By community reporter
A small but determined group of Pudsey residents have come together, opposing a planning application they claim threatens their safety, wellbeing and neighbourhood character.
Applicant David Newett has applied for planning permission to build nine dwelling houses with associated access, parking, amenity space, landscaping and infrastructure works off Alder Drive.
In packed kitchen-table meetings and WhatsApp groups that have grown steadily over recent weeks, residents of from Alder Drive and Alder Garth have voiced a string of concerns over the proposals.
These range from ecological loss to infrastructure strain and road safety.
“This place has been my medication,” one long-time resident said. “I’ve struggled with anxiety for years, but living here, seeing green space every day, being able to go out and run across that field… that’s kept me well without tablets. Now they want to put diggers 20 feet from my back garden.”
Residents described the road network as ‘dangerously narrow’, regularly blocked by parked vehicles, and ill-equipped to cope with construction traffic.
“It’s already a blind corner,” one said. “Throw in HGVs, deliveries, site workers, and we’re not just talking about inconvenience—we’re talking about emergency access. How are ambulances or fire engines meant to get down here?”
Another pointed out: “The developer’s road layout includes an open junction to the adjacent field. That’s not just a layout feature – it’s a signal of what’s coming next.
“We’re not just fighting houses – we’re fighting for our health, safety and community.”
Residents also said there had been no real consultation with them and also raised concerns about drainage from the sloped site, especially with the beck below known to overflow during heavy rainfall. Others pointed to the removal of mature trees that anchor the valley’s edge, warning it could destabilise the land and harm habitats.
The proximity to the railway line also raised concerns, particularly around Network Rail access and easement responsibilities — issues the group says the applicant has not properly addressed. Residents also criticised what they claim is the ‘speculative’ nature of the proposal.
With over 30 objections already lodged and more expected, the residents’ group hopes to see the proposal refused on the grounds of unsuitability.
The proposed development will feature a range of house types, including three, four and five semi-detached and detached dwellings. All of these will be either two storeys or two and half storeys high.
In a planning statement, the applicant states that all buildings have been located outside the green belt and the extent of the access road within the green belt is limited.
The statement says: “The site comprises a sustainable location for the proposed residential development that aligns with the council’s spatial strategy which places the Leeds Main Urban Area as the most sustainable location for development.
“The proposed development would provide windfall housing which would contribute towards the council’s aim of delivering 500 dwellings per annum on small and unidentified sites.
“While a limited amount of the proposed development falls within the green belt, this form of development … is appropriate on the basis that it preserves green belt openness and avoids conflict with the five purposes of the green belt.”
The applicant said wildlife habitats would be improved as part of the development and that the site is ‘located within a sustainable location in relation to access to services, facilities, employment opportunities and public transport links within reasonable distance’.
It concludes: “The principle of development has been demonstrated to be acceptable, and the application is accompanied by a suite of technical reports which demonstrate that there are no technical constraints which would prevent the site coming forward for development and that the scheme will not result in any significant adverse impacts in accordance with local and national planning policy.”
Council planners aim to decide the application by 15 May.
- The plans con be viewed in full here.
- WLD previously featured the application here.
Whilst I have some sympathy with these residents, aren’t these plans just a small further development of where these people live? Their houses don’t look that old, I expect that it was always likely that a few more houses would be added here, allowing some more families to enjoy what these residents already have.