By John Baron
Leeds City Council has refused plans to change the use of a transport and haulage depot in Pudsey to a waste wash plant and storage depot.
The application by BW Skip Hire was refused because the scale and height of the plant, machinery and building were considered visually intrusive and harmful, particularly for residents living in the high-rise flats at Rycroft Gardens and Rycroft Place.
The proposals – off Swinnow View – featured a part retrospective change of use from a transport and haulage depot to a waste wash plant and storage depot, with the installation of associated machinery.
A council planning report said the wash plant would accept 200,000 tonnes per annum of waste material – comprising construction and demolition waste, as well as waste soils – which would be washed and separated. The site will also continue to be used as a storage depot for empty waste containers, skips and vehicles.
Refusing the application, a planning officer’s report concluded: “It is considered that the benefits of the proposed development do not clearly outweigh the harm to visual amenity. As such, the proposal is found to be contrary to Leeds’ adopted development plan and national planning policy and, is therefore recommended for refusal.”
BW Skip Hire could appeal against the decision.
The plans can be viewed in full here.