegetables. My favourite is sweet peas.
How did you feel about winning?
TJ won the Whingate Primary School #Vegrocks competition. We were amazed and TJ was so happy when Miss Newton pulled his name out of the bag. Even more so when they filmed him.
Stevie was happy when she found out that she had won.
Did you like your prizes?
TJ’s veg box prize was delivered by Home Veg Box and Stevie’s was delivered by Growing Better CIC.
We love our prizes. The vegetables and salad were delicious.
Will you eat more vegetables now? Will you start to grow your own vegetables?
We eat vegetables all the time. The kids love them too. I wouldn’t have a clue where to start with growing my own vegetables!
Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves has objected to plans for a £150 million new terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport, saying the proposals ‘would significantly increase air and noise pollution’.
The proposals, which were submitted last month, include the construction of a three-floor, 34,000 square metre replacement terminal on an alternative site within the airport’s boundary.
Airport bosses say the new terminal will deliver a ‘dramatically improved’ passenger experience, deliver one of the UK’s most environmentally efficient airport buildings, and support the region’s economic prosperity.
MP Rachel Reeves
But Ms Reeves becomes the fifth Leeds MP to voice her objections to the plans, following Alex Sobel (Leeds North West), Fabian Hamilton (Leeds North East), Hilary Benn (Leeds Central) and Richard Burgon (Leeds East). She said:
“A number of my constituents in Leeds West have contacted me about the possible expansion and I have listened to their concerns, particularly about the environmental impact of the scheme.
“I believe the proposed new terminal would significantly increase air and noise pollution in the area around the airport and undermine vital efforts to ensure that Leeds upholds its commitment to become a carbon neutral city by 2030.
“There is also the risk that a potential increase in passengers from four million to seven million a year would exacerbate existing issues with traffic congestion and vehicle emissions.
“With the ongoing climate emergency, we need to invest in alternative carbon-friendly modes of transport which cause less damage to our environment. Nationally, the Government needs to be doing far more to combat the climate emergency.”
A copy of Ms Reeves’ objection letter to Leeds City Council, which will decide the application, can be found here:
Airport bosses say the plans offer a more efficient and sustainable development, enabling the airport to reach its target of becoming carbon net zero by 2023 for airport operations.
LBA estimates that the development will support 12,650 permanent jobs across the Leeds City Region, as well as creating 850 construction jobs over the period of the build.
“The new terminal design allows delivery of existing consented capacity in a more efficient way, with a smaller environmental footprint. The replacement building will have a modern, flexible design whilst achieving operational excellence to give passengers the best experience and address the challenges we know our passengers face far too frequently that cannot be overcome within our current building.
“We are committed to the future of LBA and bringing our plans to fruition if approved. This significant investment in the airport will protect and create new jobs, boost international connectivity, and comes at a time when the region and sector need to turbocharge the economic recovery.”
A West Leeds councillor has called Leeds City Council’s decision to look into its civic statues a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ to protests that will do nothing to address racial inequalities, writes Richard Beecham.
Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake’s announcement earlier this week that the authority would conduct a city-wide review into civic statues and monuments.
It followed demonstrations and protests in recent days, which included the toppling of the statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol.
Cllr Andrew Carter
But leader of the council’s opposition Conservatives group, Coun Andrew Carter (Calverley and Farsley Ward), claimed such a move would not help get to the root of inequalities, and warned the removal of statues could be a “rewriting” of history.
Coun Carter said:
“It’s disappointing that Coun Blake did not think it appropriate to seek all party support for this move but if she had, I would have suggested she takes a different approach.
“We are still in the midst of a global pandemic and the country is still in lockdown. The council taxpayer of Leeds is picking up the bill for cleaning up acts of vandalism and will also have to pick up the bill for a commission on statues that won’t actually get to the root of inequalities or seek to address them.
“An independently-run commission is one thing but a cobbled together body to examine statues in Leeds formed as a knee-jerk reaction to race relations protests won’t make the lasting change those protesting want.”
The authority yesterday confirmed former Armley councillor Alison Lowe, who was the city council’s first ever black female member, would head up the review into the council’s response to an ongoing debate around statues of some historic figures.
Councillor Alison Lowe
It followed an incident earlier this week in which demonstrators daubed graffiti on a statue of Queen Victoria in Woodhouse Moor. Council officers have since cleaned the statue up.
Coun Carter said:
“Some of those historical figures who are being vilified are the very people responsible for us having the freedom to protest in the first place.
“We should constantly look for opportunities to create art and public realm that celebrate those who have made significant contributions to our city and that reflect the wonderfully diverse communities within it.
“We should study the past, learn from it, use it, sometimes be ashamed of it, but we should never, ever erase it. Vilifying British heroes who helped preserve our freedoms is unacceptable.
“Tearing down the statues that tell the story of our city and the journey we have been on will do nothing to address inequalities and injustice that still exist today and that we must do far more to resolve.”
“Rewriting our history to tarnish the great things we’ve achieved will not help to narrow the deeply entrenched gap between the wealthiest and poorest in our city.
“Assassinating the characters, flawed as many were, of some of those who paved the way for Leeds to be the dynamic, multicultural city it is today will not help the communities who’ve been entrenched with poverty for decades and frequently left out of the prosperity of the city.”
He concluded by claiming the council should focus instead on tackling inequalities and dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
Announcing the review on Wednesday, Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake had said:
“We’re incredibly proud of our diverse multicultural city here in Leeds and particularly proud of the relationships we have and the work we do with our communities across the city.
“It’s absolutely crucial to us that we keep those relationships strong and everything we do is done in a spirit of dialogue, consultation and, most importantly, listening to people’s views.”
“We have decided to look at the statues we have in the city and understand their background to ensure our city’s rich multi-cultural history is appropriately celebrated and represented and also to identify any gaps that exist. We very much look forward to working with Alison to take these matters forward.”
On the graffiti of the Queen Victoria statue, Coun Blake added: “As a council and a city we will always support freedom of speech and people’s rights to express their views in a peaceful and respectful way. However, we do have established policies regarding graffiti on public property and will continue to enforce these.”
The trust which runs Leeds West Academy has today become a member of an alliance of education establishents with a shared commitment to inclusion, collaboration and high-level ambition.
The White Rose Academies Trust (WRAT), which runs the Intake Lane school, joined the Leeds Learning Alliance (LLA), a foundation Trust which was formed by like-minded Leeds educational organisations.
WRAT bosses hope membership will help their Trust grow and become an even more inclusive and collaborative organisation.
The main principles of the LLA are:
Unconditional mutual respect.
Inclusive and comprehensive admission and retention practices.
A supportive and challenging culture:
Learning and community at the heart of all that we do.
A broad, balanced and relevant curriculum offer for every child.
Shared community use of facilities and a commitment to and promotion of family learning and healthy lifestyles.
Andrew Whitaker, CEO of the White Rose Academies Trust, said:
“The Trust is delighted to work with the organisations and colleagues across the LLA family. We feel that our membership of this organisation is a key part of our 2025 strategy; a strategy that will see the Trust grow and become an even more inclusive and collaborative organisation.”
Paul Brennan, Chair of the LLA, added:
“I am delighted and excited by the enormous potential that is created by White Rose Academies Trust joining the Leeds Learning Alliance. This builds and strengthens all our work in bringing the best that Leeds has to offer its children and young people and most especially those that are overcoming disadvantage in their young lives.
This places the Leeds Learning Alliance in an even stronger position to further drive achievement through collaboration and inclusion.”
Boots say the decision came after a store review – but in a letter to Boots UK president and managing director Sebastian James, Ms Reeves labelled the decision ‘hugely disappointing’ and asked him to reconsider the decision.
Her letter comes after Town Street’s Card Factory shop also closed, with stock and the sign being removed today in what is another blow to high street trade in the area.
Letter: MP Rachel Reeves
In her letter Ms Reeves said:
“A number of constituents, stakeholders and community groups have contacted me to express concerns about the intended closure of the store, which is a vital resource for the community.
“It is particularly concerning that this particular decision has been taken in the midst of a global pandemic, when prompt access to medical attention and healthcare advice is especially vital.
“Local pharmacies are also struggling to meet the increased demand for their services during the Coronavirus pandemic, which have been exacerbated by the need to comply with social distancing measures.
“To reduce the number of pharmacies available to people, many of whom are suffering from ill health, appears insensitive to the current situation.”
Ms Reeves also criticised a lack of community consultation, and highlighted substance abuse charity Forward Leeds, which uses the pharmacy as a key place for its needle exchange.
She also said that both the Armley and city centre branches of Boots were struggling to meet customer demand and fulfil deliveries, and the decision to close would intensify demand on other local pharmacies.
Armley councillors Lou Cunningham, Jim McKenna and Alice Smart (all Lab) have previously labelled it a ‘huge loss to the community’.
“At Boots UK, we continually review our store locations to make sure they are where our customers need us most.
“It is never a decision we take lightly when looking to close a store. With this in mind, we can confirm that we are closing the Armley Town Street branch in Leeds towards the end of August, however our other store in Bramley centre will remain open and is around an eight-minute drive away.
“All of our affected colleagues have been informed and will be offered jobs within Boots stores.”
West Leeds Dispatch contacted Card Factory for a comment on closure rumours two weeks ago, but the company failed to respond.
A civic watchdog has labelled proposals for approximately 160 apartments at the former Jump Arena trampoline site on Redcote Lane as ‘inappropriate’.
As reported in January, the plans would see the current building demolished and apartments built across five blocks, with 155 car parking spaces provided. A new footbridge would also be built over the River Aire.
But the proposals, which are only at an outline stage, have been criticised by Leeds Civic Trust’s influential planning committee. In an objection, they said:
“After careful consideration of the locality, the committee is of the opinion that a development consisting of five blocks up to five stories high is inappropriate for a setting where no other such features exist.
“We are also concerned about such a development adjacent to the River Aire, and while noting that the applicants state no habitable units will be at ground level, are mindful of the possibility that the site might flood.
“In which case evacuation will be across the single track bridge in conflict with emergency services vehicles attempting to reach the scene. We considered the responses of other Consultees and Commenters, and share many of their misgivings.
“In conclusion, the opinion of the committee is that this is an entirely inappropriate development for this locality.”
The Leeds Ramblers Group have also objected, saying the development would represent a ‘serious degradation of an important green area’ and that the proposed footbridge would need to be a bridleway conforming to accepted standards. They added:
“Redcote Lane is an unadopted highway carrying a presumed Bridleway. The current lockdown has demonstrated the importance of the route as it provides pedestrian access to the Kirkstall Valley Nature Reserve, the canal towpath and a safe route between Armley and shopping on Kirkstall Road.
“There are no footways, and traffic arising from housing would clash seriously with green access use. Gott’s Bridge is, incidentally, unsuited to standard traffic streams.”
Applicant Mr H Albazie (on behalf of Morouj UK Ltd) submitted the outline planning application which seeks a decision on whether the overall plan proposed – such as the scale of the build and the nature of what is proposed – is acceptable. The only thing needing to be agreed in detail at this point is access to the development.
If an outline application is approved, a detailed application – featuring the exact design of the residential units and what materials will be used in the construction – will have to be submitted and approved before work can start.
Architects DEN Architecture have revised the proposals since the plans were originally submitted. In an update report, they say they would like to meet with council planning officers about the proposals and added:
“The layout also has to take into account the requirement for the inclusion of the southern (former tennis court) end of the site within the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2 as a ‘flood expansion zone’.
“The former tennis court will now be removed, and the land utilised for the creation of public open space and additional habitat creation.
“In developing proposals to meet the above requirements, residential accommodation is set at first floor and above with the ground floor given over primarily to car parking, the result of which frees up considerable space within the site for soft landscape, the main focus of which is the central communal amenity space providing a landscape heart to the scheme.
“In addition, the requirement for the land to the southern end of the site to be taken into the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme Phase 2, creates the opportunity to provide publicly accessible open space.”
A former Armley councillor is to lead a city-wide review into statues and monuments across Leeds.
Alison Lowe was the first female BAME city councillor in Leeds and represented Labour in Armley from 1990 to 2019.
Ms Lowe, who is chief executive of Leeds-based mental health charity Touchstone, has been appointed to the role as part of the council’s response to an ongoing debate around statues of some historic figures.
The move comes a day after the statue of Queen Victoria on Woodhouse Moor was sprayed with graffiti, which included the words “murderer” and “slave owner”.
It also follows actions by other local authorities across the country who have seen demonstrations and protests in recent days – which included the toppling of the statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol.
Announcing the review, Leeds City Council leader Councillor Judith Blake said:
“We’re incredibly proud of our diverse multicultural city here in Leeds and particularly proud of the relationships we have and the work we do with our communities across the city.
“It’s absolutely crucial to us that we keep those relationships strong and everything we do is done in a spirit of dialogue, consultation and, most importantly, listening to people’s views.
“We have decided to look at the statues we have in the city and understand their background to ensure our city’s rich multi-cultural history is appropriately celebrated and represented and also to identify any gaps that exist. We very much look forward to working with Alison to take these matters forward.”
Council officers have today removed the graffiti on the Queen Victoria statue. Cllr Blake added:
“As a council and a city we will always support freedom of speech and people’s rights to express their views in a peaceful and respectful way. However, we do have established policies regarding graffiti on public property and will continue to enforce these.”
People will be able to comment on controversial plans to build a new £150 million terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport for longer.
Leeds City Council has today announced that public consultation has been extended by three weeks to 7 July. The original deadline set by the council for responses was 3 June.
A council spokesperson said:
“Due to the level of interest generated by the planning application concerning Leeds Bradford Airport, and the amount of documentation submitted as part of it, Leeds City Council is extending the formal period for making comments by three weeks to Tuesday, 7 July.
“Any representations should therefore be submitted before that revised deadline; however all comments received prior to a decision being made will be taken into account.”
Airport bosses say the proposals aim to dramatically improve passenger experience, deliver one of the UK’s most environmentally efficient airport buildings, and support the region’s economic prosperity.
But environmentalists at Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) say the expansion would lead to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.
Details of the application can be viewed and comments can be submitted on Public Access by entering the application reference number 20/02559/FU
