Thousands of comments have been posted on a citywide consultation asking people to have their say on the future of development and land use in Leeds.
A total of 8,683 comments were posted on sites within the West Leeds Dispatch circulation area until the consultation closed on Monday, 15 September.
1,244 comments were posted in Inner West Leeds, 4,073 in outer west, 3,239 on Horsforth sites in outer north west and 127 in inner north West, which includes parts of Burley. Land at West End Lane and Layton Lane in Horsforth was the most commented individual site, with 1,164 comments.
Comments will be considered by council planning officers, who will come back with final proposals for which sites could be developed.
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 will be used and developed. It 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 but were put forward in a ‘call for sites’ that the council will evaluate to see whether they are suitable for development.
A 2,389-name petition against the development of Headingley Station Allotments was also submitted to Leeds City Council on Monday. The site also received 975 comments in the consultation.
Work has started on a package of much-needed improvements to the playground at Stanningley Park.
improvements will see a new roundabout, repainting and repairs to surfacing of the playground.
This follows the installation of the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) which has proved extremely popular with park users.
This was part of a £100,000 package which included a complete resurfacing, the installation of goals, additional basketball hoops, games and sports markings, two new benches, two new bins and the resurfacing of the pathway to the bowling club. British Sign Language boards have also been installed in the playground.
The works, which started on 9 September, will see the playground closed for between one and two weeks.
Many improvements to Stanningley Park, Bramley Park, Bramley Fall Park and Rodley Park have taken place in the last year, after being partly funded and secured by Bramley and Stanningley ward councillors. These include:
Rodley Park – A new climbing frame for younger aged children, a new seat spinner and new games painted on the ground.
Bramley Fall Woods – A new toddler unit, repairs and resurfacing of the floor.
Bramley Park – The installation of British Sign Language boards and repainting the playground.
These improvements were funded through a combination of city-wide discretionary capital funding, the Bramley and Stanningley Councillors’ Ward Based Initiative and Community Infrastructure Levy funding.
In a statement, Councillors Adele Rae, Councillor Kevin Ritchie and Councillor Tom Hinchcliffe (Labour, Bramley and Stanningley) said: “While we are operating on extremely limited budgets, we know how important our local green spaces are to residents. Accessible parks support local people with their physical and mental health as well as providing a safe space to relax with friends and family.
“We will continue to work hard all year round for residents in Bramley, Stanningley and Rodley to deliver the parks that they want and deserve.”
Guests include Bramley History Society, Hookers and Clickers, BARCA, Dazzle Dancers. The Church will be providing refreshments in the cafe area from 10am.
Sunday 21 September
Trinity Methodist Church
10.30am Community-Focused Service, lead Rev. Rach Ward. All welcome.
Bramley Villagers Club
Concert between 4pm-6pm featuring Class Act Youth Theatre, Bramley Parish Theatre Players, The Daytime Choir & Leeds Youth Opera.
The event is organised by Bramley Community Arts, a community interest company dedicated to providing opportunities for the arts to thrive in West Leeds.
As part of Rodley Nature Reserve’s management programme an area is prepared each year to provide winter food for birds during the “hungry gap” period October until March.
Preparation of a six-acre crop field known as Tim’s Field starts back in late March with ploughing which, if necessary, is followed by a weed spray and then subsequently re-seeded.
The process seems straight forward but is very much weather dependant and this year has been quite traumatic.
The weather was particularly unkind early season and it was not possible to complete the sowing process until May which coincided with the start of a long period without rain.
The dry weather slowed germination and anxiety increased but there was just enough late patchy rain to start the process.
Trustee Jerry Knapp said: “We ploughed the seed and scattered the good seeds on the ground and now it’s up to God’s almighty hand.”
The crop is now flourishing with a mix of bird friendly seed species and the delayed flowering has also provided a bonus.
Jerry said: “Our meadows are cut when flowering has finished usually mid-August time which reduces the availability of plants for nectar feeders but this year, with Tim’s crop flowering so late, it’s provided excellent habitat for the bees, butterflies and moths.”
Tim’s Field is now in flower with the following species showing prominently – sunflower, quinoa, millet, fodder radish, flax, phacelia and mustard seed all designed to provide food during the “hungry gap” and is being appreciated by visitors as well as the wildlife.
Free ice creams, complimentary teas, coffees and soft drinks are on offer to visitors to the Late Summer Open Afternoonat the Leeds City Mission Compassion Centre on Saturday (20 September)
Leeds City Mission is hoping to make the most of the last of the summer sunshine with a social event, which runs 2.30pm-4pm.
They are throwing open their doors at their premises in Mistress Lane (end of Town Street) in Armley to visitors.
Leeds City Mission in Mistress Lane, Armley. Photo: Andy Dalton
The social event and sale will have tables displaying a wide selection of greetings cards.
There will be also be a hybrid pop up charity shop for the afternoon featuring bric a brac and clothes. All monies raised will go towards the various compassion projects undertaken by the City Mission amongst needy people in West Leeds.
Leeds City Mission Compassion Centre Manager Sinclair Martin explained that the City Mission Compassion Centre in Mistress Lane is becoming a popular destination for local people. It provides a variety of projects to help people struggling with life. It is diagonally opposite Armley Library.
Mr Martin said: “This is a social event where people can linger, chat, relax, enjoy an ice cream and pick up a bargain. Everyone is welcome.”
Refreshments will be served in the Compassion Centre and also on the adjoining grassed area where people can mingle. People can chat and enjoy the sunshine around tables on the grass as well as browse inside the centre.
Leeds City Mission is a multi-church Christian agency which has worked with marginalised people since 1837 and seeks to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of Leeds residents.
It’s been a good year for the fruit! Late summer brought a bounty of plums, apples, blackberries, elderberry and sloe.
Many of us will have enjoyed a blackberry and apple crumble or two, but what can we do to preserve these beautiful fruits for the colder months to come?
Local resident, Dominic Tucker, picking sloe near Bramley Fall Woods.
Local resident, Dominic Tucker, has been picking sloe to make gin. Traditionally, sloes are picked from the blackthorn, Prunus spinosa tree, after the first frost which splits their skin so the flavours of the fruit infuse with the alcohol.
This year, the harvest is early and fruit can be frozen with the same outcome.
Wash the fruit, add sugar and cover with gin or a spirit of your choosing. Ferment for several months in an airtight container. Sloe brandy or sloe rum works just as well and the same applies to blackberry vodka.
There are many recipes online for those who want to experiment.
Dom said: “Making gin is just for fun. My real passion is for fermenting kombucha.”
Kombucha is a fermented drink made from a ‘mother culture’ containing lactic acid bacteria and probiotics.
This year Dom has fermented plums but says his favourite is home grown mint with lime and hibiscus leaves. Research suggests that the fermentation process has real health benefits.
Dom added: “Fermenting creates an environment in which the ‘bad’ bacteria don’t survive, but the beneficial bacteria will thrive.
“Kumbucha is a fun project and the drink is not too sweet or artificial. It’s easy to make your own with a starter kit and there is plenty of information online.”
Alternatively, for a delicious elderberry syrup, combine two cups of washed elderberries with four cups of water and cinnamon or spice if desired.
Simmer for 30 minutes and strain. Stir in half a cup of honey and store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
There’s still plenty of fruit on the trees. Make sure you have a clear identification of the fruit to be picked, watch out for the thorns and leave some for the birds!
Cheers! For further information about how to forage responsibly visit The Woodland Trust.
The first baton bearer, Matthew Pickles. Photo: Helen Fay
By Helen Fay
The Baton of Hope began its Leeds leg across the city from its starting point in Bramley. The launch event was held in the courtyard of BARCA Leeds in Upper Town Street.
Representatives from BARCA, Touchstone and Leeds Mind were present alongside local councillors, baton bearers and supporters.
The Baton of Hope Leeds event launched on World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September). The Baton acts as a symbol of hope, a remembrance to those lost through suicide and also a beacon to highlight awareness and encourage openness in talking about mental health and asking for help.
The event was kicked off by the Being You Leeds Men’s songwriting group who sang three original compositions including a song written especially for the launch – ‘Here I’m Staying’. A free download can be found here.
The group also performed at the finale at the Old Fire Station, Gipton, in the evening.
Joe Kent, from Barca Leeds
There then followed an introduction from Joe Kent, business development manager at BARCA Leeds.
Joe introduced Jennie Willetts from Bramley Baths, who led an energetic warm up session for walkers and supporters alike.
Keeping fit: Jennie Willetts from Bramley Baths
All joined in enthusiastically and this greatly contributed to the warm natured and supportive atmosphere.
Sir John Battle speaks.
Sir John Battle, former Leeds West MP and trustee of BARCA, recited a piece of self- penned poetry, as did Rick Bach, who attends various men’s groups in West Leeds.
Leeds City Council’s Victoria Eaton.
The next speaker was Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health for Leeds City Council. The Leeds Suicide Prevention plan, which was initiated by Victoria and her team, has been nationally recognised as good practice.
Ms Eaton said “It’s incredible that we’re starting the Baton in West Leeds, because there are so many people here this morning, part of BARCA and other organisations, local councillors and local community members who have been working on this really important agenda for decades.
“As a city, we’re really proud of the work that we all do together to tackle the root causes of poor mental health. Preventing needless deaths by suicide is one part of that work.”
Cllr Adele Rae and baton bearer Matthew Pickles .
Councillor Adele Rae (Lab, Bramley & Stanningley) delivered a moving speech about first hand experience of bereavement by suicide. Cllr Rae said: “We carry this baton today, not just in memory, but in grief, in love and in hope.
“Every week, more than a hundred people take their own lives and behind that number there is a family shattered, a future lost and a community grieving.
“We need to stop treating suicide like a taboo and start treating it like the public emergency that it is. We all have a role to play making sure that no one feels so alone that death feels like the only option. To those who are struggling, please hold on, reach out, you are not broken, you are not a burden, you are loved and you are needed.”
Cllr Rae then passed the Baton to the first baton bearer who set off down Bramley Town Street alongside other walkers and supporters to the applause of bystanders and those remaining at the starting point.
The Baton had been successfully launched on its journey across Leeds in memory of those lost through suicide, to raise awareness and promote help-seeking.
Printmaker Nat Hues at Sunny Bank Mills. Photo: Noelle Williamson
Last weekend it was Open Studio at Sunny Bank Mills. Community reporter Noelle Williamson went along toFarsley to see some of the artists, jewellers and creatives in action.
Many artists in ceramics, glass and textiles, as well as jewellers, painters, printmakers and potters welcomed the public into their studios as part of a three-day Heritage Festival which also offered exhibitions, workshops and guided tours.
Here are snapshots of a few makers, and their work, out of 48 artists based in the Spinning Mill studios, or in the Twisting Mill and Red Lane Mill.
Painter Poppy-Lee Jennings.
Painter Poppy-Lee Jennings and printmakers Matt Hooper and Nat Hues all celebrate natural history through their work. Poppy (@poppyleejennings) presented small, beautifully detailed botanical studies in pencil and acrylic, and a wonderfully observed portrait in oils, of ‘Lydia’ at home.
Printmaker Matt Hooper.
Self-taught Matt Hooper (@hupalinocuts) spoke eloquently about the pleasures and challenges of cutting woodblocks, and the different qualities of wood and lino.
Limiting himself to black ink – and occasionally a second muted colour – he creates striking natural history images such as his ‘Armourdillo’ or a Death’s-head Moth, with a ‘skull’ like a negative tattoo against shaggy stripes of mustard and black.
An example of Nat Hues’ work.
As for Nat Hues (@Pearly Rubble), in between creating digital prints, murals and illustrated wooden installation art, Nat is also a tattoo artist and the illustrator of two colourful Usborne natural history books for children. Her two fat pigeons (pictured, top) will soon be going to roost at the Fat Pigeon Bakery in Bramley!
Helen Dryden with her work.
Helen Dryden’s studio (@helen_dryden) was hung with an eclectic collection of lively abstract canvases, and explorations of contemporary experience – including space exploration, and a first visit to New York.
Clare Lane loves strong colours.
Clare Lane (@claredlane) is a printmaker-turned-textile artist who delights in strong colours.
Some of her pieces have the energetic, barely contained harmony of jazz.
Others suggest weather-worn metal and peeling external paintwork, relics of yesteryear. She creates her effects by screen-printing her fabric in bold colours, then cutting and layering it into abstract collages, and using her beloved 1920s industrial sewing machine, or hand embroidery, to build up texture.
Faryal Aslam and her work.
Faryal Aslam makes elegant jewellery and accessories from cord in mouthwatering colours. Her creations are currently only available online (at https://knottinger.com/) and she is definitely looking forward to opening her own shop in Horsforth, next month, full of her handmade pieces. Look out for Knottinger in October.
Penelope Pendle Hayes at work in her studio.
Although there were kilns in several studios in the Spinning Mill, only Penelope Pendle Hayes was working on Sunday afternoon.
Besides her trademark pale glazed figures in enveloping textured robes, Penelope had some almost-life-size raku-fired heads on display.
While pointing out the different effects she had achieved, or discovered, she happily confessed her fascination with the raku process, and the miraculous possibilities of copper oxide, like millions of Pottery Throwdown fans everywhere.
Some of Penelope’s work.
For those who missed these open-studio days, there will be another chance to ‘Meet the Maker’ on Saturday, October 4. For the record, there are lifts as well as all those stone steps.
The Xmas Fair will take place on two Saturdays, December 6 and December 13.
One flight up from the second-floor studios, is the Loft gallery, an inspired use of a tiny, light-filled roof space. In ‘Joint and Several’, an exhibition of collaborative paintings by Mel Davies and Kim Coley, every single canvas had a red ‘sold’ sticker on it.
However, both artists will have other works for sale on the October and December dates.
To discover more about Mel, Kim, Matt, Nat, Penelope, Poppy-Lee, Clare, Faryal and other Sunny Bank makers, go to their website.
A Pudsey construction company has welcomed its latest batch of apprentices as it continues to invest in young people to address an industry-wide skills shortage.
12 successful applicants join the apprenticeship scheme at G&H, a mechanical, electrical and public health service provider based on South Parade.
The new cohort will receive fully-funded, on-the-job training over the next three to five years, working towards a professional qualification whilst getting paid.
This year’s apprenticeships include Level 2, 3 and 4 business administration, mechanical, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), project management, service and maintenance and accounts roles.
G&H will deliver the hands-on vocational learning, while training partners Leeds College of Building, Bradford College, Luminate Education Group and Choice College in Dagenham will provide the academic provision.
Beating off competition from a highly competitive pool of 90 applicants, this year’s successful candidates are – Jack Sharp, 19, Karlson Cawkwell, 19, Isabelle Bartram, 19, David Llies, 17, Sebastian Bryan, 19, Ellis Parker, 18,, Kaden Maggs, 18, Niall Budge, 18, Abdullah Mullan, 21, Jack Lightfoot, 18,, Amelia Armitage, 19, and Jake Sherburn, 16. With the class of 2025 joining G&H, the number of apprentices has risen to 27.
Paul Churchill, development manager at G&H, said: “Attracting, training and retaining the next generation of employees is key to the future viability of G&H and the wider construction industry.
“Each year, through our apprenticeship scheme we attract the best talent, with many students remaining with the firm long after they have qualified. Welcoming the new cohort is a highlight of my year and their eagerness to learn and enthusiasm is great to see.”
Isabelle Bartram, business administration apprentice said: “I applied for the apprenticeship at G&H because I wanted to build a solid foundation for a long-term career in a professional, fast-paced environment.
“G&H stood out to me as a respected company that values development and teamwork, and I saw the apprenticeship as a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience, while continuing to learn, which will benefit me in the future.”
Founded in 1998, G&H is a leading MEP provider. Its 200-strong team designs, manages, delivers, and maintains every aspect of MEP schemes across the UK.
New Farnley Cricket Club picked up their fourth trophy of their record-breaking season with victory over Wanstead & Snaresbrook CC in the Vitality Club T20 cup final today.
They were guided to their latest triumph by a chanceless unbroken third wicket stand of 143 between Ryan McKendry and skipper Aidan Langley as an eight-wicket victory was achieved with five balls to spare.
Faced with an early start due to the rain forecast later in the day, New Farnley Langley chose to bowl first as New Farnley hoped to restrict their opponents to a manageable score.
Alex Lilley and Abhay Negi kept things tight early on, with Lilley bowling his four over allocation straight through for excellent figures of 4-0-14-1. New Farnley kept their opponents to 63-1 from the first ten overs, but Wanstead & Snaresbrook had two set batters at the crease who were looking to accellerate.
New Farnley’s fielding was strangley ragged with Adam Ahmed, McKendry and Jonny Phillips all spilling straight forward chances and there were fears among their supporters that they would prove costly.
Gurman Randhawa checked the momentum by picking up three wickets in the middle overs, including both set batters, Haaris Usman (38) and Muhammad Hameed (32) but some powerful hitting from Yuvraj Odedra (45*) from 24 balls with five fours and two sixes) helped his side reach 150-6 by the close. It looked to be a slightly below par score and so it proved.
New Farnley tried to get ahead of the rate from the off with Steve Bullen and Fletcher Coutts opening the batting. Coutts struck two fours while taking nine runs from the first over, only for Zain Shahzad to dismiss both of them in the following over while conceding just a single run.
At 10-2 it was up to captain Langley and Ryan McKendry to rebuild the innings and keep up with the required run rate. Twelve runs came from the third over before McKendry struck back against Shahzad’s second over – hitting him for a four and a six.
At the halfway point, New Farnley were 67-2 – just four runs ahead of the first innings and with similarly set batters. However, Wanstead & Snaresbrook were unable to replicate Randhawa’s magic and dislodge either batter as they kept ahead of the rate with key boundaries and excellent running between the wickets.
McKendry reached his half-century off 46 balls at the end of the 14th over, while Langley brought up his fifty from 36 balls with a single off Odedra at the end of the 17th over.
Twelve runs were required from the final two overs and Wanstead & Snaresbrook brought Shahzad back for a final roll of the dice to try and dislodge either batter. Two runs came from the first two balls to Langley, before McKendry struck him over the boundary for six to deflate the hopes of their opponents.
Two more singles and a two brought the scores level for the start of the final over, where Langley crashed the first ball away for four to secure victory for his side.
McKendry was awarded Man of the Match for his innings – capping off a career defining year for the all-rounder to go with his 1,000 league runs and four winners medals.
An artist's impression of the new wetland area off Hough Side Road, Pudsey.
Yorkshire Water will be holding community drop in events to discuss plans for a multi-million pound wetland scheme in Pudsey.
As previously reported, Yorkshire Water has proposed a major scheme to improve the water quality of Pudsey Beck and reduce storm overflows carrying sewage wastewater into the beck.
The scheme will introduce a wetlands greenspace which will use plants to naturally treat storm wastewater on land previously earmarked for housing, off Hough Side Road.
Plans including the relocation of an existing storm overflow and the construction of an integrated wetland, a new outfall to Pudsey Beck, new access tracks and associated ancillary works were submitted to the council in February. They are still to be decided.
The wetland will be based at the disused Yorkshire Water sewage works. The land has not been used by Yorkshire Water for at least 30 years.
Yorkshire Water say their partner, Kier, would carry out the work.
Community drop in events will be held at Swinnow Community Centre on Friday, 26 September 2025 and on Friday, 10 October (from 2-6pm).
“If you live or work in the area we’d love you to come along and meet the project team from Yorkshire Water, our capital partners Keir and ask any questions you may have,” a spokesperson said.
Bright Horizons Leeds Day Nursery And Preschool on. Kirkstall Road, Burley. Photo: Google
By John Baron
A Kirkstall Road-based nursery is ‘dedicated’ to ensuring children’s safety and well-being, an Ofsted inspector has said.
Bright Horizons Leeds Day Nursery And Preschool in Burley has been rated as ‘good’ for its the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and leadership. It had been classed as ‘outstanding’ at its last inspection in 2019.
Inspectors noted that leaders and staff were dedicated to ensuring children’s safety and well-being.
“For example, staff use a mascot to help children to learn about how to keep themselves safe,” the report noted.
“They share information with parents and carers about online safety. This supports children to learn how to be safe both in and out of the nursery.”
The report adds staff build positive relationships with the children that they care for. “They spend time getting to know children’s likes, dislikes and interests. This supports children to become self-assured and happy learners.”
There was also praise for staff’s “regular assessments of children’s progress” and for the support for children with special educational needs (SEND).
In terms of areas for improvement, the report adds: ““The provider should review the organisation and deployment of staff during settling-in sessions for new children, to ensure that all children’s learning and care needs continue to be met at these times.”
