Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman in her 30s died after she was hit by a van being driven on Stanningley Bypass.
At 1.14am yesterday morning (Saturday) police received calls reporting a pedestrian in the road near New Pudsey Station.
A short time later, a further call was received reporting a collision involving a pedestrian and a van.
Emergency services attended but the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her family are being supported by specialist officers and enquiries remain ongoing.
Officers from the Major Collision Enquiry Team would like to hear from anyone who saw the collision or may have relevant dashcam footage and has not already spoken to them. Contact West Yorkshire Police online here or by calling 101 quoting log 107 of 11 October.
The owners of popular Mexican restaurant Sabrosa Street have spoken of ‘heavy hearts’ as they close their Farsley eatery for the final time tonight (Thursday, 9 October).
Annika and David Richardson say they are ‘ready for new chapters’ and admitted their Town Street business struggled following the Covid pandemic, pointing to rising energy and cost of living costs among other things.
In a statement on social media, Annika and David said: “It is with heavy hearts that the time has come for us to say goodbye to our restaurant in Farsley.
“As I’m sure most people are aware, hospitality is hard right now.
“We opened six years ago, just before Covid hit, so were up against it from the start and never really recovered from that [due to] rising energy costs, staff costs, inflation, cost of living crisis… the list is endless.
“So we made the difficult decision 18 months ago to put the restaurant up for sale. It has been a long process, but we will (hopefully) complete the sale tomorrow. We are in the process of contacting all those with future bookings.
“We want to thank every single one of our amazing customers for your support, laughter, and loyalty over the years. You’ve made this journey unforgettable. I’ve lost count of the amounts of celebrations we have done over the years… birthdays, christenings, baby showers, Halloween parties, New Year’s Eves.
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of those special moments It has been such a major chapter in our lives. Our youngest was only eight months old when we got the keys and is now six and a half!
“This isn’t goodbye, though — we’re excited to continue doing what we love through our kitchen at Horsforth Sports Club. And our beautiful horsebox trailer will be back out and aboutWhether it’s events, private parties, or special occasions, we’ll still be bringing our food to you.
“Stay tuned here for updates on where to find us next — and how to book us for your events! We have lots of exciting plans for the next six months and are ready for new chapters.”
WLDreported in August on plans for new signs at at the restaurant, with new owners set to rename it Fifty-Eight Giardino, promising brunch, dinner and cocktails.
Where the entrance to the new library will be at Calverley Mechanics Institute. Photo: Anne Akers
Plans to transform Calverley Mechanics’ Institute into a new village library have been given the green light.
WLDreported earlier this year that Calverley Library was to move in a bid to save Leeds City Council money.
£200,000 plans have been drawn up to relocate the library, which the council says currently has some of the lowest footfall, book borrowing and computer usage figures across the city.
This week council planning officers approved a planning application to change the use of the Mechanics to a library.
External alterations including raising the level of the pathway and removal of a section of railings to allow level access to the building; new external lighting and replacement of existing front door with glazed door.
The relocation will include upgraded accessible toilets and redecoration of the library areas to provide a safe and welcoming environment.
A planning officer’s report colluded that the proposal is considered compliant with the relevant policies.
A public consultation into the future of the existing library in Thornhill Street was launched in April – 70% of respondents were in support of the proposal, with many commenting that the proposed building would be more suitable and have potential to be a more usable community space.
One objection to the proposal was received, which centred around on-street parking pressures in Blackett Street.
Is there a story we should be covering in your community? Perhaps you’d like to get more involved with West Leeds Dispatch?
We’re holding our latest community news cafe/coffee morning, where people can come and meet our editor John Baron, and community reporter support worker Jean Hollings, over a friendly cuppa.
On Wednesday (15 October 2025) the West Leeds Dispatch coffee morning/news cafe will be held next at New Wortley Community Centre, 40 Tong Road, LS12 1LZ. It runs 10am-12pm. Buses 4, 16, 86 pass outside.
Leeds Civic Hall. Photo: John Baron/westleedsdispatch.com
A scheme to crack down on rogue landlords in Armley could move a step closer to reality next week.
Senior councillors are set to approve a business case to introduce selective licensing in Armley and other parts of Leeds next week.
The aim of selective licensing is to improve the quality of life for residents, ensuring a consistently high standard of management of private rented homes which, the council argues, makes a positive contribution to the area.
A map of the areas earmarked for selective licensing.
Anyone who is granted a selective licence will need to comply with certain conditions which aim to keep tenants safe, reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, and ensure that properties are maintained to a satisfactory standard. The proposed fee is £1,100 for online applications and £1,225 for paper-based applications, with a £150 discount for confirmed members of the Leeds Rental Standard.
The scheme will cover just over 33,500 households in parts of West, East and South Leeds – just over 10% of the population of Leeds. Approximately 580 homes from the Farnley and Wortley ward – mainly at the bottom of Oldfield Lane – have also been included.
Councillors will hear the scheme will be ‘cost neutral’ to the council and successful pilot projects have already run in Harehills and Beeston.
If councillors on the decision-making executive board approve the business case, the new selective licensing areas will come into force on 9 February 2026.
Updated 9 October 3.43pm: The article has been updated to clarify that the proposed fee is £1,100 for online applications and £1,225 for paper-based applications, not £825 as first stated.
Senior councillors will meet next week to decide the outcome of a review into the future of Leeds’ children’s centres.
A report to go before the council’s executive board next Wednesday (October 15) says the reorganisation will provide a ‘major refresh’ of the city’s children’s centres.
It says the move will create a more accessible and efficient network, which reaffirms the council’s commitment families will continue to receive high-quality support and services.
Children’s centres facing closure in West Leeds include: Burley Park, Farnley, Farsley/Calverley, and Pudsey. A total of 18 centres would be closed across Leeds.
Historic centres in Hollybush and Kirkstall – where services are not currently provided – would also be among a further six across the city to be de-registered.
The council would continue to provide centralised services at 31 children’s centres to maintain a universal and citywide offer of support for families. In West Leeds these would be at Armley Moor, Bramley, Little London, Horsforth, Swinnow and Hawksworth Wood.
The reorganisation means the council will achieve financial savings of up to £2.45m.
Council chiefs say the decisions follow a detailed assessment based on local needs, building suitability – including whether nearby buildings could accommodate services – and feedback on consultation earlier this year.
While Leeds City Council currently has 55 registered children’s centres, it says many are underused, single-purpose buildings and now exist among a range of other places where families can also access multiple services under one roof.
“The review explored all sites to identify those which would be accessible, well-used, sustainable and cost-effective for the future and has been subject to extensive consultation with families, staff and stakeholders,” a council spokesperson said.
Mirroring national trends, the city is also experiencing falling birth rates, with the numbers of people estimated to access children’s services anticipated to reduce in future years.
The review identified opportunities to offer support from alternative community spaces in locations across Leeds. The proposal which received positive feedback during the consultation, with many respondents stating they were open to accessing services in sites such as libraries, community centres, schools and leisure centres.
Subject to executive board approval, the review proposes to continue operating 31 children’s centres in Leeds – more than any other core city in England. These would be divided into seven groups which align geographically with the seven ‘family hubs’, launched earlier this year, ensuring families receive more consistent, joined-up support on a range of issues.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, said: “Children’s centres in Leeds play a vital role in supporting families and with 31 proposed to remain, the city will continue to retain more centres than any other core city.
“These proposals will allow us to continue delivering core and targeted support, while modernising services and providing access through co-located provision in trusted community spaces.
“By aligning with our newly-launched family hubs, we’re creating a more joined-up, city-wide network that reflects how families live, work and seek support today.”
WLD first reported back in February that the council was carrying out a review into the future of children’s centres across Leeds.
The proposed changes are to these services and not to any Little Owls nusery provision which might be located on the same site.
To view the report being considered by the executive board visit Council and democracy (agenda item nine).
WLD is following ongoing council cuts, closures, building sales and reaction in our Cutswatch series of articles.
Guided by artist Gemma Wood, children are asked to design the most imaginative artwork using light, without being hampered by practical restrictions.
Bright ideas from primary school pupils in Armley will be part of the city’s biggest annual cultural event this month.
Creative concepts cooked up by the city’s youngsters will be showcased during October’s dazzling Light Night Leeds, which this year seeks to engage more people across the city than ever before.
Sponsored by Northern Powergrid, Light Night Leeds is working with four local primary schools inspiring the next generation of light artists.
Guided by artist Gemma Wood, children are asked to design the most imaginative artwork using light, without being hampered by practical restrictions.
The designs by children at Armley Park, Little London Academy, Park View and Shakespeare primary schools will be shown at Wellington Place during Light Night Leeds.
With the theme of Landmarks, this year’s event will celebrate some of the city’s historic civic buildings, modern architecture and public spaces as well as asking visitors to contemplate their own personal landmarks and the places which are important and memorable to them.
The people of Leeds have also contributed to several artworks to be displayed during the event, which is happening on October 22 and 23.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “This year everyone in Leeds can get involved in Light Night Leeds, whether they are able to attend or not.
“It’s great to see children participating and even showcasing some of their work at the event, as well as having so many of our residents being part of the actual artworks.
“As always, we are looking forward to one the biggest cultural events of the year.”
Light Night Leeds 2025 takes place across the city on October 22 and 23 from 6pm to 10pm. Visit the website and follow Light Night Leeds on social media for more information.
Shop anniversary: (from left) Anna Bragger, Leeds Women’s Aid Retail Manager with MP Katie White, who is Leeds Women’s Aid Ambassador, and
Samantha Lightfoot, Leeds Women’s Aid Fundraising and Marketing Director
Leeds Women’s Aid is celebrating a major milestone in October with the 10-year anniversary of its Horsforth charity shop.
Since the shop opened on New Road Side in October 2015, it has been supported by more than 50 volunteers who’ve dedicated 72 hours per week to keep it running, and has sold more than 60,000 items, including almost 800 items via its eBay shop.
The Leeds Women’s Aid shop is supported by almost 3,000 Gift Aid donors and has diverted more than 228,000 kgs of clothing from going to landfill.
Until 26 October, the store will host a series of community events including prize giveaways, outfit challenges, kids’ craft sessions, tea and coffee mornings and a raffle.
Window displays will also showcase the shop’s journey from 2015 to 2025, marking a decade of community support and fundraising for the charity’s life-saving services.
Katie White OBE MP – Member of Parliament for Leeds North West and Leeds Women’s Aid Ambassador – said: “I’m so thrilled to see our Leeds Women’s Aid shop in Horsforth going from strength to strength as it celebrates this significant milestone.
“It’s a wonderful shop, lovingly curated, full of treasure, and always worth a visit when I’m passing. Beyond raising awareness and vital funds for Leeds Women’s Aid, it also plays an important role in keeping our high streets thriving.
“I congratulate the staff and volunteers for their outstanding service, and I urge the wider community to support their great work and keep shopping local.”
Leeds Women’s Aid has also announced its participation in the Big Give Women and Girls Campaign.
It aims to raise funds to sustain its online chat service – a safe and discreet way for women and girls across Leeds to access support. Running from today (Wednesday, 8 October) to Wednesday, 15 October, every donation made through the Big Give portal will be doubled, offering supporters the opportunity to make twice the impact.
Nik Peasgood, Chief Executive of Leeds Women’s Aid, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Big Give Women and Girls Campaign. In today’s challenging funding environment, where many charities have sadly had to close similar services, we are proud to have kept our online chat running for five years.
“Originally launched in response to the pandemic, it remains a vital point of access for victim-survivors seeking guidance and safety. The Big Give gives our supporters a unique opportunity to double their donations and directly help us sustain this essential service.”
Leeds Women’s Aid aims to raise £10,000 during the campaign week, the equivalent of 500 hours of support through their online live chat service, which costs £20 per hour to run.
Any parkrunner has an open invitation to any parkrun. Runners from Kent and Nottingham were made welcome at Bramley parkrun last weekend, as parkrun itself turned 21.
The Bramley team even accommodated a stroppy uninvited guest – Storm Amy.
By 8.45am core volunteer Tom Bell had finished inspecting the course for fallen branches and debris; and Paul Bennett, another core volunteer, was cheerfully heading uphill with an armful of hi-vis signs, to stake out the route before the 9am start.
Three volunteers ready for action at Bramley parkrun. Photo: Noelle Williamson
Meanwhile, more volunteers were arriving via the bottom gate, zipped into bright cagoules and hi-vis pink and blue Parkrun vests, and carrying takeaway coffee. More were gathered inside and outside the park hut, checking their responsibilities and the route, and collecting vests, walkie-talkies, route cones and staging signs.
Why had they signed up for a wet and windy morning in the open, rather than staying home and dry like sensible people?
Community and friendship – everyone said so. Satty Virdee expressed it this way: “Well, I volunteer every week. If I’m not here, the Parkrun won’t go ahead really. People enjoy seeing me on the steps. So, yeah, it’s just a regular weekly thing. I mean, I could have stayed in bed.”
Ella Wright was buzzing. “I absolutely love Parkrun. It’s fantastic! So that’s why I’ve volunteered to Tail Walk.
“My job is to encourage the parkwalkers along the way and get everybody safely back. And then I will be the last one to cross the finish line. Nobody is ever last.”
There isn’t usually a time limit on Parkrun and Parkwalk: it takes as long as everyone needs. That day, though, because Amy was predicted to turn really nasty mid-morning, Ella would be trying to get all the walkers to the finish by 10am, so everyone could be safely home before Amy let rip.
Meanwhile, runners were gathering outside the hut, some with dogs, one with a baby buggy, lots in shorts.
Tom Bell said: “We love it. (And I’m a bit mad.) It might be slightly chilly, but I think the camaraderie and the support from other runners and volunteers gets you round. And once you get moving, you soon warm up.”
The dad with the buggy, whose toddler daughter was ‘dressed for the North Pole’, said: “Well, you’re guaranteed a result, aren’t you!”
His daughter has done around 106 parkruns, and dad over 420.
Catherine Gray added: “I’ve done 561. Over many years – many, many years.”
Someone waved; it was time to walk up to the start, for notes from the Run Director.
The Bramley Parkrun has regular Summer and Winter routes, but a Run Director can change a course on the day if need be – like when Amy turns up, (or Bram, Chandra, or Eddie ) chucking water and threatening to snap tree branches. Mark Lawson kept it brief for the assembled runners, walkers and marshals.
“Follow the perimeter of the field to the turnaround and come back down the path, so we’re avoiding all the trees,” Mark added. “It’s a bit of a hybrid summer/winter course, but just follow the person in front and the marshals out there and enjoy yourself!”
It was 9am. He gave the signal, and away they went.
You can see from Saturday’s photos how quickly the starting pack of 147 opened out on the left turn, with front runners emerging on the slope. Male or female, lanky or stocky, these guys love to run.
Then there were the Parkwalkers, in light blue vests, with Ella bringing up the rear as promised. The vests are new this year, since Bramley Parkwalk became an official aspect of Bramley Parkrun.
Men, women, their children and their dogs do parkrun – and parkwalk. Some have a baby bump, some a pacemaker. Some have quite a collection of medals at home. Some use hiking poles. Let’s not forget the buggy pushers. Everyone has a place.
On Saturday, though, only the fit and resolute Parkwalkers braved the weather, so the pace was much faster than usual. They were indeed all done by 10.00.
There were marshals posted all along the course, like mother and daughter team Jamie and Rosie at the top of the hill; Reg, the ‘Guardian at the Gate’, down by the Cenotaph entrance; Satty on the steps up to Warrels Road; and Carol at Carol’s Corner.
Robin is at the U-Turn almost every week, where the course leaves the top path and cuts down between the two conifer plantations.
Conditions were grim for the runners and walkers doing their second circuit in wet clothes and trainers, with the prospect of the third circuit after that.
The walkers – out a lot longer than some runners – had that camaraderie Tom spoke of as they plodded gamely on.
As for the runners, even allowing for the automatic ‘smile for the camera’, a surprising number seemed to be enjoying the wildness of the day and the madness of carrying on in these conditions; or appeared delighted with themselves for turning up and doing it.
Some were running in their own headspace, earbuds in and game faces on; others seemed comfortably and privately settled in their own rhythm. Pairs ran together, talking and smiling, even while rain slid into their eyes and mouths.
By the time they reached the u-turn for the third time, and the final, downward slope towards the finish, there was no mistaking their fatigue and relief. Still, they showed Amy that Bramley parkrun happens every Saturday morning at 9am.
Come rain or shine.
More details on Bramley parkrun – and to register – can be found here. A junior parkrun is held in Bramley Park every Sunday morning.
Abbey House Museum in Kirkstall has secured a slice of almost a million pounds in funding to help safeguard its future.
Leeds Museums and Galleries has today been awarded a total of £952,000 following a successful Arts Council England funding bid.
The fund is aimed at providing urgent support to museums which are owned and directly maintained by local authority funding, helping them deliver projects to safeguard vital community engagement and ensure continued public access to museums and their collections.
The crucial funding will support a total of ten projects being planned by Leeds Museums and Galleries.
One of the projects will focus on Abbey House Museum, producing a long-term development plan that will work towards safeguarding the museum’s future.
Leeds Museums and Galleries will work with a design and architectural specialists to reimagine the visitor experience and embed play at the heart of the museum, as well as improving accessibility throughout.
Plans by cash-strapped Leeds City Council to close Abbey House Museum were thwarted earlier this year following a major community campaign.
A public meeting with city councillors to update people on progress made on securing the future of Abbey House Museum will be held on Sunday, 19 October from 10.30am-12.00pm. Tickets are free, and can be booked here.
Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills. Photo: Jill Stocks
Plans for a new social enterprise café at Leeds Industrial Museum in Armley will also go ahead as part of the funding.
Other projects include a strategic review of Leeds Museums and Galleries, which will engage communities in finding out what they value most about museums, review operating models and help set the future direction of the service.
David Hopes, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ head of service, said: “We are so grateful to Arts Council England for their continued support and these essential funds to help stabilise our future.
“These development projects will see us make long term plans with the people of Leeds for the sustainability of their museum service, as well as providing fantastic visitor experiences and meaningful engagement for the people of the city and beyond.”
Earlier this year, an economic impact report compiled by Leeds Museums and Galleries revealed that council-run sites in Leeds generated £47.3m boost to the local economy over the past year.
Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “This funding award is fantastic news for our museums and galleries and a massive endorsement of the superb work they are doing to showcase history, heritage and culture to hundreds of thousands of people every year.
“Securing this hugely important funding will support our dedicated and passionate teams on site to form exciting plans for the future, creating a series of new, and engaging experiences for our visitors and showcasing Leeds as a top cultural destination.”
Also benefiting from the funding award will be Leeds Art Gallery. Building on a visioning study and proprietary plans to redevelop the gallery and create a larger world-renowned site, these funds will support the creation of an accompanying business plan and market analysis.
Other projects which can progress thanks to the funding include a study into the best use of space in Leeds City Museum, and research into sustaining the visitor experience at 500-year-old Temple Newsam House.
Follow WLD‘s ongoing coverage of Abbey House Museum here.
WLD has been following local and government cuts in West Leeds via its Cutswatch series here.
An artist's impression of the new wetland area off Hough Side Road, Pudsey.
A Pudsey councillor has welcomed Yorkshire Water’s efforts to demonstrate a new multi-million pound wetland scheme won’t create found odours for nearby residents.
Last month Cllr Simon Seary (Cons) raised concerns around what he claimed was a lack of investigation into possible odours emitting from the Hough Side road scheme, which would treat storm wastewater, improve water quality and reduce storm overflows into Pudsey Beck.
Cllr Seary was concerned about how the risk of odour had been classed as “low”, without any monitoring or modelling data.
But Cllr Seary says he has received an update from Leeds City Council’s Planning Department, following further discussions with Yorkshire Water.
“Yorkshire Water have confirmed they are commissioning a new technical report to demonstrate that odour should not be a concern, and will produce a detailed pack outlining how the site will be operated and monitored,” he said.
“This will form part of the planning approval, meaning any future issues can be fully enforced if necessary.
“Once this report is received and reviewed, I’m happy for the application to be determined by planning officers under delegated powers rather than requiring a full Plans Panel decision – provided all the safeguards are in place.
“This scheme will also create an area residents can enjoy, while improving the environment and helping manage surface water in a more natural way.”
Yorkshire Water said last month they had ‘conducted all assessments and preliminary tests that a construction of this type requires’.
Their statement said: “According to these assessments, there is low risk of any odour from the site, and Environmental Health did not raise any concerns on our initial planning submission. Additionally, we already have two integrated construction wetlands – at Clifton and Clayton West – and have not experienced any issues with odour at these sites.”
Yorkshire Water has also offered to meet Cllr Seary at one of their existing wetland sites in the near future to discuss some of his concerns.
Work to reduce the threat of wastewater backing up into streets is set to begin in Burley later this month.
Yorkshire Water is undertaking a programme of works in West Leeds to reduce the risk of wastewater backing up into streets, homes or businesses after heavy or prolonged rainfall.
This will involve the installation of large underground storage tanks, four of which will be sited in Kirkstall and Burley.
Work on the Burley Village Green project is due to begin on Monday, 20 October until June next year.
Kirkstall councillors Fiona Venner, Hannah Bithell and Andy Rontree have welcomed the work, and have asked for signage to be put up to warn people that the area will be closed to the public.
“We have asked for details of any impact on trees at the Burley Village Green site,” they said in a statement.
“We are particularly concerned that some of the standard trees recently planted here by our Parks Department are likely to be under threat. YW have undertaken to replace any trees that have to be removed, but of course it’s best if trees are left in situ whenever that is possible.
“YW advise that they have no plans to remove any trees from the western edge of the Green (the side facing The Village Street) and the wooded bank on the eastern side is entirely outside the boundary of their site.
“Concern has been expressed about the proposal to cover the vent stack with a ‘poster drum.’ Burley Village Green is part of the Burley Conservation Area, and we are not convinced that it’s appropriate to facilitate flyposting by putting a poster drum here. YW will be required to obtain planning permission for the vent stack, and for any structure covering it.
“As YW’s plans provide for much of Burley Village Green to be closed to the public for approximately eight months, we have asked them whether public access to any part of the site could maintained for part of that time. They are considering whether part of the southern end of the site can be re-opened before the works are completed.”
Work at Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club has already started.
A new entrance to the works area has been created next to the existing gate to accommodate large vehicles.
Councillors say they have been assured by the project team that there is no need to remove any trees from the KECC site, although some hedging and low-level vegetation may need to be cut back along the eastern boundary.
Similar projects on Spen Lane and Vesper Road are scheduled to begin in February and March 2026 respectively.
Contact Yorkshire Water’s Customer Experience Team for further details on 0344 848 1099.
