This fantastic photo shows work progressing on a £2 million revamp of Sunny Bank Mills complex in Farsley.
The central part of the estate is being re-modelled to create open spaces and to re-establish the prominence of historic mill buildings.
The levels in the Weavers’ Yard are beginning to take shape. The flat upper area marked with white stakes will be the green space for tenants & visitors to relax & for outdoor events.
The lower area where the diggers are will be the 95 new car park spaces.
Last month mill bosses revealed how a £100,000 investment in the area outside the historic Old Combing building has enabled the popular Mill Kitchen and Grumpy’s to offer a continental-style eating area to their customers.
The work is part of the ongoing regeneration of the historic mill complex as a creative space for businesses. There are now 70 companies and more than 355 employees at Sunny Bank Mills.
I am not sure who was the last of the Danby family was to call Farnley Hall home but the last one to own it was William Danby, writes Mark Stevenson.
The hall you see today was built in 1756. William lived mainly in the other family house at Swinton Park (near Masham) and may have sold Farnley Hall and its manorial rights to fund building work at Swinton Park.
Farnley was one of the last places in the parish of Leeds to still have a Manorial Lord when it was bought by James Armitage in 1800 for around £49,500.
James was a cloth manufacturer from Hunslet, but it was not until he died in 1803 that the hall passed to his son Edward.
Edward had loads of work done to the hall, including having kennels built for his own pack of foxhounds.
In 1815 Farnley Hall was insured for £17,000, one of the highest-insured houses in Leeds at the time.
Farnley Hall, as you might expect, is listed but so are a few of its outbuildings like the Farm Cottage, Stables, Garden Wall, Gazebo, Potting Sheds and Cart Shed all built around 1806.
There are a stables and barn that are much older dating from the 1600’s.
In 1945 Farnley Hall was sold to the council by Robert William Armitage.
Leeds City Council is expecting to raise around £95million over the next three years by selling dozens of its buildings.
The authority’s decision-making executive board is set to meet next week to discuss a list of “surplus” sites across the district for “disposal” over the coming years to help boost council coffers.
As part of the plans, a provisional list has been compiled of all council-owned sites the authority hopes to sell in the coming years.
Housing plans: Kirkstall District Centre. Photo: Google
The site is earmarked for disposal between 2020/2021 – despite council chiefs rubberstamping the sale of the land to developers Artisan back in December 2018.
Plans: Abbey Mills in Kirkstall. Image: Kirkstall Valley Development Trust
Historic Abbey Mills, which is the subject of a proposed community takeover by the Kirkstall Valley Development Trust, is to be sold some time in 2021/22, according to the report.
Nearby St Ann’s Mills is also earmarked in the provisional list for sale during 2022/23.
And the site of the former Burley Willows Care Home off Burley Road, which was closed due to council cutbacks several years ago, is to be sold during 2024/25, according to the report.
Council officers claim the sales would only be for “surplus” sites, and would allow the authority to continue to provide certain services. The report stated:
“Realising capital receipts from the disposal of surplus property assets provides an essential source of capital to contribute towards the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy and funding of Council priorities and services.”
It added: “The success of the programme depends on the performance of purchasers and is highly sensitive to economic conditions. “
We have included all of the sites from across the city below, with sites in West Leeds highlighted in bold.
2019/20 Completed
Already sold: Armley Grange. Photo: Mark Stevenson
– Former Wortley High School, land at Swallow Crescent – Quarry Hill (Plot 6) – Armley Grange – York Road Depot (Overage) – Lisbon Street 34 – Brooklands Avenue, Site B, Seacroft – Grange Farm (Land) – Micklefield House Annexe & Caretakers Lodge – Cardigan Road Library, Burley – Asket Hill Primary, Seacroft – Seacroft Crescent North, Seacroft – West Park (Spen Lane) – Kippax Kabin, Cross Hills, Kippax – Green Road 74, Leeds LS6 – West Park, Post Disposal work
2019/2020 To Complete
– Bramham House, Bramham, Freely Lane – Leonardo/Thoresby/2 Great George Street Disposals – Ashfield Works, Otley – Park Farm, Colton, Leeds – Rosemont Flats, Bramhope, Breary Lane – Quarry Hill Playhouse Square (Escrow) – Swarcliffe Avenue – St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Primary School – Caretaker’s House – Micklefield School, Former, Micklefield – Buckingham House – Holt Park District Centre, ASDA
2020/21
– Alwoodley Lane, Alwoodley – Sovereign Street/Plot B – Miles Hill Primary School & The Beckhill Approach, Phase 1 – Manorfield HOP, Horsforth – Middleton Park Complex – Kirkstall District Centre – Micklefield House , New Rd Side, Rawdon – Eastmoor School (Former) – Seacroft Hospital – Access – Clarence Road, Land at – Kirkland House, Queensway, Yeadon – Otley Civic Centre – Bishop’s Way, Seacroft – Richmond Hill former leisure centre – Rathmell Road, Halton Moor, LS15, – Harehills Park Cottages & Development site. – Stanks Gardens, Land at, Swarcliffe (former St Gregory’s School) – Carr Manor Cottages 1 & 2 – Hark to Rover PH, former, Spen Lane – Seacroft Crescent (Overage) – Stonegate Road & King Lane, Land at, 2 pieces of land – Cliff Cottage, next to Cliff House, Western Flatts Park ,off Fawcett Lane – Park Court – Well Lane, Land at, Yeadon – Former Middleton Marauders Clubhouse, Blenkinsop Fields – Hill Crest 32, land adj, Swillington (Self Build) – Holdforth Place, Wortley – Lea Farm Road, Lea Park Road, Kirkstall (Self Build) – Land at Elland Road (disposal) – Kendall Drive, Halton Moor – Kenneth Street, Land at Holbeck
2021/2022
– Lisbon Street (site of former Leeds International Pool) – Redhall – Meadow Lane Development Plot – Southern Quadrant East Leeds Extension, First Phase – Miles Hill Primary School & The Beckhill Approach, Phase 2 – Clarence Road, Land at, Second payment – Matthew Murray High School – Peckfield Colliery, Plots 4, 5 and 6 – Main Street, Carlton, access to adjoining land – Colton Road East, land, Colton – Parkway Close, Seacroft – Burley Road Shops & Car Park – Throstle Mount, Middleton (Wades) – Rothwell One Stop Area Office, Marsh Street – Westerton Walk, Land at, West Ardsley (Extra Care) – Seacroft Crescent, Land at, LS14 (Former Library Site – Extra Care) – Brooklands Drive, Seacroft – Quarry Hill Car Parking Payment – Abbey Mills, Kirkstall Road – Manor Farm Rise, Middleton – North Parade Depot, Otley
2022/2023
– Eastgate & Harewood – Windleford Green, Land at, Holmsley Lane, Woodlesford (Extra Care) – Holt Park District centre (residential sites) – White House Lane / Airport, land at (part of North West Leeds Employment Hub) – Farrar Lane, Land at, Holt Park (Extra Care) – Oulton Golf Course Disposal – Middleton Park Avenue, Middleton
2023/2024
– Southern Quadrant East Leeds Extension, Second Phase – Copperfields College – Lazencroft Farmhouse (ELOR) – Sweet Street 38/47 Marshall Street – Bath Road (site D) – Clarence Road Industrial Units – St Ann’s Mills, Kirkstall – Bath Road/Derwent Place (Site B) – Thornes Farm, Land at
2024/2025
– Middle Quadrant East Leeds Extension – Bramley Grange Farm – Sissons Farm, Middleton – Arena Development Site – Park Lees site, St Anthony’s Road, Beeston – East Lodge, Temple Newsam Estate – Elland Road (Site B Car Park), Leeds – Easel Site 3, Bellway – Amberton Close – Summerfield Gardens, Rodley (Self Build) – All Saints Road, Rothwell (Self Build) – Otley LIDO, Farnley Lane – Healey Croft Hostel, Westerton Road, Tingley – Burley Willows Care Home – Seacroft Crescent South
Plans to build housing on former sports pitches dubbed ‘Wortley’s Wembley’ by campaigners have moved a step closer to reality.
Leeds City Council has published revisions to the originally approved conditions to buy the former TV Harrison ground at Oldfield Lane. The authority wants to build more than 50 council homes on the site.
The revised terms and conditions are with the Leeds Schools Sports Association (LSSA), which the report says owns three quarters of the site.
The terms and conditions of the purchase have not been made public as they relate the financial or business affairs of a particular person, and of the Council. The council report states:
“It is considered that since this information was obtained through one to one negotiations for the acquisition of the land then it is not in the public interest to disclose this information at this point in time.
“Also it is considered that the release of such information would or would be likely to prejudice the Council’s commercial interests in relation to other similar transactions in that prospective sellers of other similar properties would have access to information about the nature and level of consideration which may prove acceptable to the Council.
“It is considered that whilst there may be a public interest in disclosure, much of this information will be publicly available from the Land Registry following completion of this transaction and consequently the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing this information at this point in time. “
The news comes after LSSA put up fencing at the entrance to the site and warned campaigners against trespassing just before they were due to hold a community fun day on the site just before Christmas.
LSSA claims that if the planned sale of the site is completed, they would be able to reinvest the money in sporting facilities for schoolchildren in Leeds.
But campaigners who want to bring the site back into use, say the fight is not over, and that it should be replaced with a similar-sized pitch if it is eventually sold.
The Save the TV Harrison Community Action Group, who have gathered almost 3,000 names on a petition to oppose the sale, say the land was left in a trust to the children of Leeds and the LSSA has no right to sell it.
They say consultation has been scarce and that the pitch should be restored for Leeds schoolchildren to use.
The ground, which was once home to Leeds City Boys and graced by the likes of Paul Madeley, David Batty and Brian Deane, was closed in 2004 and is included in the council’s Site Allocations Plan (SAP) as housing.
“The SAP was subject to extensive public consultation and a full public inquiry. Representations on this site were received from ward members, local residents and the majority owners of the site.
“Finding suitable land which could potentially be listed for inclusion is never easy, and we felt that the land at Oldfield Lane was appropriate, given it has not been in use for now 14 years and was previously identified for housing.
“We are aware of concerns which have been raised around the quality of playing provision in the area. We are extremely open and willing to work closely with local representatives and residents around what options are available to potentially enhance sporting facilities at other locations in and around the community. ”
The TV Harrison field was used for sport following local headteacher Thomas Vernon Harrison helping to raise £1,200 back in 1931 to buy the land for the children to use.
Armley Helping Hands are looking to recruit a creative individual to join its team and lead a project to help older people living in Armley and Wortley.
The SWIFT Community Engagement Project aims to develop inclusive services that reflect the aspirations and needs of people aged 50+. It will support people who are living with frailty or with complex issues who are often socially isolated, to improve their wellbeing and independence.
The SWIFT Community Engagement Worker will respond to the needs and aspirations of the older person, will carefully listen to them and try to respond appropriately.
For an application pack contact: Armley Helping Hands, Strawberry Lane Community Centre, Strawberry Lane, Armley, Leeds, LS12 1SF. Contact 0113 2799292 or e-mail Dawn.newsome@armleyhelpinghands.org.
Derelict industrial buildings off Stanningley Road will be replaced with eight new unit after plans were approved by Leeds City Council.
Swinnow Grange Mills is a series of former Victorian mill buildings housing small to medium-sized businesses.
Its owners – Bramley-based Andromeda Investments 2 – aim to re-vitalise the area by replacing the now-demolished disused buildings and shed on the south of the site them with new two-storey starter units, along with new access gates to the site.
An existing central car park on the site will be formalised with new surfacing and 66 marked bays.
A council planning officer’s report approving the application concludes:
“… Given the commercial location of the site and subject to conditions to limit noise levels, the proposal will not be unduly detrimental to the amenity of the nearest noise sensitive occupants of neighbours uses or the nearest residential neighbours.
“There will also be economic benefits brought forward by the proposal which expands an existing commercial area and providing further employment opportunities that will assist in economic growth.”
A popular Pudsey restaurant has been granted planning permission for its extension plans – at the second time of asking.
East Bar and Restaurant, off Richardshaw Lane, submitted a retrospective application to extend its existing restaurant and beer store to accommodate new toilets and a servery area.
The extension, which has been approved by Leeds City Council, will also create an extra 70 square metres of floorspace and extend the existing roof terrace.
As reported by The Dispatchin September, the restaurant had initial plans for two single storey rear extensions, extension of the existing roof terrace and a new single storey entrance lobby refused by Leeds City Council.
A planning officer’s report refusing the initial permission said that proposal was acceptable in terms of the design and appearance, but pointed to concerns over parking and noise from the roof terrace.
The latest revised proposals were approved by the council, subject to a number of conditions, including one prohibiting the use of the extended roof as a roof terrace.
There’s always something very comforting and traditionally Yorkshire about going to this fish and chip restaurant in Pudsey, writes John Baron.
Wetherby Whaler has generally glowing reviews on Trip Advisor (4.5 out of 5 at the time of writing) and we’ve been going there for many years. This was our first family visit for some time – does it still meet expectations?
The answer on our visit was a resounding yes. The Lowtown restaurant serves good old-fashioned fish and chips and mushy peas and some bread and butter and a cup of Yorkshire tea.
It was homely, quaint, English and warming on a wintry Pudsey lunchtime.
We all had mushroom soup for starters – lovely and thick, warm and tasty.
There’s a good choice of main courses, which go beyond the usual fish and chips – I was tempted by the Plaice or Salmon, and there was an appealing squid special, but I plumped the traditional large haddock meal.
Out came a big, meaty fish cooked to perfection in light batter. It came with a large portion of chips which weren’t too greasy and loads of mixed bread and butter which even I couldn’t get through! Being pedantic, the brown bread was a little past it, but that’s a minor quibble.
Others in my party had medium haddock meals and a haddock salad meal, which came with loads of salad and was super tasty.
We had the option of desert – the sponge pudding and custard sounded particularly appealing – but we were too stuffed by that stage.
It was all washed down by a large piping hot pot of tea.
Service was friendly and efficient. It was good to see some of the regular crowd being treated like old friends by the waiters.
In all, definitely a top chippie (it has a takeaway section too).
Would you like to help tell the story of your community? Join the West Leeds Dispatch at our latest community news cafe on Monday 6 January!
Is there something happening in your community you’d like to write about, or a local group that needs some publicity? Is there something you’d like to get off your chest?
Come and visit our editor – John Baron – for a chat over a cuppa if you’re interested in writing for us or if you have something you’d like us to follow up, publicise or look into.
We’re holding our latest community news cafe at Bramley’s Costa Coffee, in Bramley centre, between 4.30pm and 5.30pm next Monday (6 January 2020).
We hope to see you there! If you can’t make it, remember you can always e-mail us with your ideas and stories at news@westleedsdispatch.com.
A road in Calverley was briefly closed this morning after an elderly man was impaled on a railing.
The man, in his 80s, was found impaled on a railing on Woodhall Road at around 9am this morning (December 31).
He suffered injuries to his face was taken to Leeds General Infirmary.
Firefighters from the Technical Rescue Unit at Cleckheaton, as well as crews from Stanningley, Rawdon and Bradford, were in attendance alongside paramedics.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said:
“At 9.01am today (31/12) police were contacted by the fire service who were attending an incident in Woodhall Road, Calverley, where a man in his eighties had become impaled on railings.
“He was removed by firefighters and ambulance staff and taken to hospital for emergency treatment.
“The incident is being treated as an accident. The road has reopened but a scene remains in place pending updates on his condition.”
