A petition has been launched against a proposed housing development in Rodley.
The former Airedale Mills site is the subject of a live planning application for up to 66 homes, which was first submitted in December. The plans have attracted 95 formal objections on Leeds City Council’s planning portal.
As reported by WLD earlier this month, volunteers at adjoining Rodley Nature Reserve criticised the removal of mature trees and changes to the proposed ecology buffer, which would act as a wildlife corridor between the development and the River Aire.
This week an online petition has been launched and – at the time of writing – has attracted more than 150 signatures.
Petition organiser Louisa Holmes wrote: “Their original plans have changed, which involves removal of many more beautiful old habitat full trees, no consideration to a wildlife buffer between the housing development, no mention of a supposed cat protection fence.
“There is also no consideration of those who use the canal, the amount of extra traffic on an already very congested road, no extra schools, GP surgeries etc etc etc.”
Councillors in both Calverley & Farsley and Bramley & Stanningley wards have also objected to the plans, alongside civic watchdog Leeds Civic Trust.
The plans have been submitted by developers Casa By Moda and Caddick Construction. The principle of residential development on this site has already been accepted through the granting of outline permission, the latest plans indicate detailed design of the site and buildings.
The site, off Moss Bridge Road and Rodley Town Street, has been empty for many years and is bordered by Leeds-Liverpool Canal and the River Aire.
A separate plan to build a new replacement bridge over the canal to provide access to the nature reserve and development already has planning permission, but has faced delays which have impacted both the nature reserve and Rodley Cricket Club.
