Bramley: Part of club car park could become housing

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November 14, 2019

Plans for houses on part of the site of the former Bramley Liberal Club off Hough Lane have been submitted to Leeds City Council for approval.

The club – now known as The Hollies – is a private members facility set in its own grounds opposite St Peter’s Church, with a large car park consisting of 42 parking bays to the front of the building.

Gavin Duffy is wanting to build two pairs of semi-detached houses in the car park.

The club, whose membership is mainly from the immediate locality, say they are wanting to encourage members to reduce their reliance on cars by encouraging customers to walk and utilise public transport more.

A design and access statement submitted with the proposals says:

“This has a two-fold benefit for the club by increasing sales over the bar and actively discouraging potential drink-driving issues.”

The statement concludes:

“The proposals to use the existing entrance do not create or materially add to problems of safety, environment or efficiency on the highway network.
“The proposals provide for ample off-road parking, including visitor parking, bin and bike stores. “

Each house would have parking spaces for two cars. Accessible parking bays for the club, which is owned partly by The Hollies Sports and Social Club and by Bramley-based GRD Building Contractors Ltd, would be reduced from 42 to 22.

Plans to develop the rear of the club – including the bowling green – with four pairs of semi detached dwellings and one detached dwelling were featured by the Dispatch back in 2015.

The latest plans can be viewed in full and commented upon here.

Unique tree planted in Bramley Baths community garden

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November 14, 2019

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Bramley Baths Community Gardeners recently became the custodians of a unique tree! writes Jo Fiddes.

Last month, a mini forest was set up outside parliament by Extinction Rebellion (XR). 650 MPs were asked to collect a British native sapling to plant in their constituency, to serve as a reminder that climate change needs to be addressed.

Over 400 MPs took up the offer, and Rachel Reeves was one of them. The current Labour candidate for Leeds West said:

“I’m really pleased to have planted this tree in the Bramley Baths Community Garden. Climate change is an issue that affects us all, and hopefully the tree will flourish and serve as a living reminder that we all have to take care of our environment, both locally and nationally.”

Richard Slimming, a Bramley resident, took part in the London XR peaceful protests.

He has followed the journey of the tree from parliament to its new Bramley home, and was there to help plant it. He said:

“We are really fortunate that locally we have many green spaces to enjoy. However, the UK is one of the most de-forested countries in Europe, and this tree planting project will hopefully prompt government to commit to further planting, for the benefit of the environment.”

The tree, a hornbeam, is described by the Woodland Trust as:

“Gnarled and mighty, the hornbeam is as tough as they come. It’s beautiful, useful, and it’s all round leaf cover makes it a winter haven for wildlife.”

As the hornbeam can live for over 300 years, the community and the wildlife should be reaping benefits for centuries to come.

Bramley Baths Gardeners are a small group of volunteers who tend the community garden next to historic Bramley Baths. They also run events and grow fruit and vegetables for the community to pick.

Also standing in Leeds West at the 2019 general election is Ian Cowling, Yorkshire Party; Mike Davies, Alliance for Green Socialism; Mark Dormer, The Conservative Party Candidate; Phillip Mars, The Brexit Party; Victoria Smith, Green Party; Dan Walker, Liberal Democrats; Daniel Whetstone, Social Democratic Party.

Fayre supports Pudsey Live at Home scheme

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November 14, 2019

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An organisation supporting older people in Pudsey will be hosting its annual Christmas Fayre on Saturday, 23 November 2019.

Pudsey Live at Home Scheme will be putting on various craft stalls, including hand-made cards, tombola, raffle and bric a brac.

Entry fee is 60p, which includes a tea or coffee and biscuits. The event will be held at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Robin Lane at 10am.

All funds raised from the fayre is reinvested back in to Pudsey Live at Home and used to support over 65s from social isolation.

The organisation is grateful for any donations for the event.

Give a tuppence and help put Pudsey on the Children in Need map

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November 14, 2019

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Pudsey residents are being urged to save their copper – and cover an outline of Pudsey Bear in 2p coins in aid of BBC Children in Need.

The Pudsey 2p Challenge will be held from 8am on Friday, 15 November and organisers are aiming to create a coin mosaic on the five-a-side pitch floor at Pudsey Leisure Centre.

And they’re hoping that if enough people donate, they may even be able to fill the whole floor with coins.

Last year, the event, organised by Pudsey councillor Simon Seary and volunteers, raised more than £9,000 – and organisers this year are hoping to top that – and help put Pudsey as a town on the map.

The event is being organised by a small group of volunteers who are determined to raise as much money as they can for the charity which helps disadvantaged children – and cement the town’s strong connection with Children in Need.

Children in Need mascot Pudsey Bear was created in 1985 by BBC graphic designer Joanna Lane. The bear was named after her hometown of Pudsey, where her grandfather Irvine Ball was borough councillor between 1936 and 1955 and town mayor in 1950.

His community work included helping to found the Pudsey Musical Festival, Pudsey United Chorus and the Pudsey Committee for Welfare of the Blind. His wife, Rose, was also an active member of the community.

Debra Austin has offered to facepaint for donations – and if you find one of the three stones in Pudsey, she will facepaint you for free (details on the Facebook page)

And, of course, Pudsey Bear will be there too.

Pudsey: List of General Election candidates 2019 announced

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November 14, 2019

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Ballot box image used under Wikimedia commons creative commons license

The list of candidates standing in the Pudsey parliamentary constituency in the general election on Thursday 12 December 2019 has been announced.

Candidates are listed alphabetically below. Please note candidates are no longer legally required to reveal their address, only the constituency where they live.

A Leeds City Council webpage also includes information about the general election and guidance on how to register to vote, with the registration deadline being midnight on Tuesday, 26 November.

Pudsey Candidates:

Jane Aitchison, The Labour Party, 21 South Parade, Pudsey, LS28 8NZ

Stuart Andrew, Conservative Party Candidate, 26 Town Street, Guiseley,
Leeds, LS20 9DT

Bob Buxton, The Yorkshire Party, 38 Markham Crescent, Rawdon, Leeds, LS19 6NG

Quinn Daley, The Green Party, Flat 35, 3 Whitehall Quay, Leeds, LS1 4BU

Ian Dowling, Liberal Democrats, 11 Woodhall Park Mount, Pudsey, Leeds, LS28 7HE

Leeds West: List of General Election candidates 2019 announced

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November 14, 2019

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The list of candidates standing in the Leeds West parliamentary constituency in the general election on Thursday 12 December 2019 has been announced.

Candidates are listed alphabetically below. Please note candidates are no longer legally required to reveal their address, only the constituency where they live.

A Leeds City Council webpage also includes information about the general election and guidance on how to register to vote, with the registration deadline being midnight on Tuesday, 26 November.

Leeds West Candidates:

Ian Cowling, Yorkshire Party. Address in Pudsey

Mike Davies, Alliance for Green Socialism, 18 Oak Road, Leeds, LS7 3JU

Mark Dormer, The Conservative Party Candidate. Address in Hampstead & Kilburn

Phillip Mars, The Brexit Party. Address in Keighley

Rachel Reeves, The Labour Party. Address in Pudsey

Victoria Smith, Green Party. Address in Leeds West

Dan Walker, Liberal Democrats. Address in Leeds West

Daniel Whetstone, Social Democratic Party. Address in Leeds West.

Pudsey ‘boxercise’ takes kids off the streets

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November 13, 2019

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A West Leeds man will be delivering boxercise sessions to help give kids in Pudsey something productive to do on an evening.

Farnley man Peter Allison will deliver Boxercise sessions on a Friday evening at Pudsey Leisure Centre between 7.30 pm and 9 pm at the Friday Night Project.

Sessions are £1.50 or £1 with a BreezeCard.

Mr Allison, a former Pudsey Grangefield pupil, is a personal trainer hopes the sessions will make a positive difference to young people. He said:

“I used to be 25 stone and I’m now half that. People were saying that I could inspire other people and that I should do it for a living. I’ve now become a personal trainer and just want to give something back to the community.
“Let’s help reduce anti-social behaviour in the town and, more importantly, help these young people in making a difference with their lives. Even if it is one small step at a time. “

Mr Allison hopes the boxercise sessions will provide some structure for young people. He said the sessions use concept-style boxing, are non-contact. He said the aerobic-style sessions are good exercise.

Other activities for youngsters in Pudsey include youth service sessions in St Andrew’s Methodist Church at 6.30pm on Friday evenings. Monday evenings sees the youth service in Pudsey Leisure Centre car park.

The Friday Night Project is a group for 13-19 year olds held at Pudsey Leisure Centre. The group offers a chance to take part in a variety of different activities with friends. More details here.

‘Bring Leeds bus services back under public control’ says council leader

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November 13, 2019

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The leader of Leeds City Council has reiterated calls for bus services to be brought back under public control, following a heated debate in the council chamber this afternoon, writes Local Demcoracy Reporter Richard Beecham.

It followed comments from Leeds Conservatives group leader Coun Andrew Carter (Con, Calverley & Farsley), who raised questions about taxpayer investment into bus services following West Yorkshire’s biggest two bus companies being put up for sale.

But Coun Judith Blake (Lab) said that bus services in Leeds were estimated to have lost one million passengers since deregulation in the mid-1980s, and that she wanted bus companies to be brought back into public ownership.

The discussion followed a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) last month, during which it was agreed to look into the possibility of “participating” in the sale of First Bus. Both Arriva and First Bus, West Yorkshire’s two largest bus operators, were put up for sale by their respective parent companies earlier this year.

Andrew Carter Calverley and Farsley — Cllr Andrew Carter

During a members’ questions session of a full Leeds City Council meeting, Coun Carter asked for Coun Blake to produce any contract between Leeds City Council and Arriva or First Bus which set out commitments in return for public investment in bus services.

Coun Blake said terms were agreed with First, similar to agreements in place with Arriva and Transdev, and each agreement had been submitted to the Department for Transport in 2016. Coun Carter responded by suggesting a binding contract should have been signed with Arriva and First.

Coun Blake responded:

“These agreements were made with bus companies to improve bus transport for any bus companies in the city of Leeds.
“As we know, First is up for sale and WYCA leaders working on the board have agreed to pursue the possibility of buying that company – I think that is a very positive step forward and something that needs to be welcomed.
“We don’t know what is going to happen with the takeover but we will work with whoever the new owners are and make sure that they do fully invest in future bus transport.
“The scandal of the bus patronage since bus systems were privatised can’t be allowed to continue. Since 1986, we estimate the number of people using buses in cities across the UK has halved. With that, we believe that is one million less in West Yorkshire.
“We want to make sure, as soon as we possibly can, that we get the bus companies back into public ownership, re-regulated and providing the service that the travelling public need and demand.”

Kirkstall Abbey Park – Medieval Gardening Talk

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November 13, 2019

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Do you love rare books, delightful plants or Kirkstall Abbey? The three are combined in an entertaining and interactive one-off talk on 24 November at Kirkstall Abbey Visitors Centre, writes Iola Shaw.

You may be aware that the Leeds Library has many fascinating books in its special collections.

In the collection are examples of beautiful “Herbals” books with illustrations of all the medicinal plants of their day and fascinating recipes, essential for herbalists growing and using them to treat people for hundreds of years.

The monks of Kirkstall would have been familiar with these as guides to both gardeners and medics, but most of us rarely get a chance to look at these today.

On Sunday 24^th November the Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park group are hosting a talk by Rhian Issac, Head of the Special Collections for Leeds Libraries, at Kirkstall Abbey Visitor Centre at 1.30pm.

He will bring some copies of some of these texts and you will have the opportunity not only to hear about some of these fascinating items but see some up close.

This is a pay-as-you-feel event in the Colonel North Room, funds raised to the Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park.

Information about the Friends of Kirkstall Abbey Park and how you can get involved from their Facebook group.

Christmas fayre at Venerable Bede

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November 13, 2019

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The Venerable Bede Church, off Stanningley Road, is having its Christmas Fayre on Saturday 16th November from 11am to 1pm, writes Jean Tebbs.

There will be various stalls including cakes, books and bric a brac.

Slimming World and the Majorettes have a stall, and they will also be giving us a performance. Soup, hot dogs and beverages will also be available.

Kirkstall centre housing plans: Councillors to offer guidance over highways congestion

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November 13, 2019

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Council decision-makers will next week discuss multi-million pound plans for housing and a commercial unit in the heart of Kirkstall.

Developers Artisan want to redevelop the mostly derelict former Kirkstall District Centre site with up to 263 dwellings and flexible commercial floorspace which could be used as shops or offices.

But the plans for the Kirkstall Place development were submitted in March, and a number of concerns have been raised locally about traffic in an already congested area.

Artisan’s negotiations with Leeds City Council planning officers appear to have reached an impasse.

Members of Leeds City Council’s city plans panel will next Thursday be invited to comment and offer guidance to the developer on a number of key areas.

These include the scheme’s financial viability, provision of affordable housing, greenspace and highways issues.

A council report states that road mitigation works will be required on the A65 Commercial Road at Beecroft Street, Savins Mill Way and Kirkstall Lane, as well as mitigating the impact on the congested A65/Kirkstall Lane and Savins Mill Way junctions.

The report also says the District Valuer has undertaken an independent review has said the developer should be allowed a profit margin of 19.59%

It’s suggested the developer should also pay £1.3 million to the council, which includes costs towards a Residential Travel Fund, local infrastructure improvements, footpath widening and a controlled parking zone in the area.

Members will be asked whether they consider the amount of the proposed affordable housing – reduced from 40 units to 22 – acceptable.

They will also look at the limited greenspace on the site, whether they consider the parking provision acceptable and have the chance to raise concerns regarding materials or design.

No decision on the scheme will be made next week, with the plans due to come back before the panel for a final decision in due course.

Scheme proposals

Artisan are proposing 263 dwellings with a mixture of house types:

Apartments (Total 183 units) 32 x 1 bed units 151 x 2 bed units
Townhouses (Total 80 units) 27 x 2 bed units 42 x 3 bed units 11 x 3/4 bed units

Parking will be via undercroft spaces and on-street, totalling 231 spaces.

Access into the development is to be taken from Beecroft Street via three separate access roads. A fourth restricted access road is included to allow for emergency vehicles and delivery vehicles to access the houses that front Kirkstall Hill and access will be controlled.

View the plans in full here.

Calls to end Armley rat running problems – will Stanningley Road scheme make problem worse?

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November 13, 2019

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A group of Armley residents are calling for an end to problems with rat running drivers in the area.

Trish Kempster says she has been campaigning for measures in the Armley Grange Drive area for around 19 years without getting anywhere – but recent developments have left her more optimistic that action might be taken.

Mrs Kempster said the noise of speeding traffic cutting through Armley Grange Drive between Green Hill Road and Stanningley Road was affecting her. She said:

“There are times when I have got no quality of life because of it. It’s mainly the noise, as well as the speed. I would like to see the top of Armley Grange Drive blocked off, not everyone would approve, but I think it would put an end to the problems. People could still exit onto Stanningley Road.”

Fellow resident Peter Doyle said:

“A meeting of residents and local councillors took place on Armley Grange Drive, the purpose of the meeting was to assess the traffic using the estate as a rat run.
“The highways engineer listened to views put forward by residents and along with Councillor James McKenna toured the estate with comments and suggestions from residents. It was noted that the police failed to attend.”

The residents are due to voice their concerns at the next Armley Forum community meeting later this month.

Mrs Kempster hopes the road will be blocked off for a trial period initially, but expressed concern that multi-million plans to transform the A647 Stanningley Road to give buses priority could lead to more queuing traffic and more rat running.

As reported by The Dispatch last month, Conservative councillors Andrew and Amanda Carter (Calverley & Farsley) expressed concerns that the bus priority measures will make living alongside it more difficult and lead to greater rat running.

At the time, Cllr Lisa Mulherin, Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development said:

“We all share the desire to see a mass transit system in Leeds or beyond. While we work with West Yorkshire Combined Authority on new proposals to determine what this could look like, we remain committed to investing in bus travel for the people who live and work in our city.

“Making bus journeys faster and much more reliable is crucial to creating a shift from people using cars to buses. The A647 sees bus delays that impact on people’s lives making it hard to get to work on time, make important appointments or plan journeys with any kind of reliability. This scheme will make a positive difference to people travelling by bus.

“This scheme underwent significant consultation and looked to address residents’ and business concerns over parking as much as possible while still making the very necessary improvements to the corridor. Many sections of bus lane will be restricted to peak hours only to allow for resident and business parking on the highway outside of these hours, including in Calverley and Farsley.”