By Katherine Turner and John Baron
Leeds City Council’s decision to withdraw outline plans for up to 60 local authority homes at the TV Harrison ground in Wortley has been welcomed by politicians and local residents.
Initial plans on the Oldfield Lane ground were approved by council three years ago, despite a campaign to maintain the pitch for community use.
As revealed by WLD last week, negotiations over the future of the ground are continuing between co-owners Leeds School Sports Association and Leeds City Council, along with bosses at Leeds United Football Club who are keen to develop the area for junior and community sports.
Michael Meadowcroft, chair of the TV Harrison Sports Ground Association, said last week: “We are delighted that at last we have the council’s withdrawal of its planning application as its formal recognition of the progress of these negotiations.
“We look forward to their successful conclusion and the full utilisation of all the site. It has taken our association five years to reach this point!”
The withdrawal has been welcomed in the community and by politicians.
Councillor Adrian McCluskey (Lab, Farnley & Wortley) this week labelled the latest developments as ‘amazing’.
“The TVH Action Group have done great work and have been relentless,” he added. “When Mark Sewards and I got elected we got a very clear, strong message about how important this valuable community asset is.
“We saw and joined in getting it back to a functioning facility. The community has rallied and have done amazing work.
“We have, behind the scenes, supported every effort the amazing work our community has made to keep TV Harrison an invaluable asset in Farnley & Wortley. We continue to listen and will work to make this an incredible and important community facility, available to all. Watch this space.”
Councillor David Blackburn (Green, Farnley & Wortley) added: “I am delighted that the council has made the decision to withdraw their plans.
“It is something they should never have done in the first place. When the site came up in the original Site Allocation Plan we gave evidence at the public inquiry against making the site housing. It should be retained as a place to play sports in West Leeds and I hope the negotiations go well.
“I hope that the TV Harrison group are successful in these talks.”
Mark Sewards, MP for Leeds South West and Morley, said: “For two years I’ve worked with all parties to find a long-term solution for the ground. That solution is very close now. I can’t say any more until the time is right.”
Local resident, David Littlefair, who lives opposite the ground told WLD: “When I first heard about the plans to build housing on the area I had no idea of the history of the ground but didn’t want houses built on this green space.
“There are so few recreational areas in Wortley. I think it’s wonderful that the planning application has been withdrawn so that local people can use this space for football and recreation.
“With this government wanting 1.5 million new houses built in the next five years it wouldn’t surprise me if they came back with another application.”
Another West Leeds resident, Helen Kaye, added: “Fantastic news and long overdue. That pitch should be used for sports for young people – such a shame it’s taken the council five years to realise this.”
The TV Harrison ground has a long footballing history. It was where Leeds United greats like Raul Reaney, Brian Deane and David Batty used to play as youngsters and had been empty for 13 years until plans for council housing were revealed for the site in late 2018.
Local campaigners argued Wortley World War One hero TV Harrison had gifted the space to the children of Leeds before his death in 1931 and that the sports pitches and facilities should be restored.
The campaign group restored the football pitch and regular local junior matches are played on it, alongside training and community events.
Follow WLD’s ongoing coverage of the story, which started in 2018, by clicking on this link.
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