A computer generated image of the proposed Stanningley McDonalds
By John Baron
McDonald’s will have to overcome noise concerns if it is to build a new drive thru restaurant in Stanningley.
Bosses at the fast food chain want to build the restaurant on the site which was once home to the North Sea Chinese Restaurant and the Old Roundabout public house, off Town Street.
Plans, submitted in March, say around 70 new full and part-time jobs could be created at the restaurant, which would open from 6am-midnight.
The proposed McDonald’s site in Stanningley. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield
But Leeds City Council’s environmental health department have submitted their objections to the proposals, and have voiced concerns about noise and the impact on neighbouring properties.
A report submitted to the council’s planning department says: “Controlling the impacts associated with customers and their vehicles is virtually impossible and the only other option is to restrict hours of operation to reduce the duration of adverse impacts and give affected residents more respite.”
The report objects to the proposals and concludes: “In summary, we have concerns over the potential impact of the drive thru on the proposed residential development to the north and eastern boundaries of the site. In particular, the two-storey apartments to the north that will have line of site of the car park and roof top fixed plant.
“The hours proposed extend into the night time period and will result in little respite from noise impacts, noting that whilst the level of impact will vary due to many factors, critical impacts on health and quality of life are most likely in the evenings and early mornings even when low levels of customer activity occur.
“The proposal conflicts with Leeds Unitary Development Plan Review Policy GP5 which states that proposals should seek to avoid loss of amenity and the Core Planning Principles of the NPPF which advocates that planning should always seek to secure a good standard of amenity for all existing and future occupants of land and buildings.”
The report also suggests limiting the hours to avoid late-night deliveries.
McDonald’s will need to overcome the concerns if the proposals are to receive planning permission.
A man charged in relation to burglary and robbery offences in Horsforth has been remanded in custody.
Thomas Wilson appeared before magistrates yesterday (Monday, 8 July) after being charged with burglary at two premises on Friday, 4 July on New Road Side and Victoria Crescent.
He is also charged with robbery relating to a commercial premises on Town Street on Wednesday, 2 July.
He was remanded in custody pending his next appearance at Leeds Magistrates on Monday, 4 August.
Wilson received a two-week prison sentence after admitting to another theft from shop offence.
Head of Leeds North West Neighbourhood Policing Team, Inspector Carl Robinson, said: “We continue to work closely with local businesses to tackle crime in Horsforth and understand the impact offending of this crime type has on them.
“These are issues that we have had an increased focus on for a number of years and are part of our long-term problem-solving approach.
“We remain fully committed to working alongside our partner agencies to ensure that Horsforth is a safe place for people to live.”
“Sat shri akal Better Leeds Communities vich tuhada swagat hai.” Hello and welcome to Better Leeds Communities!
The event was one of a programme of events designed to celebrate South Asian heritage, culture and history.
In collaboration with South Asian Art, it was run by the BLC Community Team with the support of the community, co-ordinated and hosted by project manager Mel Thomas.
And what a celebration it was. With a packed diverse family audience, there was standing room only. Mel and colleague Abeer Mukhtar greeted everyone on their arrival.
The programme included a variety of traditional performances.
First to take the stage were Kauser and Qarsar. The duo who have only recently started working together, perform mainly Punjabi and folk songs. They gave a heartfelt performance during which Kauser made reference to ‘the liver’.
She later clarified: “In South Asian culture, romantic love songs often use references to the liver and heart interchangeably – the liver, being a vital organ like the heart, is believed to be of equal importance.”
Next on stage was Jyoti Swami reciting poetry. With a background in story telling and marketing, Jyoti is studying for a Masters in Corporate Communications. She is also a part-time Marketing Co-ordinator.
To her “poetry and storytelling is an art in communication, expression of feelings, for example what people really need to talk or write about – conversations they want to have but never do!”
Then came a melody by Lakshmi, mother and son who gave a faultless performance on the Veena. The Veena is an ancient classical musical stringed instrument originating in Southern India.
The caterers also took a bow. During the break they served up lunch which included yummy South Asian cuisine giving everyone the opportunity to connect, swap stories and eat.
The Sabrang Giddha Group was led by Pinky on behalf of Dr Sawant Rait and Damanjit Kaur (Jita). Pinky said: “This group is about women, empowerment, uniting communities and celebrating different cultures.
“It promotes mental well-being for women of all races and age groups usually by sitting and talking or by singing and dancing their worries away.”
In their colourful sarees they gave a very lively uplifting performance. Watching them twirling and sashaying you couldn’t help but get the impression that had there been more space on that stage, most of the foot tapping audience would have squeezed up there and joined them.
The Sabrang Giddha Group meet every Tuesday 7pm – 8.30pm at All Hallows Church.
Children too were kept entertained with craft activities in their own separate supervised area.
In addition to the performances there was a beautiful display of henna art, pottery crafting and the chance to swap favourite plants and pots.
Organisers Melanie Thomas and Abeer Mukhtar were the last to leave.
Mel told WLD: “One Burley: 170 Voices is BLC’s current community development project. Now in its last year of a five-year programme, we have built something truly special — a model of community development that works because it is led by the community itself.
“We train volunteers, enable digital and social inclusion, and create a culturally safe, welcoming spaces that bring people together across divides. These are not just outputs – they are signs of deep, ongoing transformation.
“From women rediscovering their confidence through peer-led fitness sessions, to families finding warmth and relief at our Teatime Club, to older residents stepping into leadership and young people having fun together—our work changes lives because it is relational, responsive, and rooted in trust.”
Views are being sought on a planning blueprint which could see thousands of new homes built on potential sites across West Leeds.
The Leeds Local Plan is a legal framework that will set out the council’s vision and strategy for sustainable growth up to 2042.
The plan guides how land is used and developed and influences planning decisions to ensure any developments meet the needs of the community and the environment.
A range of potential sites included in the consultation were put forward by developers, landowners, residents and others. They are not suggestions or endorsements from the council.
They were put forward in a ‘call for sites’ that the council must then evaluate to see whether they are suitable for development.
Proposals in West Leeds include potential housing off Gamble Lane in Farnley, Troydale Lane in Pudsey, Broad Lane, Bramley and a major development on land off West End Lane, Horsforth.
The consultation is open for 10 weeks from July 7, and is asking for opinions on:
Where new development should take place across the entire district
The vision and aims of the new Local Plan
The key issues that it needs to address and the options, including homes, schools, workplaces, green spaces, waste management, carbon reduction and infrastructure.
The sites are colour coded on maps. Sites suggested for housing, industrial or commercial uses are coloured based on their score; green (lots of positives), yellow (a few negatives), orange (a lot of negatives) or red (some serious concerns). Sites suggested for minerals, waste, renewable or energy uses are coloured purple
Deputy Leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Jonathan Pryor, said: “As one of the fastest growing cities in Europe, we must ensure that the right developments and services happen in the right places, whilst also giving everyone across the entire Leeds district a voice in planning our city’s future.
“Your feedback is vital to making Leeds the best city possible and I encourage everyone to get involved.”
Sue Allen, a committee member of Yorkshire Rose Dyslexia. Photo: Dianne Craven
By Dianne Craven
Pudsey Civic Hall was transformed into the third Yorkshire Dyslexia Festival on Saturday (5 July 2025).
The festival, organised by Yorkshire Rose Dyslexia (YRD), brought together the dyslexia community with speakers, and a range of exhibitors.
The emphasis was on enabling neuro-diverse people of all ages, and specifically school children, reach their full potential.
The event featured talks on dyslexia in education and sensory needs. Speakers included Caroline Bateman, who focused on the free/affordable technologies and strategies to enable students overcoming various barriers to attainment.
Another speaker was Justin Honey-Jones. Justin shared in his inspiring journey from struggling with dyslexia at school to becoming the UK’s only dyslexic paramedic trainer, passionately saving lives and empowering future paramedics.
Lee Hart, co-chair of YRD, said: “We really want the festival to be a celebration of dyslexia and other neuro conditions.
“Together we want to create a dyslexic friendly society. Not only can we help with dyslexia, but we can also help dyscalculia and dyspraxia.”
Lee added that one in two prison inmates have dyslexia, but the problems often being in school because one in 10 children has dyslexia, which is not properly diagnosed or understood.
He pointed out that schools are failing (for a variety of reasons) to support children with dyslexia.
However, YRD has recently suffered a massive blow as the very successful Touch Typing Club, based on Fulneck School, had to close due to the actual closure of the school. At the time of writing, it is unclear as to the future of the club.
One parent, with two dyslexic children, aged seven and ten, said they had only found out about the festival while they were trying to obtain advice, information, and support.
Pudsey Civic Hall. Photo: Ivor Hughes
They went onto say that Yorkshire Rose Dyslexia had made such a difference. More importantly, the day was a breeze as they liked the venue, which was easy to reach, and had good parking.
They also felt the venue was a calm and friendly environment for everyone. (The children loved playing with some of the sensory toys, including a large piece jigsaw puzzle.)
Other exhibitors included Toe by Toe. The founder, Frank Cowling stated that his reading approach using phonics was just one of several methods that could help anyone overcome Dyslexia.
His approach was one that would suit most learners, irrespective of their learning styles. The method has been used all around the world, but Frank stated that Ireland was at the top of league when it comes to supporting neuro diverse people.
A new housing scheme is set to go ahead after objections saw the developer reduce the size of the project.
Nine houses can be built on vacant land off Whitehall Road in New Farnley after plans were approved.
Developer Kingscrown Land and Commercial sought permission from Leeds City Council to build on the site, near a busy crossroads.
Sixteen letters of objection were received, raising concerns including the size of the scheme and overshadowing of nearby homes.
Consent was finally given for eight demi-detached houses and a separate property.
A planning report said: “The application has been significantly amended, given the concerns raised regarding the initial submission, which sought consent for 22 units.
“The development seeks consent for nine units, consisting of eight semi-detached properties and one detached property.
“This overall level of development to the site is considered appropriate given the existing site is of a limited overall area.”
A separate application which proposed 22 flats and five houses for the site was also previously withdrawn.
The report said changes to the scheme had addressed concerns raised by objectors.
It said: “The proposal is not considered to have a significant detrimental impact on neighbouring residential amenity or the character or appearance of the street scene.”
A report commissioned by the applicant said the site was mainly undeveloped scrubland.
It said: “The site sits in a prominent location at a busy crossroads on one of the key routes in and out of Leeds.”
The Reverend Phil Arnold, Vicar of Upper Armley, said: “This will be a game changer for us. Over seven days, some 500 people use the building and improving accessibility will make us a more welcoming, inclusive church.”
The church is also widely used by community projects, including Meeting Point which offers practical support for refugees and asylum seekers.
The other two churches to secure large grants were Holy Cross Airedale, with a grant of £24,450; and the Thornbury Centre, with a grant of £20,000.
While the large grants scheme is now closed, the small grant scheme is still open grants to distribute.
The former council chamber in Pudsxey town Hall, which was used by Pudsey Town Council until local government reorganisation led to the council being disbanded in 1974
By John Baron
Leeds City Council’s proposal to sell historic Pudsey Town Hall has reignited the debate over Pudsey having its own town council.
The move – spearheaded by Councillors Simon and Dawn Seary (Cons) – would see Pudsey joining towns including Horsforth, Otley, Morley and Wetherby in having a town council.
The aim is to give Pudsey more of a say on local issues. But what would a town council actually do for Pudsey, would it be effective and how much would it cost?
Here’s a guide to what town councils do – and the timescales needed to set one up:
History
The town was governed Pudsey Urban District Council from 1912 until 1974. It met in the council chambers in Pudsey Town Hall up until Local Government Reorganisation on 1974 when governance move to Leeds City Council.
The Pudsey council chambers have been perfectly preserved and are still there today.
Pudsey residents may remember signatures being collected on a pro-Pudsey Town Council petition in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The campaign was led by Conservative councillors Andrew Carter and the late Frank Robinson but had a cross-section of backing from the community. It got 7.5% of the electorate signing up to it (a legal trigger) but the process became a political football and ended up being blocked.
WLD also ran an editorial asking whether it was worth having a town council in Pudsey ten years ago.
Pudsey Town Hall. Photo: Google
What would a town council bring to Pudsey?
Town councils don’t have the power of a city council, but they can play a role in the communities they serve, often providing communities with a voice.
They can deliver various local services, including managing recreational areas, community halls, and cemeteries.
Town councils often oversee local amenities like playing fields, allotments, village greens, and bus shelters. They can also support and organise local events and fund community projects and services.
A town council doesn’t have the power to decide planning applications, however it is a statutory consultee so can comment on them and help influence planning decisions. The final decision on applications would still sit with Leeds City Council though.
A town council will be able to comment on community consultations and influence police and health decisions.
Town councils can drive community projects and initiatives tailored to local needs, such as environmental conservation or youth programs and can attract funding and grants unavailable to larger councils.
It will also have its own ceremonial Mayor (unpaid, serving for a year).
Critics argue that town councils add another layer of bureaucracy, administration and costs.
They often have limited powers and responsibilities compared to larger authorities, potentially restricting their ability to address certain issues.
Some of the functions of a town council are arguably already covered by Leeds City Council’s Outer West Community Committee in terms of funding community projects and working with organisations like the police on local issues.
However supporters of a town council would argue the new body would increase the amount of funding available and provide even more of a local voice on issues.
What would it cost?
Town councils aren’t free. They have powers to raise funds (via a precept) to support their activities and deliver local services.
Town councillors are all volunteers who are elected by the community. Councillors receive no pay or allowances for the work they do on behalf of the town. Councils do employ a town clerk and other staff to ensure the organisation runs efficiently.
Office and meeting space would need to be paid for, whether it’s in the Town Hall or elsewhere.
Precepts are set annually by councillors. In Horsforth, the precept is £20.20 a year for each household, Morley’s is £21 a year, while Otley’s is £98.47 and Wetherby’s is £117.30. The precept is paid monthly in addition to your existing council tax.
A breakdown of what other town and parish councils charge in Leeds can be found here.
Critics argue funding a town council can place an additional strain on local finances already hit by sizeable council tax increases from Leeds City Council.
What happens next?
The people of Pudsey need to decide whether a town council is for them.
Councillors Simon and Dawn Seary have written to Leeds City Council asking them to begin the process of setting up a non-political Pudsey Town Council.
To trigger this formally, they will need around 7.5% of local electors to sign a document to petition for a community governance review.
The National Association of Local Councils say that once submitted, Leeds council will validate the signatures and conduct a review within 12 months of submission, which includes consultation with residents and other stakeholders.
There will then be a review and consultation process, before Leeds Council makes a final decision on whether the council should be formed.
Once approved, the new parish or town council will be established, and council members will be elected.
As you can tell, there’s a long way to go before the idea of a Pudsey Town Council can become a reality.
