There is still plenty of time to comment on the detailed planning application 21/07156/RM for 289 houses either side of Haigh Wood.  The submitted documents and objections already sent can be seen on the planning portal:

https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=QYALDSJB0C000

Through Councillor Foster, WAAG put a series of questions to the Leeds planning case officer who replied setting out the current position:

            I write in relation to the above planning application and comments that I have received regarding the contents of the submission of the application and potential missing documents relating to a consultation exercise that has been carried out by the developer to date. I have looked through the application and cannot find the information referred to and, therefore, I have contacted the applicant’s agent to request this further information.

            I understand from conversations with some of you that there are significant concerns that there is insufficient time to comment on the proposal and, therefore, I would stress that whilst we are waiting for the further information to be received, the application cannot be taken to a Plans Panel meeting for determination. 

            Through looking at the information we have received, at this stage I have also requested further information regarding the ecology of the site and the sustainability measures proposed for the dwellings. The application is still being assessed and further information may be requested once I have received comments from all our consultees (both internal and external consultees). 

            Once the information requested today has been received, I shall renotify the community and a further 21 days will then be allowed for further consultation. At this stage, although the current round of public consultation will formerly end this Friday (22^nd), whilst I wait for the further information to be received the application is still live and people can still comment on the application in general. 

            I hope the above is of assistance and provides some clarity with regards to the public consultation of the application. 

Kind regards,   Mark Jackson.

The “RM” in the reference number means Reserved Matters.  These relate to the approved outline application (17/08262/OT) so the principle of house building within the red line and the access points cannot be contested.  And there’s no point in repeating the wider issues such as traffic levels, school places and health services; the outline plans were passed despite all that was said about these.   WAAG does, however, encourage everybody to look at the application details online for themselves, so that they can make comments individually about any aspects of the proposals which affect them personally.  For example, the comments which have already been made about the absence of satisfactory boundary treatment in a particular location, and the placing of a block of housing right next to an existing house.  Detailed proposals still have to follow policies such as the Council’s Street Design Guide – and the western parcel for one does not!

(Some backup documents are confusingly named.  Parcel A is the western parcel off Upper Green Way. B is the northern parcel off Westerton Road. C is the eastern parcel off Sandringham Drive. D is the big southern parcel off Hill Top Drive and Haigh moor Road.)

WAAG has made clear that the local community wants to contribute positively to achieve as good a standard of development as possible, having had to accept that development is going to happen.  But WAAG also wants to ensure that it represents local people’s opinions about the important issues that remain, for example:

1. Haigh Wood. Leave largely undisturbed or manage it to enable more public access?
2. Other areas to remain open. Should these aim to deflect pressures away from Haigh Wood? Are the submitted plans appropriate?
3. Water features. Balancing ponds to prevent excessive run off during storms are only diagrammatic so far. Good wildlife opportunity?
4. The mix of house types. Enough affordable homes? In the right places?
5. Impact on adjacent residents, as mentioned above.

This is not meant as an alternative to directly made objections – do get these sent in via the portal link – but WAAG believes it is listened to and will be reinforcing a community based response to what is wanted.

Our Lovely friends from WF3 Kindness have a message …….

GET INVOLVED & GET SHARING

For more information: www.wf3kindness.org/competition 

We told you recently the 205 bus service by Arriva is being withdrawn next week, We have learned today that another company will be taking this route on to ensure we are not further cut off, and meaning the high school children will be able to get to Woodkirk independently, further to that the route is being extended to the Owl Cotes shopping centre in Pudsey.

WYCA has therefore agreed that TLC Travel will operate a reduced timetable using existing staff and buses until such time as the company has the resources to resume the full hourly service.

Please do check with WY Metro before you travel as the new company are still recruiting drivers so cancellations are likely.

Children can get to Morley each morning but please note there is likely a wait for them to return after school Mon- Thursday due to the time tables (Woodkirk finishes earlier on a Friday)

There will still be no service on a Sunday

Thank you to all the local councillors who have helped with this.

‘Redrow homes’ have officially requested planning permission and site access for the housing they want to build on the meadows and land that surrounds Haigh Wood.

The number of houses requested has changed to  289

The Yellow posters have appeared this morning on the lamp posts

Members of the public now have 21 days to comment on the proposals

Reference number 21/07156/RM

Unfortunately our area will be losing a bus service

The 205 bus which operates between Dewsbury and Pudsey is discontinuing on 25th October 2021

This means the people at the bottom of the village now have no direct access to Morley

The 205 has been under threat for many years and we are told that the reason for withdrawal is due to the lack of bus drivers as they have gone to be lorry drivers

WF3 Kindness are holding the kindness awards again this year.

So they are asking for nominations of people you think have shown that community spirit.

There are several categories, including best teacher, the person has made a difference and community group of the year, that’s just naming a few.

Please visit their page to get your nomination in, the communities way of saying thank you to our neighbours

https://www.wf3kindness.org/best-of-wf3-awards-2021

Over the last week there has been an increase of residents reporting issues with speeding motorists.

On Saturday there was an accident outside Hilltop School resulting in the new safety fence being destroyed, thank goodness no one was stood there at the time!

The police welcome reports of speeding motorists and also dash cam footage or cctv footage of any such incidents. you can do this by using the link below

https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/SaferRoadsSubmissions

Tingley Brass band has resumed rehearsals now the restrictions have been finally lifted! As well as welcoming the established players back they would love to have new players join them, they rehearse at Blackgates community centre

If you are a player of any level and would like to go for a blow with them, or you are brand new and would love to learn to play an instrument please contact the conductor Geoff on 0113 253 0719

After a period of quiet there has been a disturbance – many of you will have now received a “consultation leaflet from Redrow, who appear to be the ones tasked with building on the fields at the Haigh woods site.

Some of our local councillors are already addressing concerns raised from local residents about the ridiculous time scales given, receiving the consultation leaflet on the 16th and 18th of July and having the deadline for responses at the 23rd July!

Here is a response from Cllr Mike Foster-