Dear Councillors

I trust you and your nearest and dearest are all well.

I refer to my previous email of 8^th November herewith.  Sent on behalf of West Ardsley Action Group to David Feeney, copied to the above recipients and disseminated to the local community via West Ardsley Web site and email listing.

7 + weeks have elapsed and i have received no reply of any kind in response to this communication. It can only be assumed that LCC  and their Planning Personnel are intent on ignoring our request to be included in the consultation process. Are they working hand in hand with the Developers, as they did during the period between the original refusal by Plans Panel, in effect leading to the subsequent overturning of the original decision.

Is the policy of  LCC to continue to ignore local residents. And, despite our request to participate, in a “ Spirit of Cooperation “ to preclude WAAG from any further involvement in this  process.

It was noted at the original Plans Panel meeting that the community received the support of your good selves to refuse the application.  We are now asking for your support in eliciting a response to our communication herewith.

Thanks & regards

Peter Cowling

Chair , West Ardsley Action Group

F.O.A. David Feeney | Chief Planning Officer

Planning & Sustainable Development

City Development

Dear Mr Feeney,

We’re obviously aware that the Minister of Housing and Local Government has decided not to call in your clients planning application, and that the planning permission has now itself been issued.

This decision has led to a feeling of massive disappointment and much angst is being expressed by the residents of West Ardsley and Tingley toward LCC and their Planning Department.  Notwithstanding this, the Secretary of States letter, whilst refusing the call-in, alluded to councils and COMMUNITIES making local planning decisions. We believe it is to the benefit of all parties, that the local community have some input into the planning process going forward and, it is within your remit to facilitate this.

You will recall that at City Plans Panel, a number of members had expressed concern at the applicant’s failure to involve the local community in any way during the preparation and consideration of the outline application.  They felt that if there had been such involvement, there might in consequence have been less local opposition.  They asked that it be a requirement that the developers should undertake local consultations as part of the detailed application process.  We are, of course, aware that your officer chose to answer this concern at the time by addressing a completely different issue altogether  –  namely liaison during the

construction process itself.  This avoiding of the issue does not, of course, make the original concern go away.

WAAG therefore would also ask, in a spirit of co-operation, that you should recommend applicants for detailed approvals to undertake active consultation with WAAG, preferably in advance of formal applications being made;  and that you should yourself advise WAAG of, and copy to us, any proposals submitted to the Council for pre-application discussions, with a view to our having an input into that process.  This is, of course, over and above the formal Council notification of every such application to all previous objectors, which we imagine will occur in any event.

Again, we would appreciate your formal confirmation that you will do this.

Thanking you in advance, for and behalf of the local community.

Yours Sincerely

Peter Cowling

Chair , West Ardsley Action Group

20/9/2020                                                                    

WAAG UPDATE ON HAIGH WOOD HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PLANS

The government White Paper is proposing major changes to the planning system and they are engaging in a public consultation process.  WAAG intends to respond to their consultation however, this is asking a number of questions, which will require considerable effort and knowledge to respond effectively.

Not withstanding this, as feared, the governments build, build, build announcement, which we believe is the purpose of the new white paper, will have the Developers rubbing their hands.  

The Labour run Leeds City Council, have always had the intention to have this site developed, regardless of all of the objections raised.  As confirmed by their about turn at the last Plans Panel meeting.

We have written twice to the LCC Solicitor arguing that the last meeting was biased and unfair and pressing the case for a further, open, Plans Panel meeting; this has been refused. We have had it confirmed by the LCC Solicitor that they intend to issue an approval; they are only waiting for the Secretary of State to make a decision on the request for “call in”.

For now here’s where we think we stand in relation to the big planning application for 299 houses. 

• It’s now over three months since our MP Andrea Jenkyns asked Secretary of State Robert Jenrick to call in the application and we’re still waiting for him to decide whether he will or not.  If he does call it in, then there would be a public hearing with a fresh analysis about the merits or otherwise of the proposals.  We would be up against both the developers and Leeds Council both of whom want approval.  We would need to pay for expert help in preparing our case.  WAAG did think it more likely that Jenrick would tell Leeds to go ahead and approve, but is now wondering what is delaying Jenrick’s decision. 
  
  
• WAAG is challenging the minutes of the City Plans Panel so that there would have to be consultation with the community whilst more detailed plans are being drawn up.  Otherwise we just have to await planning applications for “reserved matters” when full details will be submitted for approval.  There could be one application or separate applications for the development parcels, though the Council would be looking to ensure that environmental promises already made would be adhered to.
  
  
• As for the planning system changes proposed, they are surely too late to influence the outcome for us.  If anything, they could make the situation worse.  Boris wants to “build, build build”.  Politicians see the planning system as too slow and cumbersome and to blame for all that’s wrong.  At least organisations like WAAG have been able to contribute to the SAP and City Plans Panel, even if ultimately ignored and then denied at the May CPP meeting (another story!).   Enabling public contribution slows planning decisions and the new system threatens that.  It feels like it is the WAAGs of this world that are the target that need to be by-passed to get building and the economy growing.  WAAG tries to stay apolitical but feels squeezed between Conservatives on one hand at national level, as just described, and Labour at the local level who imposed a grossly inflated housing target a decade or so ago and are determined to approve 299 houses around Haigh Wood.

www.westardsley.co.uk  email: westardsleyactiongroup@gmail.com

Two years ago a planning application for 299 houses was published by Leeds City Council,

Yesterday that housing application was turned down by Leeds City Council Councillors.

West Ardsley Action group would like to thank EVERYONE who has been involved, those who have written objection letters, those who attended meetings, those who asked questions, those who displayed posters, those who were in the leaflet delivery army, those who came out on the site visits and protests and those who came to the council offices yesterday showing their support for the village and the green spaces of West Ardsley.

An incredibly huge thank you to those on the steering committee who spent hours writing technical objections and who found holes in the councils documents.

It has certainly proved that West Ardsley community spirit is alive and well.

Thank you

**A message from WAAG chairman regarding tomorrow’s full council meeting**

Dear Resident
The campaign to save Haigh Wood from the developers is now at a critical juncture.
Following a long period of deliberations and consultations, the Executive Board of Leeds City Council met on 26th June 2019 and have recommended acceptance of the revised Site Allocation Plan (SAP) for land to be made available for housing in the Leeds district, which retains the Haigh Woods sites. Their recommendation, has to be ratified, or otherwise, at a Full Council meeting.
A Full Leeds City Council meeting will meet tomorrow 10th of July. The adoption of the Site Allocation Plan is on the agenda. It will be decided by a vote either to adopt or not in it’s entirety.
The most recent letter from our Ward Councillors dated 24th June 2019, which follows on from their letter of 19th January 2019, indicates their disappointment that the Haigh Wood sites have remained in the SAP. however, they appear to be totally acquiescent. Our ward councillors will have the opportunity to vote on the adoption of the plan and their votes will be critical. It is entirely reasonable to expect our Ward Councillors to “STAND UP AND BE COUNTED” and support the overwhelming opinions of their constituents in voting against the adoption of the SAP.
Although time is short, it is not too late for residents to contact their Ward Councillors via email and express their own views and expectations on how they should vote.
Yours Sincerely
Peter Cowling
Chairman WAAG

Haigh Woods, West Ardsley. Photo, courtesy of Tony Smith.

We are proud to announce that our first campaign film – Help Save Haigh Woods (West Ardsley) is now live.

View this from our dedicated page.

We now have a date for the next WAAG meeting, Tuesday 9th October at 7pm in the community centre at Hilltop school –  this will be an upadate of the things that have been going on recently, including haighwoods development, West Ardsley in Bloom and local crime rates etc. The police and our local councillors have been invited to attend.

Please do come along everyone is welcome as always!

We now have a date for our first meeting, please do come along, everyone is welcome! We can make West Ardsley even more beautiful together

The next community meeting organised by West Ardsley Action Group, is Tuesday 19th June 7pm at the community centre which you can find in Hilltop School carpark.

The agenda will include road and traffic issues, rubbish, recent reported crime and the ongoing planning objections at HaighWood site. if you have anything you would like to raise please let us know, you can use the contact form from this site or you can contact WAAG via their face book page.

Everyone is welcome-  please bring a bottle of water with you as it may get quite warm in the hall!