Campaigners fight to save Stocks Hill Day Centre

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February 24, 2025

Under threat: Stocks Hill Hub. Photo: Google

By John Baron

Additional reporting: Don Mort, Local Democracy Reporter

Campaigners fighting to save Stocks Hill Day Centre in Armley from closure are set to protest outside a full council meeting at Leeds Civic Hall on Wednesday.

Multi-million pound budget savings are expected to be approved when all 99 councillors in Leeds debate spending plans for the coming financial year.

Job losses and a council tax rise are among measures to help Leeds City Council save £103.8m during 2025/26.

The Labour-controlled authority has welcomed an extra £67m in government funding, which eased pressure on some council services. But it has warned that rising demand on children’s services and adult social care meant wide-ranging savings needed to be considered.

As part of its cuts, the council is aiming to close Stocks Hill Hub in Armley, which campaigners say provides a lifeline service for many people. Services would be moved to Horsforth.

Campaigners are planning to protest outside Leeds Civic Hall before Wednesday’s full council meeting.

Service user Norman Forsyth told WLD: “Stocks Hill Hub supports people with mental health issues not only in Armley, but people in Pudsey, Wortley, Burley, Farnley, Bramley and all the surrounding areas.

“There are other agencies who use the hub to support people with mental health issues.

“For the many people who meet there and support each other – and see their caseworker face to face to face and receive immediate support from them – this relocation will make the service inaccessible due to distance from their homes and anxiety travelling such long distances.

“Attending Stocks Hill and the face to face service they provide, in an area of Leeds we can access, keeps us stable.

“Relocating this service will have a negative impact on our mental health. Some of us will end up seriously unwell.”

The council’s revenue budget and council tax plans are expected to be agreed at a full council meeting on Wednesday (February 26).

A report to the meeting said rising inflation had hit the cost of goods and services and people in the city had reduced disposable incomes.

It said: “Looking ahead, the position remains challenging. Against a backdrop of uncertain government funding from April 2026, inflation and cost of living pressures have significant implications for the council’s finances, as do levels of demand.”

The council faces rising costs in services including adult social care, while central Government has underfunded local authorities across the country over the past 15 years

Council tax is set to rise by 4.99 per cent as part of the savings plan.

Some 1.99 per cent of the increase is a “social care precept”, a levy councils are allowed to include to help care for vulnerable people.

Extra central government funding meant the council avoided having to close Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall, a move which had been met with a public backlash.

The council proposed closing 30 bowling greens around the city, but then decided they would be maintained until the end of the 2025 summer season. A further consultation is planned on bowling green provision.

Plans to reduce funding for Neighbourhood Networks, which help elderly people live independently, by ten per cent would also not be needed.

Current plans include a review of 56 children’s centres around Leeds. In West Leeds this means children’s centres in Pudsey, Farsley, Swinnow and Bramley face an uncertain future. Centres currently run by schools could be brought under council control to save cash. No decisions have yet been made over closures or job losses.

Services under review also include children’s transport services, a possible reduction in the number of community committees and the council’s cultural investment programme. A final decision on the future of Pudsey Civic Hall is yet to be taken.

The council has warned compulsory redundancies may be needed to reduce staffing by the equivalent of more than 230 full-time posts.

Further savings will be needed in the following two financial years, the report said. The shortfall was estimated at £38.2m in 2026/27 and £30.1m in 2027/28.

Follow WLD’s ongoing Cutswatch series here.

Room hire in Bramley for all occasions

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February 24, 2025

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Bramley Community Centre BEA — The main hall at Bramley Community Centre. Photo by Mindy Goose

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Two fantastic community facilities are available to hire for events, celebrations and local community groups.

Bramley Community Centre is a great hosting space. Many events are held in the large hall area, but it also has a kitchen space and accessible toilets – making it ideal for many different events.

The large hall and meeting rooms are open to the community.

We also have a smaller venue called Bramley Lawn, where many of our activities are held.

This cosy venue features a large meeting area with tables and chairs, a kitchen, accessible toilets and private meeting spaces.

Bramley Lawn can be found just off Rossefield Approach, LS13 3TG. It offers weekday, evening and weekend bookings which are available to the community.

To enquire for room hire, please e-mail bramleycommunityc@gmail.com.

Check out more details here.

Both venues are easily accessible by public transport.

Join the Friends making a difference in Kirkstall Abbey Park

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February 24, 2025

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friends of kirkstall abbey park 2 — Volunteers from the Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park planting a tree.

By John Baron

Green-fingered volunteers are helping to improve the infrastructure and ecological diversity of Kirkstall Abbey Park.

The Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park have already made a real difference to improving the parkland around the historic Abbey and museum by planting trees and wildflower meadows.

One of the most recent additions to the park is a community orchard of some 53 apple, pear, plum and hazel trees, with the aim of the community being able to pick the fruit and the Friends also holding juicing sessions.

Member Alan Crump says activities like tree planting are like having a workout in a ‘green gym’, with the added bonus of getting to meet new people and make new friends.

“It’s a great community asset,” said Mr Crump. “It’s a lovely place and hopefully we can make it even better, with more variety and diversity. We hope to encourage people to come here more often.”

As well as carrying out projects in the park, the Friends also see themselves as champions for it.

“We also have a role in putting pressure on the council to match up to their green plans, although they don’t necessarily have the resources to live up to it,” Mr Crump added. “It’s our job to be fair and diplomatic as we encourage them to make their spaces as ecologically diverse as possible.”

Volunteers have been busy digging beds just off the A65 for a wildflower bank, which they hope will further encourage insects, bees and small animals – as well as encouraging local people to make more use of the park.

Mr Crump says Kirkstall’s councillors have been very supportive towards the group, who are actively encouraging more people to join them, in light if the recent successful campaign to save Abbey House Museum from closure, which was high profile and has renewed people’s interest in the area.

The Friends, who boast around 15 members, aren’t the only group working in the area. Members of Hyde Park Source can be found most Wednesdays tending the memorial gardens next to the Abbey House Museum.

Mr Crump says the Friends have also forged close relationships with the Leeds Pétanque Club, which is located in the grounds of Kirkstall Abbey Park, next to the Vesper Gate pub.

The Friends have also benefited from a £5,000 donation from Morley Glass, and are always grateful for donations.

For more information, or to join the Friends, e-mail friendsofkap@gmail.com or check out the Friends’ Facebook page. Events can be found on Eventbrite and donations can be made here.
For more local events, check out WLD‘s what’s on section.

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Heat pump plans approved at West SILC Milestone School

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February 24, 2025

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A special school in Stanningley is set for more environmentally friendly heating after plans to install four air source heat pumps were approved by council.

West SILC Milestone School, based in Town Street, successfully applied for permission to install the heat pumps in a bid to reduce bills and reduce its carbon emissions.

The pumps will be sited in an existing staff car park next to the school, stood on a proposed shallow concrete raft base.

As part of a city wide scheme in its buildings Leeds City Council is looking to remove its main gas boilers and gas-fired water heaters and replace this equipment with an efficient low carbon heating system.

Permission was granted in August 2024 for the installation of the same 4 ASHPs, but sited to the front of the school in the far western corner of the site. This application seeks permission for the same pumps but located closer to the existing plant room which is to the east of the school.

The plans can be viewed in full here.

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Valiant Farsley Celtic slip to narrow Chester defeat

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February 23, 2025

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Buxton FC — Farsley Celtic have been playing home games at the Tarmac Silverlands Stadium. Photo: Google

By John Baron

Farsley Celtic’s young side put up a valiant display against a top-of-the-league Chester team gunning for automatic promotion.

A first-half strike from Tom Peers was enough for Chester to claim all three points as The Celts played yet another game on the road in Derbyshire.

The Celts, fielding an inexperienced side, proved stubborn opponents and frustrated their high-flying opposition, putting in a committed and well-organised performance which will give new manager David Stockdale confidence moving forward.

You couldn’t have asked anything more from the lads, who gave their all for the shirt.

The Celts almost took the lead early on – ETS player Bubba Krubally ran in behind the Seals’ defence but his low strike was denied by the legs of Chester keeper Jimmy Storer.

Chester had the better chances throughout, but a combination of some staunch defending and some find saves from Brook in Farsley’s goal kept the visitors – cheered on by a large travelling support – at bay for long periods.

David Stockdale’s side were unlocked in the 26th minute, when fine play from the tricky Weeks cut through the home midfield. He threaded a ball to Woodthorpe, who crossed for Peers to finish from a few yards out.

The defeat sent Farsley to the bottom of National League North.

Perhaps more importantly a bucket collection held by a young Farsley fan raised £365 towards the club’s crowdfunding appeal to see the club through until the end of the season. The money will be added to the crowdfunder, which currently stands at more than £12,000.

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Farsley gaffer David Stockdale was proud of his team’s performance:

Line up

Farsley Celtic: Brook, Bumhira, Janneh, Sheridan (C), Hyde, Mampala, Kondolo, Polwarth, Silva, Krubally. Subs: Monteiro, Ameno, Newsome, Priestley-Standing, Morrisey.

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Photos capture Farsley Celtic open meeting

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February 23, 2025

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FC-21-02-25-00 — The clubhouse was packed on Friday night.

Photos: Kelvin Wakefield

Around 80 people attended an open meeting at Farsley Celtic Football Club on Friday night.

The meeting was called by the board following the chairman Paul Barthorpe’s resignation from the football club. Barthorpe announced almost two weeks ago that he was stepping back after “months of criticism and negativity”.

Running of the football club has been taken on by four directors.

The Celts have not played at their home ground this season due to delays installing a new artificial surface. Home fixtures are currently being held over 60 miles away at Buxton’s Tarmac Silverlands Stadium.

The evening shed little light on the club’s long-term future. The board confirmed they were actively working to secure funding and contractors for a new grass pitch, alongside launching a crowdfunder to secure the club’s immediate future and approaching local businesses for support. Meetings had also been held with both the league and club’s creditors.

The board was urged to use the different skillsets of people in the room and also to speak to the newly founded Farsley Celtic Community Trust.

Here’s a slideshow of photos from the evening:

Attendee Eray Altınuk raises his concerns.
The clubhouse was packed on Friday night.
An attendee makes a point.
Director John Stubbs.
Director Paul Glover, with Josh Greaves in the foreground.
Fielding questions at a public meeting held at The Nest.
Director Jon Wickham.
Lutel James at the meeting.

Check out WLD’s coverage of Farsley Celtic here.

West Leeds planning applications: 23 February 2025

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February 23, 2025

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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.

Decided applications

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

Armley Ward

Removal of diseased trees, Christ Church Church Of England Primary School, Theaker Lane, Armley, Leeds LS12 3NU.

Bramley & Stanningley Ward

Installation of four Air Source Heat Pumps in metal mesh and acoustic fence enclosure with concrete base; Associated pipe runs for service distribution pipe work; Relocated bin store and car parking hardstanding remodelling, West SILC Milestone School, Town Street, Stanningley, Pudsey LS28 6HL.

Calverley & Farsley Ward

Tree works, 5 Woodhall Hills, Stanningley, Pudsey LS28 5QY.
Tree works, Edmin Woodhouse And Co Ltd, Room 12 Sandsgate, Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley Pudsey LS28 5UJ.
Tree works, The Vicarage, 9 St Johns Avenue, Farsley, Pudsey LS28 5DN.
Part two storey and part single storey extension to side and rear; porch to front, 104 Peckover Drive, Pudsey, Leeds LS28 8EG.

Farnley & Wortley Ward

Removal of two chimneys; removal of existing gate and steps to front; gable end roof extension to both sides; conversion of loft area to form habitable rooms; dormer windows to front elevation; roof lights to rear; enlargement of driveway to create space for three car parking spaces to front; new steps and wall leading onto front garden Show more description, 69A Upper Wortley Road, Upper Wortley, Leeds LS12 4JN.
Erection of single storey outbuilding to rear and side of existing double garage including new hard landscaping, planting and retaining wall Show more description, 17 Maple Croft, Farnley, Leeds LS12 5RU.
Change of use from 2 dwellinghouses (use class: C3 to form 2 Houses in Multiple Occupation (use class: C4); including alterations to fenestration and demolition of first floor balcony, 176 And 178 Gelderd Road, Holbeck, Leeds LS12 6DL.
Consent, agreement or approval required by condition 29 of Planning Application 18/02140/FU, Stonebridge Mills, Stonebridge Lane, Farnley, Leeds LS12 4QN.

Horsforth Ward

Amended tree works, Hopwood House, Hopwood Road, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5AN.
Tree works, Cragg Lodge, Woodlands Drive, Rawdon, Leeds.
Consent, agreement or approval of condition 6 to planning application 22/04243/FU, Land To The North Of The Bede Building, Leeds Trinity University, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5HD.
Single storey rear extension, garage conversion and alterations to the fenestration on the front porch, 91 Hall Park Avenue, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 5LU.
Detached double garage to the side with car port, Cragg Royd, Woodlands Drive, Rawdon Leeds LS19 6JZ.
Tree works, 4 Cragg Terrace, Rawdon, Leeds LS19 6LF.

Kirkstall Ward

None decided.

Pudsey Ward

Tree works, 1 Radcliffe Gardens, Pudsey, LS28 8BG.
Demolition of garage; Part two and single storey side and rear extension, 38 Tyersal Green, Tyersal, BD4 8HQ.
Tree works, 9 Roker Lane, Pudsey LS28 9NA.
Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for a single storey rear extension with pitched roof, 24 Brick Mill Road, Pudsey, LS28 9EN.

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West Leeds venues named in Oliver awards finalist list

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February 23, 2025

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By Jill Stocks

West Leeds residents are very lucky to have a huge and varied choice of venues for drinks and dining.

And several of these venues are now being recognised in the list of finalists for this year’s Oliver Awards.

The awards cover 17 categories, recognising both venues and staff, and this year there are three new categories – employee of the year, best street food and the People’s Choice Award for best local restaurant, voted for by the public.

Nominated in the Newcomer of the Year category is Horsforth restaurant Hooleos.

The Mexican restaurant celebrated its first anniversary at the beginning of November. Julio Tumalan is the owner. He said: “We are over the moon as this is proof that all our hard work and commitment to authenticity has paid off and customers are able to recognise quality on our food and service with our flawless 5 star review rating on social media.

“A massive thank you to all of you.”

Nominated in the Best Pub category is Granville’s Beer and Gin House on Long Row, Horsforth. As well as serving a range of local beers and ales Granvilles also offers a choice of over 80 gins.

Karobar, Indian Cuisine based at Kirkstall Brewery pub The Three Swords on New Road Side, is nominated in three categories – Best Local Restaurant, the Sustainablity Award and Best Street Food.

Gayatri Bartakke is the floor manager and part of the management team at Karobar, which opened in September 2023. Gayatri said: “We are really excited and thrilled about it and really looking forward to it.

“It’s the first time we are nominated for any kind of award so it’s nice to be recognised and be one of the finalists”.

Town Street restaurant Forde is nominated in the Best Local Restaurant category and two of its employees are also recognised in their own right.

Head Chef Liam Callaghan is nominated in the Rising Star category and colleague and General Manager Wendy Howgate is nominated in the Employee of the Year category.

Liam has been at Forde for just over a year, having worked in hospitality for twelve years, and when they opened a second restaurant in Ilkley he took over as head chef in Horsforth.

Matt Healy from Forde won the Judges Choice award at the Oliver Awards last year so they’re hoping to repeat the celebrations this year.

Liam spoke fondly of colleague Wendy: “Wendy’s been here since the start and she’s the glue that holds Forde together. She’s very much the heart and soul of this restaurant.”

On being nominated, Liam added: “We’re super excited. To continue to be recognised especially with Horsforth getting the recognition it is getting. A really exciting time for Horsforth and also for us. We’ve just been doing what we do best; making good food. We’re really excited now that we’ve got our second restaurant in Ilkley to branch out a little bit. A super exciting time for Leeds hospitality but also the outskirts.”

As well as Forde and Karobar, the Town Street venue Bavette Bistro is also nominated in the Best Local Restaurant Award.

Bavette Bistro’s nomination comes as it celebrates its first birthday this week. Chef Sandy Jarvis and husband Clement Cousin met whilst working in a bistro in London and opened Bavette to share their passion for great food, combining Sandy’s Leeds roots and Clements “French flair”.

“We’re really excited. It’s our one-year birthday this week so it’s a really lovely way to celebrate being nominated”.

“We’re really excited to go. There are some really good restaurants nominated and some good friends of ours as well.”

grumpys farsley sunny bank mills — Grumpy’s in Farsley.

Other finalists in the public vote Best Local Restaurant (Public Vote) are Farsley’s Cafe Deli Margaux and Grumpy’s Pizza, as well as Lalas Restaurant in Pudsey.

You can vote for the best Local Restaurant award on the Oliver Awards website where you can also see the full list of finalists from across the city.

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In photos: Crocii and snowdrops herald spring in Horsforth

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February 23, 2025

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Spring is almost here! Photographer Susan Tellum continues to chronicle West Leeds through the seasons by capturing croci and snowdrops in Newlay and Horsforth.

Here’s a gallery of her photos;

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West Leeds licensing applications: 23 February 2025

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February 23, 2025

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Three Swords Horsforth — Three Swords, Horsforth. Photo: Google

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:

Horsforth ward

Premises Licence – Full Variation, Three Swords (The), 106/108 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds, LS18 4QB.

Kirkstall ward

Premises Licence – DPS Change, Co-op Village Store, Leeds Industrial Co-op Society, Broadway, Kirkstall, Leeds LS5 3PR.
Premises Licence – Full Variation, Three Swords (The), 106/108 New Road Side, Horsforth, Leeds LS18 4QB.

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Police appeal after boy, 11, seriously injured on Stanningley Bypass

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February 22, 2025

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Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision involving a car and pedestrian on the Stanningley Bypass on Thursday (20 February).

Officers were called to the scene of the collision, close to Richardshaw Lane, at 3.53pm.

An 11-year-old boy who was crossing the road was hit by a silver-coloured Skoda Octavia car.

The boy was taken to hospital with what were initially believed to be life-threatening injuries. He remains in hospital where his injuries are described as serious but no longer life threatening.

Officers from West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit are appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision or who may have video footage of it or the circumstances leading up to it to come forward.

Contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 or go online at quoting reference 13250099619.

Horsforth banking hub plan welcomed by councillors

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February 21, 2025

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Horsforth’s councillors have welcomed the recommendation for the town to receive a new banking hub.

The hub has been recommended due to the closure of the Horsforth Town Street’s Halifax branch on February 24.

Banking hubs are shared banking spaces, similar to a traditional bank branch, but available to all banking customers.

It would include an ATM and a cash deposit and withdrawal service for personal current accounts and businesses, operating from 9am to 5pm Mondays to Fridays.

The recommendation is a result of a cash assessment carried out by LINK to weigh up whether there will be a gap in access to cash in Horsforth after the Halifax closure. The new banking hub is expected to be ready within three months of the assessment, which was completed on January 29.

Councillors Emmie Bromley, Raymond Jones, John Garvani (Labour, Horsforth ward) said: “We’re very glad that Horsforth will be getting a banking hub. Everyone should be able to access cash and our residents should not be expected to travel two miles to their nearest bank branch.

“We’re looking forward to working with LINK and Cash Access UK to make sure Horsforth gets the banking services it needs as soon as possible.”

WLD reported on the hub last month.

At the time Dr Chris Ashton, Chief Commercial Officer at LINK, said: “While more people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally, we know that many people still rely and choose to use cash and face-to-face banking.

“That’s why we’re delighted to recommend a new hub in Horsforth. There are over one hundred hubs open across the country and when it opens, the Horsforth banking hub will be vital for the local community and high street.”